De Bodard uses the tropes of a classic procedural mystery to
take us through her fantasy Aztec world.
Our protagonist investigates a murder, which proves to be the string
that eventually unravels plots and machinations that extend far beyond the
obvious fatality. Think Chandler or “Chinatown”.
Her vision of Aztec society is fascinating. The gods and monsters are all too real. Cruel beings which at their most
compassionate must be bribed into allowing human existence. Sacrifices of blood and pain are necessities
to ensure the survival of the world itself.
“Obsidian and Blood” is an omnibus collecting all three of
her novels in this mythos, as well as some short stories. It is very very bloody and horrific at
times. If that poses no problem, these
books are highly recommended for readers looking for something outside the
common faux European fantasy settings.
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