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This was challenging because of the similar place names, which the author references. But a cool story of pre-Hispanic Mexico. The city and its rulers and people are very lively drawn, as are the bumbling Spanish. Enjoyed it once I got into it

The names in the book caused me to stumble and kept me from fully losing myself in the story.

I hesitate to call this a historical novel. It is a meta-fictional imagining and also a re-imagining of conquistador Hernan Cortez‘ meeting with Emperor Montezuma in 1519. What might have happened, what could have happened. It‘s also a slice of Mexico‘s (and more broadly Mesoamerica) rich yet complicated and contentious history. Not quite as entertainingly trippy as Sudden Death, IMO. A good companion to Laurent Binet‘s alt history“Civilizationsâ€�.

Part historical fiction, part satire, and part hallucinatory fever dream/drug trip, this is an interesting, challenging, layered read. It requires deep attention and patience, but is a rewarding experience if you're in the right head space.

"The withered fingers of the hands of great warriors sacrificed during the year's festivals swayed pleasingly like the branches of a small tree to the beat of some music he couldn't place, though in a possible future we would have recognized it. It was T.Rex's 'Monolith'"

https://youtu.be/KlRx_Ky7A6c?si=s5eND-rszXUmAxdv

Rainy day means driving to pick up the kids rather than walking. Which means I can fit in a few pages waiting for the bell!

#currentlyreading

Wrapping up March reading (spoiler alert: it was a good month) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qoup2uI0pT4

This stunning alternate history novel takes first place for my reading in March @CSeydel #BookBracket2024

My rating reflects the fact that my pea-brain struggled to penetrate this narrative, rather than the quality of the book itself. I could see while reading that this is clever writing. I normally love a fever-dream-like story like this. But at the moment I found this, coupled with a complex cast of characters a bit difficult to keep track of. Lots to appreciate if you have the mental bandwidth (which I presently do not).

I literally lost track of time finishing this fascinating book today. Enrigue reimagine the Spanish conquistadors (Caxtilteca) arrival in Tenoxitlan in the early 1500s, following a large cast of characters with complicated and clashing motivations, all leading up to a surprising conclusion that changes the historical narrative.

My #WeekendReads . Also hoping to start A Sweet Sting of Salt.

I cannot get over this view

Two very different books planned for this weekend's vacation #WeekendReads

Revenge on the colonizer. Tenochitlan survives. Hallucinatory farce. Aztec angst—Moctezuma as depressed warrior, overindulging in magic mushrooms & napping in his favorite feathered cloak. Lost in the palace. Sometimes feels like characters are wandering through research & exposition. Influence of interpreters. Clash of cultures. Bored and snarky warriors. Loneliness & splendor. Weakness of empire, ripe for conquest. Walls have ����. Tr. 2024.

Went to a speed dating night at my local bookstore and treated myself to some books after