"Immersive, magical, and undeniably clever." — J.C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author
"This book has it all! Magic, music, and mayhem.... David Bowles and Charlene Bowles are masters at bringing these ancient stories to life with contemporary comedic pacing and beautifully crafted artwork." — Pedro Martín, award-winning author-illustrator of Mexikid
"My 9-year-old son and were absolutely entranced by this empowering, action-packed and authentic Mesoamerican story. His first question after finishing: 'When's the next one coming out?'" — Julio Anta, Eisner Award-nominated author of Frontera, This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story, and Home
"These books transport you to a rich and vibrant world of gods, demigods, and magic. I fell in love with the bold and expressive art style — such strong linework and detailed costuming! This series has piqued my interest in indigenous folklore in my own family — what knowledge have we lost to violent colonialism, and what stories remain?" — Christine Suggs, creator of ¡Ay, Mija!: My Bilingual Summer in Mexico
"Straightforward and humorous language paired with clear, eye-catching comics-style illustrations make this an engaging retelling of a selection from the Mayan Popol Vuh." — The Horn Book
"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 engrossing tale of fledgling heroics." — Kirkus Reviews
"With vibrant colors and tight pacing, the graphic novel format will pull readers along easily, even into subsequent volumes. The hero twins of Mayan mythology and their wild stories are brought to life in this great series." — School Library Journal
12/01/2024
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.
2024-07-04
Twin demigod brothers endeavor to fulfill their destinies despite familial troubles.
Shirking 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)
