Copyright Date:
2024
Edition Date:
2024
Release Date:
10/29/24
Illustrator:
Bowles, Charlene,
Pages:
65 pages
ISBN:
Publisher: 1-947627-69-4 Perma-Bound: 0-8000-5916-6
ISBN 13:
Publisher: 978-1-947627-69-7 Perma-Bound: 978-0-8000-5916-3
Dewey:
Fic
LCCN:
2024014679
Dimensions:
27 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews
Twin demigod brothers endeavor to fulfill their destinies despite familial troublesShirking their responsibilities, One Hunahpu (the demigod of maize) and his brother, Seven Hunahpu, wander into dark and glum Xibalba, the Underworld. A trick by the cruel King and Queen of the Dead leads to the brothers' deaths. One Hunahpu's skull is placed on a tree branch in Xibalba as a gruesome reminder. There, Lady Blood-Underworld daughter of Duke Pooling Blood and Duchess Peeling Scab-meets and falls in love with the maize demigod's soul. Soon pregnant with twin boys destined to "change the world forever," Lady Blood flees to the Overworld to escape the wrath of the Xibalba rulers and finds refuge at the house of One Hunahpu's goddess mother, who cares for his eldest (and abandoned) sons, Hun B'Atz' and Hun Chowen. Once born, Hunahpu and Xbalanke gradually learn to wield the magic of song to free their father and uncle. But first, the heroic twins must deal with their angry and envious older half brothers. This latest installment in David Bowles' series devoted to Mesoamerican folklore weaves demigod-filled bombast with fanciful hijinks, star-crossed romance, and heaps of humor. Charlene Bowles' artwork continues to leverage bold lines, earthy tones, and fluid action to further delight. An ominous cliffhanger hints at more intriguing exploits in the next volume.An engrossing tale of fledgling heroics. (author's note)(Graphic fantasy. 8-14)
School Library Journal
(Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2024)
Gr 7 Up— Mesoamerican myth and legend continue in the second installment of this series, about fated sets of twins and musical magic. Lady Blood, a princess of Xibalba (or the Underworld) gets involved in a relationship with One Hunahpu, a demigod of maize. Their twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanke, will one day grow to help resurrect their father and uncle. One of Hunahpu's children from his overworld life will need to get past their jealousy and envy of these new twins. This story is full of symbolism and is directly connected with stories of Mayan mythology. With vibrant colors and tight pacing, the graphic novel format will pull readers along easily, even into subsequent volumes. VERDICT The hero twins of Mayan mythology and their wild stories are brought to life in this great series.
In this graphic novel retelling of an Indigenous Mexican tale, demigod twins must use their magic of song to rescue their father and uncle from the perilous Land of the Dead. A supreme middle-grade adventure! In the age when Maya demigods lived among us, two carefree brothers, One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu, are foolishly lured to Xibalba, the Land of the Dead, to play a game. Unfortunately, it was a one-way trip. Unable to return to the sea-ringed world above, One Hunahpu's firstborn sons must be raised by their grandmother. Yet all hope is not lost. Down in Xibalba, One Hunahpu meets the rebellious Lady Blood, and their love leads to another set of twin sons, destined to save their father and uncle and restore balance to the cosmos. But won't be easy! Lady Blood is shunned in the world above, and the twins are taunted by their half-brothers' cruel pranks. If they choose to use a little trickster magic, maybe... just maybe... they might succeed. Adapted from author David Bowles's retellings and translations of essential pre-Columbian texts like the Popol Vuh , the Tales of the Feathered Serpent series bring Indigenous Mesoamerican stories alive for young readers!