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Aztec #4
Aztec Rage
The fascinating history of Mexico that began in the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Aztec continues . . . .
Don Juan de Zavala was the most skilled fighter in all of New Spain—as gifted with weapons and horses as he was with women. These pleasures were all he desired.
But the magnificent Aztec empire, its grand cities and riches lay broken under the Spanish boot . . . Now valiant men and fearless women rise and battle their brutal overlords.
As a warrior-priest leads an Aztec revolt, across the ocean in Spain courageous people battle Napoleon's invading armies.
No one, including Juan de Zavala could stay neutral. Especially if a shocking secret from Zavala's lurid past is exposed—a secret so lethal to the Spanish Crown it threatens their very existence. Zavala will be swept from glittering Mexico City to snake-and-croc infested jungles, to lost Mayan civilizations to the torture chambers of the Inquisition, to beautiful Barcelona and the bloody carnage of Napoleon's war in Spain, to the bloodiest and most spectacular of New Spain's (colonial Mexico) revolutions.
Everybody wants Don Juan de Zavala . . and many people want him dead:
Isabella . . . Instinctively wicked, sinfully seductive.
Father Hidalgo . . . Can a man of God take up the sword and lead a people by the hundreds of thousands into a bloody revolution he cannot control?
Raquel . . . Attractive, sensuous, erudite, she challenges Juan with her mind—and her body.
Marina . . . A gorgeous pure-blood Aztec, she knows too well the oppressor's rape and pillage of her people.
Don Juan de Zavala was the most skilled fighter in all of New Spain—as gifted with weapons and horses as he was with women. These pleasures were all he desired.
But the magnificent Aztec empire, its grand cities and riches lay broken under the Spanish boot . . . Now valiant men and fearless women rise and battle their brutal overlords.
As a warrior-priest leads an Aztec revolt, across the ocean in Spain courageous people battle Napoleon's invading armies.
No one, including Juan de Zavala could stay neutral. Especially if a shocking secret from Zavala's lurid past is exposed—a secret so lethal to the Spanish Crown it threatens their very existence. Zavala will be swept from glittering Mexico City to snake-and-croc infested jungles, to lost Mayan civilizations to the torture chambers of the Inquisition, to beautiful Barcelona and the bloody carnage of Napoleon's war in Spain, to the bloodiest and most spectacular of New Spain's (colonial Mexico) revolutions.
Everybody wants Don Juan de Zavala . . and many people want him dead:
Isabella . . . Instinctively wicked, sinfully seductive.
Father Hidalgo . . . Can a man of God take up the sword and lead a people by the hundreds of thousands into a bloody revolution he cannot control?
Raquel . . . Attractive, sensuous, erudite, she challenges Juan with her mind—and her body.
Marina . . . A gorgeous pure-blood Aztec, she knows too well the oppressor's rape and pillage of her people.
558 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
24 people are currently reading
1212 people want to read
About the author
Gary Jennings
139 books453 followersGary Jennings led a paradoxically picaresque life. On one hand, he was a man of acknowledged intellect and erudition. His novels were international best sellers, praised around the world for their stylish prose, lively wit and adventurously bawdy spirit. They were also massive - often topping 500,000 words - and widely acclaimed for the years of research he put into each one, both in libraries and in the field.
Jennings served in the Korean War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal- a decoration rarely given to soldier-reporters- and a personal citation by South Korean President Syngman Rhee for his efforts on behalf of war orphans.
Where the erudition came from, however, was something of a mystery.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/garyje...
Jennings served in the Korean War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal- a decoration rarely given to soldier-reporters- and a personal citation by South Korean President Syngman Rhee for his efforts on behalf of war orphans.
Where the erudition came from, however, was something of a mystery.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/garyje...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 21, 2013
Fans of Gary Jennings’ Aztec had warned me: this fourth book in the series begun by the prolific author was far removed from the original in quality. But I had to see for myself.
Yep. Disappointment.
