Lost Legacy (The Skull Chronicles) [Kindle Edition]

I found this book absolutely BRILLIANT and just couldn't put it down for days (it only took me days because I MADE myself read it slowly to take in and savour all the detail rather than rushing it). The story alternates between "Gemma", the "heroine" in present time and then - through her dreams channelled by the crystal skulls - her relating the story of the various skulls in ancient times before they were carefully hidden in secret locations to wait until humankind was ready to use (rather than abuse)their powers for the good of humankind. At the beginning, during the first few pages, I was a bit slow to get "into" it and wasn't sure I liked Gemma that much - I thought she was a bit 'wet' and dull, but I soon realised that she was meant to be and that is part of the book - how she changes her life dramatically with the input of the Crystal Skulls and becomes a completely different person by "freeing herself" of all her self-imposed ideas of who she should be and who she isn't (but wants to be). I especially LOVED the parts which were in ancient times when humans were given the crystal skulls by visiting extra-terrestrials, their effect on the people and eventually how the time came when they had to be hidden for centuries until we were ready to use their knowledge wisely again. It all tied into a gripping (and I believe credible) story based on the ancient Legends of the Crystal Skulls, which has always fascinated me. My only increasing reservation as the book progressed was that I was running out of pages and surely, SURELY the author wasn't simply going to "tail off" with a crammed, summarised, poor ending - there was still SO MUCH to be revealed and that would be SOoooooo disappointing!! My feeling of unease increased as the pages flashed by and I started to slow down, not wanting it to end and most of all not wanting to be disappointed... Then I got to the last page and with disbelief, found that it simply DIDN'T end at all - it just cut off part way through the story!!! I was frantic to find out if there was a sequel as I HAD to know what happened after that and surely the author didn't just 'get bored' and decide to stop writing after all that effort to create such a detailed and incredible story...? This happened to me very recently reading another BRILLIANT novel by Graham Hancock, "Entangled" (his first fictional book) which although a completely different story and topic, I would say falls into the same genre: his novel also has a current day young woman "accidentally" connecting with beings and evil powers from 25,000 years ago and also the spiritual realm). As I gobbled up "Entangled", I realised he was 'running out of space' to finish the incredible story - and sure enough, on the last page it just "STOPPED" dead, mid story - I was devastated! I had to contact Graham Hancock to find out if there is to be a sequel (there is, but not to be released until 2014). Now the same had happened again with this equally BRILLIANT novel by D K Henderson and I was chewing my fingers off to find out if there was to be a sequel and if so WHEN??? Fortunately, I have found out that it is part of a trilogy and the next book (The Red Skull of Aldebaran) is due to be published in the next couple of months and will soon be available on Amazon. It was fortunate that I bought "Lost Legacy" quite a long time ago and then (incredibly) forgot I had it in my huge pile of new books, so I am quite pleased that as a result, I now don't have so long to wait before reading the next part of the story. I CAN'T WAIT!! Until then, I highly recommend "Lost Legacy" as in my top `fave' list of novels I've ever read.

I really liked some sections of this book. The early 'histories' of the skulls and their keepers were very well written.
I felt that the modern narrative as a means of linking these 'histories' was clunky at times, and occasionally a good 'history' seemed to be cut short to link to the modern narrative.

If there is a second book in this series (and there does seem to be the potential for one) then I think the author and editors should look at a way of making the links between the stories of the skulls in a more seamless way.

What a page turner! I couldn't put it down. I don't normally read novels but this contains enough believable information that makes one wonder whether it is a story or something else. There is something to cater for all tastes in this book, there is the element of mystery, spirituality, history and a very real human story running through it as well. Come on film makers ... it would make compelling viewing as well!