Jaguar Moon

Jaguar Sun #2

by Martha Bourke

Sixteen-year-old Maya Delaney has survived becoming a shape-shifter, being kidnapped, and bringing the world into a new era at the end of the Mayan calendar.Maya hoped the worst was behind her, but troubling dreams still haunt her sleep. When a mysterious stranger appears, she suspects he may hold the key to her true identity. But to find out, Maya must decide to leave the ones who love her most.

Will the answers she seeks give her solace, or will they take her away from all she holds dear?

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

239 pages, ebook

First published September 11, 2012

About the author

Martha Bourke, a native of Burlington, VT and Boston, MA spent fifteen years creating foreign language programs for young children and traveling. She now uses her knowledge of other cultures to create the world of Jaguar Sun, which includes two series: one YA, the JAGUAR SUN TRILOGY and one ADULT, the NEW BREED NOVELS. Both take place in the same 'world' and can be read together or as independent series. DESPERATE CALL, NEW BREED BOOK 5 was just released in October 2015.

Martha and her husband have carved out their own little piece of Vermont in the Massachusetts countryside. When not writing, Martha loves spending time with her animals, listening to good music, thrifting, and adding to her Converse collection. She is currently writing ETERNAL CALL, NEW BREED BOOK 6, to be released Spring of 2016.

Check out Martha's world at www.marthabourke.com

Reviews

[Dominique Goodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this in return for an honest review!

Sixteen-year-old Maya Delaney has survived becoming a shape-shifter, being kidnapped, and bringing the world into a new era at the end of the Mayan calendar.Maya hoped the worst was behind her, but troubling dreams still haunt her sleep. When a mysterious stranger appears, she suspects he may hold the key to her true identity. But to find out, Maya must decide to leave the ones who love her most.

Will the answers she seeks give her solace, or will they take her away from all she holds dear?


With the Mayan prophecy fulfilled, Maya believes she can carry on learning just what being a shapeshifter entails, but her past and that of her boyfriend, Matt makes that something that can't be forgotten. With Lyssa and Damian, the twins who help to ground Maya finding their place in a new world order, who and what will be the snake in the grass?

Without revealing too many details, I can tell you that Maya is your typical teenage girl with a world to save, a hidden past beyond this life and powers which no one understands. I'm eagerly looking forward to book three in this empowering series with a heroine who doesn't need a hero to save her.

[Dan Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read the first book in this series I was areally looking forward to the release of this latest offering. For the most part I was not disappointed as I found this book to be nearly as difficult as the first to put down. In addition to all that happens to Maya, I was also interested in the developments which occur in Lyssa's life. Before reading Jaguar Sun I did not think that I was a fan of shapeshifter stories, and I'm still not sure that I am, but this story is just too good to not be enjoyed. With that being said, I have to say that the last part of the book became a bit confusing for me. I felt like everything was going along in a logical fashion and then, all of a sudden I got confused. It began with Maya's encounter with Victrixa and seemed to just continue on from there. Maybe I'll have to go back and reread that part again. All in all, another engaging book. Looking forward now to the prequel as well as the third book in the series.

[Frederick Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever been to the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico? Thick jungle, steamy afternoons, cockatoos and monkeys screeching unseen in the trees. Think Chichen Itza, the ancient Mayan pyramid, one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Think strange and exotic languages and dialects, and the magic of ancient beliefs and customs.

Take a very special group of high school kids on Christmas break to this super exotic locale, and you have the makings of the new YA book by Martha Bourke, Jaguar Moon. Some of these kids have extraordinary powers, like the ability to shift and adopt an animal persona which also acts as a protector. Maya’s special protector is the Jaguar. Matt, her boyfriend-turned-mate, is a wolf in his alter-ego. In the first book in the series, Jaguar Sun, Maya and Matt and their friends came to this area because of a catastrophic event that happened on December 21, 2012, and Maya played a special role that day.

I really like Maya a lot. At 16, she is worried about her father’s workaholic tendencies, and about her grandmother being alone, but most of all she frets about the changes she sees in herself. As the book opens, the burn wound on Maya’s neck and chest miraculously vanishes during the night while she sleeps. And then there are those frightening images she sees in recurring dreams.

What I like best about Jaguar Moon is this group of friends gathered around Maya. Her best friend Lyssa, Lyssa’s twin brother Damian, and the young man Lyssa falls in love with, Cesar, form a dynamic support group. The dialogue between all these characters seems so real, it takes me right back to my high school days (seems like yesterday!). Each of the characters is thrown into a personal crisis of one kind or another in Jaguar Moon, and I got involved with them. The book was full of surprises that made my heart beat faster.

