In a spellbinding blend of history, myth, and science, bestselling novelist Manda Scott unleashes a thriller that sweeps from the secrets of the Mayans to the court of a sixteenth-century queen to a shattering end-times prophecy. “It’s a lump of rock, Stella; nothing more. No stone is worth dying for.” Except it’s not just a lump of rock. It’s a blue crystal skull made by the Maya to save the world from ruin; a sapphire so perfect, so powerful that for centuries men have killed to own or destroy it. Ancient prophecies say that if the thirteen skulls already in existence are not reunited, the world will end on December 21, 2012. Cedric Owen, the skull’s last Keeper, died so that it might keep its secret for the next four centuries. Now Stella Cody has found it, and someone has already tried to kill her. Like Owen, she’s being hunted—but by whom? Desperate to unravel the mystery of the crystal skull, Stella must decode Cedric Owen’s coded writings, sketches and ciphers no scholar has been able to unravel. What she discovers is astounding: a shocking secret prophecy…and the staggering puzzle of four terrifying creatures, thirteen precious stones, and what will happen if Cedric Owen’s crystal skull falls into the wrong hands. But time is against Stella. She has only days—hours—left to uncover the only secret that may yet save the world. 12.21.12 The date is set. Time is running out. The end of the world starts now.
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"I chose this book as a random pick to read on my way to Honolulu... which didn't happen. I got drawn into this book however when I started to read it... it is two stories in one from 2 different centuries, discussing the history of the myth. the two stories merge in the end... it was very good "
— Matt (5 out of 5 stars)
“A life-threatening, heart-pounding battle between good and evil.”
— Publishers Weekly“A compelling adventure novel.”
— Library Journal“Original, imaginative, scary, rooted in the past but as current as tomorrow’s nightmare.”
— Lee Child“A nail-biting tour de force.”
— Guardian (London)" Great book! I needed to polish my french and bought this book at a "used book" store. Loved the story, the characters, the plot and the ending. "
— Josee, 2/11/2014" Very boring but more review to come. Stay tuned... "
— Rufsetufsa, 2/10/2014" I got an Advance Readers' Copy of this one, and read it in a couple of days. It's quick and fun, but not great literature by any means. Still, it's nice junk food for the brain. Back to more serious books . . . "
— Colin, 2/1/2014" While I finished this book, ultimately I found it disappointing. Split between 2 time periods, the historical timeline was stronger than the contemporary timeline. I was unconvinced by the relationship between the contemporary protagonist and her new husband. Some good moments in the book, but the ending failed to deliver. "
— Nathan, 1/24/2014" Excellent read that carries the thread of two stories, one in the present and one in the 16th century, around an ancient artifact the Crystal Skull. A romantic interest, but adventure, intrigue, and mystery. I also enjoyed her other series on Boudica "
— Steve, 1/21/2014" This is a tale based on Mayan prophecies and the legends surrounding crystal skulls. "
— Michelle, 1/17/2014" A great Da Vinci Code type adventure! "
— Terra, 1/16/2014" A really good book me thinks "
— Roy, 1/7/2014" This book weaves a story around a crystal skull and the stories about the Mayan calendar. There are two story lines interwoven, a modern story and a 16th century one. Not the greatest of novels but worth reading. The characters are interesting. "
— David, 12/23/2013" If you liked Labyrinth, you'll love the crystal skull. "
— D, 12/7/2013" A Birthday present from Pete "
— Wendy, 11/25/2013" Meh. Formulaic and boring. Advance Reader's Copy. "
— Brian, 8/3/2013" Grabbed me from the start with the cave description, adrenalin, and lore. Great read! "
— Leah, 10/12/2012" It was hard for me to finish it. I didn't like how the author split the story; one in the past and the other in present time. I didn't like some of the characters either; like Stella and Kit. They were supposed to be much better persons in order to save the world. "
— Gemma, 8/30/2012" Deep--well written with a lot of possible facts re futuristic happenings? "
— John, 8/3/2012" I was expecting something that would give information on legends about the crystal skulls, but definitely this was not the right book to pick. The crystal skull is only a tool to build a confusing thriller where Elizabethian England, Nostradamus' France, and a lot of New Age mix together. Nah...... "
— Elena, 5/23/2012" Loved the crystal skull creative history. The research must have been fun! "
— Amber, 3/19/2012" It was different,,,,could have been shorter. "
— Susan, 3/15/2012" This was an enjoyable read. I liked the blending of the two timelines. The last few chapters, however, just threw everything together too quickly. I also lost empathy for all of the characters- don't know when of why, I just did. "
— Valerie, 2/8/2012" Really liked this book: good historical fiction with lots of facts sprinkled throughout. Nice length too! "
— Mashon, 1/31/2012" This is book was well written but somehow the intensity that I was looking for was lacking. "
— Karlene, 7/12/2011" As far as "the world is going to end on Dec. 21st, 2012" books go-this one was fun to read. How it starts may seem confusing, but it all comes together at the end of the story. I do like the message at the end too...you'll have to read the book to find out if you like it as well. "
— Lisa, 3/27/2011" Nada de especial, não deixa grande memória!( A Caveira de Cristal ) "
— Babete, 2/22/2011" Great book! I needed to polish my french and bought this book at a "used book" store. Loved the story, the characters, the plot and the ending. "
— Josee, 11/13/2010" It was different,,,,could have been shorter. "
— Susan, 3/31/2010" I was expecting something that would give information on legends about the crystal skulls, but definitely this was not the right book to pick. The crystal skull is only a tool to build a confusing thriller where Elizabethian England, Nostradamus' France, and a lot of New Age mix together. Nah...... "
— Elena, 2/11/2010" A Birthday present from Pete "
— Wendy, 1/19/2010" As with Boudica this book is equally stunning. <br/>A good slant on the Mayan prophecy! "
— Mick, 12/25/2009" This is a great read. Full of action, adventure, and mysteries. "
— April, 11/26/2009" An interesting read about the Mayan 2012 doomsday. I enjoyed the book but it was not a real seat gripper or page turner. I would still recommend it to those who love the writing style of Dan Brown and James Rollins. "
— Lisa, 11/12/2009" Fun and interesting read with lots of action and adventure. "
— Nimave, 8/13/2009" No alieans appear in this book :) <br/> <br/>My mom is into New Age stuff so I've been hearing about 2012. Compared to the Shakespeare-related thriller I just read, this book does a better job of jumping back and forth between time. Good beach/mountain retreat read. "
— Peggy, 6/16/2009" Ok...I got my lazy but to try to read it...and it was acutally ok...I didn't really pay too much attention to it...bbut ok. "
— Midori, 4/28/2009" This is a tale based on Mayan prophecies and the legends surrounding crystal skulls. "
— Michelle, 4/15/2009Manda Scott, born and educated in Scotland, is the author of mysteries, thrillers, crime fiction, and historical fiction. Hen’s Teeth was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, and A Treachery of Spies won the McIlvanney Prize for Best Scottish Crime Fiction and named a Financial Times Best Crime Fiction of the Year.
Susan Duerden is an actress and an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. Her reading of The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obreht earned her an AudioFile Best Voice Award and a Booklist Editors’ Choice Award. She has won ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. Here career spans film, television, theater, voice-overs, and animation. She has played critically acclaimed and award-winning theatrical roles on London’s West End and Off Broadway; acted in the features Lovewrecked and Flushed Away; and held a recurring role on ABC’s Lost.