Lost civilization. Ancient secrets. A fast-paced adventure where danger lurks around every corner. While exploring ancient ruins nestled deep in the lush Guatemalan jungle, a team of international archaeologists makes a stunning discovery. They find a sprawling network of tunnels and caves filled with man-made structures, intricately carved stone statues, inscriptions and murals that hint at the … hint at the mythical Mayan underworld, Xibalba.
Eager to learn more about the shadowy place, they descend further underground and stumble upon hidden passageways that seem to stretch forever, treasure-laden tombs and secluded chambers which show signs of ritual usage. But it soon becomes apparent that they are not alone in the vast subterranean maze. Someone else is there. Someone who is ready to kill to protect the sinister secrets that lay hidden there for centuries.
Fans of gripping action adventure thrillers laced with archaeological mystery will love Thirst Of The Rain God. Also recommended for anyone interested in the ancient Maya.
more
A remarkable mix of Maya mythology and fast-paced archeological thriller.
„Thirst of the Rain God. Secrets of the Maya” by J.A. Kalis is a classical fast-paced adventure in best Indiana Jones style.
An international group of archeologist working in the Guatemalan jungle, come across a sensational discovery, an entryway to Xibalba, the Mayan Underworld. True to every explorer’s attitude and high on discovery fever they immediately begin the descent into the cavernous system, stumbling across never before ever seem “wonderful things” until the tide turns and this magical and wonderful places turns into a claustrophobic maze inhabited by some unknow presence. And the thrill runs his course.
By now you are already asking yourself “have I not read this before” well yes, you have (because it follows the blueprint of every good adventure-thriller worth reading) and no, you haven’t, because the book excel in using the aforementioned blueprint as just a base to construct a very interesting plot with multidimensional characters and action-packed situations. Treasure hunt, archeological facts, danger, intrigue, facts, suspense, action nonstop… it has it all… in spades.
J.A. Kalis offers a fast-paced plot that drives the reader first row into the action, a rich canopy of description and very accurate background facts that give the story an overall feeling of “reality”. It is a fast ride, sometimes even a hard one, after all Xibalba is not for the faint of heart, worthy until the very fast chapter.
This was an archeological action-packed thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Set in the rainforests of Guatemala where archeologists have discovered a vast network of caves set under an ancient Mayan tomb, two men work their way through dense jungle to get to the dig site. Kalis has a real way with words, and the descriptions here are exquisite. You can really picture, smell and imagine every scene, from the rainforest to the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped down in the caves. And the descriptions of the Mayan relics were stunning. But as they get to the dig site and discover what’s there, all is not well. This was a nail biter from start to end. Wonderful incorporation of Mayan legend and history as well as some present-day lessons in climate change. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers like “Indiana Jones” and “National Treasure”, you’re sure to love this one!
Deep in the jungle of Guatemala, there’s a hidden Mayan civilization about the be unearthed. Reporter Randy wants the scoop first, so he’s hired Travis, a jungle tour guide, to take him there. It’s dangerous in the jungle as Randy soon discovers. Travis is not the clean-cut man as first appears but one with a shady past. As the two men venture further into the jungle, they encounter all sorts of things. Once they get to the excavation site, they find it empty. They enter the ruins and that is when the adventure really begins. Rooms of vast treasure but there’s also something else there, something that doesn’t want the world to know about its secrets. Can Randy, Travis, and the rest of the team of archaeologists escape in time or will they have to pay with their lives for awakening the gods?
Thirst of the Rain God is a suspenseful adventure story from start to finish. I love a rollicking archaeology tale (think Indy Jones) and while this one started this way, it surely didn’t end that way. Sure, there were tense moments but it was overshadowed by a murky plot. What I loved was the adrenaline-inducing thrill of the discoveries around every corner. I enjoyed the Mayan mythology and descriptive narration. J.A. Kalis plunges the reader deep in the jungle and added depth to the plot. The characters, for the most part, I didn’t connect with. I found Randy milkatose and drole. I did like Travis for awhile but then he began to get on my nerves. The dialogue was well-done and propelled the plot. What I didn’t like was there wasn’t a clear-cut ending. Where was the climax? It just pretty much ended in a very anti-climatic way. Overall, it was a good adventure story with plenty of twists and turns. If you’re a fan of Greig Beck and Steve Berry, you’ll love Thirst of the Rain God.
My Rating: 4 stars
ONE HELLUVA JOURNEY
Holy hell tigger! Kalis blasts through on gale force winds, riding a blazing inferno, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, unveiling this action packed thriller with a no turning back, take no prisoners attitude, wrapping this jewel up sleek shiny and tight. Tracking a minefield of perilous drama, nail-biting revelations, damning discoveries, riveting intrigue, escalating danger and spiraling suspense, traversing the dark cunning manipulations of vicious iniquity, atrocious deeds and heinous intent, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never anticipated. Restrictions are heightened and stretched, baring all the harsh facts, dangerous deals and frightening fiascos, igniting a fierce determination with such intensity and vigor, propelling this bad boy to life spectacularly. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuine formidable personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that’s so rich and lively it feels like you transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Kalis, thanks for sharing this awesome little jewel with us.
This was an interesting read. The characters are good and the storyline held my attention. Both are well written and I would recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 Stars
The story line and character work were great. The book had a fairly smooth flow to it. This book entertained from beginning to end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.