Aztec

I am now fully engaged in Gary Jennings' captivating epic Aztec. This book has it all: blood (lots and lots and lots of it, both in war and in human sacrifices), sex, and more plot twists than you can shake a stick at.

The main character, Mixtli, is incredibly human, even more human than some people I know. I cringe when I call him a character, because after reading this book, he feels more like a friend. He makes mistakes, not stupid mistakes, but mistakes we would make if we were in his position. The people that he shares his life with are also noteworthy. Even Hernan Cortes isn't demonized here. The Spanish are noted as real people. As people with flaws, which are criticized with heavy doses of irony and sarcasm.

What makes this book incredible is that Jennings' seemingly first-hand knowledge of the culture, history, and the traditions of the Aztec people. It's like I was actually reading a non-fiction first person account of Mixtli's life.

This is a long book - 768 pages. But this is easily the most engrossing historical novel that I have ever read.