This book was phenomenal. I love the references to spirituality and the Mayan calender that were throughout. I love reading the interactions between the main character and her aunt, and both of there journeys throughout out the story. I would recommend having a little knowledge of mysticism, Mayan calender theories, and Native American beliefs before reading; they're aren't necessary, but it will make the story easier to understand.

Disclaimer: although we've never met in the flesh, I've known Marianne for over 20 years. We've been in two APAs together (see http://fanac.org/Fannish_Reference_Works/FandBook/FandBook.html if you don't know that term). Marianne helped me with some of my own ThunderCats fanfic and introduced me to some great mystery series.

Coffee With Thunderbolts has dialogue in the style of some fantasies that I recognized even though the modern setting made that style seem incongruous. There is plenty of humor in here, including in-jokes, a few of which most readers might not get.

From page one it's obvious that young Elena's mother has been destroying her self-esteem for years. It's no wonder that Elena has fled to her maternal aunt, Rosemarian. 'Auntie Rem' has more than 30 years on her neice. She recognizes Elena's fears, but is one of those teachers who refuse to spoon-feed her pupils.

Slowly Elena's encounters in her aunt's world start to crack through the Citadel of Science with which she's been viewing life, forgetting that science is only one tool to understanding. In journeys inner and outer Elena has much to learn and unlearn.

In Kentucky they meet a remarkable kitten, a very interesting friend of Rosemarian's, and danger. There are some horrifying encounters with truly evil people. Elena doesn't always win. There's one villain whose lines before a battle made me think he was cribbing from some Bad Guy Handbook. Given his background, perhaps he was. I was a little surprised to find myself feeling sorry for him.

If you enjoy fantasy with humor and mysticism, you'll probably enjoy this book. I'm not even familiar with Mayan symbolism and I had fun. ( )

Interesting novel of a young girl and her aunt trying to erase past regrets. I found the idea fascinating especially with all the new mysteries surrounding the Mayan phropecy of 122112 but the stilted language was just a turn off. If you can get past that then it is a pretty decent novel and wasn't a bad way to spend an afternoon in the sun. ( )

Here we follow part of the journey of Elena and her Aunt and mentor Rosemarian. The cast of characters
who each play a role in this journey are interesting and magical. By magical, I mean in the literal sense, not just an adjective for a well thought out character. Elena feels that she has failed to live up to her mothers ambitions for her, and in fact she has. The most important aspect of this is that her mothers ambitions and Elena's are worlds apart, literally.

Elena and Rosemarian and company journey to some mystical areas of our country in pursuit of Mayan truths.
The adventures they have along the way are well worth reading, but perhaps even more so the antics of the beings they encounter, both corporal and non.

I would say that this may not be a book for everyone, but really, what book is? And how do you know unless you give it a try? I enjoyed spending time with these characters and think that anyone who has a curiosity about the Mayans, 2012, magic, metaphysics, labyrinths or for that matter family dynamics will enjoy this story. ( )

If you enjoy mystical stories you may enjoy this book. I would recommend this to those who have these interests.

It has references to Mayan calendar and signs, secret societies and supernatural. I found the characters interesting and likeable, and the scenery intriguing. The book gives moments of humor that I appreciated. I was confused at several places in the book which left me lost - however I think with some knowledge of the mystical and supernatural I may not have been. Reading the section of the end with the notes and looking up information before reading may have been helpful, but I noticed it as I finished. I would advise to do this first. ( )