by Manda Scott
First published 2009
The ancient Maya calculated the world's destruction down to a specific date: 2012. They also carved humanity's salvation into a flawless sapphire skull of extraordinary beauty. For over four hundred years, this artifact has remained concealed, shielded by an intricate code that only a select few possess the ability to decipher. The skull carries with it centuries of bloodshed, conspiracy, and murder that have followed in its wake. Now someone stands on the verge of discovering its location. The clock counts down toward the prophesied end while forces race to unlock the mystery that the Maya embedded within their crystalline creation. The question becomes whether anyone can crack the ancient secret in time to alter humanity's fate, or if the predicted apocalypse will unfold as the Maya foresaw centuries ago.
Genres: adventure, archaeology, apocalyptic
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: race-against-time, secret-history
Setting: Maya
Period: 2012
544 pages · Paperback · Bantam