Genre: Metaphysical
Fiction/Cultural Myths/Coming of Age
Description:
“A storm rises.
Can a boy quell the fury of a god?
Join the Zapotec on a journey through time and across generations, as
the descendants of this civilization are led on a path of transcendence. The rebirth of their storied civilization
depends upon their ability to awaken Cocijo, the god of lightning and rain.”
Author:
“With roots set in Germany and
Texas, Thomas (Tom) Juarez grew up enjoying the life of a military dependent.
Living in multiple states and countries, his family would finally settle down
in the beautiful city of Wetumpka, Alabama; a place Tom still refers to as
home.
Filled with a sense of service, Tom would leave Wetumpka in 1985 for a
twenty-one-year career in the United States Army… After a lifetime of moving
here or there, Tom called it a career and retired from the military. He and his
wife enjoy the fruits of their collective journey in Sterling, Oklahoma.”
Appraisal:
Part one of this journey begins in ancient times. Following the
initiation of a young Priest and his transcendence to adulthood of mythic
proportions. This sets up the legend behind the story and I found it
fascinating. Part two moves forward to a more modern time. The summer of 2003
in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Here we meet Agent Gustavo Hamilton, a clairvoyant with
the US government, and Staff Sergeant Citalli Patee, of Hispanic descent. Agent
Hamilton recruits Citalli to help him prevent an international incident that he
had a vision of which included Citalli.
After a metaphysical experience in Oaxaca, Mexico, Citalli and Gus
develop a lifelong friendship with mutual respect. Part three jumps forward ten
years to Taugui, Oklahoma where he meets Citalli’s ten year-old son, Canneo. Canneo
has been raised knowing the old ways and legends, as Citalli was. Canneo has
started having dreams of things to come. His rite of passage into adulthood and
introduction to the old gods follows.
I liked the relationship and dialogue between Citalli and Gus. Citalli
has a quirky sense of humor, you couldn’t help but like him. Citalli’s wife,
Kara, kept him grounded so they were a perfect match. Gus is a character that
takes a bit of time to get to know, but he settled in with the whole family
well.
Citalli’s dead mother had a heavy load to carry. During Citalli’s
prayer time she explained their religion and their relationship to the gods. It
seemed a bit repetitious but I can understand why the author did it. It is a
lot to take in. This is a work of fiction and loosely based on Zapotec history,
not a history lesson. I did enjoy the story and it was worth my time to read.
If you are interested in Mesoamerican cultures you may enjoy this story as
well.
Format/Typo
Issues:
A small number of proofing issues, nothing that threw me out of the
story.
Rating:
**** Four Stars
Reviewed
by: ?wazithinkin
Approximate
word count: 55-60,000 words
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