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As a Miami narcotics detective, Leah Daniels never knows how her day will turn out. But she certainly never expected to be strapped to a stone altar, the human sacrifice in an ancient Mayan ritual meant to coax up a demon from the underworld. Or that she’d be saved by a handsome warrior-priest king who claims to recognize her from his visions...

Jaguar Strike wishes he hadn’t made the mistake of reuniting his fellow warrior priests, or broken the law by saving their chosen human sacrifice. Now, he has no choice but to join forces with Leah and invoke dangerous magic in a death-defying race against the end of time.

Nightkeepers is book one in Jessica Andersen's new paranormal series, Novels of the Final Prophecy, available June 3, 2008 from Signet.

I really, really like the premise behind this series. Unlike so many other paranormal series, this one is centered around the Mayan culture and their belief system. I loved reading about the various gods and goddesses, rituals, holidays, etc. A wonderfully refreshing change from the norm. The story revolves around the belief that, based on Mayan prophecy, the world will end in 2012.

24 years ago, King of the Nightkeepers, Scarred-Jaguar, led his warrior-magi in an attack on the barrier that separated the earth from the underworld. The king had seen the attack in a dream, and believed he'd be able to seal the barrier, effectively neutralizing the Doomsday Prophecy.

Unfortunately, it was a suicide mission, and he and 200 Nightkeepers were destroyed in the ensuing battle. Leaving behind his son Striking Jaguar and his daughter, Anna, along with their winikin (servant and protector) Jox, one other full blooded Nightkeeper and a handful of other young Nightkeepers along with their winikin. They separated and raised their Nightkeepers, praying they'd never need to be reunited, but preparing just in case. Now, four years before the 2012 deadline, the barrier is beginning to weaken, and Strike is forced to call his Nightkeepers together to prepare them to fight.

Miami Detective Leah Daniels is investigating Survive2012, the cult responsible for the murder of her brother. She's kidnapped by their leader and he plans to offer her up as a human sacrifice. But before Leah's untimely demise, Strike pops up out of nowhere to save her and it isn't long before they realize they must join forces if they want a chance of surviving to 2012, not to mention beyond.

This is an action packed, fast paced novel. I was hooked from the beginning. The characters are well drawn and compelling. I found myself becoming emotionally invested in their various trials and tribulations almost right away.

Leah was a wonderful heroine, strong and independent. When she's drawn into a world full of magic where the unexplainable happens, she handles the revelations extremely well. All of her reactions to the situations she found herself in were , actually believable. I truly enjoyed her character. I really enjoyed her no-nonsense approach to dealing with Strike. She just told him like it was, even when it wasn't easy for her.

Strike was a complex character. His struggle to do the right thing, to accept his destiny when he wanted nothing more than to turn his back and walk away was very well done. I love that the author didn't shy away from writing the anger in him over the situation he found himself thrust in.

The sexual tension and chemistry between he and Leah was perfectly done and totally hot. I couldn't wait to see how their story progressed. The main conflict between them was interesting and not something that was easily resolved.

I found the secondary characters intriguing and can't wait to read more about them. Not just the Nightkeepers, either, but their winikin and the humans they come into contact with. I can't wait for the rest of the series so I can find out more about them.

I do think the story suffered somewhat for the world building, though. Because Ms. Andersen had to set up her world and introduce us to all the key players, the story jumped around quite a bit. I felt more was packed into it than was necessary.

It also seemed like certain elements were tossed in strictly as bait for the next novel, which annoys me. Mostly because it worked. I took the bait and now I'm hooked. I'm even more annoyed that I have to wait until January for the second installment.

If you're looking for a fresh paranormal series, this is the novel for you.

4.5 out of 5

This book is available from Signet June 3, 2008. You can pre-order it here.

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