- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: Clarion Books; None edition (Mar 2 1999)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0395903742
- ISBN-13: 978-0395903742
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14.5 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 272 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #425,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
First novelist Eboch accomplishes quite a feat here: he manages to make the bloodletting rituals and human sacrifice practices of the Mayans the central point of this novel, yet creates a character readers will care deeply about: Eveningstar Macaw. Eveningstar, a resourceful and spunky girl, lives in a lavish city of gold near the jungle. Her brother, Smoke Shell, possesses the leadership qualities of a fearless noble who may one day sit on the throne. Her older sister, Feather Dawn, self-absorbed and haughty, has two redeeming virtues: her skill at the loom and her beauty. But when the ailing king dies and his high priest, Great Skull Zero, commands that all possible successors be thrown into the well of sacrifice to drown or be saved by the gods, Eveningstar vows to save her brotherAand to stop Feather from being married off to the conniving Zero. Eboch cushions a plot of treachery and heroism with lush details of daily life in a ninth-century Mayan city that's beginning to crumble. Here, fathers wear green quetzal feathers; mothers cook tortillas, pumpkin and papaya; and beautiful girls with slanted foreheads wear rings in their noses and heavy jade and gold jewelry that pulls down their earlobes. Readers may blanch at some of the descriptions of ceremonies and sacrifices ("The king pulled the end of the rope through his tongue and dropped it into the bowl.... He danced with blood pouring down his chest"). Watching this unorthodox 12-year-old girl outwit a high priest, escape jail, rescue her sister and more makes for a fast-paced read. An author's note describes the historical context for the tale. Ages 9-up.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Set in a large Mayan city during the ninth century, this well-written story follows the exploits of Eveningstar Macaw, the youngest daughter of a well-to-do merchant family. Rather than pursue the traditional custom of learning domestic arts and managing a household, she prefers to become a healer like her mother. When Eveningstar's brother, Smoke Shell, performs an act of heroism, the family is elevated to noble status. After the death of their popular king, Smoke Shell is considered a likely candidate as a successor, but an ambitious and unscrupulous high priest endangers anyone who is perceived as a competitor for the throne. After making an unsuccessful attempt to save her brother's life, Eveningstar becomes involved in efforts to thwart the plans of the high priest, risking her own safety. The adventures of this tenacious heroine are suspenseful and entertaining, providing readers with an exciting story and a realistic feel for everyday life in and ceremonial practices of the ancient Mayan culture. Well-researched historical fiction and a good read.
Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating book!,
By Maryam (Chicago) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Well of Sacrifice (Hardcover)
Eveningstar Macaw lives in an ancient Mayan city, where high priests and kings are the ultimate rulers. She helps her mother get herbs from the jungle for her mother is a healer. Eveningstar knows the jungle inside-out. One day she comes upon a group of 'savages' who are enemies of the Mayans. She immediately warns everyone in the city. The savages are caught and some are kept for sacrifice while the others are kept as slaves for the noblemen. Eveningstar met a savage boy in the jungle and named him Small. Evening Star's family took him in as a servant. Eveningstar's oldest brother, Smokeshell is met with much honor after the capturing of the savages for he helps capture them. When the old King Flint Sky god dies,the evil High Priest, Great Skull Zero is left to rule. Great Skull Zero does not want anyone to threaten his spot on the throne, so he calls out a list of men who will be thrown into the Well of Sacrifice. All of these men are noblemen, and are soldiers who are highly respected. Among the chosen men are Smokeshell and Feather Dawn's fiance.(Feather Dawn is Eveningstar's snotty and headstrong sister) Eveningstar quickly figures that Great Skull Zero is only having those soldiers killed for his own greed, and not for the Gods. From there the story takes a great leap from peaceful to dangerous and suspense-filled. Excellent book!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast-paced and Exiting,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Well of Sacrifice (Hardcover)
When the king of the great Mayan city dies, the high-priest starts sacrificing anyone who stands in his way of being the most powerful man in the city. Only Eveningstar, a Mayan girl, has the courage to stand up to the evil high-priest and save her city. "The Well of Sacrifice" is a fast-paced, exiting book filled with adventure, and is a great way to learn about the ancient Maya. There are many interesting plot twists. This book is also fun to read, and the words flow nicely. I would reccomend "The Well of Sacrifice" to almost anyone.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Well of Sacrefice,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Well of Sacrifice (Hardcover)
When I was in 6th grade my teacher was reading us "The Well of Sacrefice". It started like any other book but then it started to get better and better until it was like no other. I was never really intrested in stuff past the Revolutionary War but after this book I have been reading on the Mayans every chance I get. We would be in class, and the teacher would stop so we could go for a recess but we would rather give up are recess then stop reading. I enjoyed this book a lot and that is why I am making my voice heard. Sydni
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