The book is set in the Inkan Empire at the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. It tells the story of twins, a brother and a sister who come of age at a time when their orderly and secure world is disrupted by a handful of Europeans under the command of Francisco Pizarro. The first chapters portray the rich culture and mythology of the empire. The focus then sifts to life in a rural village where ancient beliefs predate the rule of the Inkas. The conflict between the Inkas and the Europeans culminates in a revolt by Inka Manco Capac. After months of struggling to understand the meaning of the white man's conquest, the twins meet in a hidden city in the empire and choose separate paths which honor their own tradition.
The book is set in the Inkan Empire at the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. It tells the story of twins, a brother and a sister who come of age at a time when their orderly and secure world is disrupted by a handful of Europeans under the command of Francisco Pizarro. The first chapters portray the rich culture and mythology of the empire. The focus then sifts to life in a rural village where ancient beliefs predate the rule of the Inkas. The conflict between the Inkas and the Europeans culminates in a revolt by Inka Manco Capac. After months of struggling to understand the meaning of the white man's conquest, the twins meet in a hidden city in the empire and choose separate paths which honor their own tradition.
