Portal to Darkness

About the Book

A series of life or death struggles challenge two young archeologists when they accidently enter Xibalba [She-bahl-bah], the Mayan mythical underworld described in the creation myth Popol Vuh. This myth involves the journey of the two hero twins into Xibalba and their adventures conquering the tests of the Lords of Xibalba. My story deals with contemporary protagonists who unwittingly are forced to retrace the twin’s dangerous journey in order to return to this world. The couple finds that Xibalba is truly inhabited by souls of the deceased and a separate race of beings worshipping death and ruled by twelve gods known as the Lords of Xibalba whose names were as frightening as One Death and Lord Scab Scrapper. Using their Mayan knowledge of the Popol Vuh with modern problem solving skills, they work through the Lords’ challenges in hopes of finding a portal back to their world.

About the Author

Michael Coronel is a Professor of Art History in the School of Art and Design at the University of Northern Colorado specializing in the traditional native arts of Africa, South Seas and the Americas. He has conducted research in Africa, Mesoamerica, South Seas, Europe, and Asia. Chip grew up in San Diego and received his graduate degree in Art History from the University of California Santa Barbara and met his wife, Patricia, while in graduate school. She is an Emeritus Professor of Art History at Colorado State University and Associate Curator at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art.