The Luck of Huemac

by Daniel J. Peters

Spanning a century of Aztec history, this account documents the rise and fall of the Aztec civilization by focusing on three powerful men, particularly Huemac, who faces the marauding Spaniards led by Cortez.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

657 pages, Hardcover

First published July 12, 1981

Reviews

[Christopher Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow--this is one of a series of three novels about the three great early civilizations of the Americas, and all of them are top rate. Long, complex, deeply satisfying.

[Paul Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

A challenging book as I found the names and places very difficult to pronounce. There is a glossary of characters and a pronunciation guide though! I love the Aztec culture and found this book quite on the nose with culture, practice, politics, and relationships. It’s so well written that I’ve read it three times now!
The central character doesn’t enter the story until about 100 pages; the book starts off by introducing the parents, describing the dead-days (and associated portents), and then Huemacs birth and the struggle of the “rabbit years.”
There is more superstition and mysticism in this telling of the Aztec story, more than I’ve encountered in other volumes. There is outright witchcraft, changing physical forms, casting spells, dream casting, interactions with gods, soothsaying, which all the native citizens seem to experience equally. We do learn that the white invaders are not influenced or impacted by magic, so I’m not sure how to process this aspect.
Of course the ending is tragic and I had tears, but an amazing journey and I wholly recommend this book.

[Morrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written historical novel that takes on a big piece of history and does so with a tight well written story. I enjoyed it and was almost sorry when it was over.

[Héctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved it! another unputdownable for me! I would like to know if all of it is based on more or less well accepted facts. It seems to be but I will read a bit more to find out and decide. Did the main events happen? Were they polygamous? Did cannibalism occurr? I would not be surprised it these happened, though we may not like to hear it. A fascinating book, highly recommended.

[Shelley Alongi]

If you read this book you shouldn’t be in a hurry because you won’t get anywhere very quickly. It doesn’t detract from the telling of the story but it is noticeable so just be aware when you start it you’ll be here for a while. It’s a good fire in the fire place read on a cozy winter night because it requires a lot of attention: unusual names, detailed descriptions of landscapes and the motives of people in the book. It flows naturally, sometimes it feels as if the author were there describing the story to us. Total immersion is a great way to describe the attitude taken toward writing the book. There is a helpful list of characters and names of gods and historical places for the uninitiated. If you’re patient the read is worth it.

[Alex C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel J Peters is a criminally undercelebrated author in my opinion. He has such a talent in telling you everything there is to know about an ancient culture by weaving it into a multigenerational story. This is the second novel of his that I've read, and although it took me close to a year to get through it, I look forward to his other writings.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, really: Peters does a good job of depicting the Mexican court as a multiplex rather than a single entity, but his characters could be stronger and I also just didn't care quite as much as I'd have wanted to.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an amateur Aztec expert, I am well-versed in Mexica culture and history. I must say that the author, Daniel Peter has created a classic, historical fiction novel. It is on par with the work of Jennings. Cornwell, Renault, Ford and Michener. It stands apart from many because the characters are flawed but noble and some are perfectly manipulative and evil. Set against the waning generations prior to the Spanish invasion, we experience two generations of life in the Valley of Mexico in the late-15th century through Huemac. Huemac is a flawed but multi-talented noble whose life's sojourn is twisting and full of intrigue. As a child he discovers he has mystical powers, including the gift of prophetic insight which is passed onto his offspring. Huemac grows up in the royal court but he also has a deep connection with his people. Huemac spends his life gaining fame as an athlete, warrior, mystic and a member of the royal court. All the time Huemac wrestles with his sense of identity and his purpose. This profound search forms the stage on which Huemac's life plays out. Along the way, he is burdened with enmity of an evil noble who fears Huemac's prophetic and spiritual abilities. It is the mystical abilities of Huemac and his children and grandchildren that firetell the spiraling events of coming disaster for them and the empire that form the heart of this novel. Huemac's personal sojourn is closely tied with rise, growth and fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. One is given the impression that Huemac survives until an old age to witness what he first envisioned as a child - the destruction of the Aztec world. Huemac does see the fulfillment of disaster at the hands of Cortez and his army. This is a full-blooded tale of the ferocity, intrigue and glory of the pre-Columbian Valley of Mexico.

[Margarita Rosado · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary account of life, beliefs and times of aztec people thru one family of their governing class. All the splendor of Great Tenochtitlan, the royalty, the conspiracies, a love story, the arrival of conquerors, all the elements of a wonderful work of fiction wrapped in true History. I loved it.

[Gevera Piedmont · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it, for obvious reasons. But it's probably not for everyone. if you liked Gary Jennings Aztec you'll like this.