Like many, I became a Gary Jennings fan after reading his outstanding “Aztec”, the saga of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire as told by one the most amazing characters in historic fiction. Jennings also wrote an excellent sequel, “Aztec Autumn”, which related little-known events about the post-conquest period. In the years since the author’s death, his one-time editor Robert Gleason and imitative novelist Junius Podrug have collaborated on several more books to extend the series.
This one introduces the caballero Don Juan de Zavala, a rogue of New Spain in 1811, whose reversals of fortune coincide with rebellion in the colony and the Napoleonic War in Europe. A reluctant hero, de Zavala would rather ride and hunt than tend to responsibilities, drinking and whoring his way from the mountains and deserts of the north to the jungles the Yucatan. His adventures bring him romance with his treacherous Spanish beauty Isabella, the rebellious india Marina, and the devoted Raquel he once rejected. Historic figures who play a role in the drama include the leaders of the revolution: Padre Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende. The history is interesting, much of it new to this gringo. But the picaresque plot of the story is pretty predictable and mostly silly.
Part of the problem is the craft itself; the writing is so far removed from the quality prose of Gary Jennings that one can’t ignore it. DeZavala is just asinine and predictable, and even his redeeming qualities are annoying. The reader knows all along that this shallow and egoistic caballero will eventually come around to the passion of the revolution.
Ay de mi! (I’m glad I never have to read that phrase again – like so much of the book, it’s overworked.) The poor editing job also works against the book. Repetition rankles as the same exposition is restated page after page, only to have the same points covered in dialog a few pages later. Even sentence structure falls into predictable patterns. The reader shouldn’t have to be aware of things like that.
It’s all a shame. The book hardly does justice to the subject, for one thing. But mostly, it’s a disgrace to the legacy of a really good author of some exciting historical fiction. Sure makes me miss Gary Jennings.
Yep. Disappointment.
Like many, I became a Gary Jennings fan after reading his outstanding “Aztec”, the saga of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire as told by one the most amazing characters in historic fiction. Jennings also wrote an excellent sequel, “Aztec Autumn”, which related little-known events about the post-conquest period. In the years since the author’s death, his one-time editor Robert Gleason and imitative novelist Junius Podrug have collaborated on several more books to extend the series.
This one introduces the caballero Don Juan de Zavala, a rogue of New Spain in 1811, whose reversals of fortune coincide with rebellion in the colony and the Napoleonic War in Europe. A reluctant hero, de Zavala would rather ride and hunt than tend to responsibilities, drinking and whoring his way from the mountains and deserts of the north to the jungles the Yucatan. His adventures bring him romance with his treacherous Spanish beauty Isabella, the rebellious india Marina, and the devoted Raquel he once rejected. Historic figures who play a role in the drama include the leaders of the revolution: Padre Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende. The history is interesting, much of it new to this gringo. But the picaresque plot of the story is pretty predictable and mostly silly.
Part of the problem is the craft itself; the writing is so far removed from the quality prose of Gary Jennings that one can’t ignore it. DeZavala is just asinine and predictable, and even his redeeming qualities are annoying. The reader knows all along that this shallow and egoistic caballero will eventually come around to the passion of the revolution.
Ay de mi! (I’m glad I never have to read that phrase again – like so much of the book, it’s overworked.) The poor editing job also works against the book. Repetition rankles as the same exposition is restated page after page, only to have the same points covered in dialog a few pages later. Even sentence structure falls into predictable patterns. The reader shouldn’t have to be aware of things like that.
It’s all a shame. The book hardly does justice to the subject, for one thing. But mostly, it’s a disgrace to the legacy of a really good author of some exciting historical fiction. Sure makes me miss Gary Jennings.
June 6, 2011
Not a bad book, but...I bought this book because I thought it was written by Gary Jennings. It's not and while the book keeps things interesting and the historical perspective is fascinating, the main character is not one who is easy to feel for. While the mystery and visualization of the historical locations that gave the spark in Jennings' work is missing from this book, it has given me an interest in the Mexican revolution.
