Set against the backdrop of the ancient Mayan world, book one of The Mayan Chronicles is a riveting tale of magic and intrigue . . . Deep in the jungle, while drums pound and men dance to keep the evil gods of the Underworld at bay for the five days of the Wayeb, a baby is born. Her birth sends a ripple across the land, alerting Satal, the black witch of Mayapán, of the existence of a new rival. Fearful of the taint that clings to Na'om's fateful birth, the villagers of Pa nimá shun this child of the Wayeb. She lives her life as an outcast, more comfortable hidden in the liana vines with her pet jaguar, Ek' Balam, than near her neighbors. With the help of her grandmother and the tribe's shaman, Na'om struggles to understand the fearful dreams and visions that have plagued her since birth. When these dreams turn into living nightmares, will Na'om have the strength to confront the powerful adversary who threatens her life and the lives of those she holds dear?