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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
A thriller combining the end of the Maya Long Count and archeology with a crazy family.
My Take
I enjoyed this. Of course, it does combine archeology with suspense, so I am a bit prejudiced.
I did enjoy the explanation of the Maya religion and the slightly more in-depth information about the importance of blood sacrifice. An interesting mix of historical significance and the perversions modern man will twist it. As an artist, I appreciated the description of certain of the artifacts and how they were made and displayed.
Most of the story is the romance between Lina and Hunter as well as their "escape" into Mexico, additional interest via Jase and Hunter's tracking down clues about the stolen artifacts, and a short, dramatic visit with Lina's family.
This was a new one: The "nine-millimeter warrant".
Lina really only has her grandmother for support in the family. Her parents are cold and self-absorbed and her cousin is a bit, well, ick. Too much of a playboy although he seems to have settled down. Well, heck, how sad is it that "the man who blackmailed her had shown her more respect than her parents ever had."
Wait a minute...Lina had a crush on Mercurio which Lowell is at pains to remind us of throughout the story and then she states that "Lina never had been sexually drawn to the handsome young Mexican"??
I am just so confused by this sentence: "...LDX works with the Q Roo drug cartel, but it's only to get paid for what LDX would do for free." When Lowell has Lina and Hunter talking to Mercurio at the museo, she suddenly uses Carlos' name as one of the speakers.
Creating the information about Hunter's daughter seems rather pointless. Just a tidbit to make Hunter interesting, which would have worked better if Lowell had made it part of his reason for leaving ICE. Jase is a fun guy and the interaction between him and Hunter was enjoyable. Crutchfeldt seemed to be one of the token bad guys along the way.
Lowell makes an excellent point that humans are corrupt. It doesn't matter which side of the border you're on. But she also points out that "Mexico is circling the toilet" with "the narcos...in open warfare with the federales and corrupt cops and politicians. Which is just so damned sad. If we truly wanted to fight a war on drugs, then use the money to help the people to grow legal crops. And NOT fund the money through their governments! Too many Swiss and other off-shore bank accounts siphon that money off.
How is it that Hunter and Lina miss the connection between Carlos' company and the truck hauling the "stolen" artifacts?
I do like Hunter's confidence and I can appreciate how they both feel about the joy of being out in the country and the attractions of the city. Very practical.
Oh, yes! I love what Hunter does to Lina's dad! What a jerk. But, I still want to know how the cave was kept dry…
The Story
If it weren't for the machinations of her parents, this cloud wouldn't be hanging over Dr. Taylor. The only reason Lina still has her job at the museum is because her family owns a chunk of it. Still, she's desperately careful that no hint of impropriety can be pinned to her.
A care that is tossed out the window when one of her absentee students shows up with a handful of photos of stolen artifacts. He knows about her past and isn't above blackmailing her into helping him.
It's human sacrifice and a kidnapping attempt that send Lina and Hunter on the run to the one place where Lina knows she'll be safe.
The Characters
Dr. Lina Taylor, an archeologist specializing in Yucatan/Maya culture, is between a rock and a hard place. Her parents are scandalous, her family's estate is rich in artifacts, and she is struggling to retain her reputation at the Museum of the Maya in Houston. Cecilia Reyes Balam is both nagging mother and sharp-eyed businesswoman; Dr. Philip Taylor is more than an absentee father in his obsession for Maya artifacts; Carlos, her mother's cousin, is the family's savior; and, Abuelita is a petty tyrant although she has a soft spot for Lina.
Hunter Johnston was once an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent but gave it up to go to work for his uncles in their security business. Suzanne is the girl he considered his daughter. The one for whom her mother had so little concern.
Jason Beaumont is suspended from his job at ICE so his boss, Stu Brubaker, can cover his own butt. Ali is his beloved and pregnant wife and they have two children.
