Review Detail

Fourteen-year-old Max Murphy loves playing video games and looks forward to an Italian vacation to visit his grandmother. He's furious when he finds his trip is cancelled due to the fact his archaeologist parents leave to go on a dig in Central American. Then to makes matters worse, Max is summoned to Central America to spend time with an estranged uncle who has secrets of his own. Max demands to know what's going on and in the process stumbles on finding out his parents are missing! He decides to find them with the help of a Mayan girl named Lola. Along the way he finds out his parents were taken to the Mayan Underworld. Will he be able to save them?

This is one fast-paced tale filled with twists and turns. Sure to appeal to Rick Riordan fans this book has it all: Mayan mythology, culture, and a hero that readers will cheer for. Lola is a spirited girl who helps Max along the way. I love books that show different cultures and the authors do a great job weaving this into the story. I could tell the Voelkel's did their research!

The illustrations add to the flavor of this story. And the added humor of the howler monkeys is a plus.

Another must-read Egmont book! I can't wait for the second book in the series which will be out later this year.