Aztec Blood

For me, this was, without a doubt, the best of Gary Jennings's books about the Aztecs. In a wide ranging story that spans cultures, economics, religion and continents, he puts forth a protagonist who is a likable rogue we just want to see succeed. The rogue's name is Cristoforo, known as el bastardaro...which means exactly what the cognate implies. We first meet him languishing under torture in the dungeons of the Viceroy in Mexico City. He is ordered to write an account of his life and crimes in the hope that the rulers may find where his stash of loot is hidden. It is as his story unfolds that we find out who he is. He is a poor "half-breed". Because of this he is despised by all, Indian and Spaniard alike. The only one who will give him the time of day is an old friar who treats him as a son. The friar provides literacy and education for the boy but warns him to hide his abilities. The arrival of an old harridan and a cruel overseer at the hacienda provokes fear. The friar takes the boy to Veracruz, warning him to hide his identity but never really letting the boy know about his identity. This act causes the priest to be defrocked due to political pressure brought forth by the old lady but he remains to true his calling to help the poor. In Veracruz, the boy learns the skills of a street beggar and becomes quite an accomplished little trickster. The appearance once again of the old lady and the overseer cause them to eventually flee however. It is a flight the boy survives but that the friar does not. Thus begins the third part of his life. He is apprenticed to a native shaman who heals people. From this old man the boy learns of his Aztec heritage, though not of his family. He is still a schemer and his schemes eventually lead him to hook up with the rogue who helped him to escape Veracruz. This improves his learning but eventually, a scheme goes wrong and the old healer is killed. The boy is left at the mercy of the rogue and a crown official who sees some merit and use in him. The crown official takes the two in, teaching them to live as Spanish nobility but using them to investigate crown crimes. In doing so, the educational process is taken to the PhD level as he learns the corruption of officialdom. While investigating these crimes, he comes in contact with the mysterious old lady and the cruel overseer again. His discovery leads his patron and his entire adopted family into the dungeons of the inquisition. This is all quite frustrating in that he still does not know what he has done earn such enmity other than to be born. From the inquisition it is to life as a slave in the mines. Escape from there leads to a life of brigandage and a reunion with his rogue friend. A heist of the royal mint gets them both to Spain. All the while, the young boy turned into a man wants to know who he is, why he is hated and hunted and he wants vengeance on those who have killed all his loved ones. That brings him back to Mexico, this time posing as a young noble. In his quest, he gets his revenge, the love of his life and his true birthright is a series of bold and almost unbelievable actions. By this point, the plausibility hardly matters. The story is so engrossing that the reader is willing to swallow most anything and do so willingly. This one is much happier than the previous two books but it does not always seem that way. It is fascinating as a story and as an examination of the best and the worst of native and colonial cultures.

The Aztec series by Gary Jennings are the most excellent books I have ever read.

Gary Jennings did not write this book but possibly the treatment. It was released after his passing and however well intentioned his agent and ghost writer are they do a disservice to Mr. Jennings by placing his name so prominently and theirs smaller in order to capitalize on his name and reputation. It would have been better with their names as the more prominent with a smaller credit as being based on the treatment, synopsis, draft, etc. of Gary Jennings. The book lacks the historical detail that Mr. Jennings was known for and results in expectations not being realized by a Jenning's reader interested not only in a grand story but with a historical basis in everyday details. This detail elevates Jennings books into a league of exceptional historical novels. But setting aside the obvious thinness of historical detail the book was an excellent adventure story and well worth the read. As I usually give Jenning's books 5-stars and have opted to give this book 4-stars when it should be a 3 or 3-1/2 stars as l do not wish his reputation to suffer with the way his rough work was finally released. No doubt Mr. Jennings would have added into this excellent story/draft all the historical detail that we, his readers, praise him for. I do not wish to be overly critical as I did enjoy the book but only long for more.

Just as good as the first book in the series. My family felt a little neglected as I read this but ok since I could not put it down. Great piece of Mexican historical fiction. On to the next one!

Published two years after Jennings death in 1999 Aztec blood is a continuation of the Aztec saga using Jennings outline and notes. Considering the amount of detail Jennings always inserted in his writings there must have been an extensive body of information for the ghost writers to work from. It is a creditable job and a very good read from the opening letter to the king detailing the torture of Christo to Christo's transformation at the end.

I read Aztec years ago and just recently came across Gary Jenning's sequels. I'm really enjoying Aztec Blood and I'm looking forward to read the others in the series. Compelling story-telling combined with history - can't beat it.

Loved every minute of the adventure. A must read for those looking a small insight into their Aztec heritage and lineage.

I really enjoy this type on novel. The more history the novel contains, the better I like it. Jennings has produced several historical novels and I have enjoyed them all. I you haven't read Jennings, try it.

Very well written, breathtaking, you will not be able to put it down ! I will surey miss Cristo's adventures in the coming weeks...

So good!

Love this series. Been looking for this book for years.

good read

A very good addition to the series. The story captivates and as usual, Jennings is spot on with historical data peopled by fictional characters. This book is out of print so I ordered it from a seller. It has nothing to do with the book itself, but I was disappointed that the book was described in good condition when it fact it was in very poor condition.