THE CRYSTAL SKULL
FACT: Five thousand years ago, the Mayans carved thirteen crystal skulls
FACT: To protect humankind, they sent them to the four corners of the globe
FACT: They gave precise date for when they thought the world would end: 21 December 2012
FACT: They said that this time the destruction will be of man's making
FACT: Only when all thirteen skulls are reunited can the world be saved from its fate
For the last 500 years one skull has been missing. Now it's about to be found...
Hidden for four centuries, a crystal skull of exquisite beauty has just been found by Stella
Cody, who also inherits its legacy of dark secrets, intrigue and murder.
Facing and increasingly implacable enemy, Stella and her lover, Kit struggle to crack the code that hides the skull's intended resting place.
But time is against them, and they have only days – hours – left to uncover the secret that may yet save the world.
The Crystal Skull is a race against the clock. Based on the Mayan predictions of 2012 and the myths and legends of the crystal skulls the novel contains two main characters and two distinct timeframes, Stella Cody of the 21st century and 16th century Cedric Owen. The story alternates between the two as Stella rushes to uncover the secrets Owen left behind. Stella and her husband Kit, having cracked the cipher Owen hid in his ledgers centuries before discover Owens lost treasure the blue heartstone, and the danger that comes with possessing it. They have only days to unlock the skulls secrets and save the future of humankind, but an unknown and dangerous enemy also has his eye on the skull.
I was excited when I stumbled across Manda Scotts The Crystal Skull. The cover was great and the blurb compelling, yet it unfortunately failed to deliver. The switching back and forth between past and present makes what should be an exciting race against time, slow and a little tedious. After reading a few hundred pages I still felt as though little had actually been accomplished. Astrology also plays a big part in The Crystal Skull, and it is interesting but it can also be confusing especially if you know little about it. The author leaves many questions about the skull unanswered and the relationship between Stella and Kit feels rather shallow. However its not all bad, while the modern characters and events are pretty bland those of the Owens time are much better.
We get to see Owen interact with some historical figures, such as Nostradamus and Catherince de Medici and watch as he evades Sir Francis Walthsingham spymaster to Elizabeth the first. Follow him across Europe and the ocean as he travels to South America. All as he quests for the final resting place of the heart stone, and a way to hide his secrets, so only the one who is meant to uncover them will. Owens best friend and self appointed protecter Fernandez de Aguilar has to be the most intriguing character, and the best part of the novel. He is a well written and lovable character, if all the characters were as well done as him the story would be greatly improved.
The Crystal Skull is far from the best book I've read but it does have some redemable qualities and if you can look past the slow pace and slightly boring 21st century characters, then I say go for it. I'd rate The Crystal Skull as a borrow book, I wouldn't be forking money over for it without reading it yourselves first and deciding how you feel about it. After all thats what libraries are for.
http://www.mandascott.co.uk/index.php
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