Mercurio ak Chan de la Poole used to work for her father, but eventually realized he'd never have his own career. He's currently in charge of the Museo de Antropología de Tulum (the building sounds gorgeous). Simon Crutchfeldt is a major client of Celia's who collects and resells artifacts. He's not at all scrupulous. El Maya appears to be a narco-terrorist who is willing to send thugs with submachine guns to take down Lina. Rodrigo is a bad-ass informer for Hunter in Tulum and he's terrified of El Maya.
The Cover
The cover is a fuzzy blend of deep purple and fuchsia with the purple creating Lina's hair and the fuchsia representing her face. It's just a hint really with only her right eye and a sweep of bangs.
It is a Beautiful Sacrifice. Not a willing one, but beautiful.
My Take
I enjoyed this. Of course, it does combine archeology with suspense, so I am a bit prejudiced.
I did enjoy the explanation of the Maya religion and the slightly more in-depth information about the importance of blood sacrifice. An interesting mix of historical significance and the perversions modern man will twist it. As an artist, I appreciated the description of certain of the artifacts and how they were made and displayed.
Most of the story is the romance between Lina and Hunter as well as their "escape" into Mexico, additional interest via Jase and Hunter's tracking down clues about the stolen artifacts, and a short, dramatic visit with Lina's family.
This was a new one: The "nine-millimeter warrant".
Lina really only has her grandmother for support in the family. Her parents are cold and self-absorbed and her cousin is a bit, well, ick. Too much of a playboy although he seems to have settled down. Well, heck, how sad is it that "the man who blackmailed her had shown her more respect than her parents ever had."
Wait a minute...Lina had a crush on Mercurio which Lowell is at pains to remind us of throughout the story and then she states that "Lina never had been sexually drawn to the handsome young Mexican"??
I am just so confused by this sentence: "...LDX works with the Q Roo drug cartel, but it's only to get paid for what LDX would do for free." When Lowell has Lina and Hunter talking to Mercurio at the museo, she suddenly uses Carlos' name as one of the speakers.
Creating the information about Hunter's daughter seems rather pointless. Just a tidbit to make Hunter interesting, which would have worked better if Lowell had made it part of his reason for leaving ICE. Jase is a fun guy and the interaction between him and Hunter was enjoyable. Crutchfeldt seemed to be one of the token bad guys along the way.
Lowell makes an excellent point that humans are corrupt. It doesn't matter which side of the border you're on. But she also points out that "Mexico is circling the toilet" with "the narcos...in open warfare with the federales and corrupt cops and politicians. Which is just so damned sad. If we truly wanted to fight a war on drugs, then use the money to help the people to grow legal crops. And NOT fund the money through their governments! Too many Swiss and other off-shore bank accounts siphon that money off.
How is it that Hunter and Lina miss the connection between Carlos' company and the truck hauling the "stolen" artifacts?
I do like Hunter's confidence and I can appreciate how they both feel about the joy of being out in the country and the attractions of the city. Very practical.
Oh, yes! I love what Hunter does to Lina's dad! What a jerk. But, I still want to know how the cave was kept dry…
The Story
If it weren't for the machinations of her parents, this cloud wouldn't be hanging over Dr. Taylor. The only reason Lina still has her job at the museum is because her family owns a chunk of it. Still, she's desperately careful that no hint of impropriety can be pinned to her.
A care that is tossed out the window when one of her absentee students shows up with a handful of photos of stolen artifacts. He knows about her past and isn't above blackmailing her into helping him.
It's human sacrifice and a kidnapping attempt that send Lina and Hunter on the run to the one place where Lina knows she'll be safe.
The Characters
Dr. Lina Taylor, an archeologist specializing in Yucatan/Maya culture, is between a rock and a hard place. Her parents are scandalous, her family's estate is rich in artifacts, and she is struggling to retain her reputation at the Museum of the Maya in Houston. Cecilia Reyes Balam is both nagging mother and sharp-eyed businesswoman; Dr. Philip Taylor is more than an absentee father in his obsession for Maya artifacts; Carlos, her mother's cousin, is the family's savior; and, Abuelita is a petty tyrant although she has a soft spot for Lina.
Hunter Johnston was once an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent but gave it up to go to work for his uncles in their security business. Suzanne is the girl he considered his daughter. The one for whom her mother had so little concern.
