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Inca
What if the ancient Inca had defied the Spanish Conquerors?
1532 A.D. The Inca, weakened by a civil war, were vulnerable when a Spanish galleon approached their shores-and the cunning leader of the Conquistadores, Francisco Pizarro, used this advantage well. Within a year, he seized the ruling Inca, Prince Atahualpa, received a room filled with gold for his ransom, then executed him and enslaved the natives.
But were these events fated to be? Or could a few crucial alterations have allowed the Inca to prosper?
In this startling alternate history Prince Atahualpa, which means Exemplary Fortune, does not become emperor but is instead sent away by his father, to discover the purpose of the strange ship that has come to their shores.
Soon he discovers the threat the Spanish pose, and he realizes that, even as an outcast, he must not cease in his quest to warn an unbelieving empire, and save his people from ultimate destruction.
1532 A.D. The Inca, weakened by a civil war, were vulnerable when a Spanish galleon approached their shores-and the cunning leader of the Conquistadores, Francisco Pizarro, used this advantage well. Within a year, he seized the ruling Inca, Prince Atahualpa, received a room filled with gold for his ransom, then executed him and enslaved the natives.
But were these events fated to be? Or could a few crucial alterations have allowed the Inca to prosper?
In this startling alternate history Prince Atahualpa, which means Exemplary Fortune, does not become emperor but is instead sent away by his father, to discover the purpose of the strange ship that has come to their shores.
Soon he discovers the threat the Spanish pose, and he realizes that, even as an outcast, he must not cease in his quest to warn an unbelieving empire, and save his people from ultimate destruction.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 5, 2021
I like reading about the Inca empire because there are so few historical fiction books covering it so each book seems fresh and new. This one had promise-an alternative history on what would have happened if Atahualpa (Exemplary Fortune) was chosen to investigate the initial Spanish party that made contact. However, I didn't like how the Inca names were translated into English for the entire story. It took away some of the exotic flavor. I would have preferred the original names with a glossary at the end of the book to provide a translation. Also, the story just ends. No resolution, nothing. Right in the middle of the battle between the Spanish under Pizarro and the Inca. That was a big disappointment for me.
March 23, 2026
I am not a student of Incan history but I think this is about as accurate a rendering of the coming of the conquistadors to the New World can be if if had happened this way. The author 's historical notes at the beginning of each chapter really helps to reveal the original history and how this surprising dramatic and very human tale of political intrigue, exile and redemption is an alternative history. I recommend this to fans of Harry Turtledove and Eric Flint.
June 9, 2010
This is an alternate-history novel which postulates that things could have been different if the internal politics of the Incan empire had been just a little bit less disorganized, and they had readied themselves to take on the Spanish invasion spearheaded by Pizarro.
Although I often find alternate-history annoying, as it clutters up my head with inaccurate information, Blom usefully includes a blurb at the head of each chapter explaining what actually happened, historically. And, her research into Incan culture seems well-done - one can certainly learn a lot more about indigenous Americans from this book than, for example, Apocalypto! (The movie certainly had some nice visual effects and some [well, MANY] good chase scenes, but I would not have guessed it would be possible to make an entire film and include so LITTLE about the actual cuture of the people one was talking about!)
Anyway, back to Blom! While the book is interesting, her habit of translating every character's name into English is stylistically off-putting. I got rather tired of trying to put a face/character to monikers like "Exemplary Fortune," "Young Royal Happiness," and "Potato Flower." I think this is why it took me so long to finish this book!
The other problem is that Blom was definitely expecting to write a sequel. I don't know if she's still working on it, or whether the book didn't sell well enough for TOR to publish the sequel. But the book has two separate plotlines. The first deals with Atahualpa (Exemplary Fortune) encountering a captured Spaniard, and gradually coming to reach a degree of cross-cultural understanding - and adopting him to train Incas in Spanish fighting techniques.
The second concerns a young man, Hummingbird/Felipe who runs away and is semi-coerced into serving Pizarro, although his heart remains true to his people.
In the book, the two plotlines have not yet intersected at the end, and the outcome of this clash of cultures is still uncertain.
Although I often find alternate-history annoying, as it clutters up my head with inaccurate information, Blom usefully includes a blurb at the head of each chapter explaining what actually happened, historically. And, her research into Incan culture seems well-done - one can certainly learn a lot more about indigenous Americans from this book than, for example, Apocalypto! (The movie certainly had some nice visual effects and some [well, MANY] good chase scenes, but I would not have guessed it would be possible to make an entire film and include so LITTLE about the actual cuture of the people one was talking about!)
Anyway, back to Blom! While the book is interesting, her habit of translating every character's name into English is stylistically off-putting. I got rather tired of trying to put a face/character to monikers like "Exemplary Fortune," "Young Royal Happiness," and "Potato Flower." I think this is why it took me so long to finish this book!
The other problem is that Blom was definitely expecting to write a sequel. I don't know if she's still working on it, or whether the book didn't sell well enough for TOR to publish the sequel. But the book has two separate plotlines. The first deals with Atahualpa (Exemplary Fortune) encountering a captured Spaniard, and gradually coming to reach a degree of cross-cultural understanding - and adopting him to train Incas in Spanish fighting techniques.
The second concerns a young man, Hummingbird/Felipe who runs away and is semi-coerced into serving Pizarro, although his heart remains true to his people.
In the book, the two plotlines have not yet intersected at the end, and the outcome of this clash of cultures is still uncertain.
September 3, 2022
Exemplary Fortune, brother to the Incan emperor, works to defeat the invading conquistadors in an outstanding historical fantasy. This well-researched alternate history is an outstanding novel of first contact. Vivid characters, great-world-building. Highly recommended.
November 16, 2015
Apparently, my dad's cousin's wife's sister wrote this book. She has since died.
Good book. It shows the clash of cultural values.
Good book. It shows the clash of cultural values.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews