Ratings5
Average rating3.2
A vacation in Cozumel sounds like the perfect escape, but for Jonathan Roth and his family, it’s a trap. They become pawns in an ancient ritual designed to bring about a Mayan apocalypse in this riveting thriller.
A Mayan prophecy has waited for five centuries to be fulfilled. That time has come. Sacrifices will be made. Let the games begin.
When Jonathan Roth and his family are invited by their neighbors, the Beasleys, to join them at a luxury retreat in Cozumel, who can refuse? It’s the perfect winter getaway. Relaxing on the beach, gourmet food, sightseeing, and free accommodations. But if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Villa Sara de Calakmul, owned by mysterious tycoon Jacob Calakmul, is more isolated compound than private resort. Armed guards patrol the jungle perimeters. Pictures of previous guests—long disappeared—adorn the walls. And there are whispers of something coming called “the game.” Even in the sweltering heat, the Roths feel a chill—and the fear that they haven’t been invited to Villa Sara. They’ve been lured. But for what purpose? And to what end?
From the ruins, a death cult is reborn. A prophecy to bring down Western civilization is being realized. As a legendary blood sport is engaged, the Roths themselves may need to call upon ancient powers if they’re to survive, escape, and save the world from annihilation.
Featured Series
3 primary booksThe Dresden Codex is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2023 with contributions by Jeff Wheeler.
Reviews with the most likes.
What a horrible book. Shlock, I can handle—we all need mindless action fluff sometimes—but not this. The villains were cartoonishly evil. The main character a spineless, unprincipled buffoon; worse, he seems to be a proxy for the author, which reflects quite poorly on Wheeler. Overuse of handwavey Maya Magic™ to move the action along when convenient. Every person who helps the heroes is left to die or suffer, with barely an afterthought. Then, at the end, the author repeatedly plugs a (real-world) violently homophobic chicken fast food franchise I will not name. The only two main characters with any moral sense—both women—remain in the background. One of them, the adult, the only one with any hope of resolving the crisis, is written away into a coma halfway through.
There is nothing worthwhile about this book.