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Coyote Healer, Coyote Curandero
The 2026. The the United States. But it’s not the United States you know. Ruled now by white evangelicals known as the Wholly Aryan Government, all minorities and the disabled are sought for elimination. Martín, a young boy born both of mixed heritage and with cerebral palsy, discovers he has amazing natural healing abilities and is sent to train with a master healer named Coyote, a decision that will forever change his life—and put it in great jeopardy. Exploring the role of fantasy and imagination in our lives, Mariana Ruybalid’s newest book is a haunting vision of a country gone wrong and the lengths to which we will go to ensure our freedom. With Mexico City wiped out by a nuclear strike, the fallout has reached all the way to Los Angeles, where the majority of the old, infirm, and young have died. In Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington, a resistance movement gains strength and it is in this environment that Martín finds himself surrounded by passionate revolutionaries. He falls in love with Blue Feather, another gifted healer, and as Martín’s abilities and confidence grow he learns the importance of community as he and his allies challenge the authorities’ cruelty. Driven by the ideology of hatred, the government responds to the freedom fighters with increasing force, setting up an epic struggle where only one group can stand as the winner. Reminiscent of Walter Moseley’s epic 47, Ruybalid’s unbridled imagination and understanding of the complexities of universal human truths is a searing indictment of society’s marginalization of those defined as different. A dynamic blend of strong character work, tense action, and impeccable pacing help ground the fantasy elements with a realism rarely seen in its genre. Full of hope, courage, and the age-old wisdom of never judging a book by its cover, Coyote Healer, Coyote Curandero is an exciting, intelligent fantasy you won’t be able to put down.
474 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Mariana Ruybalid
4 books19 followersWhen I was four-and-a-half I was taught to use an electric typewriter and quickly learned to read. I grew up very bright in a mixed race family where people spoke both English and Spanish. I have lived in Berkeley, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, where a lot of the action in my new novel, "Coyote Healer, Coyote Curandero" takes place. From an early age I had a very active fantasy life that has helped me become a writer. I've never let cerebral palsy stop me from doing much and I have a Bachelor of Arts in math and philosophy and three master's degrees. I've published poetry in Kaleidoscope, POETALK, and Western Friend. In addition to my latest novel, I've also published a poetry collection entitled “Daring to Write" and my first novel, "A Pattern of Silent Tears", is based on my experiences working with women and children with disabilities in Costa Rica. I currently live in Berkeley, CA where I am an active swimmer and Community member of the East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 2, 2012
I received this book in the Goodreads book giveaway.
This book takes place in the near future where the government gets rid of anyone who doesn't look like an Aryan or is different in any way. It took me a while to really get into the book but after a few chapters, I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure if you would call it a "fantasy" or a "thriller" or even "sci fi". I have read a few books that take place in a future where things have gone to hell in a hand-basket (such as Hunger Games). This book was different. I really liked the healing and healer aspects of the story.
This book takes place in the near future where the government gets rid of anyone who doesn't look like an Aryan or is different in any way. It took me a while to really get into the book but after a few chapters, I couldn't put it down. I'm not sure if you would call it a "fantasy" or a "thriller" or even "sci fi". I have read a few books that take place in a future where things have gone to hell in a hand-basket (such as Hunger Games). This book was different. I really liked the healing and healer aspects of the story.
April 23, 2012
I recommend this book, good for the soul with laughter and tears... I did not want it to end!
April 1, 2012
The premise sounded so intriguing, but the execution left much to be desired.
The Premise: Martin is a mixed-race boy with cerebral palsy living in a Californian enclave for other non-Aryan citizens. The year is 2026, the country is recovering from WWIII, and control of the government belongs to the Wags (Wholly Aryan Government). Martin is four years old and cannot walk or speak. He is scheduled to be terminated by the Wags due to his disability and his non-white heritage. With the help of his community, he escapes to Arizona and begins a new life as a healer. As an avid reader of post-apocalyptic, dystopian fiction, this sounded like just the ticket.
The Execution: The syntax is awkward making it difficult to read. The author never once uses the present continuous tense, making for some clunky prose. Example: Where is Lark? Answer: She bathes. (Most of us would say, "She's bathing," or better, "She's taking a bath.") Though I do not know if this is true, it very much felt like English is not the author's first language.
