I bought this book after I watched Mel Gibson's movie entitled Apocalypto. As far as I know, Aztec or Latin American civilisations are rarely taken into context when it comes to fiction writing. In fact, so rare that I bought this book just out of curiosity as:
1) It is based on Aztec civilisation
2) I'm piqued to find out more about the Aztecs
3) This book won the Debut Dagger Award (FYI, it's a crime novel writing award)
Details of the Aztecs are worth mentioning here. I managed to find out quite a lot of new stuff but the investigation part is quite a sore.
This novel is supposedly about Aztec civilisation with some Sherlock Holmes investigation infused into it.
Our hero in this novel is called Yaotl (don't ask me how to pronounce the name :-P). Yaotl was escorting one sacrificial victim to his doom when his victim mumbled prophecy and leaped to his death before being actually sacrificed on the altar of God.
Yaotl was then called by Emperor Montezuma to start investigating into those prophesy and uncover the meaning to his dream of mysterious strangers appearing in the East. Naturally, things are not as simple as what it seems. Our hero is pitted with all kinds of challenges along the way.
Perhaps it's just me because I find it hard to link criminal investigation with Aztec civilisation at the same time. It’s like 2 different dishes being thrown into one pot. As such, I don't intend to buy the sequel entitled "Shadow of the Lords"
Personal rating: 5 out of 10
Cons:
1) I can't digest the investigation mixed with Aztec part. Does not appeal to me
Pros:
1) Good description of the Aztec's way of life (hence the 5 points given for this novel)
1) It is based on Aztec civilisation
2) I'm piqued to find out more about the Aztecs
3) This book won the Debut Dagger Award (FYI, it's a crime novel writing award)
Details of the Aztecs are worth mentioning here. I managed to find out quite a lot of new stuff but the investigation part is quite a sore.
This novel is supposedly about Aztec civilisation with some Sherlock Holmes investigation infused into it.
Our hero in this novel is called Yaotl (don't ask me how to pronounce the name :-P). Yaotl was escorting one sacrificial victim to his doom when his victim mumbled prophecy and leaped to his death before being actually sacrificed on the altar of God.
Yaotl was then called by Emperor Montezuma to start investigating into those prophesy and uncover the meaning to his dream of mysterious strangers appearing in the East. Naturally, things are not as simple as what it seems. Our hero is pitted with all kinds of challenges along the way.
Perhaps it's just me because I find it hard to link criminal investigation with Aztec civilisation at the same time. It’s like 2 different dishes being thrown into one pot. As such, I don't intend to buy the sequel entitled "Shadow of the Lords"
Personal rating: 5 out of 10
Cons:
1) I can't digest the investigation mixed with Aztec part. Does not appeal to me
Pros:
1) Good description of the Aztec's way of life (hence the 5 points given for this novel)
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