Jason Beaumont is suspended from his job at ICE so his boss, Stu Brubaker, can cover his own butt. Ali is his beloved and pregnant wife and they have two children.
Mercurio ak Chan de la Poole used to work for her father, but eventually realized he'd never have his own career. He's currently in charge of the Museo de Antropología de Tulum (the building sounds gorgeous). Simon Crutchfeldt is a major client of Celia's who collects and resells artifacts. He's not at all scrupulous. El Maya appears to be a narco-terrorist who is willing to send thugs with submachine guns to take down Lina. Rodrigo is a bad-ass informer for Hunter in Tulum and he's terrified of El Maya.
The Cover
The cover is a fuzzy blend of deep purple and fuchsia with the purple creating Lina's hair and the fuchsia representing her face. It's just a hint really with only her right eye and a sweep of bangs.
It is a Beautiful Sacrifice. Not a willing one, but beautiful.
labraden's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth Lowell is always so good at using realistic research to make her stories come alive and her mysteries more interesting. This one was no different. My only complaint was that there was almost too much realistic information that occasionally bogged down the narrative. The two main characters had a previous friendship that made their romance entirely believable, and they were likeable. Overall this was a very good read.
maiad9's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kriff08's review against another edition
4.0
I must confess I'm a sucker for this kind of blend of vague history, adventure, and romance. This story wasn't too heavy in any one of those and balanced out perfectly. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Loved this book; it kind of reminded me of Nora Roberts' The Reef which is a favorite, so ill keep my eyes open for some more.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
3.0
Originally published on AAR in Speaking of Audiobooks:
http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=8940
Narrated by Richard Ferrone
Archaeologist Lina Turner is not only a specialist in Mayan artifacts; she is of Mayan decent and can trace her lineage back to before the Spanish conquest. Hunter Johnson is a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. While helping a current ICE officer track down rare and illegally excavated Mayan artifacts, Hunter seeks Lina’s help. He hopes a better understanding of the significance of the lost artifacts can help him locate them. The investigation turns dangerous, and when the artifacts seem to be linked to Lina’s family, Hunter and Lina leave Houston for her family’s compound on the Yucatan peninsula, hoping for both safety and more answers.
Beautiful Sacrifice contains a significant amount of Mayan history. I enjoyed the history lesson but some listeners may grow weary of the many details Lowell includes. Lowell mixes the fact with fiction by inventing the Mayan god, Kawa’il, along with a bloodthirsty group of followers. Narrator Richard Ferrone has a gravelly voice that suits the sometimes mysterious and mystical atmosphere of the story. His reading brings the forbidding jungle, the dark caves, and the ancient rituals to life. Belief in the ancient Mayan gods seems almost reasonable in this setting.
The reasons behind Hunter’s inclusion in the search for the artifacts weren’t well developed, but that was a minor weakness. Hunter is presented as independent and emotionally closed off, and the narration emphasizes his strength and reserve. Lina is a capable professional who feels the weight of her family obligations. Due to her emotionally distant and often manipulative parents, Lina prefers to work in Houston rather than remain in the Yucatan. Ferrone manages to portray both Lina’s strength and her vulnerability. He doesn’t change his voice significantly when portraying female characters, but the gender of the speaker is clear most of the time. There are only a few sections of dialogue when the change in speaker is not identified that may cause some confusion.
The suspense plot doesn’t entirely work and the dramatic climax goes on for too long. However, the plot and setting are unique and the action moves the book along at a nice pace. In the end, Beautiful Sacrifice is an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, book that is enhanced by a strong narration.
http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=8940
Narrated by Richard Ferrone
Archaeologist Lina Turner is not only a specialist in Mayan artifacts; she is of Mayan decent and can trace her lineage back to before the Spanish conquest. Hunter Johnson is a former Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. While helping a current ICE officer track down rare and illegally excavated Mayan artifacts, Hunter seeks Lina’s help. He hopes a better understanding of the significance of the lost artifacts can help him locate them. The investigation turns dangerous, and when the artifacts seem to be linked to Lina’s family, Hunter and Lina leave Houston for her family’s compound on the Yucatan peninsula, hoping for both safety and more answers.
