MG Monday: Review: Prophecy of Days by Christy Raedeke

Title: Prophecy of Days
Series: The Daykeepers Grimoire
Author: Christy Raedeke
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: 1 May 2010

Source: Library




Synopsis: Fom GoodReads
Is the story of Caity Mac Fireland, a girl from San Francisco whose parents drag her to an isle off the coast of Scotland to manage some family property. Caity finds that a Mayan relic is concealed there, intentionally left centuries ago by Mayan Daykeepers in an attempt to keep their profound knowledge about the year 2012 alive into the current era.
As she delves into this world of secret knowledge, Caity is helped along by a visiting family friend and Feng Shui master, Uncle Li; a Mayan elder named Bolon; and Mr. Papers, her pet monkey that communicates through origami. A handsome Scottish lad gets pulled into the intrigue, as do several other people with questionable motives and loyalties. Caity must weave together a tapestry of information in order to make her radical discovery, a mystery protected by an elite coterie of power-brokers who influence world events. Caity’s twenty-first century mind is put to the test as she tries to uncover the answer to an ancient riddle while trying to outwit this powerful group that will stop at nothing to control the secret, and her.

Review:
OMG this book was phenomenal prepare for gushing [ ; ) ] What could be more totally awesome than a monkey that does origami. I want one [ : D ]

Written in first person narrative from Caity's perspective. Your typical teenager with wonderful snarkiness. Directly addressing the reader giving it an air of confiding her secrets in you. Her parents are both genius's in their respective fields, being somewhat unconventional: her Mum is a safe-cracker, while her Dad is a computer whizz but full of conspiracy theories (YAY). Caity underestimates herself when comparing her intelligence to her parents. In that respect you can understand why she would want to keep the unravelling of the mystery to herself rather than directly asking for their help, fearing they would take over like previous school projects.

Wonderfully descriptive writing with captivating imagery. Visually dynamic with the use of prose, email and text formats, giving a totally rounded depiction of both modern technology alongside ancient beliefs. Caity's narrative tends to jump about a bit but is totally relatable and keeping in character with a 16 year old girl.

A terrific clue trail is scattered throughout the narrative, I found my mind jumping to conclusions and then assumptions all the way through. Nothing should be taken at face value. Mystery after mystery is piled together, seemingly unrelated until the pieces are fitted together.

All the characters were interesting and colourful, I couldn't say there was anything normal about any of them.

The weaving of myths and legends into the narrative was astounding. It was amazing to see how many different cultures have very similar myths and legends. Provoking the mind to gather the common thread and search for the truth behind them.

Not only does Christy Raedeke weave the ancient history into the plot but sprinkles in a good bit of spirituality. She takes it to another level by adding in quantum physics and conspiracy theories. Be still by beating heart; all the things I totally love because that is what goes on in my head. Meshing it all together, finding the common threads and examining the principles behind it. Totally amazing how science/spirituality and mythology all came together to create such an amazing plot.

*faints* I have raved so much about this book at home that J (who does not read) went back to the library and borrowed it for himself *falls over* *thud* and yes he is actually reading it.