Despite having degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering aviation is where I have spent the lions share of my career Flying for the military and United Airlines produced a life that was full of adventure and rich in the exposure to cultures across the globe It was a lifestyle like no other My book site_link The Mystical Guatemalan Robes is a book like no other When a 600 year old pedophile priest confronts an idealistic pilot and Vietnam veteran a holy war emerges site_link The Pilot and the Priest is the first book in this trilogy site_link The Mysterious Guatemalan Robes Despite having degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering aviation is where I have spent the lion s share of my career Flying for the military and United Airlines produced a life that was full of adventure and rich in the exposure to cultures across the globe It was a lifestyle like no other My book site_link The Mystical Guatemalan Robes is a book like no other When a 600 year old pedophile priest confronts an idealistic pilot and Vietnam veteran a holy war emerges site_link The Pilot and the Priest is the first book in this trilogy site_link The Mysterious Guatemalan Robes site_link A ruthless sixteenth century pedophile monk is granted immortality by a mysterious robed sect secluded in the highlands of Guatemala He carves a tortuous secretive path forward in time until he is discovered by a troubled airline pilot suffering from post traumatic stress disorder Pilot and priest engage in a holy war only to discover that both share a painful common past The winner in this epoch battle carries the fate of humanity in his palms Victory or defeat may well rest in the secrets and power of a single robe The Mystical Guatemalan Robes The Pilot and the PriestPolansky s engrossing novel delivers a gripping story that merges cultural insight with spiritual and moral challenges taking readers on a riveting journey through Guatemala Fray Narvaez a ruthless sixteenth century monk gains immortality through a secretive sect in Guatemala s highlands With his dark powers he evades justice and spreads suffering throughout history Over the centuries Narvaez becomes a symbol of humanity s darkest sides connected to mystical robes that represent both power and sacrifice When John Pulitzer a troubled airline pilot with a painful past from Vietnam encounters Narvaez they engage in a timeless conflict between good and evil Their battle reveals a shared history and the stakes become high as they seek to uncover the secrets of a single robe a relic of ancient wisdom and indigenous heritage that Narvaez aims to exploit. The gripping prologue establishes a sense of urgency and intrigue as it introduces the central conflict between John and Narvaez As the story unfolds physical and ideological confrontations escalate set against Guatemala s lush landscape a vivid battleground of sacred versus profane Polansky excels in intertwining character development with plot advancement John s evolution from a tormented pilot to a resolute warrior is depicted with depth and nuance His interactions with the indigenous community enhance his understanding and determination to combat Narvaez In contrast Narvaez is portrayed as a tragic figure grappling with his own darkness and quest for redemption revealing the remnants of his humanity amidst his malevolence Macholi s character serves as a bridge between cultures adding to the complexity of the tale. Polansky skillfully employs genre tropes blending mystical elements with the classic struggle between good and evil to deepen the story John s hero s journey mirrors personal growth while the clash between native traditions and colonial influence adds cultural complexity The novel s setting Antigua Guatemala acts as a character itself shaping the narrative and its characters through its historical and cultural depth The vivid imagery and rhythmic prose bring Guatemala s beauty and peril to life with the mystical robes adding a further layer of symbolism The novel excels in clarity and emotional resonance Its straightforward style renders complex themes about power identity and morality accessible while maintaining a gripping emotional tone It deftly explores the clash between modernity and tradition revealing how historical legacies shape contemporary society A riveting blend of myth and reality that compels readers to examine their own beliefs and ponder the enigmatic boundaries between the known and the mystical Science Fiction Historical Fiction Fiction Giveaway winner I made it to 14% before giving up I wanted to like this book so much and am so happy I won it But I just don t understand the pilot storyline Like do we really need this much time focused on that background Maybe it s because I know nothing about airplanes and am in fact scared of airplanes so it s possible this just wasn t the book for me Science Fiction Historical Fiction Fiction This book held my attention from beginning to end As the story unfolded I had a hard time putting it down As the wife of a retired airline pilot I found the story was very compelling Science Fiction Historical Fiction Fiction