Beautiful Sacrifice contains a significant amount of Mayan history. I enjoyed the history lesson but some listeners may grow weary of the many details Lowell includes. Lowell mixes the fact with fiction by inventing the Mayan god, Kawa’il, along with a bloodthirsty group of followers. Narrator Richard Ferrone has a gravelly voice that suits the sometimes mysterious and mystical atmosphere of the story. His reading brings the forbidding jungle, the dark caves, and the ancient rituals to life. Belief in the ancient Mayan gods seems almost reasonable in this setting.
The reasons behind Hunter’s inclusion in the search for the artifacts weren’t well developed, but that was a minor weakness. Hunter is presented as independent and emotionally closed off, and the narration emphasizes his strength and reserve. Lina is a capable professional who feels the weight of her family obligations. Due to her emotionally distant and often manipulative parents, Lina prefers to work in Houston rather than remain in the Yucatan. Ferrone manages to portray both Lina’s strength and her vulnerability. He doesn’t change his voice significantly when portraying female characters, but the gender of the speaker is clear most of the time. There are only a few sections of dialogue when the change in speaker is not identified that may cause some confusion.
The suspense plot doesn’t entirely work and the dramatic climax goes on for too long. However, the plot and setting are unique and the action moves the book along at a nice pace. In the end, Beautiful Sacrifice is an enjoyable, if somewhat flawed, book that is enhanced by a strong narration.
sarah1984's review against another edition
1.0
27/6 - I was thinking this was a two and a half to three star read, not completely dreadful, but populated by too much purple prose to be truly enjoyable, but then I read some of the other reviews that talked about her mistakes regarding the geography of Houston and Cozumel, and the Maya culture. Those kinds of mistakes are pretty unforgivable. If you're going to use a culture and specific real-life locations in your book then you had better do your research and represent them in a way that natives of the location or culture would be happy with, otherwise you're not showing them the respect they deserve. It would be like a movie set in a South American jungle being filmed in a redwood forest, anyone who's been to either place would know immediately that they were being lied to and would feel like the people behind the movie were trying to trick them into believing something that was clearly not true. That's how I feel about what Lowell's done with this book. I was very disappointed with the story before I even knew about the inaccuracies because of the dreadful metaphors and overly flowery descriptive writing. I've long been a fan of Lowell's, but this reminded me of her early 80s works with the eye-rollingly bad metaphors
'His face was as hard as anything she'd ever seen carved in stone. And as compelling.'
*sigh*
But this was written in 2012, not 1982, and unfortunately the only difference between this book and one of her 80s books that always seemed to feature 'hard men' and horses is that a condom was mentioned in both of the sex scenes, which would have been unlikely in books like Beautiful Dreamer. You'd think her writing style would mature with age and experience...
'His face was as hard as anything she'd ever seen carved in stone. And as compelling.'
*sigh*
But this was written in 2012, not 1982, and unfortunately the only difference between this book and one of her 80s books that always seemed to feature 'hard men' and horses is that a condom was mentioned in both of the sex scenes, which would have been unlikely in books like Beautiful Dreamer. You'd think her writing style would mature with age and experience...
auntiel's review against another edition
3.0
It started great, then got really weird. Way out of the norm for her and it wasn't a good direction.
kas03's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
labraden's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth Lowell is always so good at using realistic research to make her stories come alive and her mysteries more interesting. This one was no different. My only complaint was that there was almost too much realistic information that occasionally bogged down the narrative. The two main characters had a previous friendship that made their romance entirely believable, and they were likeable. Overall this was a very good read.
imbookingit's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't care for the main characters, they didn't seem very real, and the events seemed even less likely, and they weren't interesting enough to suck me in anyway.
And perhaps that is a bit harsh. I found the book readable, and I didn't hate the characters or events. I just didn't like them all that much.
And perhaps that is a bit harsh. I found the book readable, and I didn't hate the characters or events. I just didn't like them all that much.