Bunny's Reviews: Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings Review Spotlight

Welcome to my stop on the Harley James book tour! Check out this cool adventure called Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings by Leah Cupps and enter for a chance to win a $100 Amazon e-Gift Card!!!

Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings is the first book in Leah Cupps’s Harley James Adventures series. In Harley’s first adventure, she’s in Tikal, Guatemala with her dad on an archaeological dig. Harley has no idea of the adventure that awaits her when with the help of her furry friend, she stumbles across a legendary statue. She has dreams of showing her dad her find and gaining his recognition and approval, but that dream is short-lived. A dangerous legend warns of what will happen if all three statues are found. Can Harley stop the world from ending?

Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings is the first book that I have read by Leah Cupps and this book is one engaging adventure novel. If you are looking for a good book for kids age 8 – 12 years old, especially, then this book is a great pick. The author weaves an engaging tale beginning with a teaser of how things came to be. We get nice pieces of details about Harley scattered throughout the book, but well placed so that it exactly fits the moment in the story.

This story moves pretty quickly, so be prepared for that. I like the pace overall, but I will admit that there were moments in the story of where I really wanted more. This book creates a nice balance of adventure with some mystery mixed in as well. I like how the author teases things in one direction, but then they take a completely different turn! It really keeps you on your toes.

Throughout this book are scattered full page illustrations. I really liked these, and I think young readers will, too. They help to detail the story and bring it alive while adding a little bit more to the story. The placement of the pictures adds to the story in the right places, helping to guide readers through this novel as Harley works to piece together the clues.

As I was reading this book, when I’d put it down, my daughter would pick it up. She falls right in the age range for this book, and she was really engaged by the cryptography included in this book as well. We’re both looking forward to the next book in this series.

I can easily say that Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings rates 4.5 out of 5 stars. I would have liked a bit more drama in this book, but other than that this book is well-written. I could easily see the author coming back to this book and doing more with it by expanding it with more drama. For kids who are 8-12 years old especially, this is a good book. But anyone who enjoys a good adventure mystery novel this one is a good one to check out.

Thank you to the author, Leah Cupps, and R&R Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book! I look forward to more of Harleys' adventures!

Harley James and the Mystery of the Mayan Kings (Harley James Adventures #1)

Publication Date: May 12, 2022

Genre: MG/ Adventure/ Chapter Books (Ages 8 to 12)

Will Harley Find the Missing Mayan Statue & Save the World?

Amateur cryptologist Harley James has just landed in the sticky jungle of Tikal, Guatemala—home to the famous Mayan ruins. She’s made a few friends, a few mistakes…and a ground-breaking discovery.

The legendary statue of the long-lost Mayan King.

Just as she is about to impress her father with her discovery, the statue is stolen. Right from her own room!

And what’s worse? The legend says if the statues of the three kings are reunited, they’ll bring back an army from the dead to rule the world.

Follow along with Harley as she tracks down the missing Mayan statue, solves a few riddles and stumbles upon a secret society that will change her life forever!

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Available on Amazon!

About the Author

Leah Cupps is an author, designer and entrepreneur. She came up with the idea for Harley James with her oldest daughter Savannah. Savannah had taken an interest in Mayan history and so the two of them worked together to come up with the idea for the first Harley James book; the Mystery of the Mayan Kings.

Leah lives in Indiana with her husband and three children. She is also the co-founder of Vision Forty Press, a small family-owned publishing company.

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