Nevertheless, the storyline had enough redeeming merit to make me want to find out what happened to Martin and his cronies. The plot traces Martin's life in Arizona through his mid-20's. The challenges he faces as a healer with his cerebral palsy felt authentic. On the other hand, his relationship with his life partner was saccharine and unrealistic. Ruybalid is gifted with a robust imagination. I am left wondering whether, in the hands of a professional editor, this novel could be improved enough to have a more widespread appeal.
I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program. I read the entire novel in order to give it a fair review, though I suspect under other circumstances I might have given up before finishing.
The Premise: Martin is a mixed-race boy with cerebral palsy living in a Californian enclave for other non-Aryan citizens. The year is 2026, the country is recovering from WWIII, and control of the government belongs to the Wags (Wholly Aryan Government). Martin is four years old and cannot walk or speak. He is scheduled to be terminated by the Wags due to his disability and his non-white heritage. With the help of his community, he escapes to Arizona and begins a new life as a healer. As an avid reader of post-apocalyptic, dystopian fiction, this sounded like just the ticket.
The Execution: The syntax is awkward making it difficult to read. The author never once uses the present continuous tense, making for some clunky prose. Example: Where is Lark? Answer: She bathes. (Most of us would say, "She's bathing," or better, "She's taking a bath.") Though I do not know if this is true, it very much felt like English is not the author's first language.
Nevertheless, the storyline had enough redeeming merit to make me want to find out what happened to Martin and his cronies. The plot traces Martin's life in Arizona through his mid-20's. The challenges he faces as a healer with his cerebral palsy felt authentic. On the other hand, his relationship with his life partner was saccharine and unrealistic. Ruybalid is gifted with a robust imagination. I am left wondering whether, in the hands of a professional editor, this novel could be improved enough to have a more widespread appeal.
I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program. I read the entire novel in order to give it a fair review, though I suspect under other circumstances I might have given up before finishing.
June 4, 2012
This book really deserves two ratings. First, a rating for it’s visionary concept of a society where all people are valued and respected regardless of their ethnicity or disability, for this I give it an A+. Second, a rating for the way the book was written, and for this unfortunately my rating is C-. The author relies primarily on simplistic dialogue in which things are told to the reader rather than shown. I think that when something is well written it paints a picture that is detailed and richly colored. The emotional palette in this tale has very little middle range so that the characters and the actions they take are either good or bad, black or white, it is missing the shades and colors in between that could have made this a great book.
June 18, 2012
Martin is a boy born with a disability. He is born in the year 2026 and the United States is not the United States we know. The Wholly Aryan Government are in total control and they want to get rid of all minorities and disabled people.
Later, Martin discovers he has healing abilities and trains under a healer named Coyote.
I won this through a Goodreads giveaway and I entered because it sounded really interesting. I really wanted to like the book, I think the story is really creative and unique. The author has quite an imagination. However, I found myself not enjoying the book so much. I didn't feel much of a connection to the characters and the writing style wasn't for me. I don't think it is a bad book though, but it just wasn't for me
Later, Martin discovers he has healing abilities and trains under a healer named Coyote.
I won this through a Goodreads giveaway and I entered because it sounded really interesting. I really wanted to like the book, I think the story is really creative and unique. The author has quite an imagination. However, I found myself not enjoying the book so much. I didn't feel much of a connection to the characters and the writing style wasn't for me. I don't think it is a bad book though, but it just wasn't for me
April 7, 2012
I LOVED this book! I don't want to spoil anything, so all I'm going to say is that it was beautifully written, and the characters are so real that you find yourself sitting next to them through their story. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it even leaves you wanting more! Very, very good.
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
April 23, 2013
i recieved this from a goodreads giveaway. this book was pretty decent, it takes place in the future and the world is a pretty crumby place. my favorite aspect was definitely the healer aspect, and it was quite different from any other book iv read
March 29, 2012
i couldnt get through it, it just didnt hold my attention like i thought it would which is a little disappointing. just one of those books not for me
April 23, 2012
It was beautifully written, it will make you laugh and cry throughout. Love it!
May 31, 2012
amazing....fight..!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews