
In the postcolonial Andean nation of San Cristo, the hegemony of the ruling Five Families went unchecked for centuries. These “Great Ones” presided over a corrupt system of caste and exploitation that preserved the Families’ power and privilege, freeing them to impoverish and prey upon the indigenous Inca and mixed-race mestizos. Among the rich elite, Miguel Busto, “the Good One,” was that rare exception, a just, compassionate man. Like her father, Miguel’s vibrant, clear-eyed, open-hearted daughter was an anomaly, a Great One who spoke the language of the Inca, walked among them, and won their hearts. Caterina Busco — rebel leader, healing goddess, passionate lover — reshaped her country and gave birth to a legend.