Testimonials for Maya and the Crystal Skull

I'm thrilled that my latest novel Maya and the Crystal Skull is being well received. Maya and the Crystal Skull is my 85th book and a new direction for me, as I focus on longer novels for children and young adults. 

Here is what people are saying about Maya and the Crystal Skull.

...action-packed adventure...for readers aged 10+ who love history, great characters and plenty of plot twists.

Dee White, Kids' Book Capers

This a wholly enjoyable page turner with a wonderful, modern heroine on a classical hero journey. Maya's beliefs and bravery help her to overcome her hurt and not only seize the day but save it too. Any reader, young or old, will want more of her and her adventures.
John Dawson, artist and screenwriter

...the teen voices are realistic, it is easy to read and there is enough action and plenty of dialogue to keep the story moving. Readers will love to hate Sophia, Maya’s minder and enjoy the thrill of the chase through jungles and Mayan ruins...

Zoya Nojin, Buzz Words Books 

A book I recommend all children read. 
Warren Thurston, reviewer

The suspense is great throughout the book right until the end. 
Dianne, reader

So what is the story of Maya and the Crystal Skull? Naturally, I can't give you all the details but here is a little taste:

Move over Indiana Jones...

Maya's life has changed.
 
Her mother is dead, killed in a car accident; she's befriended by Ethan, a boy who claims he's from the spirit world; and now her father is missing.

What does the legend of the crystal skulls have to do with her father's disappearance? Will Maya travel to Mexico to save him? How can Maya's destiny have anything to do with the future of humankind?

The Mexican jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, dangerous bounty hunters and evil kidnappers...

Yes, Maya's life has changed.

The fate of the world now depends on her.

Please visit the following websites to purchase Maya and the Crystal Skull:

R & R Books Film Music
http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html

Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Maya-Crystal-Skull-ebook/dp/B0069WE3GK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321834871&sr=1-1

The adventure continues in July 2012 with Maya and the Daring Heist.

With Love and Light,
Robyn Opie Parnell

An Exciting New Trailer for Maya and the Crystal Skull

I'm excited to share the trailer for my latest novel Maya and the Crystal Skull. The trailer was written and directed by my talented husband Rob Parnell. Please take a minute to enjoy our creativity. We believe you won't be disappointed. 

In case you want the URL for any reason, here it is. The "Maya and the Crystal Skull" trailer now showing at - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NwL7zjB6kM 

Enjoy your day.

Wishing you much happiness and success,
Robyn Opie Parnell

http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html

http://www.amazon.com/Maya-Crystal-Skull-ebook/dp/B0069WE3GK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321834871&sr=1-1

Coming soon!

Maya and the Daring Heist (R & R Books, July 2012)

Another Review of Maya and the Crystal Skull

Maya and the Crystal Skull by Robyn Opie Parnell 

Publisher: R&R Books Film Music

PB RRP: $19.95

ISBN: 9780975609675

Reviewed by Zoya Nojin of Buzz Words Books http://buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/11/maya-and-crystal-skull_21.html

Although Robyn Opie Parnell has had over eighty books published, this is her first foray into a longer novel for middle grade readers and it displays a ‘new direction’ to her writing. Her enthusiasm for her thoughts on the ‘spiritual connectedness with reality’ pervades this story which starts with the main character, Maya learning about ‘universal consciousness’ from a spirit boy as she deals with the loss of her mother.

When Maya discovers that her father is in danger in Mexico, she must travel there with her spirit guide to rescue him while trying to elude a mysterious villain and recover ancient crystal skulls. She soon learns of the skulls’ significance to the future of humankind and that her destiny is intertwined with them.

Written in the first person, Maya’s thoughts and discussions of the spiritual can slow the pace a little while her guide explains how ‘everything in the world is connected’. But the teen voices are realistic, it is easy to read and there is enough action and plenty of dialogue to keep the story moving. Readers will love to hate Sophia, Maya’s minder and enjoy the thrill of the chase through jungles and Mayan ruins.

The cover will whet the appetite for adventure with its gleaming crystal skull staring out over a fiery ancient temple. As this book is the first in a series, one can presume there will be more adventures to come in seeking crystal skulls, with further insights into how Maya’s future is linked to them.

Maya and the Crystal Skull is being marketed as a ‘paranormal thriller for children aged 8+’.

© Zoya Nojin of Buzz Words Books http://buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/11/maya-and-crystal-skull_21.html

Please visit the following websites to purchase Maya and the Crystal Skull:
R & R Books Film Music
http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html
Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Maya-Crystal-Skull-ebook/dp/B0069WE3GK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321834871&sr=1-1

Booktopia and other online bookstores
http://www.booktopia.com.au/maya-and-the-crystal-skull/prod9781873671009.html 

Coming in March 2012 Maya and the Ancient Legend - start collecting the series now!

 

A Review of Maya and The Crystal Skull

Review of Maya and the Crystal Skull
Author: Robyn Opie Parnell
Publisher: R&R Books Film Music
ISBN: 978-0-9756096-7-5
http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html

Maya and the Crystal Skull is the latest book from best-selling children’s author, Robyn Opie Parnell. The book follows the fortunes of fifteen year old Maya King after the death of her mother in a car accident. Maya’s father took the death of his wife hard. In his grief he travels to Mexico in search of the legendary Crystal Skulls. He believed that the Mayan Indians did possess these skulls before their culture vanished. This self exile of her father sees Maya stranded at home with Sophia, a housekeeper hired by him.

Sophia is every child’s nightmare, bossy, grumpy and no sense of fun. Maya has her routine of chores strictly controlled by Sophia. Each of her tasks, of which there are many, must adhere to Sophia’s strict code of practice. The fact that Maya is the child of a client does not deter Sophia. Having the run of Maya’s house and no one to answer to is the perfect world for Sophia to exploit. Maya finds herself no more than a slave in her own house, to a domineering woman.

One ray of light that comes into Maya’s life is Ethan. He is a spirit who has come to warn her that her father is in danger. Ethan also tells Maya that in a past life he was a Shaman priest with the Mayan Indians. Maya finds it hard to accept Ethan at first but then realizes that he is not a product of the stress she is under while living with Sophia.

Maya is quite concerned about her father and contacts her Uncle Peter. She is dismayed to discover that his fear of flying prevents him from going to Mexico. So instead of Uncle Peter, Maya and Sophia take the flight from Sydney to Mexico.

In Mexico she finds her father and discovers the power of the skulls. Kidnapped and in danger of losing her life, Maya finds that life is a precious gift no to be wasted. She also discovers that if you are prepared to help yourself, others will help you too.

I found Robyn Opie Parnell’s book a delight to read. The portrayal of the characters was realistic, and the story flowed quite well. Young readers will find this adventure a riveting read and easily empathise with Maya. Maya’s term for Sophia, witch-dragon, is an apt description of the lady. At times I felt like tearing Sophia from the pages and punishing her severely.

Maya and the Crystal Skull is a book I highly recommend all children read.

Review by Warren Thurston
Children’s Author
http://www.puddlywuddly.com

Maya and the Crystal Skull by Robyn Opie Parnell is available from leading booksellers, on- and off-line and by visiting the publisher - http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au/maya.html

Coming Soon - Maya and the Crystal Skull by Robyn Opie Parnell

Move over Indiana Jones...

Maya's life has changed.

Her mother is dead, killed in a car accident; she's befriended by Ethan, a boy who claims he's from the spirit world; and now her father is missing.

What does the legend of the crystal skulls have to do with her father's disappearance? Will Maya travel to Mexico to save him? How can Maya's destiny have anything to do with the future of humankind?

The Mexican jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, dangerous bounty hunters and evil kidnappers...

Yes, Maya's life has changed.

The fate of the world now depends on her.

Coming in November 2011!

Title: Maya and the Crystal Skull
Author: Robyn Opie Parnell
ISBN: 9780975609675
Publisher: R & R Books Film Music
RRP: $19.95
Genre: Paranormal thriller for children aged 8+
Website: http://www.rnrbooksfilmmusic.com.au