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Aztec #2
Aztec Autumn
Gary Jennings's Aztec Autumn recreates a forgotten chapter of history in all its splendor and unforgettable passion.
The magnificent Aztec empire has fallen beneath the brutal heal of the Spaniards. But one proud Aztec, Tenamaxtli, refuses to bow to his despised conquerors. He dreams of restoring the lost glory of the Aztec empire, and recruits an army of rebels to mount an insurrection against the seemingly invincible power of mighty Spain.
Tenamaxtli's courageous quest takes us through high adventure, passionate women, unlikely allies, bright hope, bitter tragedy, and the essence of 16th century Mexico. This incredible rebellion has been little remembered, perhaps because it shed no glory on the men who would write the history book, but on its outcome depended the future of all North America.
The magnificent Aztec empire has fallen beneath the brutal heal of the Spaniards. But one proud Aztec, Tenamaxtli, refuses to bow to his despised conquerors. He dreams of restoring the lost glory of the Aztec empire, and recruits an army of rebels to mount an insurrection against the seemingly invincible power of mighty Spain.
Tenamaxtli's courageous quest takes us through high adventure, passionate women, unlikely allies, bright hope, bitter tragedy, and the essence of 16th century Mexico. This incredible rebellion has been little remembered, perhaps because it shed no glory on the men who would write the history book, but on its outcome depended the future of all North America.
384 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1997
122 people are currently reading
1885 people want to read
About the author
Gary Jennings
106 books450 followersGary Jennings led a paradoxically picaresque life. On one hand, he was a man of acknowledged intellect and erudition. His novels were international best sellers, praised around the world for their stylish prose, lively wit and adventurously bawdy spirit. They were also massive - often topping 500,000 words - and widely acclaimed for the years of research he put into each one, both in libraries and in the field.
Jennings served in the Korean War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal- a decoration rarely given to soldier-reporters- and a personal citation by South Korean President Syngman Rhee for his efforts on behalf of war orphans.
Where the erudition came from, however, was something of a mystery.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/garyje...
Jennings served in the Korean War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal- a decoration rarely given to soldier-reporters- and a personal citation by South Korean President Syngman Rhee for his efforts on behalf of war orphans.
Where the erudition came from, however, was something of a mystery.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/garyje...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
February 16, 2015
I am not sure what to make of Gary Jennings "Aztec" series. I love the writing and history but I truly get tired of the pointless sex. Many other reviewers think his first novel, "Aztec", was much better than this book. I am not sure. Both show the richness and brutality of life in central Mexico around the time of Spanish Conquest, but he spends so much time describing the sexual activities of the main characters almost all is lost. I did prefer Aztec because the reader was given an accurate and in depth understanding of Aztec religion and beliefs. In addition, I felt Miztin (the lead character in Aztec ) had purer and more noble motives than Juan Britanico aka Te'otl-Tenma'xtzin. I will continue to read this Aztec series because,despite of its shortfalls, it appears to me the most balanced treatments of this time and place that I have read in fiction.
September 19, 2013
I read the first one in this series a few years back, and enjoyed it enough to pick up the sequels. So – I knew what I was getting into, with this book. But – boy, are these trashy!
However, they’re not non-stop trashy. There’s also a lot of historical detail in them – but, I wouldn’t actually *trust* any particular detail in any of these to be historically accurate without looking it up and verifying it in a couple of other sources first.
This book tells the story of Tenamaxtli, the son of the narrator of the previous book, whom he never knew. In a graphic opening scene, Tenamaxtli views his father being burned to death by the Spaniards, for heresy, and develops a desire for revenge which will determine the course of his entire life.
In the book, Tenamaxtli is the man responsible for organizing the Mixtón War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtón_War). In reality, I don’t believe any one leader was responsible for the various local peoples’ resisting invasion, slaughter and enslavement – but it makes for a decent story. There are some slow bits… but the detailed historical parts are interspersed with fairly frequent (and often completely ridiculous) sleazy, sleazy sex scenes. Not that I’m complaining…
However, they’re not non-stop trashy. There’s also a lot of historical detail in them – but, I wouldn’t actually *trust* any particular detail in any of these to be historically accurate without looking it up and verifying it in a couple of other sources first.
This book tells the story of Tenamaxtli, the son of the narrator of the previous book, whom he never knew. In a graphic opening scene, Tenamaxtli views his father being burned to death by the Spaniards, for heresy, and develops a desire for revenge which will determine the course of his entire life.
In the book, Tenamaxtli is the man responsible for organizing the Mixtón War (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixtón_War). In reality, I don’t believe any one leader was responsible for the various local peoples’ resisting invasion, slaughter and enslavement – but it makes for a decent story. There are some slow bits… but the detailed historical parts are interspersed with fairly frequent (and often completely ridiculous) sleazy, sleazy sex scenes. Not that I’m complaining…
February 16, 2008
I read this because I loved Aztec so much but it didn't really hold-up as well as I expected. Still exciting and full of cultural information though.
February 28, 2023
Unsurprisingly, a sequel to Jennings' Aztec, although it's more of a sequel of theme & place rather than of character -- there are just a few, minor holdovers from the first book, and the first book's narrator, Mixtli (in fact the father of this book's narrator, Tenamaxtli, although Tenamaxtli doesn't know it at the time) has a brief but memorable cameo in the opening pages of the book ().
The time now is somewhere around 1540. The Conquistadors haven't totally wiped out all pockets of resistance from the locals, but they're firmly entrenched and are putting their stamp on both the lands and the peoples. As the book opens, Tenamaxtli, his mother and grandfather have come from their homeland of Aztlan (over on the Pacific coast, and still not under the thumb of the Spanish) to the city formerly known as Tenochtitlan (the original of which was razed by the Spaniards and they're now building their own City of Mexico on its site). For any number of reasons, not the least being when Tenamaxtli discovers that the man he saw at the beginning of the book was, in fact, his father, Tenamaxtli decides to remain in an effort to find the Spandiards' weaknesses and foment rebellion amongst all the various peoples of the One World in hopes of driving the Conquistadors back into the sea.
(Needless to say, things don't quite work out as Tenamaxtli wishes.)
Again, the plot of the book exists mostly as an excuse to send Tenamaxtli on epic journeys taking him the length and the breadth of the One World in his quest for allies. Unlike his father, Tenamaxtli doesn't leave quite the same level of ruin and desolation in his wake, but that's mostly because so much of the One World has already been ruined and/or desolated. He also (much like his father) has more than his share of amatory adventures (some involving some rather ... close relatives, again, much like his father) on his quest, which eventually leads him to the (somewhat fictionalized) events of the Mixton War, a piece of actual history with which I was previously unfamiliar so, Good job, Gary Jennings!
So: If you liked the first book, here you'll find more to like, although Tenamaxtli's journeys are through a world that has been ruined, as opposed to his father's journeys through the Aztec Empire at the height of its splendor.
(And there are other books in the series, but I'm not sure if I'm going to continue on because Jennings died in 1999, shortly after this book came out, and I'm honestly not sure how much of his words are contained on the subsequent volumes.)
The time now is somewhere around 1540. The Conquistadors haven't totally wiped out all pockets of resistance from the locals, but they're firmly entrenched and are putting their stamp on both the lands and the peoples. As the book opens, Tenamaxtli, his mother and grandfather have come from their homeland of Aztlan (over on the Pacific coast, and still not under the thumb of the Spanish) to the city formerly known as Tenochtitlan (the original of which was razed by the Spaniards and they're now building their own City of Mexico on its site). For any number of reasons, not the least being when Tenamaxtli discovers that the man he saw at the beginning of the book was, in fact, his father, Tenamaxtli decides to remain in an effort to find the Spandiards' weaknesses and foment rebellion amongst all the various peoples of the One World in hopes of driving the Conquistadors back into the sea.
(Needless to say, things don't quite work out as Tenamaxtli wishes.)
Again, the plot of the book exists mostly as an excuse to send Tenamaxtli on epic journeys taking him the length and the breadth of the One World in his quest for allies. Unlike his father, Tenamaxtli doesn't leave quite the same level of ruin and desolation in his wake, but that's mostly because so much of the One World has already been ruined and/or desolated. He also (much like his father) has more than his share of amatory adventures (some involving some rather ... close relatives, again, much like his father) on his quest, which eventually leads him to the (somewhat fictionalized) events of the Mixton War, a piece of actual history with which I was previously unfamiliar so, Good job, Gary Jennings!
So: If you liked the first book, here you'll find more to like, although Tenamaxtli's journeys are through a world that has been ruined, as opposed to his father's journeys through the Aztec Empire at the height of its splendor.
(And there are other books in the series, but I'm not sure if I'm going to continue on because Jennings died in 1999, shortly after this book came out, and I'm honestly not sure how much of his words are contained on the subsequent volumes.)
October 9, 2017
When I was in Grade 10, my math teacher recommended this book to me. I immediately bought the three book series and have had it on my bookshelf, unread, for the past 16 years or so.
Switching my antidepressants has really left me in a reading slump. However, I was finally able to plough through this book, as I am unable to leave a book not finished. I actually read the last 70 pages today, which is the most I've read in one day in a long time.
This book did not grip me half as much as Aztec did. I found much of the journey to be boring. There was also not the same richness of Aztec history that the first book had. The last 100 pages did make up for some of that, but not enough to give four stars. I hope to finish the third book in 2017.
Switching my antidepressants has really left me in a reading slump. However, I was finally able to plough through this book, as I am unable to leave a book not finished. I actually read the last 70 pages today, which is the most I've read in one day in a long time.
This book did not grip me half as much as Aztec did. I found much of the journey to be boring. There was also not the same richness of Aztec history that the first book had. The last 100 pages did make up for some of that, but not enough to give four stars. I hope to finish the third book in 2017.
August 6, 2011
First, I'm not sure how much of this book was written by Gary Jennings himself. I'm ready to accept that he drafted the outline, and maybe some of his trademark travel and sexual scenes, by himself.
But the uninspired narration, the hurried ending, the moralistic undertone couldn't have come from The Master. I refuse to believe it. Nameless minions must have done this after his death, to cash in on his name.
While some of the scenes in this book have stayed in my memory for many years (some scenes are truly so gross they're unforgettable), I'm not sure how much reacher my life's become. I remember the loving description of a woman peeing into a pot so our hero Tenamaxtli could create gunpowder, a silly sub-plot with our hero escaping form a volcano only to find himself on an island full of readily undressing women who're yearly raped by visiting fishermen (and of course he re-introduces them to the true pleasures of sex with his formidably hung equipment), the sex with a woman shaman... and the increasingly silly plots to destroy the Spaniards. The native magic, so skillfully and laconically presented in "Aztec", here is crude and made me raise an eyebrow.
I'm not a prude, and I've done my share of silly things in life. I don't mind a good sex scene (or two... or ten, as it were). But the sex scenes need to have at least some relevance to the plot for me to appreciate them.
The book sports a surprise ending - that is to say, the ending doesn't happen. The massive uprising to which the whole book seems to build ... ***spoiler hidden here***.
The book does have its moments of brilliance, when the protagonists travels around the post-conquest Mexico and learns about the many tribes that are just about to disappear. I loved those vividly written, passionate scenes thankfully free of obsessive sex. I'm ready to believe those scenes were written by Gary Jennings - the man who loved Mexico, its people, and who personally visited the many places where the story takes us.
A disclaimer: I rated the original "Aztec" 5/5, and Gary Jennings is one of my most beloved writers of all time. I just feel let down by this particular book.
But the uninspired narration, the hurried ending, the moralistic undertone couldn't have come from The Master. I refuse to believe it. Nameless minions must have done this after his death, to cash in on his name.
While some of the scenes in this book have stayed in my memory for many years (some scenes are truly so gross they're unforgettable), I'm not sure how much reacher my life's become. I remember the loving description of a woman peeing into a pot so our hero Tenamaxtli could create gunpowder, a silly sub-plot with our hero escaping form a volcano only to find himself on an island full of readily undressing women who're yearly raped by visiting fishermen (and of course he re-introduces them to the true pleasures of sex with his formidably hung equipment), the sex with a woman shaman... and the increasingly silly plots to destroy the Spaniards. The native magic, so skillfully and laconically presented in "Aztec", here is crude and made me raise an eyebrow.
I'm not a prude, and I've done my share of silly things in life. I don't mind a good sex scene (or two... or ten, as it were). But the sex scenes need to have at least some relevance to the plot for me to appreciate them.
The book sports a surprise ending - that is to say, the ending doesn't happen. The massive uprising to which the whole book seems to build ... ***spoiler hidden here***.
The book does have its moments of brilliance, when the protagonists travels around the post-conquest Mexico and learns about the many tribes that are just about to disappear. I loved those vividly written, passionate scenes thankfully free of obsessive sex. I'm ready to believe those scenes were written by Gary Jennings - the man who loved Mexico, its people, and who personally visited the many places where the story takes us.
A disclaimer: I rated the original "Aztec" 5/5, and Gary Jennings is one of my most beloved writers of all time. I just feel let down by this particular book.
March 7, 2014
We lived in San Miguel de Allende for several years, we became fascinated with Mexico's rich history. Ignore what the newspapers say. It is safer in many parts of Mexico than in many parts of the US. Anyway, We love Gary Jennings books. A lot of history presented in a most enjoyable fictional manner.
January 18, 2016
Secuela de Azteca. Como en la mayoria de los casos no logra superar a su antecesor, aunque es otra gran historia. Retrata perfectamente la desolacion de un pueblo conquistado y la impotencia de no poder contrarrestarlo. No hay ansiedad mas desesperante que la de perder la libertad.
"Nuestro pueblo tiene un dicho: que un hombre que no sabe adonde va no necesita tener miedo de perderse"
"Nuestro pueblo tiene un dicho: que un hombre que no sabe adonde va no necesita tener miedo de perderse"
August 10, 2018
Cessata la novità di scoprire una civiltà differente, qua ci si concentra più sulla lenta e sofferta integrazione tra gli indios e gli Spagnoli. Con un tocco di nuovi popoli e di nuove esplorazioni per gradire.
Dopo una partenza molto lenta, la Guerra di Mixtón, vero conflitto del 1540 - Jennings conosce molto bene le sue fonti -, viene raccontata forse in maniera un po’ troppo sbrigativa rispetto al tempo dedicato all’esplorazione e alla raccolta di alleati.
A parte il protagonista, gli altri personaggi tendono a morire un po’ troppo facilmente e a restare presenti solo fintanto che sono utili per la storia (diversamente da quanto avviene in Aztec, dove anche i personaggi secondari sembrano avere una vita loro indipendentemente dal fatto di trovarsi o meno nella stessa scena del protagonista) e non riescono ad essere veramente memorabili.
Dopo una partenza molto lenta, la Guerra di Mixtón, vero conflitto del 1540 - Jennings conosce molto bene le sue fonti -, viene raccontata forse in maniera un po’ troppo sbrigativa rispetto al tempo dedicato all’esplorazione e alla raccolta di alleati.
A parte il protagonista, gli altri personaggi tendono a morire un po’ troppo facilmente e a restare presenti solo fintanto che sono utili per la storia (diversamente da quanto avviene in Aztec, dove anche i personaggi secondari sembrano avere una vita loro indipendentemente dal fatto di trovarsi o meno nella stessa scena del protagonista) e non riescono ad essere veramente memorabili.
January 6, 2021
This is just a disrespect to Aztec History and culture, and is also a horrible book. When I first read it, I thought it would be a story about an Aztec person trying to survive in Spanish Mexico, but NOOOOO. Instead we have this story of a horrible protagonist who decides to rape every other women he meets. Talks with his cousin at 12, bam does inappropiate stuff. Talks to a 11 year old girl, bam does it. Talks to a widow of a husband who was killed by the spanish. First thought, I would like to hook up with her. The Protagonist feels no remorse to anyone and only wants sinful delights. He stumbles apon a village that doesn't support him? He then goes on to kill and enslave everyone. There is no climax, only a horrible buildup to a battle that they don't even tell. He even wants to have sex with his daughter from that 11 year old girl. Nothing makes sense in this book, and it is just horrible. Never read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2014
Otoño azteca es la continuación del libro "Azteca", el cuál comienza prácticamente donde termina el primero, o al menos en una de las últimas escenas.
Considero que el segundo libro está cargado de la misma intensidad que el primero, con personajes interesantes y una historia bien continuada a partir del primer libro. Lo sentí más novela, con la aventura que tiende más a la fantasía que a los hechos históricos que tuvo (o quiso) explicar en el primer libro.
El final , al igual que el primero fue intenso y doloroso, lo cuál lo rescata a ser un "buen libro".
El libro es bueno, pero no supera el primero.
Considero que el segundo libro está cargado de la misma intensidad que el primero, con personajes interesantes y una historia bien continuada a partir del primer libro. Lo sentí más novela, con la aventura que tiende más a la fantasía que a los hechos históricos que tuvo (o quiso) explicar en el primer libro.
El final , al igual que el primero fue intenso y doloroso, lo cuál lo rescata a ser un "buen libro".
El libro es bueno, pero no supera el primero.
January 20, 2015
Good but not quite as good as the first.
January 28, 2019
Tras presenciar la ejecución de su padre en la hoguera, el joven Tenamaxtli emprenderá una larga jornada a traves de la senda de la venganza, intentando reunir un ejército capaz de terminar con los invasores españoles, integrándose a una sociedad domesticada y un tanto renuente al cambio y la revolución, encontrando extranos aliados, enemigos y amantes en el camino que lo acompañarán en el cumplimiento de su tonali.
December 27, 2023
Segunda parte del libro Azteca. Sigo creyendo que si en la escuela nos enseñaran la historia de México como son narrados estos libros de Gary Jennings los mexicanos nos sentiríamos más orgullosos y más interesados en la historia de nuestro país.
May 10, 2013
Nahuatl is the native language with most speakers in Mexico, with approximately a million and a half, most bilingual with the Spanish. Its use extends from the North of Mexico to Central America.
The Spanish invaded Mexico in 1530. The Aztec Empire was the principal political structure on the North American continent at the time of its conquest by Spaniards.
The Mixtón War was fought from 1540 until 1542 between Spanish invaders and their Aztec and Tlaxcalan allies against the Caxcanes and other semi-nomadic Indians of the area of north western Mexico, near present Guadalajara. The command structure of the Caxcanes is unknown but the most prominent leader from among them who emerged was Tenamaztle.
Victory in the Mixton War enabled the Spaniard to control the region in which Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico’s second largest city, was located. It also opened up Spanish access to the deserts of the north in which Spanish explorers would search for and find rich silver deposits.
After their defeat the Caxcanes were absorbed into Spanish society and lost their identity as a distinct people. They would later serve as auxiliaries to Spanish soldiers in their continued advance northward. Spanish expansion after the Mixton War would lead to the longer and even more bloody Chichimeca war (1550–1590). The Spanish were forced to change their policy from one of forcibly subjugating the Indians to accommodation and gradual absorption, a process taking centuries.
Purempe Tribe of North Western Mexico in 1540. Native coupling with doe and buck deer was regarded by the priests as a praiseworthy act of religious devotion because this tribe believed that deer were the earthly manifestations of the sun god.
The Spanish invaded Mexico in 1530. The Aztec Empire was the principal political structure on the North American continent at the time of its conquest by Spaniards.
The Mixtón War was fought from 1540 until 1542 between Spanish invaders and their Aztec and Tlaxcalan allies against the Caxcanes and other semi-nomadic Indians of the area of north western Mexico, near present Guadalajara. The command structure of the Caxcanes is unknown but the most prominent leader from among them who emerged was Tenamaztle.
Victory in the Mixton War enabled the Spaniard to control the region in which Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico’s second largest city, was located. It also opened up Spanish access to the deserts of the north in which Spanish explorers would search for and find rich silver deposits.
After their defeat the Caxcanes were absorbed into Spanish society and lost their identity as a distinct people. They would later serve as auxiliaries to Spanish soldiers in their continued advance northward. Spanish expansion after the Mixton War would lead to the longer and even more bloody Chichimeca war (1550–1590). The Spanish were forced to change their policy from one of forcibly subjugating the Indians to accommodation and gradual absorption, a process taking centuries.
