Blog Tour: Review: The Huaca

Title - The Huaca
Author - Marcia Mickelson
Genre - YA Paranormal
Published May 14th 2013
Format - Kindle Review Copy
(Goodreads)(Amazon)(B&N)

Synopsis 

Seventeen-year-old Ellie Cummings just wants to be a regular teenager, but after her mother’s mysterious murder, she isn’t sure if she’ll ever be normal again. Her mother’s death has left Ellie and her father worlds apart. And when her best friend abandons her, Ellie has no one else to turn to—except for the strange boy who says he can help.
Gabe de la Cruz seems to know way too much about everything, and her instincts tell Ellie to stay far away. But when he claims that he can communicate with the dead through an ancient Incan artifact, Ellie can’t resist the temptation of seeing her mother again. In the hanan pacha—the Incan afterworld—Ellie’s mother sends a message to help Ellie understand what happened the night of the murder—a message that may be better kept a secret . . .

Review

I received The Huaca in return for an honest review from Netgalley after talking to the author. Six months ago Ellie’s mother was brutal murder without a clue. Now she’s outcast herself from her best friend because she did the right thing, leaving her even more alone. Ellie isn’t alone for long she finds a new friend in a fellow outcast Gabe who happens to have a secret that could change it all. Suddenly Gabe is offering Ellie the impossible a chance to see her mom.

Gabe explains how his Incan ancestors were able to communicate with the dead which he is able to do using an ancient device called a Huaca. At first Ellie enjoys her moments with her mom catching brief memories from the past but when her mother shares the startling memory of her murder it’s almost too much for Ellie to handle. Unfortunately the time she spends with her mom is limited by the Huaca’s magic it runs out of time before she can catch a glimpse of her mother’s killer. Her next chance will reveal more then she bargained for.

I admit I’m not a history fan but I found the little facts thrown into the story interesting. I’m almost tempted to pick up a book on Incan history maybe the next time I hit the library that’s how curious I am. I loved Ellie she reminds me a lot of me after my mom passed suddenly, and I really love how she grew as a character through the book. Gabe isn't the typical hero but I think he fits the bill perfectly for Ellie plus I love the history geek aspect a perfect match for her. The story flows along smoothly from start to finish well written so that either teens as well as adults will enjoy. I found myself getting so into the story I had moments when I want to cheer Ellie on. I found the concept captivating plus with all the twists, surprises as the mystery unfolded. I could easily see myself picking up The Huaca again for a quick weekend read it’s a great story filled with engaging characters and enough mystery to keep you on your toes.

5 out of 5 stars

About the author: 

Marcia Mickelson was born in Guatemala and moved to the U.S. as an infant. She began writing her first novel her senior year of high school and finished it more than ten years later.

Marcia graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors Degree in American Studies. She is the author of Star Shining Brightly, Reasonable Doubt, and Pickup Games. Marcia's YA novel, The Huaca, will be released in May 2013. Marcia currently resides in Texas with her husband and three sons. 

Goodreads / Website / Blog