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Loading... Harbinger of the Storm (Obsidian and Blood) (edition 2017)by Aliette de Bodard (Author)
Work InformationHarbinger of the Storm by Aliette de Bodard
   No current Talk conversations about this book.   ) quondame | Oct 20, 2018 |  I read this over the course of several nights and so my memories of it are kind of choppy; this is not a proper review. In addition to Acatl we revisit several characters from the first book, but his family doesn't play the central role that it did there. And Acatl is much less introspective and more caught up in the external issues. He seems to have come to grips with who he is and his self-worth, which was a relief. The gods play a much more prominent role in this story. We have the specter of the world ending again, but the way it comes about is different, and we get plenty of political intrigue (among the humans and among the gods). It's a complicated plot, but it's not difficult to follow. What I liked: Acatl continues to be a great protagonist. He's not a Hero type, he's more the Reluctant Primary Character, but without all the schmoopy agonizing that dominated earlier. His relationship with his noble apprentice, Teomitl, is nicely portrayed, and we get a new younger character who is more complex than he at first seems. That's true of everyone, actually; almost all the characters are complicated and if not morally ambiguous, at least very comfortable in the grey zones. What I didn't like: this is a very, very male-dominated storyline, unlike the first book. There are maybe four female characters, some of whom are pivotal to the story, but none of whom are on page for very long. They're interesting, but they feel like supporting players to the War Among The Men. Acatl's sister, in particular, appears and then disappears when the action heats up. Given she seems totally able to take care of herself and help the cause, I hated that the narrative let the men send her away for her own good without calling them on it. I'm hoping she gets a starring role in the third book. There is lots of blood sacrifice in this one, as there was in the first. And not just less-appealing creatures like newts. I don't recommend this for people who can't tolerate animals being harmed. It's appropriate and not sensationalized, but it's right there on page. For everyone else, I recommend the series. 1  Sunita_p | Mar 5, 2016 | I JUST finished "Harbinger of the storm" a few minutes ago. While, I found " Servant of the Underworld" to be a more immersing read; I still really enjoyed "Harbinger of the storm". I can't wait for more of my favorite Aztec's adventures! (  ) elfie1980 | Jul 2, 2014 | I JUST finished "Harbinger of the storm" a few minutes ago. While, I found " Servant of the Underworld" to be a more immersing read; I still really enjoyed "Harbinger of the storm". I can't wait for more of my favorite Aztec's adventures! ( ) elfie1980 | Jul 2, 2014 |  ) sben | Feb 11, 2014 |
 This novel is a wonderful portrait of a left-brain thinker—a follower of processes, one who understands the reality of hard facts—confronting the impossible world of people, of those who place a greater emphasis on relationships and beliefs. Belongs to SeriesIs contained in
Fantasy.
Fiction.
Historical Fiction.
HTML:The second book in the critically acclaimed Obsidian and Blood trilogy: The year is Two House, and the Emperor of the Mexica has just died. The protections he afforded the Empire are crumbling, and the way lies wide open to the flesh-eating star-demons—and to the return of their creator, a malevolent goddess only held in check by the War God's power. The council should convene to choose a new Emperor, but they are too busy plotting against each other. And then someone starts summoning star-demons within the palace, to kill councilmen... Acatl, High Priest of the Dead, must find the culprit before everything is torn apart. REVIEWS: 'Political intrigue and rivalry among a complex pantheon of divinities drive this well-paced murder mystery set at the height of the Aztec Empire in the late 15th century. De Bodard reintroduces the series hero Acatl, high priest of the dead, immediately following the death of the Tenochtitlan leader. One of the council members in charge of choosing a successor has been brutally murdered in what looks like an attempt to influence the decision. But the deaths continue and the political situation grows more complex, while the empire looks to be increasingly at risk of invasion by malignant powers. Acatl must go face-to-face with the most powerful god in his world and put the good of the empire above his antipathy for is rivals to achieve the uneasy succession. De Bodard incorporates historical fact with great ease and manages the rare feat of explaining complex culture and political system without lecturing or boring the reader.' —Publishers Weekly 'Another thing that intrigues me here is the whole fact that historically we know that the real empire died out mysteriously and completely and as such there is always that thought in the back of my mind that the author could choose to bring about the end of days. That highlighted sense of possible doom is something that is missing from too many novels. The way the story is told in this book is very impressive, the plot is both mature and seductive, twisting and turning like a weather vane in a force 9 gale while the action is both bloodthirsty and imaginative. The world building is fantastic and we get to learn even more of this rich culture and the many gods and creatures of the dark. I really can't fault this book at all and recommend it to one and all but if you haven't yet read Servant of the Underworld I suggest that you get them both and read them in order, you won't be disappointed.' —SF Book Reviews 'Bodard's writing is polished and striking, as she convincingly fills in the colorful elements of the Aztec culture–even if those colors tend to be of blood and bile as well as flowers and hummingbirds... beautiful, grimy, breathtaking, and morbid. 5*' —Examiner 'Aliette de Bodard has done it again. Harbinger of the Storm is an action packed Aztec mystery opera with magic, interventions from the gods and more twists and turns than the first book. It even has a love story with amusing snippets here and there... The story is self contained and can be enjoyed standalone, but you will not want to miss out on the first. I wish it was 2012 already even if the world is going under while I read the final Obsidian & Blood.' —Cybermage. No library descriptions found. 
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