A Maya boy’s hopes to prove himself spiral into war and mystery as he seeks to uncover the truth surrounding his brother’s identity. This historically researched tale offers the perfect adventure for readers 9+ and fans of Emma Carroll and Phil Earle.

It’s 695 CE in Mesoamerica and Akbal is on his first quest to bring precious quetzal feathers to his Maya homeland, Tikal. As the smallest and youngest boy on the expedition, Akbal knows that he risks jeopardising everything. It also doesn’t help that he was born during Wayeb – the five cursed days that bring chaos to the Maya world. Nevertheless, Akbal is desperate to prove his strength and wisdom to his father.

There’s just one problem… After setting fire to a bridge while escaping Yaxchilan, Akbal may have accidentally sparked a war between the cities of the Snake Kingdom.

When Akbal arrives home to Tikal, more mystery unfolds. His childish younger brother seems to have been swapped with another boy who looks and speaks just like him but claims to be the king of rival city, Naranjo!

With his family at risk of being shamed and the crumbling Maya city of Tikal on the verge of drying out, Akbal has a huge task ahead of him. Will he find the courage to derail the brutal Pitz ball games, dodge human sacrifice and summon the gods to bring rain? Will he manage to rescue his brother from the clutches of the Snake Kingdom? Or is Tikal’s destiny written in the stars?