November 15, 2025
A good historical fiction that gives you an insight into the people and the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. Unfortunately, I just didn't like the vulgar main character.
April 11, 2023
Fact told in story form - such an interesting historical read
June 3, 2017
See Eh?Eh! and Cindy's reviews.
Juan was too macho for me, but those were the times, and he did mature some, reluctantly. He endured entirely too many tribulations in the telling of this story; Isabell was a villainess, only Marina, Raquel and the Padre seemed like real people. Perhaps if I'd read the previous books actually written by Mr. Jennings . . .
Interesting, in light of the current drug wars, territorial fights and corruption in Mexico. It seems like nothing was gained.
Juan was too macho for me, but those were the times, and he did mature some, reluctantly. He endured entirely too many tribulations in the telling of this story; Isabell was a villainess, only Marina, Raquel and the Padre seemed like real people. Perhaps if I'd read the previous books actually written by Mr. Jennings . . .
Interesting, in light of the current drug wars, territorial fights and corruption in Mexico. It seems like nothing was gained.
August 17, 2019
Thrilling details of the Aztec fight for their identity. While being victimized by the Spanish settlers and mid understood, these indigenous peoples fight for their cause—-freedom to exist. Powerful story with a glimpse into the Aztec culture.
July 27, 2020
Overall I enjoyed the story, the historical aspects, and the setting of hand story. I thought Juan was a very interesting character that was reflective of the time period. I felt all sorts of emotions reading through this adventure and I definitely would recommend giving this book a chance.
March 30, 2021
No tiene la misma intensidad del primero y el final está un poco precipitado pero en general es entretenido.
May 14, 2022
Continuación de la saga Azteca, Sangre Azteca, Otoño Azteca ahora a través de los ojos de un español hijo de un hombre que se enriqueció con las minas de mercurio de la Nueva España
December 6, 2023
This book and Aztec Revenge are my favorites in the series.
September 3, 2024
Love Mexican History
This was a wild and enjoyable ride in this time period. Hate it, when the tail ends. I will be back.
This was a wild and enjoyable ride in this time period. Hate it, when the tail ends. I will be back.
September 30, 2014
Aztec Rage is the fourth in a series of Aztec Novels by Gary Jennings, including co-authors using Mr. Jennings' outlines after his untimely death.
The history depicted in Aztec Rage is fantastic. From the descriptions of discoveries and meaning of ancient Mayan, Aztec and Olmec ruins, to the Spanish/French guerilla warfare, to the initiation of the Mexican revolution by Father Hidalgo in 1810, the book dances from novel to non-fiction history work. The depiction of the historical events in all of these arenas were by far my favorate part of the novel. (Note: personal prejudice in this area, as my own first novel includes Mayan culture as well and is an area of personal interest).
The story, revolving around the fictional character of Don Juan de Zavala, is intertwined with these fictional events. His life, changing from caballero of the ruling class until he is fighting with the Mexican revolutionaries, takes him to vantage points enabling him to participate and view history. While I did not find Juan a particularly sympathetic character, there were several other characters in the book (some fictional and some historical) that were well described and well presented, some that I will remember.
The life of the different peoples (indios, crillos, etc.) is also imaginatively portrayed.
My only complaint was that this was obviously a collaborative work, and the writing style and quality bounces. The initial chapters of the book were a struggle for me to complete; but once the story moved to Spain, the pace and caliber of the writing picked up dramatically, and the story drew me in more. Writing from a deceased authors outline and notes I would imagine is quite difficult, so I applaud the co-authors in this.
The history depicted in Aztec Rage is fantastic. From the descriptions of discoveries and meaning of ancient Mayan, Aztec and Olmec ruins, to the Spanish/French guerilla warfare, to the initiation of the Mexican revolution by Father Hidalgo in 1810, the book dances from novel to non-fiction history work. The depiction of the historical events in all of these arenas were by far my favorate part of the novel. (Note: personal prejudice in this area, as my own first novel includes Mayan culture as well and is an area of personal interest).
The story, revolving around the fictional character of Don Juan de Zavala, is intertwined with these fictional events. His life, changing from caballero of the ruling class until he is fighting with the Mexican revolutionaries, takes him to vantage points enabling him to participate and view history. While I did not find Juan a particularly sympathetic character, there were several other characters in the book (some fictional and some historical) that were well described and well presented, some that I will remember.
The life of the different peoples (indios, crillos, etc.) is also imaginatively portrayed.
My only complaint was that this was obviously a collaborative work, and the writing style and quality bounces. The initial chapters of the book were a struggle for me to complete; but once the story moved to Spain, the pace and caliber of the writing picked up dramatically, and the story drew me in more. Writing from a deceased authors outline and notes I would imagine is quite difficult, so I applaud the co-authors in this.
October 23, 2012
Continuation of the Aztec stories, this one written by Robert Gleason and Junius Podrug.
This story is told, 300 years after the Aztec peoples have been turned into slaves by the Spanish. Introduces the reader to the slavery of the peoples of New Spain, and educates one on the difference in class systems.
The reader is transported to a War Torn Spain, and introduced to Napoleon's destruction of Spanish towns and the slaughter of the Spanish peoples by the French. Stories introduced of how, children and women fought the French in Madrid and Barcelona, and how Don Juan de Zavala played a part in this revolution, and his return to the New World, and his part in the revolution in Mexico.
The Don has many adventures, womanizing and fighting his way from one side of the world to another.
This story is told, 300 years after the Aztec peoples have been turned into slaves by the Spanish. Introduces the reader to the slavery of the peoples of New Spain, and educates one on the difference in class systems.
The reader is transported to a War Torn Spain, and introduced to Napoleon's destruction of Spanish towns and the slaughter of the Spanish peoples by the French. Stories introduced of how, children and women fought the French in Madrid and Barcelona, and how Don Juan de Zavala played a part in this revolution, and his return to the New World, and his part in the revolution in Mexico.
The Don has many adventures, womanizing and fighting his way from one side of the world to another.
May 22, 2011
México, 1808. Juan de Zavala, que presume de su condición de español, es hijo de un hombre que se enriqueció con las minas de mercurio. Sus padres murieron al poco de traerlo a México y Juan vive con su tío Bruto, que administra el negocio de mercurio de su padre. Juan vive sin preocuparse de nada, ni siquiera de que su tío se quede con los beneficios de la mina. Está contento mientras tenga dinero para caballos y mujeres, hasta que se enamora de Isabella, una mexicana nacida en España, como él. Pero el padre de Isabella, un simple comerciante, sólo casará a su hija con un noble titulado. Juan decide comprar algún título, pero cuando le pide dinero a su tío éste se siente amenazado y planea matarlo.
Muy buen libro hace ver la llegada de los españoles a Mexico.
Muy buen libro hace ver la llegada de los españoles a Mexico.
April 15, 2024
Re-read this book after many years, and I knocked it down a star. Not because it wasn't awesome, but I noticed a lot more stuff this time around that I didn't before.
The story is absolutely outrageous, as is the main character which is the best part of Aztec Rage. There's obviously a TON of research that went into this book, and the history blends seamlessly with the plot so it's not like the author just crammed details in to show how much they know.
OK...for the most part.
There are some bits that I think were fairly gratuitous history lessons that didn't really propel the story forward.
That being said, it didn't take away from a fun read, recommended for fans of swashbuckling adventures, brave/crazy people who know how to survive, and Mexican history.
The story is absolutely outrageous, as is the main character which is the best part of Aztec Rage. There's obviously a TON of research that went into this book, and the history blends seamlessly with the plot so it's not like the author just crammed details in to show how much they know.
OK...for the most part.
There are some bits that I think were fairly gratuitous history lessons that didn't really propel the story forward.
That being said, it didn't take away from a fun read, recommended for fans of swashbuckling adventures, brave/crazy people who know how to survive, and Mexican history.
