Aztec Autumn

Most people have been saying that Aztec Autumn isn't nearly as good as its predecessors; even the reviewers that sort of like it only reccomend reading it after reading the first book, Aztec. Well, I came across Aztec Autumn before I had even known that it was a sequel. In other words, I (unknowingly) did exactly the opposite of what the previous reviewers said, and it certainly worked out - I loved it. It's full of sex, gore, violence, and so on - everything that people loved in Aztec is just as present in Autumn (some, of course, would say it is just a retread - I hadn't tread the first time). Reading Aztec illuminates a bit of the beginning of Autumn, but Autumn certainly, for me, stands alone. Reading Aztec later made *it* seem a bit of a retread, not this book. But there are other ways in which the sequel is better than the predecessor, even if you read it second. The Aztecs battling back is much more satisfying than their one small, short-lived victory in Aztec. Not only that, the ending is much better, much more *mature*. To wit: ************* I resented and resisted the aliens among us. But, over time, I have met and admired many of th ese aliens--the white Alonso, the black Esteban, the padre Quiraga, your mulata mother, Rebeca, and finally you, dear daughter, who commingle so many different bloods. I realize now--and I accept--I am even proud--the YOUR lovely face, Veronica, is the new Face of The One World. To you, and to your sons and daughters and to The One World, I wish you all good things. ************* It's not really uplifting, but not exactly depressing - certainly it's *interesting*. There is a new face emerging, that of Latin America. It's not European, it's not Native American. That is the true legacy of Cortes's battles and Motecuzoma's failures, and that makes Aztec Autumn a much more lasting book than its predecessor. Especially if read first. :-)

AZTEC is the best historical novel I've ever read. Thus, AZTEC AUTUMN can't possibly match it. But it comes pretty close. The shortcomings: it doesn't cover the same sweeping segment of history that the first one does...it's wedging a story into the middle of the story we were told in the first book. It treads some of the same ground, particularly when it comes to lurid sex. The first book was packed with sex too, but, dare I say it, those scenes had a bit more context. THe ending is not entirely satisfying, but part of that is because history didn't exactly turn out all that satisfying either, if you're a fan of the Aztecs!The pluses: The action and battle scenes are bigger and better. We get to see the Aztecs get some revenge, finally. (The book mostly follows an effort to drive out the Spaniards.) And it's always great to visit with familiar and much-loved characters.I highly recommend the book, but ONLY, ONLY, ONLY if you've read the first one.

As always, Gary Jennings is amazing. The only downside is that they've broken what used to be one book into three!

Jennings combines the mastery of storytelling with rock-solid research to present the aftermath of the world of Mixtli as presented in his masterwork, Aztec. Perhaps this book does not present the depth of the previous work, but that can be found in the previous work, and this book continues the story beyond (just beyond) the life of Mixtli. I was (and I hate to use this word) spellbound and wished it were longer.

I have to say that I was extremelly impressed by Aztec. The book was a gift from a friend! This is a gift that I will certainly hold dear for a very long time. Although Aztec was awesome Aztec Autumn was intriguing. In reading the book I cried for the pain that young Mixtli felt at the death of his father the symbolism for the death of the One World. It is almost too coincidential that the Spanish burned the accused the same way they burned the cities and villages that they conquered so not to leave a single trace of the One World behind. But Mr. Jennings is a remarkable writer that takes the ashes of the past civilization and actually gives, it, its past form/richness. He is absolutely brilliant, because although this is fiction it's almost too close to the actual history of Mexico. I've indulged in history, and he does an excellent job in putting the history of Mexico and the seductive story of Mixtli together. I only hope that he continues the share the glimpse he has found into the past of the country we now call Mexico. Believe it or not if you mention pyramids people still only think of Egypt, but Mexico can bost of having the largest pyramid in the world. Please continue to share these wonders with the world!!