Harbinger of the Storm (Angry Robot) [Paperback]

Harbinger of the Storm is a complex murder mystery, spanning the everyday and the world of the gods. Set in Aztec culture, life is filled with danger as men struggle to gain power and favour from the menacing and unforgiving gods.

Despite his dislike of politics, Acatl is once again thrown into the midst of meddling high priests and scheming council members, of which he must decipher where the truth lies. Not trusting in politics or the men who dabble in it, Acatl is forced to fight for the future survival of the empire and put aside the ambitions and flaws of his counterparts. Although he doesn't undergo such a dramatic personal trial as he did facing the past death of his father in Servant of the Underworld, Acatl is forced to make an important but personal decision that could affect the entire empire.

One of my favourite characters is Teomitl, brother of Axayacatl and previous sidekick to Acatl. Having fallen in love with Mihmatini, Teomitl must face his brother and heir to the throne, Tizic-tzin, who is adamant that their relationship cannot continue. Being of low rank, Mihmatini, Acatl's sister, is deemed unworthy of being with Teomitl who will one day be heir apparent. With his patronage to Chalchiuhtlicue, Goddess of Lakes and Streams, Teomitl has become stronger and more powerful, and we see him bringing with her magical power throughout the story. He must not only learn to control his temper and rage, but must also put aside his own feelings and pride when he clashes with the ruler of Texcoco, Nezahual. Both are young and powerful, and I enjoy the interplay between the two as their personalities battle against each other.

I'm also really pleased to see Mihmatini become more involved in the story when she takes on an important role as Guardian of the Empire, which cements her relationship with Teomitl much to Tizoc-tzin's disgust. In a very male dominated cast and after the loss of the previous Guardian Ceyaxochitl, it is good to see another female take some of the limelight, however she certainly deserves more. She is an interesting character with her own strengths as a woman and as a budding priestess. I can't wait to see more of both her and Teomitl and how their relationship might blossom in the future.

Following on from its predecessor, Harbinger of the Storm encompasses an even greater cast of characters each with their own back stories and secrets, and it can often be confusing trying to remember who is priest of what and what each is hiding. Likewise the plot is made up of numerous twists, turns and subplots, which keep the pace fast and give a real sense of urgency to the story. It certainly left me guessing although slightly befuddled; this is not the kind of book where you could possibly predict what might happen at the end let alone in a chapters time, and it makes you feel as Acatl must - caught up in a whirlwind of mystery and intrigue.

Refreshingly new and different, Aliette de Bodard's series has built up an impressively real and spectacular backdrop filled with Aztec culture, mythology and deities. The fast pace and intrigue pull you into a captivating world, where the fury and vengeance of the gods can change everything and no one can be trusted. One can only imagine what might happen next in Master of the House of Darts, but you can guarantee it will be a stunningly fast and furious ride of Aztec proportions.

Rating: 3.5*

Another outing for Acatl, High Priest of the Dead in Tenochtitlan, the capital if the Mexica/Aztec world. This takes up the story begun in Servant of the Underworld, approximately one year later. Acatl is a little more secure in his job, though he still tries to avoid the politicking which the high priests of the other gods seem to revel in. Teomitl, the younger brother of the current Revered Speaker (emperor in all but name) has now taken up with Acatl's sister, much to the disgust of the heir presumptive, Tizoc, another of the Revered Speaker's brothers and names by him as his successor.

When the Revered Speaker dies - of natural causes as it was mentioned that he was ill in the previous book - the palace is thrown into an uproar. It should be simple, Tizoc has already been named heir, but the council has to ratify this and in the meantime with the deceased Speaker still not buried and Tizoc's place not confirmed Tenochtitlan is vulnerable to star demons and all manner of other supernatural threats. Only the confirmation of a new Revered Speaker can save them because the Speaker channels the power of the god Huitzilpochtli (the sun god) to protect the fifth world (this one).

If it were only political wranglings it wouldn't be so bad but someone is summoning star demons from inside the palace's protected precincts to kill council members - messily - and Acatl is trying to unravel the mystery, find the culprit and stop him (or her) without the help of the high priests of the other major gods - since they seem to be too busy sticking their oars into the political pool.

As with all good mysteries there are a number of suspects, all with motive and means, but when these are eliminated one by one, all that remains is the unthinkable.

Tizoc has no love for either Acatl or his sister and he's acting as though he's already wearing the turquoise, so even his brother Teomitl has to watch his step - not Teomitl's strong suit.

It's all change in Tenochtitlan. Acatl is involved whether he likes it or not and it may be that he has to solicit the help of a god to sort things out. Unfortunately not his own god.

This is that difficult middle novel of a trilogy but Ms de Bodard doesn't let the pace drop. Characterisation is excellent, but it's the setting that makes this trilogy stand out. The world is perfectly painted and as historically accurate as it can be - given that the magic is depicted as real and physical. The setting encompasses details both large and small, from the descriptions of Tenochtitlan - a world without metal technology (hence the fragile but obscenely sharp obsidian knives) - to the tiny details of eating newts. Sacrifices, animal and human, are a fact of everyday life and are all that keep the gods and Mother Earth appeased.

I've more or less overcome the strangeness of the Aztec names which provided speedbumps to a smooth story in the first book and I've started to recognise them as visual words - but I'd hate to have to pronounce them. I take my hat off to Ms de Bodard if she does readings from these books.

Highly recommended

Some days I feel like an Angry Robot fanboi. Who am I kidding? I am a huge fan. This book continues the great run of books they have released.
This is the second book in a series and I highly recommend reading Servant of the Underworld first.

I found the beginning of the first book a little too slow and hard to get into for my liking, but I was right there in the story from the first page of Harbinger. The main protagonist Acatl is the reluctant high priest of the dead and is part of a triumvirate of religious leader that advise the leaders of the Mexica empire. I thought about writing down more place names and character names in this review, but even though they have been shortened to enable easier reading they are still difficult to get your head around out of context. The politics and intrigue at court are anathema to Acatl and the one part of his job that he dislikes. The plot starts with the death of the Revered Speaker the ruler of the Triple Alliance. Add to that a supernatural plot that threatens to destroy the world and you start to get an idea of how difficult the job of finding the killers and saving the empire will be.

I am a simple man and usually like things quite simple, and lots of dialogue in my fiction. I shouldn't really like this book as there are a lot of big sections with little or no dialogue. It works though. The descriptions are simple and never seem too long, the dialogue always adds value, and the plot flows nicely. I didn't work out what was going on until I was told and this added to my enjoyment. I particularly love the way the capricious nature of the gods is portrayed.

If you want to read crime fiction in an interesting and vibrant historic setting this book will be right up your street. I am eager to reading the third book in this series, and will be downloading it as soon as I can.