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Enter the world of Sky Knife: A Mayan youth who was cursed with an unlucky name from birth. From a vision given to his mother, Sky Knife is pledged to honor whatever destiny the gods have decreed. Farmer, soldier, merchant--all these roads are closed to him. He isn't even worthy as a sacrifice to the gods. Sometimes, however, the gods have a very wicked sense of humor...and what some sages think of as the worst cosmic luck may in fact be the touch of the gods' own hands. From temple pariah to hero, Sky Knife discovers the magic within him and not only thwarts all the evil plots surrounding his king, but wins the hand of the beautiful and beloved Jade Flute in the process. Enemies vanquished and evil magic dispelled, life is good. And as Sky Knife prepares for the birth of a long-awaited child, it seems like the fates have given him all that he desires. But it appears the gods aren't quite done with Sky Knife just yet. He is to be sent to the distant city-kingdom of Teotihuacan, to bring greetings and to reopen diplomatic ties with these strange people. From missed meetings to strange guides, corrupt counselors to a bizarre court, Sky Knife feels his world shifting dangerously out of balance. And when the Teotihuacan king is killed and bad luck seems to descend upon his kingdom, it is left to Sky Knife to solve the riddle of his death. Or he will be slaughtered in the killer's stead.
评论 (3)
出版社周刊评论
Her strong sequel to Sky Knife will bring Sands's readers back into the fascinating realm of Mayan culture and folklore. Itzamma, god of the Mayan City Tikal, has sent his chief priest, Sky Knife, on a mystical journey to the center of the world to solve the murder of Tattooed Serpent, King of Teotihuacan. With only his "Hand of God" knife as protector and spiritual amulet, Sky Knife encounters the world of the Teotihuacanos: a city where poverty, treachery, polyandry, greed, sensuality and opulence abound. Arriving on the day of the king's puzzling death, Sky Knife is asked by the king's widow, Jaguar's Daughter, not only to protect her son, the heir, but also to find the murderer. Trekking through colorful marketplaces and back alleys full of intrigue, Sky Knife slowly unravels (through common sense, good luck and the power of Itzamma) the truth behind the regicide. When only four days remain before Black Coyote can ascend the Royal Mat, the future king is kidnapped, and Sky Knife must risk violating the sacred womb/cave of the Masked One, holy goddess of Teotihuacan, to rescue him. Sands's knowledge of Mayan ritual is impressive, and she spins a good story. A banquet of imaginative charactersÄSky Knife's brave battalion of friends include a prostitute, a hustler and a dwarfÄenliven this engaging tale. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
《书目》(Booklist)书评
Sands returns to the Mayan setting of Sky Knife (1997) and brings back her eponymous hero, the Chief Priest of Tikal. This time he travels to the city of Teotihuan at the behest of his king to reestablish trade between the two cities. Before he can meet the king of this large and strange city, the monarch dies at a ball game. The queen, Jaguar's Daughter, perceives Sky Knife's strength and honesty and asks him to find out why the king died and who is scheming to wrest the throne away from her son, Black Coyote. Unfamiliar with the people and customs of Teotihuan, Sky Knife is at a dangerous disadvantage; then, to add to the challenge, two major gods become embroiled in a cosmic rivalry, and the court is rife with intrigue. Sands skillfully brings her mystical characters and their brutal culture to life as she unfolds a mystery as rich in magic as it is in suspense. --Patty Engelmann
《图书馆杂志》(Library Journal )书评
In this second novel by Sands (Sky Knife, Forge, 1997), the story of Sky Knife, high priest of the Mayan god Itzama, continues. The high priest has journeyed from his home in the city of Tikal at the request of his king in order to reopen diplomatic ties with the northern city of Teotihuacan. On the day of his arrival, the king of Teotihuacan dies mysteriously. Sky Knife is drawn into a web of dark intrigue in the power struggle that ensues. In an effort to protect the young son of the king and his twin, who is to be the ritual sacrifice, Sky Knife draws on his priestly powers of leadership and ancient magic. Sands relates a unique tale of a little-known time and culture where human sacrifice is commonplace and the magic and miracles of the gods are manifest in the everyday lives of the people. For a further look at Mayan culture and history, Marc Talbert's young adult title, Heart of a Jaguar (Atheneum, 1995), is highly recommended.ÄJane Baird, Anchorage Municipal Libs., AK (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.