March 27, 2011
"Aztec Rage" is second only to the original "Aztec" in my opinion. Don Juan de Zavala is another brilliant character. This book includes more humor than the middle books. It kept me laughing constantly at the antics of de Zavala. It is well worth reading, and the entire set should be read in sequence to get the full effect. I originally read this book in Puerto Vallarta, and I recommend that highly.
September 1, 2018
Il leggendario caballero Juan de Zavala
Il pregio di Jennings è certamente la sua particolare dose ironica che riversa nella figura del leggendario don Juan de Zavala, caballero e gachupìnes. Interessanti gli approfondimenti storici del popolo degli aztechi, della lotta contro l'invasore spagnolo Cortés, e delle varie vicende di conquista in America nel 1500...
Lettura semplice e scorrevole, a tratti prolisso.
Ottimo per chi ama l'ambientazione messicana e americana.
Il pregio di Jennings è certamente la sua particolare dose ironica che riversa nella figura del leggendario don Juan de Zavala, caballero e gachupìnes. Interessanti gli approfondimenti storici del popolo degli aztechi, della lotta contro l'invasore spagnolo Cortés, e delle varie vicende di conquista in America nel 1500...
Lettura semplice e scorrevole, a tratti prolisso.
Ottimo per chi ama l'ambientazione messicana e americana.
September 27, 2007
The fiction was okay but more interesting was the historical fact upon which the fiction floats. We learned nothing in elementary school history of the slavery & suppression Spaniards subjected upon the civilizations they met on this continent. What would their world be like if Cortez' force had been at all sensitive to preserving culture and life?
November 24, 2008
Another outstanding book that provides insight into the subdued emotions carried by a subdued people, regardless of which continent they live on, or language they speak. Here I am not speaking of contrived injustices manufactured and perpetrated by media and politicians, but the brutal loss of cultural anchors to a proud past.
August 20, 2011
Overall, I found this book to be entertaining. I did get tired of Juan's escapades in regards to defying almost certain death and all the ladies that fell head over heels for him. Beyond that, it was a fun story with a lot of action/adventure and revolution.
December 18, 2009
As with the other parts to this series, I was disappointed. I enjoyed the original so much I suppose it just ruined them for me. It wasn't bad, but I preferred the story directly related to the Aztec nation, not the Mexican/Spanish/French revolutions.
February 18, 2010
Felt a bit formulaic after the previous three Aztec novels, but a good weaving of the fictional character into the historical setting. Makes the Spanish look really bad, just like all the other Aztec books.
March 6, 2011
Not what I usually read. Actually it is historical, romantic, swashbuckling. So I guess it is. I've just never read about the Aztecs before. I really enjoyed this and recommended it to my book club soul mate MaryBeth. We almost always like each others books. Well researched.
August 2, 2011
Juan de Vasala was a gauchupine, until the death of his uncle whereby he found out of his true bloodline. He will need to find himself and survive before he is put to death. Will his love, Isabella, accept him for who he is? Who will he trust and come to his rescue?
September 10, 2014
I was initially going to give this a rating of three stars, mostly due to the main character being an idiot about a woman but decided that because of the factual historical events, I would give it four. That does not lessen my irritation with Don Juan.
July 3, 2016
Interesting for the pieces of Mexican history contained within. Unfortunately, the interesting bits sink to the bottom of the quicksand of the story. The main character is so completely unlikeable, so misogynistic, and the book so full of bombast, that it was hard to get through.
June 14, 2007
All of Jennings´ books are great, they are a little sexual, if that bothers you, but it is like a history channel special come to life. Great stuff.
February 16, 2008
Continuation of Aztec Autumn. The begining of the Mexican Revolution.
March 11, 2008
Another great historical fiction. You learn a lot about colonialism, classism, and Aztec culture. This author is known for his extensive research.
August 15, 2008
Gary Jennings didn't write this book. He died in 1999.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews