Daughter of the Sun: A Novel of the Toltec Empire

Having enjoyed Barbara Wood's The Blessing Stone, I could not resist picking this book up when I saw it at my local library. I finished it within the day, it was very involving indeed. The story is set during the Anasazi period in history and centers around a gifted young girl, Hoshi'tiwa, who belongs to the Tortoise Clan, and has humble origins. All she wishes to do is to marry her betrothed, Ahote, and cook suppers for him. Unfortunately, fate decrees a more complex destiny for her -she is chosen by the Dark Lord Jakal, leader of the Toltec people at Center Place and taken away to his court to bring rain [as prophesied by the priests]. At first, Hoshi'tiwa reviles the Dark Lord, but soon finds redeeming qualities within him, a complex man with many facets to his character, and the attraction is mutual, though begrudged. Jakal fights his attraction to the humble corn grower's daughter who is not as sophisticated as the ladies in his court, the beautifully adorned Toltec women, one of whom, White Orchid, will stop at nothing to get the man she desires. Hoshi'tiwa on the other hand, is not a great beauty, but her gift with clay, and her ability to touch Jakal's soul draws them both together, despite the fact that they are forbidden to be together. This is a sumptuously told tale of history and romance, both interwoven with consummate skill and grips the reader from start to finish. The characters are well-crafted and developed, and we come to really care about some of them. All in all, this is an involving piece of historical romance that will surely enthrall fans of the genre.

Daughter of the Sun is the first book I've read by author Barbara Wood. It is a fabulous book, and I can't say enough about it. It is a real page turner, and I found it difficult to put down until I had devoured the entire thing. The book is incredibly well researched and well written. It holds your interest and makes you really care about the characters involved. If there is one author I would like to write as well as, it is Barbara Wood. The setting alone sparks the reader's interest, and there are many hooks along the way. I just cannot say enough about Daughter of the Sun. It is an outstanding read, and I highly recommend it to all readers, old and new alike. I am now a fan of Barbara's for life.

I've read nearly all of Barbara Wood's books, and I am constantly amazed at the stories she tells and how she does it. I keep asking her how, but she won't tell me (smile). Actually, if I could write as well as she does, I don't think I'd give the secret away, either. Her latest novel, "Daughter Of The Sun", kept me enthralled from start to finish. Even more so, it had me involved. In the story and with the characters. If you are already one of Barbara's readers, the book's excellence won't surprise you. If you're not familiar with her work, you'll want to be, after reading "Daughter Of The Sun". It is easily one of her very best.

Daughter of the Sun I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are very well developed and the story line keeps the reader involved and interested throughout the book. Even the secondary characters are memorable; you care what happens to them. The most important thing I took away from this book is the desire to visit the locations about which the book is written and to investigate the history of the Toltec and Anasasi cultures to more depth. Barabra Wood is one of my favorite authors and she has delivered yet another wonderful, historical book to add to my library. If you have not read a Barbara Wood novel, now is the time to begin. I have read every one of her books, and keep them all.

This one made it to my "top 5" list of Barbara Wood books along with "Virgins of Paradise", "The Dreaming", "Green City in the Sun" and "Perfect Harmony". After young Hoshi'tiwa is taken away from the comfort of her home and family, she steps into a world so unlike her own - different ways of life, gods, social structures, etc. In the backdrop of majestic American Southwest, we witness naive and homesick Hoshi'tiwa turning into a courageous, intelligent leader. Along the way, she experiences love, loss, betrayal, loneliness and all other human emotions. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of beautiful pottery making, spirituality and worship rituals of the ancient American Southwest, not to mention the poignant romance between the main characters. I recommend "Daughter of the Sun" to any reader who would appreciate good romance or historical/anthropological fictions.