Middleworld (The Jaguar Stones Trilogy Series #1)

A Fun Read Involving the Culture of the Maya

I'm a big fan of anything involving ancient history, so when I was given the chance to read Middleworld, I couldn't say no. One of the most interesting things about this book was the plot. This wasn't your typical adventure story. The story is full of mystery and action, but it ties in a lot of interesting information about an amazing ancient culture. That was something that really set this story apart. It seemed to aim for an accurate depiction of an ancient culture, and the Maya still living in South America. I can't think of any other books that involve the Maya, which is one of the reasons that I enjoyed this book so much.

Another appealing aspect was the expertise of the authors, who spent years researching the story. Their website shows pictures of their travels, and their blog also talks about their trips. I really thought that their experiences made the book that much more interesting. There was information about the Maya throughout the story (including some pronunciation help), and some fun information, and a recipe, in the back of the book. Knowing that the authors spent time learning about the culture made me appreciate the way the facts were seamlessly woven into the fictional aspects of the book. I also appreciated was the way the story addressed the 2012 Maya calendar myth. You know the one, right? Supposedly, the calendar ends in December of 2012, and that predicts the end of the world. Well, not so according to Middleworld. I thought that the authors did a great job of tying that into the story as well. I personally was unaware that there was no archeological evidence that that calendar stopped in 2012.

The only issue that I had was with the character Max. For the first half of the story he was extremely whiny, and I found it hard to sympathize because of this. Over the course of the book, Max realized that he had been behaving pretty horribly, and began to change. I personally wish that these changes has started sooner, and that they had been a bit more gradual. I did enjoy his character in the second half of the story, however.

Middleworld ended with a great setup for the sequel, and I'll definitely be picking it up. For those of you who hate cliffhangers, don't worry. The authors did a great job of tying up the loose ends, and the story feels complete. It did, however, leave me wondering what would happen next. I can't give away too much, but I will say that there is definitely more to Max's story. If you're interested in learning a bit more about the Maya culture, and want an exciting read, I'd definitely suggest picking this one up.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved it! A really entertaining (and educational) book!

I picked up this book as a gift to the kids I babysit for - a 6-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy. Both are great readers and love being read to. They both are really quite smart and love to learn so I thought they would like learning about the ancient Maya. I especially thought the boy would like it because he loves Artemis Fowl and Percy Jackson and that type of thing. I read it first, and I loved it! Max Murphy is such a believable, spoiled 14-year-old who isn't prepared in the least for the the Central American adventure he is plunged into. It is such a fun read and had me laughing all the way through (until the end, when I was on the edge of my seat!). When I started reading it to the kids, the funny thing was that the boy thought it was pretty good but the little girl really latched on to it. She loves it and asks me every day if we can read it. I read it to them on the long subway ride home from school, and when I stop at the stations because of the noise, the girl begs for me to start reading again! True, the vocabulary in the book might be too advanced for a 6-year-old, but she loves the story, asks questions, and flips ahead to look at the great illustrations. Don't pass up this book because you don't think it is the right age group or it is only a boy book; I highly recommend it for kids of all ages and both genders. Overall an excellent read!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

OMG

READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lionstar

How is sunnyspots a traitor? U left the clan. U broke the code. I hereby banish u to...dark forest*jumps on fireheart and grabs his throat ands holds untill all but one life is left*go away from ravenclan. You are a TRAITOR!!!!!

Sweet book

Hi this s the best book

Great book

Middleworld is a great book i reccomend it

Hoop is awesome

I loved this book and i hiley reccomenneed it to arceoligist wanna beez and any1 who loves huomor

Great read!

A tale of equal parts suspence,humor and adventure, Middleworld is a great read. However, the plot an be slow moving and downright boring in places. Any reader that survives the slow patches will be clamoring for the next book, like me.

awsome

this book gives you the feeling of the past plus its really funny

A great book

A must read for all adventurers.

middleworld

This book started a little slow but it was still a good start. It DOESN'T take a long to become a exciting journey! I espicaly have to give the authors credit seeing as this was their first PUBLISHED book. This is a truly good book.

