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Barbacoa
Professor Diego and his team have made a potentially world-shaking discovery at their archeological site in Central Mexico—two Aztec skeletons lovingly interred. As they begin to examine the remains, the story of an ancient mystery couple begins to unfold. In pre-Columbian Mexico, a young Aztec warrior called Metzín cannot understand the strange attraction he feels for Tototli, a quiet slave owned by his family. Torn between familial duty and love for his “little bird,” Metzín becomes the target of a sadistic bully, both at school and on the battlefield. In the present, Diego and his assistant, Gerardo, dare to start a romance amid the conflicting forces of their families, religion, society, and work. With funding for their project in jeopardy, they must balance love with social disapproval and solve the mystery of the intertwined Aztec skeletons. And for Metzín—as war draws near, he must choose his destiny. Will he prove himself on the field of honor, or stay behind with his love? It is a more dangerous choice than Metzín realizes. Unbeknownst to him, forces beyond his control are gathering. It will be all he can do to survive the coming storm—and hold on to his love.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2014
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28 people want to read
About the author
Erik Orrantia
13 books23 followersBorn in San Francisco in 1970, Erik Orrantia lived in the San Francisco Bay area until 1997. By that time, he had earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling at California State University in Hayward. His original intention was to build a practice in psychotherapy.
He then felt a calling to explore the world and entered an International Study Program in Mexico City where he earned a teaching credential. He currently works as a middle school teacher in San Ysidro, California, along the Mexican-American border. He was voted Teacher of the Year in 2008 for his school district.
He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico. He now spends most of his time in Tijuana with his partner and dedicates his free time to writing.
He then felt a calling to explore the world and entered an International Study Program in Mexico City where he earned a teaching credential. He currently works as a middle school teacher in San Ysidro, California, along the Mexican-American border. He was voted Teacher of the Year in 2008 for his school district.
He has traveled extensively throughout Mexico. He now spends most of his time in Tijuana with his partner and dedicates his free time to writing.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 9, 2015
Barbacoa is the second of this author's books I've read (the first being Day of the Dead) and I absolutely love his storytelling. Judging by these two stories, he's clearly not a romance author. He doesn't include erotic content and all sex scenes are off-screen. His stories also don't guarantee an HEA. Honestly, I think he's more of a gay fiction writer than MM.
That being said, this was another exceptionally well-written story. It weaves together two parallel stories from different time periods. One is set in the 15th century Aztec culture, and the other is set in present day Mexico.
In my opinion, there are two possible ways to interpret the connection that exists between these stories. Viewed through a secular lens, both stories highlight same-sex pairings. The modern day couple discovers the skeletons of the historic couple during an archaeological dig.
However, I'd also argue that one could choose to interpret the stories in a more spiritual perspective. One might speculate that the modern day couple is possibly the reincarnation of the ancient couple. There are several instances where the author sort of alludes to this, but it's very subtle.
Anyway, the original couple, an Aztecan warrior and his slave boy, have sort of a Romeo and Juliet romance. But the modern story ends on a much more optimistic note. And it seems to me that if you believe that humans go through similar lifetimes learning lessons until they get it right, that this story would make a lot of sense.
Remarkable historic research must have gone into the telling of this story. The world building is spectacular. I enjoyed the book very much.
That being said, this was another exceptionally well-written story. It weaves together two parallel stories from different time periods. One is set in the 15th century Aztec culture, and the other is set in present day Mexico.
In my opinion, there are two possible ways to interpret the connection that exists between these stories. Viewed through a secular lens, both stories highlight same-sex pairings. The modern day couple discovers the skeletons of the historic couple during an archaeological dig.
However, I'd also argue that one could choose to interpret the stories in a more spiritual perspective. One might speculate that the modern day couple is possibly the reincarnation of the ancient couple. There are several instances where the author sort of alludes to this, but it's very subtle.
Anyway, the original couple, an Aztecan warrior and his slave boy, have sort of a Romeo and Juliet romance. But the modern story ends on a much more optimistic note. And it seems to me that if you believe that humans go through similar lifetimes learning lessons until they get it right, that this story would make a lot of sense.
Remarkable historic research must have gone into the telling of this story. The world building is spectacular. I enjoyed the book very much.
March 19, 2015
I can easily see this either being a book people love or hate. It has a wealth of details and intricacies of Aztec life. At times I felt wrapped up into the barbaric ancient world and was eager to find out what happened to the couple that was found buried together. At other times I was frustrated with the story and characters.
The book is setup with two couples and switches between them. I was just getting into one story line and it was switching time. One of the story lines follows the modern day couple Diego, the professor in charge of excavating the skeletons, and his assistant Gerardo. To me this one is pretty typical story line spending a great deal of time on Gerardo's family and his wariness at coming out to them. There just wasn't any time spent building these two as a couple. We get the catholic family, we get problems with funding, and we get discussions about being in the closet. What is lacking is actual time spent with the characters enjoying themselves and showing some emotions.
The second couple in someways is even worse. Metzin and Tototli have a sad story and it is cloaked in the fascinating Aztec culture. But all that world building hides the couple and their love. Their story is told completely through Metzin and we have no clue about Tototli at all. They don't talk or interact in any meaningful way. There is all sorts of Metzin musing of how he lusts after Tototli and it is wrong but very little else.
For me each love story fails to capture me because I really can't picture the couples in love. It isn't because the of the lack of sex but the lack of emotions. The historical parts of this book were fascinating but they overshadowed everything in the story instead of enhancing and blending into the story.
The book is setup with two couples and switches between them. I was just getting into one story line and it was switching time. One of the story lines follows the modern day couple Diego, the professor in charge of excavating the skeletons, and his assistant Gerardo. To me this one is pretty typical story line spending a great deal of time on Gerardo's family and his wariness at coming out to them. There just wasn't any time spent building these two as a couple. We get the catholic family, we get problems with funding, and we get discussions about being in the closet. What is lacking is actual time spent with the characters enjoying themselves and showing some emotions.
The second couple in someways is even worse. Metzin and Tototli have a sad story and it is cloaked in the fascinating Aztec culture. But all that world building hides the couple and their love. Their story is told completely through Metzin and we have no clue about Tototli at all. They don't talk or interact in any meaningful way. There is all sorts of Metzin musing of how he lusts after Tototli and it is wrong but very little else.
For me each love story fails to capture me because I really can't picture the couples in love. It isn't because the of the lack of sex but the lack of emotions. The historical parts of this book were fascinating but they overshadowed everything in the story instead of enhancing and blending into the story.
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November 5, 2016Dropped at 30% because I wasn't interested in reading the in-the-past chapters and I also didn't like reading about in-the-closet MCs.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews