She was born to serve the Goddess Ix Chel. But K’inuuw Mat is destined to continue the Palenque (Lakam Ha) dynasty by marriage to Tiwol, fourth son of famous ruler Pakal. Trained in prophetic arts, she uses scrying to foresee the face of the man with whom she will bear the dynastic heir—but it is not her husband’s image. She is shocked upon arriving at Palenque to recognize that face as her … her husband’s older brother, Kan Bahlam. They are immediately attracted, sharing deep interest in astronomy. Though she resists, the magnetic force of their attraction propels them into forbidden embraces, until Kan Bahlam designs a bold plan that would solve his inability to produce a son—if he can gain his brother’s cooperation.
Set in the splendor of Lakam Ha’s artistic and scientific zenith, royal family conflicts and ambitions play out in a tapestry of brilliant Mayan accomplishments in calendars, astronomy, architecture, arts, and secret language codes that will astound people centuries later. As K’inuuw Mat contends with explosive emotions, she must answer the Goddess’ mandate to preserve Mayan culture for future generations. Her passion with Kan Bahlam leads to a pale daughter and bold son who carry this out as their civilization begins the decline and eventual collapse her prophetic vision foresees.
One great cycle rolls into the next . . .
Contemporary Mexican archeologist Francesca and her partner Charlie, a British linguist, venture into Chiapas jungles to a remote Maya village, seeking to unravel her grandmother’s secrets. The hostile village shaman holds the key, but refuses to share with outsiders the scandal that leads to foreign blood and ancient Palenque lineages. Only by re-claiming her own shamanic heritage can Francesca learn the truth of who she is, and bring her dynasty into the present.
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“The Prophetic Mayan Queen: K’inuuw Mat of Palenque” is the fourth installment of the Mists of Palenque Series by Leonide Martin. In this novel, Leonide Martin sets out to tell the story of a young woman whose clairvoyant abilities have shown promise to a future calling for the Priestess she admires. Soon she learns that there is more to her calling than what she has envisioned. Readers are brought along for a journey filled with every imaginable emotion in the course of a heroine’s lifetime. As a result, a world that is stunningly beautiful and complete without ours—but intractably connected—surges through the pages of the book.
To describe Leonide Martin’s writing as superb is an understatement. The language of the book is for book lovers and logophiles alike. Martin uses advanced lexicon in adequate amounts and places to bring readers into the Mayan world of the protagonist, K’inuuw Mat. A favorite passage of mine is the following:
“When will she and her retinue arrive?” asked Kan Bhalam.
“Within two moon cycles, so the marriage may take place when Lady Uc shows her bright round face, glowing with love’s quickening heartbeat, in the night sky at summer solstice,” offered Chak Chan, an astronomer in the Academy of Kan Bahlam.
“Ever the sky watcher, and now also a poet!” exclaimed Tiwol Chan Mat.
Poetic, indeed! The statement by Chak Chan creates romantic imagery for readers followed by Tiwol’s insightful and witty commentary. Exchanges like this one—seen throughout the novel—show readers the intellect, affection, and self-awareness that the characters possess. Martin’s characters are reminiscent of Shakespearean character profiles and stories which carry the universal themes of humanity.
Fans of romance will undoubtedly enjoy this novel, though the storyline is unlike typical romance novels with predictable plotlines. Readers interested in learning about the ancient Mayan culture and its people will also instantly lose themselves in K’inuuw Mat’s story. Archeology enthusiasts would do well to read this novel also, as the book is both entertaining and educational.
Prior to reading “The Prophetic Mayan Queen: K’inuuw Mat of Palenque” I had decided that I’d like to learn the Mayan language. Like many of my peers, I have studied other languages but none that are considered ‘pre-Colombian’. This is an effort to honor my own maternal Mayan roots as my mother and her entire family is from Central America. I could not have asked for a better introduction into the nuances of the ancient Mayan language and way of life. The ‘Afterword’ section of the book is especially endearing to me as it is written for the scholar in all of us.
I highly recommend Leonide Martin’s “The Prophetic Mayan Queen: K’inuuw Mat of Palenque” for anyone who wants to connect with the heroine inside. The novel effectively takes readers through an adventure which competes with classic stories of self-fulfillment despite life’s unexpected challenges and loss. I look forward to reading all of the books in the series and I hope that Martin can bring some of these tales to life in film or a televised series.
Everything—including the cover art and maps to the storyline and author notes—about Martin’s “The Prophetic Mayan Queen: K’inuuw Mat of Palenque” delights the eyes and soul. Some might consider the writing a bit dense because it is advanced, at times “foreign-sounding”, and doesn’t use worn out tropes in fiction. However, at the end of the story, readers realize that they have been immersed into a tale of ascent to power besieged by challenging ethical dilemmas as well as metaphysical experiences. With its setting in the highly advanced civilization of the ancient Mayas, embedded dynamic characters in a heroine’s tale, this historical novel is sure to enamor readers of any genre.