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The world of the ancient Mayan civilization is brought to life through the story of the sons of Ahaw Itzamna Balam. First, there is Kyu Balam, the youngest son, who has not yet found his purpose in life. Then there is Yooat Balam, the heir who would prefer to study the stars than to lead. Finally, there is Yaxuun Balam, with aspirations to become the strongest warrior around. These three men are coming into their own, trying to find their path to becoming a True Man. Their individual journeys lead them through the tumultuous life of what ancient Mayans experienced: ceremonies, family turmoil, war, and secrets that could make or break them as men.
Historical fiction sometimes has the tendency to be on the stiff side, but this is like a breath of fresh air. There is such a richness to the story itself that one can tell there was a lot of tender love and care that went into it. Each character, though fictionalized, is grounded in such truth and research that one knows for a fact that Wrenn’s M.A. in anthropology aided in keeping these characters so real. Even Ch’el Balam, the cousin of the main characters, is very vibrant and interesting to read about. Her story arc within this novel will also captivate readers, making them almost wish for an installment just for her so they can read more about her and her journey. Readers will likely become so absorbed in the culture and atmosphere that they will be begging for more in the next book of the series.