The Spiral Awakens

Spirals of Aztalun, Book One

By: Sara Langhe

Narrated by: Melissa Del Toro Schaffner

Everyone has a purpose… and sometimes that purpose will take us to places we never imagined existed. Alayna has a lucky charm—a copper spiral maze pendant given to her by her mother—so of course, she’s wearing it on the first archaeological dig she’s had a chance to lead herself. She’s in Mexico with her team, set to lead an important excavation… but she’s only one day into the dig when she realizes that she’s on the cusp of a much bigger discovery—and she isn’t in Mexico anymore… In fact, she might not even be on the planet. The pendant is calling Alayna, but she has no idea what she’s being called to… and when she sees the exact same symbol tattooed on someone else, she knows there’s more to it than she imagined.

It seems that Sasha has been called here too, and their first mission is to figure out where they are and why they’re there… and what the spiral maze symbol means. But as they explore the unfamiliar landscape they’ve found themselves in, they quickly discover that they’re not the only ones who were called to this mysterious place… and they’re not the only ones carrying a spiral maze. As their party grows, they discover more about the magical qualities of the strange land they’ve found themselves in… and once they are six, they realize that it’s no coincidence that they’ve found themselves in this strange realm.

Together, they are The Hexad, and each of them is destined to face trials and challenges they’ve never known on Earth. They have a calling in life far greater than any of them knew—and the stakes are high. None of them knows whether they’ll ever make it back home… and if they do, they have no way of knowing if the story will be over or if this is only the beginning. With a cast of captivating characters and ethereal magic, this epic story will have you losing yourself in themes of love, friendship, adventure, and belonging.

©2025 Sandra L. Abbey (P)2026 Sandra L. Abbey

Great story!

This story is an engaging mix of fantasy and mystery. The premise quickly pulls you in, with the shift from a grounded archaeological setting to a strange, otherworldly realm handled in a way that feels natural and intriguing. The evolving group dynamic among the Hexad adds depth, giving each character a role while building tension around their shared purpose. The story leans into themes of destiny and discovery without overcomplicating the plot, making it easy to follow while still leaving room for future development. A solid opening that sets up the series with clear stakes and momentum.

Pulled Into Another World

This audiobook instantly drew me in—it's an amazing mix of adventure, mystery, and a touch of magic. The way the plot unfolds alongside the characters really pulls you in and makes you feel like you're part of the story. Each character brings something special to the group, which adds so much depth to the whole experience. I loved how the themes of discovery and connection, along with the rising stakes, kept me on the edge of my seat. If you enjoy a good fantasy filled with teamwork and unexpected twists, this is definitely a great choice.