[.ca] Eye of the Condor (ISBN 1425100600)

A Rousing Action Adventure:
Eye of the Condor, Patrick Carmichael's brilliantly crafted novel begins with royal physician and imperial spy, Qori Qoyllur facing a charge of treason before Inca Emperor, Wayna Qhapaq. She is found guilty and banished from Cuzco. Stripped of all titles and privileges she is forced to embark on a perilous quest to find a mythical emerald in order to save her brother's life. The characters in this novel come alive in the vibrant settings that Carmichael creates as Qori's journey takes her to the edges of the far flung Inca Empire. On one level this is a thrilling adventure story complete with assassins, heroes and heroines, spies, evil-doers and royalty. On another level the book can be enjoyed as historical fiction that portrays a land and people drawn as accurately as the Spanish chroniclers and a professional archaeologist can make them. Carmichael has worked in the places he writes about and his familiarity with the Andean landscape is clearly evident in the imagery and visual scenes painted throughout the book. Apart from being a great read this novel is noteworthy for well-rounded characters, historical accuracy, colourful images and biting dialogue. It's also a rousing action adventure with hair raising thrills throughout.