TEMPLE OF A THOUSAND FACES
When his land is taken by force, Prince Jayavar of the Khmer people narrowly escapes death at the hands of the conquering Cham king, Indravarman.
SYNOPSIS
In his international bestseller Beneath a Marble Sky, John Shors wrote about the ancient passion, beauty, and brilliance that inspired the building of the Taj Mahal. Now with Temple of a Thousand Faces, he brings to life the legendary temple of Angkor Wat, an unrivaled marvel of ornately carved towers and stone statues. There, in a story set nearly a thousand years ago, an empire is lost, a royal love is tested, and heroism is reborn.
When his land is taken by force, Prince Jayavar of the Khmer people narrowly escapes death at the hands of the conquering Cham king, Indravarman. Exiled from their homeland, he and his mystical wife Ajadevi set up a secret camp in the jungle with the intention of amassing an army bold enough to reclaim their kingdom and free their people. Meanwhile, Indravarman rules with an iron fist, pitting even his most trusted men against each other and quashing any hint of rebellion.
Moving from a poor fisherman’s family whose sons find the courage to take up arms against their oppressors, to a beautiful bride who becomes a prize of war, to an ambitious warrior whose allegiance is torn—Temple of a Thousand Faces is an unforgettable saga of love, betrayal, and survival at any cost.
REVIEWS
“An epic, extraordinary novel about love, beauty, and war, Temple of a Thousand Faces is sure to please.” – Sandra Gulland, bestselling author of Mistress of the Sun
“Written in Shors’ enjoyable style … this novel is destined to be a blockbuster. Highly recommended.” – Historical Novels Review
“Temple of a Thousand Faces, like Angkor Wat itself, is gorgeous and varied, with power and beauty to spare.” – BookReporter.com
“A wonderfully complex epic novel of love and lust, mystery and war … played out against the kind of exotic background that makes Shors’ grand books best sellers. Temple of a Thousand Faces, with its lush sun–lit hillsides filled with blue butterflies and exotic ruins, is just right for a cold winter’s read.” – The Denver Post
“Reflecting the beauty and splendor of Angkor Wat, Shors’ narrative reads like a poet’s description of the jungles, the temples, and the hearts of each character.” – The Phnom Penh Advisor
“A sweeping saga… For those of us who would like to see Angkor Wat, yet probably never will, (Temple of a Thousand Faces) might be the next best thing to being there.” – The Boulder Daily Camera
“An epic love story.” – Southeast Asia Globe
“Shors is a genius storyteller… In Temple of a Thousand Faces he reveals the soul of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.” – Adventure Travel News
“Epic … unfolds in locations sketched in accurate architectural and scenic details.” – The Cambodia Daily
“Cambodia, with a modern history as tragic as any in the world, is in real need of heroes. In Shors’ inspirational Jayavar, they have just that.” – The Bangkok Post
“A gripping love story with a mystical quality that is utterly beguiling. John Shors vividly recreates the world of 12th century Angkor Wat with his breathtaking descriptions, and packs it with a powerful tale of danger and revenge that had me hooked. I was there. I lived it. Riding a war elephant or gliding naked through a pool of waterlilies. Full of fascinating characters and impressive storytelling.” – Kate Furnivall, bestselling author of The Russian Concubine
“An epic masterpiece.” – Peeking Between the Pages
“Shors infuses the story with fascinating information about the ancient temple of Angkor Wat and Buddhist and Hindu cultures.” – Kirkus Reviews
JOHN’S NOVELS:
