Customer Reviews

Apocalypse 2012: A Novel (Aztec)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Many years ago I read Aztec, Aztec Autumn and Journeyer, and enjoyed both the history and Jennings descriptive style. While passing through an airport bookstore, his name on the book caught my eye, and I bought this on impulse with only a cursory glance. What a piece of crap. The book flashes between two timelines, one in ancient Aztec times, the other current day. The former is poor imitation of Jennings writings, the latter is pure pulp. The publishers should be ashamed. "By Gary Jennings", as the cover states is entirely different than "inspired by Gary Jennings, as written by a couple of hacks." Complete waste of time and money.

I got a friend hooked on Gary Jennings by loaning him Aztec and Spangle(one of my all time favorite books). He went out and bought this book based on the misleading title/cover. He then loaned it to me and with-held comment til I was done. I read about 1.5 pages when I realized something was not right. The language, descriptions, cadence just the overall feel of the writing was off. Not only off but bad. looking closer I realized the Gary Jennings had nothing to do with this book. It shows. I continued on (I did end up skipping the modern day sections), hoping to find it would get better, but no such luck. Aztec had the touch of a true story teller. The language was rich and full, I could see the people and landscape. The characters in Aztec are well developed and serve a purpose in the story.
In 2012, the descriptions are flat, they go on about feathers and cotton clothes without drawing the reader into the setting, rather it reads like a laundry list: feathers? Check. Skulls? Check.
Bloody priests? Check. Undeveloped female throwaway character? Check. Really obvious villian who will be back? Check.
Maybe I'm being a little harsh on this review because of the bogus reference to Jennings. As a stand alone book or series(I will not read the others by Gleason & Podrug) it would maybe rate 2 or 2.5 stars, but when they try to cash in on a great authors talent by plastering his
name on a 2nd rate work, they invite negative comparisons.

Over a decade after the death of Gary Jennings and the no-talent editor Robert Gleason and no-talent lawyer Junius Podrug are still trying to capitalize on his name. And the worst part is they are doing it with permission from his Estate, aka Joyce Servis.

so sad...poorly written...gary jennings name on top made me buy it......i did not know jennings had died and as i was reading i wondered how he could have written such a poor book.....i should have known...the 2 authors" should have been a clue....Aztec was brilliant no doubt about it.....i certainly will buy no more of jennings "new" books......save your money....suffice to say i feel thoroughly cheated.....

I am sick of these people who are using Gary Jennings name to write their own mediocre books. They are ruining the reputation of an excellent writer. Yes I too was fooled into believing a couple of those books were his, when i finally figured it out I was relieved, I thought Jennings lost his touch. But he didn't. These books have been written after he died. If you were unaware check it out yourself. Have you wondered why the gory parts and all the good parts that are in Aztec, Rapture and the Journeyer arent in any of these books... Well now u know....

This book is obviously not written by Gary Jennings himself but continued by his associates. It lacks the amazing vocabulary and the character development that was there in the previous sagas like Aztec, Aztec Rage, and Aztec Autumn. Its almost a cheap immitation of the previous work. The time period is still fascinating (newly explored in this book, the toltecs of 1000 AD) but still no where near the amazing work of its predecesors. Still a good book vs many other historical novels but not really Jennings at all.

I believe this book out does the previous two in the series, Aztec fire and Aztec Rage. I loved them all but this Apocalypse 2012 will take you from modern times with all our current world problems and neatly tie them to events that unfolded a millennium ago. The characters are interesting but as always the historical details of day to day living will make you feel you have lived the times of this book. Pick this book up and I guarantee you will not put it down until you reach the back cover. Happy reading.