In a distant jungle in Latin America, a wounded soldier meets Father Thomas, an English Catholic priest, who leads him to the indigenous village where he lives. The Indians are worried about the consequences of the soldier's arrival. Their traditional way of life is endangered by the invaders who trample the forest. The army has come to drive out the invaders, but they resist with the support of a group of rebels. Venusiano, the proud young leader of the Indians, is determined to protect his people, but often feels powerless against the changes happening in the forest. The admiration of his people for city life brings him despair and he trusts no one: not the invaders, the rebels, the army, Father Thomas, or even Milagros, the archaeologist who futilely searches for traces of a lost ancient city in the area. However, his primary problem is the bloodthirsty jaguar that roams the village. Venusiano is the only Indian who has a weapon and he will not hesitate to use it.

In his new novel, Carnes narrates a story of almost archetypal immediacy. The dilemmas of his heroes are absolute and simple, and yet the decisions seem impossible...
A book of emblematic power, about faith, justice, progress, and violence.