Raymond and Maria de Souza Levalle settled on the uninhabited island of Cayo Perdido and, secure in their isolation, fashioned a paradise for themselves and their children. It did not last. In 1884, after almost two decades hiding from him, Raymond and Maria were murdered on the beach of their tiny atoll by Osvaldo Dos Santos and the crew of the Corcovado. The eldest of their children, fourteen year old Gabriela was abducted, leaving Charles and William alone on the island.

On the fourth anniversary of that tragic event, the brothers receive a letter from Brazil. From that letter they learn that Gabriela is alive somewhere in the Amazon, that Dos Santos intends to marry her on her eighteenth birthday, and that Gabriela vows to take her life rather than succumb to him. The brothers have only weeks to act. They set off aboard the Oro Perdido to find Gabriela, toward the realm of the mysterious Xingu people.

*****

"The plot and characters were well developed yet not overly complicated. The author paints a great visual story without losing the reader with over complicated descriptions. Enjoyed the earnestness of the heroes and gritty determination to be honorable yet still attain recompense for their parents deaths. This is a good read for anyone but most definitely for an adolescent or young adult. No excessive language, violence or sexual scenes. I would recommend to any parent.”

— Diana Craig (Amazon reviewer)

“Engrossing read for middle school and up (a number of oblique references to the fate women face at the hands of pirates). the sort of one-thrill-after-another adventure that keeps you up reading into the night. richly detailed, with an old school flair--the sort of book you don't often come across anymore. stays with you long after you've turned the final page. can't wait for the next in the series!”

— Quitomio (Amazon reviewer)