Demons in the Golden Empire: Gonzalo Pizarro during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire

by Marcos Antonio Hernandez

He went to make a name for himself in the New World. But will he be remembered as a hero… or a curse?

Peru, 1532. Gonzalo Pizarro craves the recognition received by his brother Francisco. When the young Spaniard helps capture the Incan Emperor against overwhelming odds, he’s convinced that God himself smiles on their expedition.

After receiving vast quantities of gold and silver in ransom from the native empire, Gonzalo sets his sights on a prize the puppet emperor won’t part with so the Incan Queen. But when a renegade conquistador captures him and his brother, Gonzalo’s obsession with power may end up destroying them all.

Can the prestige-hungry conquistador navigate the political strife growing between his countrymen without losing his grip on the conquered domain?

Demons in the Golden Empire is the gripping fourth book in the Hispanic American Heritage Stories series, based on historical events. If you like epic historical drama, tragic characters, and indigenous plights, then you’ll love Marcos Antonio Hernandez’s evocative account of the Spanish conquest of Peru.

Buy Demons in the Golden Empire to exorcize the blight of conquest today!

Genres: Nonfiction

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2023

About the author

Marcos writes from the suburbs of Washington D.C. He didn’t always know about his passion for writing but has always known about his passion for reading. He began by carving out time every day to develop the habit of writing until the foundations of his first novel had been built. He reads everything he can get his hands on but particularly enjoys science fiction/fantasy. When reading is not possible, he has his headphones in, listening to audiobooks.

After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in chemical engineering and a minor in physics, Marcos has been lucky enough to have not one but two dream jobs. He began flexing his creativity muscles during his time as a food scientist at a dessert think tank, specializing in helping clients find solutions to their frozen dessert problems (read: professional ice cream maker). After leaving this career, he began a new career as a strength and conditioning coach (what he calls his “retirement”). He has been a coach for over five years and enjoys interacting with a diverse range of people.

Marcos believes in training his creativity muscles through storytelling. Like exercise, he believes in showing up every day to get the work done. His hope is to learn from every experience and let it shine through the stories he tells.

Reviews

[Jake Henningsgaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Demons in the Golden Empire, Marcos Hernandez transports readers to the tumultuous era of Spain’s conquest of the New World, offering a vivid portrayal of human ambition, faith, and survival. The novel’s strength lies in its immersive historical detail and well-drawn characters, who grapple with both external conflict and internal moral dilemmas. Hernandez masterfully blends action and reflection, illustrating the brutality of conquest while also probing the complexities of cultural collision. The prose is direct yet evocative, painting a clear picture of both the harsh realities and the fleeting moments of humanity. Fans of historical fiction looking for a gripping tale of power, faith, and the cost of empire-building will find much to enjoy in this engaging read.

[Renan Axelord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the first chapter. The author brings the Spanish conquest of Peru to life with vivid detail and emotional intensity. Gonzalo Pizarro is portrayed as deeply ambitious and often conflicted, which made him fascinating to follow even when his choices frustrated me. The story shows both the drive for glory and the terrible cost paid by the Incan people. It left me thinking long after I finished it.

[Charlotte Mamoah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author balanced historical accuracy with storytelling. Gonzalo’s hunger for recognition and the consequences of his actions make this a striking character study. The descriptions of Peru and the unravelling of the Incan world were emotional and absorbing. This is one of those historical novels that makes you reflect on power and its destructive pull.

[Hailey Froster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping and brutal account of a dark time in history. I appreciated how the book does not try to glorify the conquest but instead shows the greed and chaos that fueled it. Gonzalo is not easy to like, but he is written with depth, which made the story compelling. The political tension among the conquistadors added a strong sense of danger. A powerful read.