Gigi's Company discussion

Please post comments and discussion here for the October '09 Book of the Month:

Nightkeepers (Final Prophecy, Book 1) by Jessica Andersen

I'm reading this one - I'm about halfway through. I like it so far.

I finished this one at about 2am this morning. When I hit the last stretch in the book, I didn't want to put it down, LOL!

First: the characters. While I sometimes don't like a book with loads of characters vying for attention, I have to admit this one wasn't like that; not at all. The main characters were the focus, the secondary characters were in the picture but not overbearingly. I found each intriguing and complex with their own set up troubles/faults/anxieties.

I thought the plot was rather good. The beginning of the end-of-days, the characters need to become a team to vanquish evil. I found the plot a little slow at times, mostly when the main characters were dealing about their personal issues. The action was great, however, which more than makes up for it.

If anyone else has read this, there is a part in the story I'd like to discuss, because I got confused a little. Not that it's a bad thing; I just couldn't understand why that scene went down the way it did.

I've just started reading this one.

I will be starting this one soon. My goal in November is less TV and more reading.

I have finished this book. I agree with Gina about the characters and plot, however I did like the personal stuff that Leah was going through. Even though I don't believe that the world will end in 2012, this book had me a little scared at times, so the distraction with Leah's life was welcome.

Gina do you remember what you wanted to discuss?

I was surprised at how well I liked this novel. Despite its length, 443 pages in MMP, I never became bored or had the urge to put it aside. Andersen made the Mayan mythos believable.

The Nightkeepers are descendants of Atlanteans who guided the ancient Egyptians and later the Mayans. A generation before the current time, the Nightkeeper king lead their people in an effort to close the barrier between dimensions to prevent demons from crossing over and dominating the Earth during the Great Conjunction. During this effort most of the adult Nightkeepers were killed and only the babies, their guardians--called winikin, and one adult Nightkeeper survived. This story is the calling together of the surviving Nightkeepers, the babies who are now grown adults, because the barrier has been breached.

I enjoyed the story of Leah, the Miami cop who has been selected for a special role by the Mayan gods, and Striking Jaguar (Strike), son of the late King. I think that Andersen did a great job setting up future stories such as Nate and Alexis' story, which will be told in book two. I love the mysteries surrounding Strike's sister, Anna. Will her hero be her estranged husband, Dick Catori; Lucius, her graduate assistant; or another character yet to be introduced? Will Lucius turn to evil or eventually be recruited by the Nightkeepers?

I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series and I am giving this book five stars.

Three more books are/will soon be available in the Final Prophecy series:

Dawnkeepers (Book 2) Nathan Blackhawk & Alexis Gray's story.

Skykeepers (Book 3) Michael Stone & Sasha Ledbetter's story.

Demonkeepers (Book 4) Lucius & Jade's story. To be published April 6, 2010.

Colleen wrote: "I have finished this book. I agree with Gina about the characters and plot, however I did like the personal stuff that Leah was going through. Even though I don't believe that the world will end ..."

Darnit, no matter how hard I think, I can't remember what it was I wanted to discuss. Shoot! I should have written in down...

Dawnkeepers (Final Prophecy, Book 2) by Jessica Andersen has an incredibly detailed and well-developed mythos. Andersen has created an extraordinary world built upon the myths of the Mayans and the 2012 theories. Imaginative, creative story that makes you want to immediately read the next book in the series. Nathan Blackhawk and Alexis Gray are believable characters who win your sympathies and for whom you will be strongly rooting for a happily ever after. There are setbacks as well as advances in the Nightkeepers efforts to be prepared for the final confrontation. Strong second novel. I think I liked this one better than the first book in these series and I liked it a lot.

I keep meaning to get the next one in this series. Glad to hear it is even better than the first!

Skykeepers (Final Prophecy, Book 3) is another fine entry in Jessica Andersen's Final Prophecy series based on Mesoamerican myths. Michael Stone, a Nightkeeper and former government agent, is a man of many secrets, and a perfect match for Sasha Ledbetter, who has her own secrets. Stone and Ledbetter work through monsterous problems to achieve a future together. We learn more about the history of the Nightkeepers, and as in earlier books, there are setbacks as well as progress preparing for the coming confrontation. Another great read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Demonkeepers (Final Prophecy, Book 4) is to be released April 6, 2010.

Demonkeepers (Final Prophecy, Book 4), the story of Lucius and Jade, is another fabulous edition to the Final Prophecy series. I am enjoying this series so much that I only wish I had the ability to extend time so that it would be a few decades before we reach 2012. I don't know how Andersen could continue the series after the Mayan end time; however, she has hooked me as a reader. I am hoping that she spins off another storyline in the same universe -- she has created such a fascinating and believable mythos. Another five star keeper!!

Blood Spells (Final Prophecy, Book 5), is another fascinating look at Mayan mythology by Jessica Andersen. An unusual entry in the Nightkeepers series involving already married couple Brandt and Patience White-Eagle who have drifted apart since the Nightkeepers came together. Brandt believes that they need to put the Nightkeepers cause first and their marriage second. Patience wants Brandt to put her and their twins, Braden and Harry first. Patience is also only now emerging from the depression that has gripped her for the past two years since the twins were sent away for their own safety by Brandt and Striking Jaguar (Strike), the Nightkeeper king. The novel begins with the Nightkeepers performing a ceremony to identify the Triad mages who will be essential in the days leading up to the final confrontation. Brandt, Anna, and Snake Mendez are identified as the chosen mages. Anna and Mendez (Dez), who were not present at the ceremony, are rendered comatose. Brandt fails to connect with his ancestors in order to unlock the powers of a Triad mage. Patience is charged by her "nahwal," spirit entity with the knowledge of her bloodline, to help Brandt "remember the debt he owes."

Extensively researched and well-written tale that blends mystery, action, suspense, and romance. Brandt and Patience each make their peace with their roles of spouse, parent, and warrior, Iago suffers an enormous setback, and Rabbit learns a little more of his mother's people. Things may be improving for the Nightkeepers, Anna and Dez eventually regain consciousness with Dez now committed to the Nightkeeper cause. The next book in the series, Storm Kissed, will be Dez' and Reece Montana's story.

This is a fantastic series, but I would warn readers to begin at the very beginning and read the books in order. There are too many spoilers in later books, as well as background plots running throughout the series. Because of the large cast that you gradually get to know book by book, it would only be confusing it the reader jumped around reading the books out of order. If you read the books in order, the stories will be immmensely satisfying.

Completed "Crystal Skull" (Final, Prophecy, #5.5) in the anthology On the Hunt by Gena Showalter, Shannon K. Butcher, Jessica Andersen, and Deidre Knight. Adored this story of JT and Natalie. JT is a soldier of fortune living in the rainforest protecting the people of a local village from demons who are breaking through from Xibalba as the end times near. Natalie is an archaeologist on the hunt; drawn to the village by unexplained forces. JT is the descendant of winikins and Natalie bears a necklace with a parrot glyph. It is unclear to JT and Natalie whether she is the descendant of winikins, one of the Nightkeepers, or something else. I loved the fact that there are two new players in the Nightkeepers world and can't wait for them to join our heroes in Book 6. I anticipate sparks flying and will enjoy seeing JT and Strike interact. This story itself was action packed and a superb tale. I am giving it 5 stars.