Purempe Tribe of North Western Mexico in 1540. Native coupling with doe and buck deer was regarded by the priests as a praiseworthy act of religious devotion because this tribe believed that deer were the earthly manifestations of the sun god.
August 31, 2022
Like many sequels, Aztec Autumn fell a bit short from equaling its prequel. A work of historical fiction, Aztec Autumn is grounded in the Mixton Rebellion, a failed uprising by the indigenous Mexica against the Spaniards. The story opens with Tenamaxtli witnessing the public immolation of his father, the protagonist of Aztec, for heresy. Taking up a somewhat surreptitious residence in Mexico City, Texamaxtli is soon baptized Juan Britanico and discovers the secrets of gunpowder. He subsequently assembles a revolt against the brutal Spanish occupiers and those that support them.
Gary Jennings is an exceptional author. Novels Spangle and Aztec both are fantastic works and can be enjoyed through several readings. While not a bad story in and of itself, Aztec Autumn lacks the undercurrent of exotic surrealism and majesty that radiates its predecessor.
Gary Jennings is an exceptional author. Novels Spangle and Aztec both are fantastic works and can be enjoyed through several readings. While not a bad story in and of itself, Aztec Autumn lacks the undercurrent of exotic surrealism and majesty that radiates its predecessor.
October 6, 2011
The author's attempt to continue the narrative developed in his first book Aztec, I think fails on many levels.
The story relies too heavily on graphic descriptions of violence and sex, and thins considerably in very loose character development and believability.
If this was a a sequel to a movie rather than a book, it would have immediately been relegated to DVD.
The story relies too heavily on graphic descriptions of violence and sex, and thins considerably in very loose character development and believability.
If this was a a sequel to a movie rather than a book, it would have immediately been relegated to DVD.
October 19, 2017
Una belleza más,diez años me tardé en leer la secuela pero sin duda esta segunda parte me hizo vivir la experiencia de nuevo.
Más asombrado quedé aun de saber que el personaje principal sí existió,no estoy seguro que todo lo que se cuenta en libro sean hechos confiables pero sin duda son fascinantes
Más asombrado quedé aun de saber que el personaje principal sí existió,no estoy seguro que todo lo que se cuenta en libro sean hechos confiables pero sin duda son fascinantes
September 3, 2018
No tan interesante como su novela originaria, Azteca, en esta Gary Jennings nos regala un spin-off algo desafortunado. Si bien interesante desde el punto de vista histórico, Otoño Azteca es, apenas, la sombra de la otra. No obstante, tal vez sea una sombra en la que hallemos cosas interesantes. En lo personal, y como la leí tras cerrar la última página de la primera parte, me decepcionó un poco.
July 8, 2017
Average to less than average read. I think the world that was alive in Aztec appears stale and repetitive in this book. Below I analyse the plot/characters, the author/writing style and the themes.
The plotline seems similar and the female characters far too superficial. This is also a journey, with multiple traumatic events for the main character along the way. But I find that Jennings could give these events more importance than he does. There seems to also be an inherent difficulty between Jennings and the development of female characters. Even though the main character says to us that he regrets the multiple losses of lovers during his life, it becomes hard to believe till the very end, as he is quick to move on to the next lover he comes across. His feelings appear to change a bit (with some loyalty) toward the end of the book, which makes him slightly more relatable.
I think Jennings presents a very one sided view of the male psyche, in the way sexuality is portrayed through his books. The rather lusty and richly portrayed world in Aztec seems to have been converted into a superficial and repetitively shocking description of violent and sexual acts. Similar to real life, their effects don't last for long.
There are substantial themes here which could have been explored more. We get little insight into the race relations between Spanish and indios but for superficial interactions. The themes of the clash of cultures and values with regards to land specifically in the different belief systems could have been explored more.
There was some exploration of spiritual themes, but once again, rather superficially. And with the amount of 'stuff' that was crammed into the novel, it's length was probably inadequate.
Anyway, I was due the read as I had enjoyed the world of the Aztecs in 'Aztec' but I'm not sure I'll read the next one... time will tell I suppose!
happy reading!
The plotline seems similar and the female characters far too superficial. This is also a journey, with multiple traumatic events for the main character along the way. But I find that Jennings could give these events more importance than he does. There seems to also be an inherent difficulty between Jennings and the development of female characters. Even though the main character says to us that he regrets the multiple losses of lovers during his life, it becomes hard to believe till the very end, as he is quick to move on to the next lover he comes across. His feelings appear to change a bit (with some loyalty) toward the end of the book, which makes him slightly more relatable.
I think Jennings presents a very one sided view of the male psyche, in the way sexuality is portrayed through his books. The rather lusty and richly portrayed world in Aztec seems to have been converted into a superficial and repetitively shocking description of violent and sexual acts. Similar to real life, their effects don't last for long.
There are substantial themes here which could have been explored more. We get little insight into the race relations between Spanish and indios but for superficial interactions. The themes of the clash of cultures and values with regards to land specifically in the different belief systems could have been explored more.
