Apocalypse 2012: A Novel (Aztec) [Hardcover]

Gary Jennings (Author), Robert Gleason (Author), Junius Podrug (Author)

Book Description

Series: Aztec | Publication Date: June 9, 2009

In ancient Mexico, the “End-Time Codex”--prophesizing the world’s end in 2012--is entombed. A young Aztec-Mayan slave tells us its story. 

Gifted in math and astronomy, Coyotl rises to king’s counselor in Tula, a golden city of milk and honey ruled by the brilliant god-king, Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent of lore.  Gathering artists, scientists and craftsmen, this legendary ruler builds a city that will awe humanity for one thousand years.  But he also faces war, catastrophic drought, betrayal and the rise of an evil death-cult religion.  Instituting the infamous “Blood Covenant,” its priests drag thousands of people a year atop temple-pyramids and rip their hearts beating from their chests.  To stop them Quetzalcoatl must defy the flames of bloody civil war.

A thousand years later scientists discover the End-Time Codex.  While struggling to decipher it, they realize their own age mirrors Tula’s.  Can they crack the 2012 code and save their world from Tula’s deadly fate?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gleason and Podrug's uneven third entry (after Aztec Fire) in the late Gary Jennings's historical series focuses on the ancient Mayan prediction of an apocalypse in the year 2012. In A.D. 1001, Toltec warriors capture a 16-year-old Aztec, Coyotl, in a raid. After the Toltecs notice Coyotl's stomach bears a scar tattoo in the shape of a star constellation, they take the boy to the magnificent Toltec capital of Tula, where he becomes the resident astronomer's assistant. Meanwhile, in the present, U.S. president Edward Raab convenes the newly created Presidential Scientific Advisory Board to hear NASA scientist Monica Cardiff present her theory of an upcoming global disaster. The authors lovingly describe the world of their pre-Columbian characters, but skimp on the modern story, whose characters have little motivation or substance. Jennings's fans will find the discrepancies between the two periods easy to overlook in the wealth of sex and violence. (June)
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From Booklist

Jennings’ name was made by his well-researched, graphically detailed, and compellingly readable Aztec saga, which offered authentic pictures of how life was led in that both brutal and brilliant society. Jennings died in 1999, but his work has been taken up by Robert Gleason and Junius Podrug, based on notes for new novels Jennings had composed before his death. This latest saga by the two coauthors writing under the Jennings umbrella divides its time between ancient Mexico and the U.S. in the near future. The Toltec Empire is ruled by an enlightened king, but his authority is seriously challenged by discontent aroused by drought, which has in turn spawned a religious cult with a frightening hold over the dazzling Toltec capital, Tula. During this troubled period, an “end-time codex” is prepared that, according to Toltec interpretation of heavenly bodies and situations, sees the end of the world in 2012. This document is buried, only to be unearthed centuries later, close to the world’s “expiration” date. The discovery prompts the realization that something needs to be done to keep contemporary society from experiencing the same catastrophe that befell Tula. Jennings fans will savor the mix of ancient history and near-future apocalypse. --Brad Hooper

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (June 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765322595
• ISBN-13: 978-0765322593
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #665,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This is NOT Gary Jennings'!, September 16, 2009

By 

QualityCounts (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apocalypse 2012: A Novel (Aztec) (Hardcover)

Save your time and your money. Gary Jennings is no longer with us (deceased in 1999), but the 2 authors who actually wrote 2012 were woefully inadequate in their attempt in emulating the Gary Jennings work ethic--from the writing style to the supposedly historical research which is the Jennings' bastion is sorely lacking. Granted, the 2012 (insert your own adjective here) is recent in the media spotlight, I believe that more research could have made a more interesting read.

I also take issue with the length of the book (388 pages) when it comes to reading such tomes as Aztec, Spangle and Raptor. The depth of the characters and historical context is once again lacking. I'm not sure if the intention of the writers was to put something out there as quickly as possible without the consideration of what the Jennings legacy and standard has left us. This book just doesn't hold the candle to any of the other Jennings' books.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible book, don't waste your time or money, September 25, 2009

By 

chgold81 (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apocalypse 2012: A Novel (Aztec) (Hardcover)

I feel sorry for the 10 years dead author; this drivel must have him spinning over in his grave. Some of the dialogue in this book is so ridiculous it will have you groaning to yourself. Plus a lousy ending setting up one or more sequels. Shameless attempt to cash in on 2012 mania.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bad beyond belief, September 18, 2009

By 

Will Freeman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apocalypse 2012: A Novel (Aztec) (Hardcover)

Perhaps Mr. Jennings wrote better books when he was alive. An excruciatingly boring read with lame plotting, characters, descriptions, and dialog. The irritation from slogging through this pitiful book is increased by its lack of anything of interest concerning the 2012 apocalypse. It might find success as an example in creative writing classes of how not to write a novel.