Hi you people

This is the best book ever

I didn't find if very entertaining

It's a good book but not the best. I saw it in an add that said ''Move over Percy Jackson.'' And so I read the book and I was very offended that they even say such a thing to the Percy Jackson series. It was not the best book and it took me a long while to finish it because I wasn't wrapped up in it. I kept waiting for the next chapter. So, to me...this book wasn't the greatest

Action!

Max can't believe it when his parents bail on him and their vacation to Italy to go back to Central America for their work. He's furious. He doesn't say goodbye when his parents leave. When the housekeeper gives him a plane ticket and instructions to follow his parents, he doesn't question her orders.

Now after a horrific journey, he's in Central America with his uncle whom he's never met. He learns that his parents have vanished into thin air. His uncle maybe smuggling genuine Mayan artifacts to other dealers. There's a dangerous man who wants one of the most precious Mayan artifacts - a Jaguar stone.

There are five stones and they are very powerful and very dangerous in the wrong hands. Max doesn't want them to fall in the wrong hands. He spies two monkeys carrying out the case with the stone inside. He tries to warn his uncle, but discovers he's locked inside his room. Furious, Max decides to follow the monkeys and attempt to recover the stones.

It doesn't take him long to become lost, hungry, and realizing the jungle is a dangerous place. When he meets a girl in the jungle, will he trust her enough to let her lead him out of the jungle? Will Max disappear like his parents, before he can return the stones without anyone using their power?

My Thoughts: I loved the blend of history with fantasy with action. It's a great story - perfect for book clubs. I have no doubt tweens/teens will gobble up this cross over tale.

Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Husband and wife team Jon and Pamela Voelkel have created a tale set in the Central American rain forest. The story focuses on the Maya culture and traditions as the characters battle to prevent the evil forces of an ancient empire from destroying today's world.

In MIDDLEWORLD readers meet Max Murphy. His parents are archaeologists. He is sick of the old pottery and ancient artifacts that are forever causing his parents to head off to foreign countries. Max is always left in Boston to fend for himself with the help of Zia, their housekeeper. Max would like a little adventure -- as long as it involves pizza and video games. Adventure begins for Max when Zia informs him that plans have changed this time. Instead of heading off to a wilderness camp in Maine, Max is being sent to San Xavier to join his parents.

Max arrives in San Xavier only to find that Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have disappeared. Uncle Ted becomes Max's instant guardian, and the search for his parents begins. At the time of their disappearance, they were exploring an ancient Maya pyramid deep in the rain forest. All that's left is Mr. Murphy's jacket and Mrs. Murphy's earring. Max soon finds himself lost in the rain forest that may be responsible for his parents' death.

As the story unfolds, readers will learn quite a bit of Maya history. Hidden pyramids and ruins are scattered throughout the rain forest, and each holds mysterious treasures and secrets of the ancients and how they may still have powers in the modern world. The adventure is filled with crazy characters, secret passageways and hidden chambers, Maya traditions and superstitions, talking monkeys, and blood-thirsty warriors. The mysterious Jaguar Stones hold the power to change the world. The danger comes if all five are brought together. The good guys have some and the bad guys have some, and both are out to get their hands on them all.

Recommended for ages 12 and up, this is not for the faint-hearted reader. At nearly 400 pages, with additional pages devoted to information about Maya symbols and terminology, readers will be challenged as well as entertained. I predict this trilogy will be popular with fans of Anthony Horowitz, Roland Smith, and even Harry Potter fans, once they have finished book seven. Plenty of action and humor will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Great!

The ending is the best part, it reminds me of being careful with the environment. The book made my imagination run wild. Makes me want to be an adventurer too and I will always know evil will never win in my mind. The past you must respect because they shall haunt you for all eternity. A family can change once in awhile, for example, Uncle Ted did not like his brother, Frank and after Max saved the Middle World, Uncle Ted loved again.

Fabulous

Middleworld is an intriquing book, full of fantastic characters and an engrossing plot. Max is a pampered 14 yr. old teenager. His parents, both archeologists, set out to the country of San Xavier to uncover ancient Maya ruins. They soon go missing and Max sets out to find them. There, he uncovers threats from Maya gods, shady characters, and the secrets of the Jaguar Stones. In this book you learn much about the Mayan culture and also have an enjoyable time flipping page after page. I highly recommend it! Also fabulous illustrations!

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