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Sky Knife is a young man cursed with an unlucky name - a name his mother saw in a vision and pledged that her son would bear, to honor whatever destiny the gods had decreed. He hasn't the luck to take one of the usual paths charted for his people: farmer, soldier, merchant - all these roads are closed to him. The only hope for him lies in service at the King's Temple, where - he hopes - the gods will make clear his purpose in the world.

But as a novice priest he has little hope of fulfilling his destiny. That is, until a human sacrifice goes horribly wrong, priests begin to die, and the skies fill with dangerous portents and visions. Magic of all sorts seems to cling to Sky Knife like a shroud, but if he is daring and lucky enough, he may just find out the answer - and, in doing so, win a place among his people.

Sky Knife is a compelling and evocative portrait of ancient Mayan culture.

Enter the world of Sky Knife: A Mayan youth who was cursed with an unlucky name from birth. From a vision given to his mother, Sky Knife is pledged to honor whatever destiny the gods have decreed. Farmer, soldier, merchant--all these roads are closed to him. He isn't even worthy as a sacrifice to the gods. Sometimes, however, the gods have a very wicked sense of humor... and what some sages think of as the worst cosmic luck may in fact be the touch of the gods' own hands.

From temple pariah to hero, Sky Knife discovers the magic within him and not only thwarts all the evil plots surrounding his king, but wins the hand of the beautiful and beloved Jade Flute in the process. Enemies vanquished and evil magic dispelled, life is good. And as Sky Knife prepares for the birth of a long-awaited child, it seems like the fates have given him all that he desires. But it appears the gods aren't quite done with Sky Knife just yet. He is to be sent to the distant city-kingdom of Teotihuacan, to bring greetings and to reopen diplomatic ties with these strange people.

From missed meetings to strange guides, corrupt counselors to a bizarre court, Sky Knife feels his world shifting dangerously out of balance. And when the Teotihuacan king is killed and bad luck seems to descend upon his kingdom, it is left to Sky Knife to solve the riddle of his death. Or he will be slaughtered in the killer's stead.