Ahuitzotl: A Novel of Aztec Mexico

by Herb Allenger

Arrogant pride and an impassioned love of a woman bring to ruin the greatest of Aztec warrior-kings, Ahuitzotl. The fierce conqueror Ahuitzotl shapes the events that ultimately destroy him. Covering a sixteen year period –the last year of the emperor Tizoc and the reign of his successor, Ahuitzotl (Water Dog)- this novel is a romantic tragedy about Aztec, Mexico. Ahuitzotl is conceived as a tragic hero in its true classical form. As ruler, he embarks on a series of conquests that make him the undisputed master of his world. At the dedication ceremony of the Great Temple in his capital, he orders, as a climactic exposition of his pride, the largest mass sacrifice ever known, an orgy of excess seen by the priests as outraging the gods, and for which he will suffer their vengeance. He leads his people to their greatest heights only to then bring calamity upon them, giving credence to their belief that he is being punished for having offended the gods. He alienates his allied lords as he seeks to place their kingdoms under his domination. He manipulates the lives of his two most beloved women to serve his own selfish purposes, resulting in tragic consequences for one of them. When matched in skill and prowess by the enemy lord of a rival power, he becomes obsessed with destroying his opponent, unable to tolerate this blow to his ego, and sets into motion forces that culminate in a cruel retribution against him. The world of the Aztec ruling elites, with its intrigues, politics, and bloody rituals comes to life for the reader in this epic work.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

630 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2013

Reviews

[Gevera Piedmont · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read Aztec by Gary Jennings instead of this.

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author seemed to have done research and authenticated that the main characters were real people and the basic facts and dates were accurate. She got bogged down in detailed sexual descriptions which I just skimmed past as they were not interesting; I thought I was reading a historical book. If the descriptions of the society (government, religious system, military system) and day to day life are accurate then it was informative. At the end she stated her goal had been to write a romantic tragedy and that was the focus of the book. However, she also stated that part was fictional. If you want to read a novel about love and lust and loss, this is the book.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gary Jennings is 5 star and common man point of view. This book is 3 star and from ruler viewpoint...Ahuitzotl warrior emperor with fictionalized romance tale that brings it down. I skipped the torn between two jealous women crap and enjoyed it more.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the years before the conquest of Mexico the Aztecs are usually portrayed as a very blood thirsty people/
Herb Allenger's well researched book does nothing to dispel that notion. Human sacrifice was a vital component of their religion. Ahuitzotle was the epitome of a warrior-king but he was often petty, vindictive,
stubborn, and self-seeking. The two women who love him are interesting and the author takes a few historical references and weaves an interesting tale. Well written but I would have done without quite so many details about military campaigns.

Ahuitzolt died in 1502 and was succeeded by his nephew Motecubzoma/Moctezuma/Montezuma

Sex: a few scenes but not too graphic
Violence: many blood thirsty scenes of human sacrifice

[Chuck Heikkinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free ebook from Book Bub via Amazon. I've found most free books of this type to be less than hoped for, but this one redeems itself with a well-crafted chronological chain of events. The author (or perhaps his spell-checker) is somewhat given to malapropisms but that is overridden by the pace of the tale. For me, at any rate, it gave me a much better understanding of the workings of the Aztec (Mexica) empire. There is a love interest, a love triangle or two, and lots of bloodshed, the latter apparently something the Aztecs were fond of.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book since I had read "Aztec" and "Aztek Autumn" by Gary Jennings and really enjoyed reading novels set in this time and place. Although it might be a good story, I never really found out. I found the author's writing style difficult to read. Worse, this book had many grammatical errors, nonsensical additional words and obviously missing words. So many that I gave it up. I read only about the first 20%.

For that reason only, I don't recommend this book.

[Roger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't stand historical fiction that reads like moderns wearing others clothing. I kept expecting Ahuitzotl to get into a car and drive off. Not a bad book, just not my book

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't finish it.

[Sandra A.Curra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read, those who like history will enjoy this book.

[james mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another world

Author took me on a adventure, was like being I'm Aztec Mexico. Great read
Not for the faint of heart

[Marlana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Desperately needs to be proofed prior to publishing. An embarrassment to the publishing world.