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Overview
Eveningstar Macaw lives in a glorious Mayan city in the ninth century. When the king falls ill and dies, the city begins to crumble. An evil high priest, Great Skull Zero, orders the sacrifice of those who might become king, including Eveningstar's beloved brother. Suspicious of the High Priest's motives, Eveningstar attempts to save her brother, thus becoming an acknowledged enemy of the High Priest. Condemned to be thrown into the Well of Sacrifice, Eveningstar must find a way not only to save her own life but to rescue her family and her city from the tyrannical grasp of Great Skull Zero. Set against the vivid background of everyday life at the height of the Mayan golden age and illustrated with striking black-and-white paintings, Eveningstar's candid, gripping, and not-for-the-faint-of-heart account of the last days of a great city will have readers at the edge of their seats. Afterword.
When a Mayan girl in ninth-century Guatemala suspects that the High Priest sacrifices anyone who stands in the way of his power, she proves herself a hero.
Synopsis
Eveningstar Macaw lives in a glorious Mayan city in the ninth century. When the king falls ill and dies, the city begins to crumble. An evil high priest, Great Skull Zero, orders the sacrifice of those who might become king, including Eveningstar's beloved brother. Suspicious of the High Priest's motives, Eveningstar attempts to save her brother, thus becoming an acknowledged enemy of the High Priest. Condemned to be thrown into the Well of Sacrifice, Eveningstar must find a way not only to save her own life but to rescue her family and her city from the tyrannical grasp of Great Skull Zero. Set against the vivid background of everyday life at the height of the Mayan golden age and illustrated with striking black-and-white paintings, Eveningstar's candid, gripping, and not-for-the-faint-of-heart account of the last days of a great city will have readers at the edge of their seats. Afterword.
VOYA
Eveningstar Macaw ages from ten to fourteen in this lush and vivid portrayal of ninthcentury Mayan life. When her people capture "savages" from another tribe, ritualistic ceremonies begin with feasting and end with human sacrifice. Only a captive named Small is spared. The evil Mayan king imprisons Eveningstar, marking her for sacrifice, when she attempts to rescue her brother from a similar fate. After two escape attempts with help from her mother and Small, Eveningstar is thrown into the Well of Sacrifice. She pretends to drown before climbing to safety, able at last to help save her city from its evil ruler. While Eveningstar's story accurately depicts Mayan culture with its human sacrifice and selfmutilation, male characters are virtually absent. Eveningstar and her mother participate in daring masculine activities that are most likely not historically accurate. Though Eveningstar is likeable as she ponders such issues as human sacrifice and the abuse of power and natural resources, her firstperson narrative creates onedimensional characters in a fastpaced plot that curiously lacks suspense. Readers naturally presume that Eveningstar will emerge victorious. Intermediate and middle school girls will like and identify with the intrepid Eveningstar, and boys might be attracted to the action that includes gruesome sacrificial descriptions. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M J (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 1999, Clarion, Ages 12 to 15, 236p, $15. Reviewer: Lisa A. Spiegel
Editorials
From the Publisher
"an exciting narrative with a richly textured depiction of ancient Mayan society...The novel shines not only for a faithful recreation of an unfamiliar, ancient world, but also for the introduction of a brave, likable, and determined heroine." Kirkus ReviewsSet in ninth-century Guatemala, at the height of the Mayan civilization, this is the story of Eveningstar Macaw, a young girl who finds the fate of her city in her hands. When she discovers enemy soldiers in the jungle while she is hunting medicinal herbs, Eveningstar Macaw tells her older brother, Smoke Shell, who saves the city. But the honor conferred upon Smoke Shell and his family turns out for the worse after the death of the king puts him in line to rule. Harsh, highly placed enemies sacrifice Smoke Shell to the gods; then it is up to Eveningstar Macaw to avenge her brother and eventually save herself. Eboch does a good job of balancing the many details of Mayan life with an electrifying—sometimes gory—story. Eboch does not pull back much as she chronicles both the sacrifices and the ritual bloodletting that were part of the Mayan culture. Of course, shocking events won't deter readers who will already be caught up in the excitement that reaches a high-velocity climax as Eveningstar Macaw struggles to avoid the fate her enemies have plotted for her.
Booklist, ALA