Customer Reviews

Aztec Rage

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Be very careful. This book is NOT written by Gary Jennings. He's dead. The new books don't have any of his flavor, not his witty writing. If you buy any of his REAL books you'll read a masterpiece.
* Aztec (1980) : A story of the Aztec empire just before and during the arrival of the Spanish.
* The Journeyer (1984) : An account of the travels of Marco Polo to the Far East.
* Spangle (1987) : A chronicle of the lives of carnival entertainers.
* Raptor (1992) : Thorn, a hermaphrodite, and his/her adventures in a post-Roman world.

My wife bought this book for me - and as I started to read it - several times I became confused - trying to figure out where, exactly, the book was headed.

It seems to me that the book, along with the main character, wanders - and switches from this to that. Leaving you wondering why exactly you're reading a story that seems to have no purpose.

You're supposed to be hearing the story as the main character recalls it - but then you are shown scenes apart from him - that do not involve him. You're given background and history about other characters - but again, how is he supposed to know this things - if they haven't told them to him (and in the story - they haven't).

The main character isn't very admirable either. He's not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. Despite claiming that he doesn't care about many things - he seems to have a lot of knowledge about them. He seems to have no control over his sex drive - and has to "bed" every attractive woman that crosses his path - all the while maintaining his "love and devotion" for some ideal woman who will never have him. Apparently an attractive woman with some nice perfume is all it takes to make him go love sick.

The love scenes in look like they were pulled out of a Harlequin romance - and make me feel like I'm reading some tawdry book that should have Fabio on the cover.

I'll probably finish it out of curiosity - but it'll be more of a chore than something enjoyable.

As other readers have expressed, this is based on Gary Jennings Aztec Triology, since the author was long dead when this book came out. Lacks most of Jennings research and creative flair, and focuses more on sexual exploits than storytelling. Jennings always explored the sexual aspects of his characters, but only to enhance the story, not focus on it. By the end of the book I found myself not caring about the protagonists fate, which is a bad sign. Read it if you have to, but don't expect the past greatness

"Aztec Rage" is my second favorite of the Aztec series next to the original. Done largely from notes Jennings left after his tragic death, it has a lighter tone than some of the other books in the series. I like the way it works in a lot of little know, later colonial history up to the beginnings of the Mexican revolution. The narrative follows the adventures of Don Juan de Zavala who loses his place as a caballero and has to make his way in the world as a lepero. It is very entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud literally!

Just like the other novels in the series, the research is extensive. The descriptions are incredible and very realistic. I enjoyed the added touch of humor that was somewhat missing after the first book in the series. I recommend this book in conjunction with the other books as one long read. It's worth it.

This book is just plain silly! While I enjoyed some of the historical aspects of it such as the exploration with Carlos and the information about the French occupation of Spain. I found the sexual exploits of Juan downright offensive. Not from a prudish standpoint, but as an adult, it was just so juvenile. Who wrote this book?!?! Seems to me, it was written by an adolescence boy who hasn't had an intimate relationship but has read too many Penthouse Letters.

The fourth installment of the Aztec series by Gary Jennings is wonderful. Though the co-authors wrote the novel from the notes of Jennings writtings, you could not tell the difference if he wrote the book or they did. The story revolves around Don Juan de Zavala and his many misadventures on the New and Old World. He loves many women, fights many battles, and gains an education that many would pay heavyily for. This book is STUNNING!

Not suprised by Jennings one bit....this book will keep you wanting more. You can tell he really does his homework before writing.

I actually loved this book. I acquired it randomly through my mom, because she knows that I like historical latin american culture and history.

I loved how it was just such an epic, traveling and wandering all over the place, meeting people, mixing in with historical events.

I have read only Aztec Rage and Aztec Autumn, and would say Rage is my favorite. I have just started Blood, so we will see where it goes.

Good, but not Gary Jennings....After reading and loving most everything Jennings wrote, I had to read this sort of sequel....

Superb Reprisal of Hidalgo/Independence Movement in Mexico--Following in footsteps of forebear, Gary Jennings' Trilogy (Aztec, Aztec Blood, Aztec Autumn), the Jennings Clan has continued the fourth in the accurate and pertinent historical time period of the North/Central Mejica (Anahuac)indigenous / colonial / independence era -- one could only hope to continue the quintology into the Southern (Cloud People/Chiapas) frontier of the latter day Zapatista/Sub-Commandante Marcos, BUT Commandante Ramona rebellion of Maya peoples in struggling for their own human rights as more than mere appendiges of the gauchupe/criollo hegemony of the North. Best Wishes to the Jennings Clan for more historo-drama to come!
Cheers from California (!Tierra Mexicana Occupada!)