What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I have been dying to find this book again, I read it probably around 2005ish.

The story centers around a woman and this alcoholic man who had lost his family years ago who are on a ship heading somewhere, meanwhile there is this ancient mayan or aztec creature thing that used to be a priest or something that is being transported on the ship....the story flips back and forth between the priest when he was human and what happened to make him how he is to the man and woman bonding together as they try to survive against the priest in present times.

12.21.12: The Vessel by Killian McRae?

Jason, can you tell us more about the woman and man - their jobs/skills (e.g., archaeologists, treasure hunters); where they're from; what's the purpose of the ship's voyage; etc.?

Is there romance in this story?

Hmm there is a certain level of romance that builds between the two as she helps the man get over his guilt at the death of his family. As to their jobs or reason for being on the ship I unfortunately cannot recall it's been too long. A big focus was on the priests life and how he got into dark magic which led to him becoming this creature. The whole book happens on this ship. Thanks for the help!

Jason is still looking for this and wrote:

"I read this book as a teen. This drunk man who had lost his family and a young woman are on a ship.. I think in south america. The ship is transporting a coffin or something and inside this demon/monster thing wakes up. Used to be a sorceror or something in mayan or aztec civilication?"

Can we rule out The Wheel of Darkness which involves a Tibetan demon released on an ocean liner?

Lobstergirl wrote: "Can we rule out The Wheel of Darkness which involves a Tibetan demon released on an ocean liner?"

No it was a standalone novel and the two protagonists were just regular folks as far as I recall. It was more from the womans perspective also

Hmm I cannot remember the cover unfortunately. It was paperback and I read it nearly 15 years ago. I believe it was relatively new ish at that point.

jbgeeks is still looking for this book:

"So I read this novel probably sometime around 2003-2005.

It followed a man who had lost his family to some tragedy, leading him to be a drunkard and just giving up on life, and a woman(I cannot recall her backstory), being on a ship/boat somewhere in south america(I think?). There is an item on the boat, a sarcophagus or something similar, that has a creature in it. The creature used to be a priest in(aztec,mayan, some similar culture I cannot recall) that was using dark magic and was punished and confined. You are flashing back to him/its time and learning about his life, and forward to the present on the ship as the creature awakens and starts terrorizing everyone. The man and woman end up coming together in this time, and the event helps him come back from his grief to protect the woman and his own life.

I remember it being quite good, so I hope this gives enough detail for someone to identify it. Thank you!"

The Ancient by Muriel Gray? Just a guess. Creature on a ship.

Maria's link is: The Ancient

There are some lists you might wish to browse:

Aztec / Maya / Inca Fiction:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

Aztecs in Fiction:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...

Best Books with Mayan Theme (setting):
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

Mythology, Legends and Folklore of the Americas:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

its The Ancient!!

Thank you so much, I have been looking for this darn book for a decade! :D:D

Maria wrote: "The Ancient by Muriel Gray? Just a guess. Creature on a ship."

thank you!!! :D

Great. Glad you found your book, jbgeeks. Thanks for the update.

You're welcome! :) Glad I could help.