The shattering ending of Jaguar Moon came too soon for my liking, epic, beautiful, unforgettable. I read the second half of the book without once moving from my chair. When it was over, I was in denial. I couldn’t stand to leave this magical world. The book is a must-read for the YA set, but adults will fall under its spell, too.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars***

I would like to thank the author for giving me Jaguar Moon in exchange for an honest review. This series is an interesting different take on shapeshifters.

This book is mostly about Maya and her friends. She is a teenager that has the ability to contain more k'ul than anyone else. That is the life energy in all things. In Jaguar Sun she used it to set the world on the right track on December 21, 2012, and in Jaguar Moon she has a couple new obstacles to conquer. She has her mate, Matt, and her friends, Damian, Lyssa, Cesar, Selena, Richard, and Adrianna to help her.

Victrixa is still up to no good, and she has found a cenote to use to conjour up demons and cause other trouble from the Underworld. I found her really creepy and confusing. Damian and Lyssa are able to use their telepathy powers to thwart off the demons, but in the end something really crazy happens to them, and we have to wait until the next book to find out what is up with that.

And then there was Akil. He is a whole other story in the middle of everything. He is from Maya's past, way way past. It was kind of confusing to me why Maya left everything in the beginning to go with him, and abandon Matt. But she did return so I guess it worked out some. But in the end there is a big battle with Akil that just raised more questions and left the book with another big hanger. (The first being what happened to Damian and Lyssa)

Overall this book was enjoyable, but not my favorite. It is weird that they are teenagers, just 16, but doing weird adult things. But they talk like teenagers with abbreviations like WTH. I like Matt, but find him underappreciated and ignored by Maya. And there is a relationship between Lyssa and Cesar that just seemed to fast and awkward. And there were just too many things left with too many questions. I think this is a great read for lovers of shapeshifter stories.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book was so much better than the first book. It has more action and viewpoints to see from. I know a lot of people that don't like differing points of view but I do. I didn't like Maya that much in the first book. She was too wimpy. But in this book we get to see her through her friends eyes. And we get glimpses into their lives apart from her. In the first book I wanted to know more about her best friends, the twins. In this one we get inside information, so to speak. I wanted to dig deeper into her mate's life and we did.

What I like about both books is that I can see that the author, Martha Bourke, spent a lot of time researching and then educating the readers to a part of the world some of us needed to be introduced to. She didn't give this information in a boring way that would detract from the story, but, rather, as a significant part of the tale, as much a part as the supporting characters.

Something that usually gets to me in novels is the use of other languages. When most authors add that 'piece of class,' they seem to assume we all know these other languages as well. Other authors will go to the far extreme and translate in parenthesis. But that get cumbersome and takes the reader out of the story for sure. Ms. Bourke has figured out a great way to integrate the translations so that the reader feels a part of the conversation. Well done!

I will remember this story and may read the series again. But I didn't feel as secure at the end of this book. Though it wasn't a cliffhanger, I feel my nerves are jangled and wish I had the time to get to the next book (I think I saw that the next book is out) but it will have to wait. Have you seen my currently reading shelf, meaning those I must read and review soon? Not to mention my TBR shelves! So off I go to my other books until I can pick up the next one and have a bit of time.

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up seamlessly where the first book in the series left off. Bourke manages to do this brilliantly without starting in the middle of something. It is a smooth transition from one book to another that allows for a break in between without confusion on the reader’s part. How perfect is that?

Everything in this novel is quite well written. There is never any confusion on the reader’s part. Concepts, such as that of the mating instinct, are clearly developed which helps create a strong basis for the story itself. Not only does Bourke take the time to develop the narrative and background in this story, but also the scenery. Everything is so vivid that you feel like you are watching a movie at times.

I love the fact that Bourke takes the characters from the first novel in the series and runs with them. They are all the same people; no one has had a miraculous personality change at any point in time or in the transition from novel to novel. She also continues to develop the characters, so as a reader you get to know them better and better. They are all such phenomenal (or phenomenally evil) people.

By developing all aspects of the novel, Bourke creates a very well rounded novel, avoiding the trap of a lopsided, fictional story. I also greatly appreciate the fact that although the novel ends setting it up perfectly for the sequel, it does end. The reader is not left completely up in the air, mid action. The biggest downside to this novel…. I don’t have the sequel in my hand right now.

