Bound for Inca Snows
by K.L. Smith
Published by North Star Press
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Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann
This historical fiction, Bound for Inca Snows begins with the boy Ninan, son of the Inca ruler Huayna Capac, witnessing a fight between his parents about surrendering his baby sister, Kaya, to the priests of Inti, the Sun God.
The stories of Ninan and Kaya are told in succeeding chapters: Ninan, the son and heir to the ruler, traveling all over the empire; and Kaya, a sequestered religious seer and weaver in the mountaintop retreat, Machu Picchu.
This fascinating period in history, the late 1400s on the west coast of South America and the Andes, saw the Inca Empire at its height. The Inca were renowned for their stone construction, roads, medicine, agriculture, and irrigation, the organization of their society, weaving and other crafts.
Smith brings this period alive, with insights into the religion, daily life, festivals, ethics, mythology, and social structure. The brutal sacrifices of the children of nobility, wars and punishments are also woven into the story. The beauty of the people, the myths and legends, and Kaya's visions make the book magical.
Smith's extensive research creates a strong foundation for the story of two engaging people, a society and culture that was doomed.
Armchair Interviews says: Bound for Inca Snows conjures up visions of the past glory of the Incas, with real people and incredible detail.