The Shay Lark Series — Book One
Stories of Danger,
Loyalty &
Worlds on the Edge.
YA archaeological adventure where ancient myths collide with one very determined sixteen-year-old. Buried secrets. Impossible choices. Series-sized stakes.
Cover art coming soon
The World
Ancient Mesoamerica
Pyramids, guardian rings, and myths that turn out to be very real — blending archaeological discovery with Mayan mythology.
The Hero
Shay Lark, 16
Smart, impulsive, and suddenly the only thing standing between a cursed relic and the dark forces hunting it.
The Stakes
Series-Sized Adventure
Danger, loyalty, and worlds on the edge of change — across continents, centuries, and the supernatural.
“The door to Room 203 flew open with a bang.
‘Dad! Dad!’ Shay Lark’s voice echoed through the lecture hall, her icy blue eyes wild with excitement. She burst in from the back door, backpack flailing off her shoulder, a tattered book clutched against her chest. ‘You won’t believe what I found!’
She made it three steps before the silence hit her.
Dozens of faces stared back at the teen.”
— Shay Lark and the Pyramid of Cholula, Chapter One
Jack Reynolds
Jack Reynolds writes YA fiction for readers who love rich worlds, mounting danger, and stories that leave a mark. His work follows young characters through impossible choices, fractured loyalties, and the quiet, costly work of becoming who they were always meant to be.
Stay in the Story
Get updates on the Shay Lark series, behind-the-scenes writing notes, world-building deep-dives, and early access to new chapters.
Occasional emails only. Unsubscribe at any time.
Books
Shay Lark
and the Pyramid
of Cholula
Series · Book I
Cover art coming soon
Shay Lark and the
Pyramid of Cholula
Young Adult Fantasy Adventure
“She gets more than she bargained for.”
Sixteen-year-old Shaylyn Lark has spent her whole life in the shadow of her parents’ work — trailing behind two brilliant archaeologists through museums, lecture halls, and dig sites while the real discoveries always belonged to someone else. Smart, impulsive, and determined to prove she’s more than the professor’s kid, Shay is ready for something that’s finally hers.
When her family travels to Guanajuato, Mexico, for her father’s lecture, a mysterious ring passed down through generations of women in her family begins to respond to something buried deep beneath the ancient Pyramid of Cholula. What Shay’s mother always called a simple heirloom is something far older — a relic tied to a secret sisterhood of guardians that spans centuries and continents… and to a Mayan death deity named Hunhau.
At the center of it all lies a cursed silver skull with the power to reshape the living world.
Suddenly, Shay is navigating ancient tunnels, deadly traps, and enemies who will stop at nothing to claim the skull — while trying to protect her friends, keep her family safe, and understand what it means to inherit a legacy she never asked for… and may not be ready to carry.
Blending archaeological adventure with Mesoamerican mythology, Shay Lark and the Pyramid of Cholula is a fast-paced story of friendship, family, and the cost of stepping into who you were always meant to be. It’s the first book in a sweeping series that will take Shay far beyond Mexico — and deeper into a world of ancient relics, hidden orders, and impossible choices.
About Jack
Writing Stories That
Leave a Mark
Jack Reynolds writes YA fiction for readers who love rich worlds, mounting danger, and stories that leave a mark. His work follows young characters through impossible choices, fractured loyalties, and the quiet, costly work of becoming who they were always meant to be.
Right now, Jack is deep in the world of the Shay Lark series — where ancient myths, buried secrets, and one very determined sixteen-year-old collide with the forces that have been waiting centuries for her to arrive.
Join the
Expedition
Get occasional updates on writing progress, world-building, future releases, and behind-the-scenes extras from the Shay Lark universe. No spam. Unsubscribe any time.
Occasional emails only. No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
Contact Jack
Reach Out
Have a question about the series, a comment about the writing, or just want to say hello? Jack reads every message. Fill out the form and he’ll get back to you.