[Uxia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Jaguar Sun". Maya Delaney goes from average high-school teenager, to shifter -and goddess!- in no time. Talk about hormonal changes! I really liked it. But I LOVED every page of the second novel. I honestly could not put it down this last weekend (with all the sleep deprivation it entailed, and the "zombie" face I wore at work).

In this new installment we peek into other characters' thoughts and, for example, we learn that Lyssa is stressed about losing her independence since now she is utterly connected to her mate, and we feel the same relief she experiences when she finally lets go and says "I love you". Matt, who we had fallen in love with in the first novel, now has his own voice and when he tries to "put Humpty Dumpty together again" and almost dies of loneliness when Maya's gone, we feel every bit of it, as if we shared their empathy link. We meet Selena, a character I'm fascinated by (there are not enough Selenas in this world!), we pity -and are disgusted by- Akil, we pity -and hate- Victrixa and "her minions", we deeply admire Richard and Adriana (how did they manage to pull ALL THAT off?!), and I, for one, would love to have a twin brother like Damian. He is the sweetest boy in the world. Thank the gods Nate found out about that one!

All that combined with Martha Bourke's "glee-ful" and lightly sarcastic sense of humor makes you love this novel, every word of it.

And it also makes you LONG for the next! :)

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya and her friends are just getting back to normal after their epic battle with the Toltec. Things seem normal but there is something different. Maya is having nightmares. The most horrible nightmares, but she can't figure out why. They haven't seen any demons and things have been quiet. Matt, her mate, is the only one who knows about the nightmares right now. It was obvious to Maya and Matt they wouldn't be safe going home. They had to figure out if the nightmares were part of something that passed or something yet to be. Just when Maya thinks she has a handle on the nightmares, Akil appears. This is an interesting twist to things. While Maya once again puts her safety in danger, the others, including her mate, can only watch and wait.

Martha Bourke is a true storyteller! She's able to weave a tale to keep you entertained and engaged. This is the second book in the series and each one gets better and better. I recommend this book for everyone, it's a YA book. You can easily lose a couple hours with this book and that's a great thing. Characters you can embrace and a story that keeps surprises coming make this a book to add to the TBR pile. The writing is superb, but then again Martha is terrific at what she does.

I found no issues with this one.

I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because it's one of the best series books I've read in quite awhile. ~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~

[Kiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was given this book for a review.
and i think, this is one of books that has a fast paced story, its actually good because we dont even have time to get bored, and this is a page turner.
well i must say that when i first read this series, im a little bit skeptic, shifter, mayan, seriously? thats just not my "kind of" book.
but as i read more and more i like Maya more and how she developed. and of course her story with Matt.
one thing i really fond about this book is because this is surprisingly easy to read, the languange is simple, daily language and dont have any fancy words.
but if you ask me why i gave 4 stars instead of 5, well, whats bothering me is Maya's comment, in everything, sometimes her comment is silly and unimportant that i think its distract me a bit.
but overall, its a nice one.

[Nancy Steinle gummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaguar Moon by Martha Bourke is the second book of a series. They should be read in order. This story picks up where Jaguar Sun left off. They all retreat to the base house in Mexico to recover from the battle with Toltec in the Guatemalan ruins. Maya and Matt, lyss and Cesar become mated. They are staying with team leader Adriana and Richard, who are also mated Lyss is the only non-shifter. Her twin brother Damian and Lyss can read each others minds. It help in their missions. The shifters take turns guarding the compound. A god, Akil, appears to Maya. He wants to help her remember her history. Her past life. In her first regression she is torn with grief. Matt gets antsy because he can feel her emotions. She returns and reinsures him she is okay and that she is learning of her past. All in all Maya arises to the challenge but at what cost?

[Natasha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha Bourke delivers an exciting, action packed sequel in her Jaguar Sun series. Unresolved questions are answered and new ones arise in this fun YA read.
In this second installment, we delve into supporting characters motivations and lives, creating a rich and enjoyable experience. I loved getting to know more about these quirky and lovable people that I grew so attached to in Book 1 (Jaguar Sun).
It becomes clear as you read Jaguar Moon, that this story is about so much more than Maya's role in the world, but a tapestry of lives interwoven together to deliver us into the unforeseen future. What is in store next? I don't know, but you can bet I'll be first in line to read Book 3!
I highly recommend!

[Faith Dion · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will love this new adventure with Maya, Matt, the Twins and the rest of the crew from Jaguar Sun.

[Amber]

Was really good. Well written, fats paced, loved the characters. Good for young adults or older teens <3

[Kchnkymnky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow book two was so great, can't wait for book 3. Keep your books coming and I will keep on readinh