I can't say that I was hooked with the first line of Allan Serafino's Blood Jaguar. Interestingly enough, while it was very descriptive, it wasn't until I was toward the end of the first chapter that I thought, okay, this is going to be an enjoyable read. As the protagonist, Hugh Falkins, endures a bumpy prop plane ride into an archeological site managed by his father, he experiences a vision of sorts that left me wanting to know more. In fact, it was difficult to put the story down from that moment on in the prose.

Hugh Falkins, sixteen and too old for his years, has run away from his mother and step-father, Sam, to be with his real father, an archeologist in the middle of a dig in Mexico. To make matters more complicated, his stepfather is the sponsor of his father's dig, and his father has no idea that Hugh is coming to be with him. The tension that exists between Sam and his father will be exacerbated by Hugh's actions and might even threaten his father's funding, but Hugh takes the chance anyway. When his father realizes what Hugh has done, he's angry and vows to send Hugh back home.

Hugh survives the jungle for his remaining time at the site helping the archeologists and exploring the jungle. He begins experiencing frightening dreams and visions that he can't explain: visions that seem connected to his father's dig and the ancient people the archeologists are investigating. Consequently, Hugh stumbles into a mystery grander that his imagination, as well as into a cultural conflict between the Mexican Army and a group of guerrillas. His only ally, a girl named Mitch.

It was very obvious that Allan Serafino is extremely knowledgeable of the subject matter in which he based his story. He incorporated cultural complexities and information only gleaned by someone who has thoroughly researched his subject or, at the least, who has visited the area he described. The narrative is beautifully constructed with details that heighten the imagination and create vivid pictures in the mind's eye, which is one of the reasons that I enjoyed reading Hugh's story.

Some instances that detracted from the story for me as a reader were trying to keep the meaning of the Mexican/Mayan language straight, and a lack of connection with Hugh as a character. First, Serafino's use of the Mexican/Mayan language both added to the texture of the story by heightening the sense of realism and authenticity, but also detracted because the excessive use of the language at times seemed overwhelming. I would have enjoyed a glossary. Second, I liked Hugh Falkins, but I never really felt like I was able to connect with him as a protagonist. He seemed wooden at times. For example, in fighting with his father about staying with him, Hugh's passion, or lack thereof, about remaining with his dad is summarized by one line of dialogue: "No, Dad. Listen, it was my idea to come. That place was awful. I want to be here working with you." At other times Hugh seems younger than his sixteen years or uncharacteristically older. For example, in one scene he's a warrior who must fight, yet the description of his abilities seems far greater than that of a sixteen-year-old boy. Call me picky, and I might be oversimplifying things, I just had a difficult time removing myself from that one criticism of the protagonist.

There are two things that interfere with my reading of adolescent literature. The first is my love of adolescents, and the second is the fact that I teach English Literature to that age group. With that said, my review of Allan Serafino's Blood Jaguar might be tainted by those two perspectives. All in all, I think that Blood Jaguar was a fun read, and adults and adolescents alike would enjoy the story told by Mr. Serafino.

Reviewed By Maci Walker
© January 2005