There was some exploration of spiritual themes, but once again, rather superficially. And with the amount of 'stuff' that was crammed into the novel, it's length was probably inadequate.
Anyway, I was due the read as I had enjoyed the world of the Aztecs in 'Aztec' but I'm not sure I'll read the next one... time will tell I suppose!
happy reading!
January 27, 2018
When the Spanish conquistadors and the Catholic fathers first arrived on the shores of Mexico, and in South America, and when the English and French colonizers and missionaries first penetrated Canada and United States, they received from the native Indians tribes scattered in the western hemisphere several versions of a tradition of a "Bearded God" who had in the distant past visited their ancestors, taught them their culture, and mysteriously disappeared, but who would eventually return to them.
Although the traditions from the different Indian groups regarding the "Bearded God" do not agree in every detail, there being a variety of versions, yet in the principal points these Indian traditions, from Canada to Chile, have a close resemblance to one another.
The Feathered Serpent God is one of the great mysteries of many ancient cultures. He was called Quetzalcoatl by the Aztecs, Viracocha by the Incas, Kukulkan by the Mayas, Gucumatz in Central America, Votan in Palenque, and Zamna in Izamal. He and his ‘men’ were described as being tall, bearded, with white skin in some writings and as someone of stature with hair on the face and beautiful emerald blue eyes in others.
Legends all seem to agree that Quetzalcoatl was tall and light-skinned, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a beard. His name translates to “plumed serpent”. Fray Juan Torquemada, the Franciscan missioner, who collected traditions about Quetzalcoatl from the natives of Old Mexico, says:
"Quetzalcoatl had blonde hair, and wore a black robe sewn with little crosses of red color."
The red haired mummies of Chile, they are 9500 years old. White people mummies, don't you forget it.
SOLUTREAN PEOPLE
Although the traditions from the different Indian groups regarding the "Bearded God" do not agree in every detail, there being a variety of versions, yet in the principal points these Indian traditions, from Canada to Chile, have a close resemblance to one another.
The Feathered Serpent God is one of the great mysteries of many ancient cultures. He was called Quetzalcoatl by the Aztecs, Viracocha by the Incas, Kukulkan by the Mayas, Gucumatz in Central America, Votan in Palenque, and Zamna in Izamal. He and his ‘men’ were described as being tall, bearded, with white skin in some writings and as someone of stature with hair on the face and beautiful emerald blue eyes in others.
Legends all seem to agree that Quetzalcoatl was tall and light-skinned, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a beard. His name translates to “plumed serpent”. Fray Juan Torquemada, the Franciscan missioner, who collected traditions about Quetzalcoatl from the natives of Old Mexico, says:
"Quetzalcoatl had blonde hair, and wore a black robe sewn with little crosses of red color."
The red haired mummies of Chile, they are 9500 years old. White people mummies, don't you forget it.
SOLUTREAN PEOPLE
July 7, 2025
I liked the premise and the worldbuilding, but I found the protagonist to be… a bit repulsive at the beginning of the book. Don’t get me wrong. I can’t stand books with one-dimensional characters, and want protagonists to be a bit flawed… And yet, I have to say that the author focuses way too much on the description of prostitution and borderline incestual relations through the eyes of an adolescent boy.
I thought it to be odd, but also thought a lot about cultural relativism and the fact that relations between cousins are not unheard of. So instead I tried to stick to the story. Pity that it kept describing Spanish culture through the eyes of a native and not the other way around. It’s the Aztek culture, I wanted to learn more about after all.
And then it came to child rape. Casually described just as if it was yet another quirky episode in the life of this young adult, no different than a duck hunt. Naturally there were plenty of excuses for this child rape like: “She wanted it”, “She liked it”, “She was just curious”. They were interwoven between graphical descriptions of why the rape was so difficult (because of the child's small posture).
… And I simply could not take it anymore. I read another couple of pages to look for any kind of explanation why that episode was so important to be described. When nothing came I simply closed the book and threw it away in the garbage can. Maybe there is more to it. Maybe there are some consequences further down the line, and I’m missing out on something… Or maybe it’s just a piece of trash not worth reading.
I thought it to be odd, but also thought a lot about cultural relativism and the fact that relations between cousins are not unheard of. So instead I tried to stick to the story. Pity that it kept describing Spanish culture through the eyes of a native and not the other way around. It’s the Aztek culture, I wanted to learn more about after all.
And then it came to child rape. Casually described just as if it was yet another quirky episode in the life of this young adult, no different than a duck hunt. Naturally there were plenty of excuses for this child rape like: “She wanted it”, “She liked it”, “She was just curious”. They were interwoven between graphical descriptions of why the rape was so difficult (because of the child's small posture).
… And I simply could not take it anymore. I read another couple of pages to look for any kind of explanation why that episode was so important to be described. When nothing came I simply closed the book and threw it away in the garbage can. Maybe there is more to it. Maybe there are some consequences further down the line, and I’m missing out on something… Or maybe it’s just a piece of trash not worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
I picked up this book at my school's book fair and only recently found it on my shelf. Years ago I had led an introductory class on the Aztec to my second graders consisting mostly of location and art. Armed with info gleaned mostly from an encyclopedia and the cursory info mentioned in high school about world explorers, this is a time period with which I was and am unfamiliar.
The Aztec leader, Tenamaxtlle, worked to unite and organize the varied tribes of the indigenous people in Mexico against the Spanish rule under Coronado during the mid 1500's. (This reminded me somewhat of the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, who attempted to unite the varied tribes people of Ohio and the surrounding territories two hundred years later.) I appreciate the fact that the author, Gary Jennings, undertook considerable research and traveled extensively in the area where the book takes place. His narrative is respectful of the Aztec culture and people.
The death of Tenamaxtle must be in question as the account in this book differs from info I found online.
The storyline is of necessity violent as was typical of the times and cultures. There is considerable sex thrown in as, I suspect, that helps to sell books. This is not a book for those who are sensitive to either or both of those aspects. For those who seek to gain insight into the past that is not based on the white man's conquests, I recommend it.
The Aztec leader, Tenamaxtlle, worked to unite and organize the varied tribes of the indigenous people in Mexico against the Spanish rule under Coronado during the mid 1500's. (This reminded me somewhat of the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, who attempted to unite the varied tribes people of Ohio and the surrounding territories two hundred years later.) I appreciate the fact that the author, Gary Jennings, undertook considerable research and traveled extensively in the area where the book takes place. His narrative is respectful of the Aztec culture and people.
The death of Tenamaxtle must be in question as the account in this book differs from info I found online.
The storyline is of necessity violent as was typical of the times and cultures. There is considerable sex thrown in as, I suspect, that helps to sell books. This is not a book for those who are sensitive to either or both of those aspects. For those who seek to gain insight into the past that is not based on the white man's conquests, I recommend it.
December 30, 2017
One does not have to have read the earlier "Aztec" to read this; they are not connected, except for one tidbit that emerges at the end. The final parts of this book are (VERY loosely) based on the Mixton War of 1540-42. The rest, though, is nearly all pure fiction, even as to the origins on the historical figure on which the hero is based. Many of the historical Spanish figure did exist, though how accurately they are portrayed is beyond my knowledge. Many other reviewers on Goodreads preferred the first book, "Aztec", and I have to agree, though it has been a very long time since I read it. Some readers have stated that it lingers too much on sexual matters, and Jennings certainly revels it them, but I found the Nahuatl terms and situations interesting. This second book in the series is just a bit too fantastical. That said, it is a good, diverting read.
August 10, 2023
Otoño azteca nos relata la historia de Tenamaxtli, miembro de la comunidad de Aztlan, antes visitada por Moxtli, el protagonista de "Azteca", el cual se vera envuelto en el deseo de venganza y liberacion del Unico Mundo contra los conquistadores.
Si bien este libro continúa la historia de su antecesor tras la caída de Tenochtitlan, aquí podemos observar un poco más de la "mezcla" qué se dio entre los españoles y la enorme cantidad de pueblos subyugados y los esclavos traidos de la Vieja España, no sólo a través de los nuevos habitantes, sino de toda su cultura, la forma de vida y los métodos de guerra. En lo personal me agrada Tenamaxtli como protagonista, aunque la mayor parte del tiempo improvise sus planes.
Sin mas, el final de su historia me parecio súbito e incompleto, me fejo una sensación de vacío, poco entrañable, así que un 3.2 es la calificación final.
Si bien este libro continúa la historia de su antecesor tras la caída de Tenochtitlan, aquí podemos observar un poco más de la "mezcla" qué se dio entre los españoles y la enorme cantidad de pueblos subyugados y los esclavos traidos de la Vieja España, no sólo a través de los nuevos habitantes, sino de toda su cultura, la forma de vida y los métodos de guerra. En lo personal me agrada Tenamaxtli como protagonista, aunque la mayor parte del tiempo improvise sus planes.
Sin mas, el final de su historia me parecio súbito e incompleto, me fejo una sensación de vacío, poco entrañable, así que un 3.2 es la calificación final.
August 26, 2024
Cessata la novità di scoprire una civiltà differente, qua ci si concentra più sulla lenta e sofferta integrazione tra gli indios e gli Spagnoli. Con un tocco di nuovi popoli e di nuove esplorazioni per gradire.
Dopo una partenza molto lenta, la Guerra di Mixtón, vero conflitto del 1540 - Jennings conosce molto bene le sue fonti -, viene raccontata forse in maniera un po’ troppo sbrigativa rispetto al tempo dedicato all’esplorazione e alla raccolta di alleati.
A parte il protagonista, gli altri personaggi tendono a morire un po’ troppo facilmente e a restare presenti solo fintanto che sono utili per la storia (diversamente da quanto avviene in Aztec, dove anche i personaggi secondari sembrano avere una vita loro indipendentemente dal fatto di trovarsi o meno nella stessa scena del protagonista) e non riescono ad essere veramente memorabili.
Dopo una partenza molto lenta, la Guerra di Mixtón, vero conflitto del 1540 - Jennings conosce molto bene le sue fonti -, viene raccontata forse in maniera un po’ troppo sbrigativa rispetto al tempo dedicato all’esplorazione e alla raccolta di alleati.
A parte il protagonista, gli altri personaggi tendono a morire un po’ troppo facilmente e a restare presenti solo fintanto che sono utili per la storia (diversamente da quanto avviene in Aztec, dove anche i personaggi secondari sembrano avere una vita loro indipendentemente dal fatto di trovarsi o meno nella stessa scena del protagonista) e non riescono ad essere veramente memorabili.
September 23, 2024
¡Debo admitir que el primer libro de esta saga es uno de mis favoritos! Amo Azteca como no tienen una idea, fue algo curioso ya que en mi adolescencia no me consideraba una amante de la historia, debo confesar que despues de leer Azteca ahora amo los libros que hablan sobre ella, si bien estoy consciente que siguen siendo novelas y no en si libros libros de historia como en la escuela, pues creo que algo de real deben de tener.
Bueno ahora si hablando de Otoño Azteca, debo admitir que me pareció demasiado bélico, un tanto denigrante para la mujer y muy pero muy salvaje, pero bueno si nos ponemos a pensar, creo que en aquellos tiempos ¿Quién no iba a ser salvaje?... dejando a un lado el comportamiento animal de los guerreros con las mujeres, debo admitir que la causa principal de la historia al querer intentar enfrentarse a ejércitos más poderosos que ellos me pareció intenso, valiente y admirable al luchar por lo que les pertenecía y que con tanto trabajo habían logrado construir en el llamado único mundo.
Es una lectura intensa, para nada romántica y llena de datos un tanto perturbadores de nuestros antepasados, más centrado en la guerra y la lucha que llegaron a mantener que hacen ver ahora a diferencia de Azteca (1) el cómo empezó a cambiar la vida en cada pueblo y en cada aldea a partir de la toma de Tenochtitlan.
Bueno ahora si hablando de Otoño Azteca, debo admitir que me pareció demasiado bélico, un tanto denigrante para la mujer y muy pero muy salvaje, pero bueno si nos ponemos a pensar, creo que en aquellos tiempos ¿Quién no iba a ser salvaje?... dejando a un lado el comportamiento animal de los guerreros con las mujeres, debo admitir que la causa principal de la historia al querer intentar enfrentarse a ejércitos más poderosos que ellos me pareció intenso, valiente y admirable al luchar por lo que les pertenecía y que con tanto trabajo habían logrado construir en el llamado único mundo.
Es una lectura intensa, para nada romántica y llena de datos un tanto perturbadores de nuestros antepasados, más centrado en la guerra y la lucha que llegaron a mantener que hacen ver ahora a diferencia de Azteca (1) el cómo empezó a cambiar la vida en cada pueblo y en cada aldea a partir de la toma de Tenochtitlan.
August 22, 2020
This book was...fine, I guess? It was quick, entertaining read, even though some of the plot points did not make a lot of sense. It's actually a little difficult to write a review because the book wasn't that substantial. Just some thoughts, in no particular order: The first book was definitely much more interested in world building than this one is; we get a little flavor of living in New Spain, but not much. There's some sex and violence in the book, but it is not nearly as graphic as the first book. The ending has a very "tacked on" feel; it doesn't flow at all with the rest of the book. The main character's motivations also change in the last five pages or so in a way that doesn't really make sense.
July 30, 2017
La guerra di Mixton
L'autore ha preferito scegliere come protagonista il figlio del precedente protagonista in "L'azteco". Siamo ormai nel Messico divenuto Nuova Spagna, dopo le guerre di conquista spagnole. Il protagonista vede morire sul rogo suo padre e decide di vendicarne l'uccisione. Il romanzo parla di guerra e di terrorismo, misto alle varie avventure che erano presenti già nel precedente libro, in grado di distogliere il lettore dalla trama principale con dei piacevoli intermezzi. Lo trovo godibilissimo, anche se brusco sul finale.
L'autore ha preferito scegliere come protagonista il figlio del precedente protagonista in "L'azteco". Siamo ormai nel Messico divenuto Nuova Spagna, dopo le guerre di conquista spagnole. Il protagonista vede morire sul rogo suo padre e decide di vendicarne l'uccisione. Il romanzo parla di guerra e di terrorismo, misto alle varie avventure che erano presenti già nel precedente libro, in grado di distogliere il lettore dalla trama principale con dei piacevoli intermezzi. Lo trovo godibilissimo, anche se brusco sul finale.
June 6, 2020
Es una buena novela. Los datos históricos y culturales que aporta son increíbles y sorprendentes. La historia es entretenida y los personajes tienen un buen desarrollo. Creo que hay momentos en los que la trama no es tan interesante y no aporta mucho a la historia. Otros momentos se desenvuelven con urgencia y a la ligera.
En general es un libro entretenido.
No puedo dejar afuera la comparación con Azteca que es el libro anterior a esta novela. En dicha comparación es claro que Azteca es muchísimo mejor, más completo, mejor escrito y con mejores personajes y aventuras.
En general es un libro entretenido.
No puedo dejar afuera la comparación con Azteca que es el libro anterior a esta novela. En dicha comparación es claro que Azteca es muchísimo mejor, más completo, mejor escrito y con mejores personajes y aventuras.
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