Who were the Ancient Maya who inhabited those mysterious ruined cities in the Central American jungles? As aspects of their lifeways and history are uncovered by archaeological research and the decipherment of their intriguing inscriptions, it becomes possible to imagine the details of their daily life, their annual ritual cycle, their aspirations and challenges. Their inscriptions reveal the histories of their ruling families, as tumultuous as those in any other known civilization, their towering pyramids suggest a strong sense of the sacred, while their paintings and carving suggest a vigorous military presence.

In this novel, Joan C Wrenn presents the story of the Maya of one city-state at a crucial time in its history, the royal family about to be split, struggles over competing ideologies and the life-and-death challenges of living in a jungle environment in city-states involved in nearly continuous warfare. Through colorful glimpses into the lives of four young Maya and their families, the reader is introduced to the culture, the lifeways, the religion, the rulers, the battles and the successes of these magnificent people.