The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey

“Dr. Cooper, we both know this will be no picnic. Of course there are dangers: thick jungle, poisonous snakes, hostile natives. The area is remote, and we can expect little or not government assistance or protection. And… well, who knows? Kachi-Tochetin was a fierce, marauding warrior. He conquered peoples and cities all over ancient Mexico and Central America, sacrificing and slaughtering thousands. His treasure is undoubtedly the loot he stole from those he conquered. So maybe the tomb is booby trapped somehow. As for a curse…well, I understand you are a man of prayer, so I assume you aren’t bothered by such things.”

Jacob Cooper smiled. “I’ve run into my share of curses and hexes and magic spells, and my God has been greater than all of them.”

Book: The Deadly Curse of Toco-Rey (The Cooper Kids Adventure Series #6) by Frank Peretti, Crossway Books, 1996, republished in 2005

 

Genre: Suspense, Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 13-19

Subjects: Fear, Greed, Power, God’s Power, Superstition

Summary: A curse on tombs full of buried treasure and the Coopers are out to discover it. Never mind that the last group who sought to uncover it, caught the affects of the curse, went raving mad and killed one another. The Coopers know that their God is bigger than any curse. In a short time they discover what they believe to be the cause of this “curse” – a bat like wild creature who has a poisonous venom. Interestingly, the venom is only poisonous at night. Or so they are told. But when Lila gets some of it on her during the day and goes mad and runs off into the jungle, everything they thought they knew seems doubtful. They need to find answers – and fast!

Notes: The sixth in a series for young teens by Frank Peretti, an author known for his books on spiritual warfare and suspense, the Cooper Kids Adventures series tells about a father and his two children going on various archeological adventures where they strengthen their trust in God and share His greatness with others. In this book, the author shows again the effects of greed and corrupt power. A powerful wicked man makes plans to control the poison and use it to sell as a weapon on the black market. But in the end, his greed only leads to death and destruction. Like the others in the series, this book teaches that God is more powerful than anything else and can be trusted, even in the worst situations.  

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Jeremiah 10:6 – No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.