Review: A Stunning & Engaging Novel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 23, 2014
I have to admit before being recommended this I hadn't read much in the way of Mayan culture, least of all books centered around a Mayan queen, so when "The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'Nal of Palenque" came to my attention I was intrigued by a subject I knew so little about. What I really liked about this novel is that it is clear from the start and all the way through to the end, that Leonide Martin aims to stay true to the Mayan culture and recorded history; she has created a well-researched novel that explores the true history of Yohl Ik’nal of Palenque, but delves into the mysteries of who she really was, the depth of the life she lead and the power of her reign in Lakam Ha.The novel is vividly written with vibrant storytelling, strong dialogue and authentic characters that spring to life and that ring true to the Mayan culture of that time. The author does a stunning job of keeping this story fast-paced, compelling, emotional and dram rich, and engaging to the very end. Overall, this was a stunning novel that successfully introduced this beautifully rich culture and it's so little known Queen, sweeping me up in the life of Yohl Ik’nal of Palenque and making me eager to see what else comes next in the Mists of Palenque series.