neoteotihuacan's review against another edition
5.0
An extraordinary approach and synthesis. And a lot of fun to read, too. Really enjoyed this one. The stories are written in an approachable manner, like myths and history cast as bed time stories. Very much worth your time.
duchessofreadin's review against another edition
5.0
FANTASTIC! If you are interested in the myths and legends of any culture, this book should be at the top of your list!
David Bowles goes through the history of Mexico, reaching back to its furthest myths and bringing them all into one book - from their creation story through the conquest by the Conquistadors.
Mexico has some fascinating myths, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them. Through the pages of this book, I was able to travel through a country I have never visited, and gain some insights into their culture. From the beginnings, journeying through the land of the dead, and then of course the glorious heroes and heroines who fought to save their people - I could NOT put this book down!
Some of the stories held me a little more than some of the others, but this chronicle was well done. Told in chronological order, the rise and fall of each of the nations who roamed, cultivated and dwelt, and eventually fell is told. The gods are brought forth and explained in such a way, that a high school student who is looking to find information on this civilization would do well to start here.
Understanding the myths and legends behind each of the cultures of this world, is one way of unlocking who the people are today. Each culture, each country has their own legends to fall back on, but the mighty warriors of Mexico have been preserved, passed down from generation to generation.
Get to a bookstore and reserve your copy today! You will not be disappointed with this book at all! Easily broken down, this will allow for lighter reading, or for those who choose to power through, you can read through the entirety within four to five hours.
David Bowles goes through the history of Mexico, reaching back to its furthest myths and bringing them all into one book - from their creation story through the conquest by the Conquistadors.
Mexico has some fascinating myths, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading them. Through the pages of this book, I was able to travel through a country I have never visited, and gain some insights into their culture. From the beginnings, journeying through the land of the dead, and then of course the glorious heroes and heroines who fought to save their people - I could NOT put this book down!
Some of the stories held me a little more than some of the others, but this chronicle was well done. Told in chronological order, the rise and fall of each of the nations who roamed, cultivated and dwelt, and eventually fell is told. The gods are brought forth and explained in such a way, that a high school student who is looking to find information on this civilization would do well to start here.
Understanding the myths and legends behind each of the cultures of this world, is one way of unlocking who the people are today. Each culture, each country has their own legends to fall back on, but the mighty warriors of Mexico have been preserved, passed down from generation to generation.
Get to a bookstore and reserve your copy today! You will not be disappointed with this book at all! Easily broken down, this will allow for lighter reading, or for those who choose to power through, you can read through the entirety within four to five hours.
quicksilver's review against another edition
3.0
This was really advanced for something marked as YA. The most memorable chapter was about Citlalli, an origin story of La Llorona, if you will.
noskills's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Some creation myths come to us via the written word, bearing the weight of generations-deep culture, imbued with self-evident gravity. What to do then when texts are broken or destroyed due to colonial erasure? Bowles’ response is to pick up the pieces and create a new one. The resulting Feathered Serpent is a fascinating collage of indigenous stories from pre-Colombian Mexico, stitched together and rewritten in chronological order to tell a truly unique history of the world. A bold, richly researched epic that deserves a place among the classics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
amdame1's review against another edition
4.0
A comprehensive history and the myths of the culture of central america and mexico including the toltecs, maya, and aztecs. A much needed piece of culture and anthropology to balance out the overwhelming amount of mythology from Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Quite dense, though.
giuseppepepe's review
5.0
Interesting and great fun to read mexican and mesoamerican mythology in this concise style. Good imagery
avalinahsbooks's review
4.0
Read the full review (with GIFs!) here on my blog
This was a spectacular collection of myths - written in an easy to follow way, arranged chronologically, and truly epic enough to just read them casually, without the aim of education or research.
Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky is both a mythical creation story, as well as the history of the Mesoamerican tribes - much like The Old Testament is to the Jews. In that way, it's spectacular. I truly enjoyed the creation stories, as well as the earliest myths. The middle age stories of certain tribes rising to power I enjoyed less, as well as the Spanish conquest stories - those less so because it was just sad to read of these amazing nations being destroye and subjugated. But all of these stories are equally worth attention - especially if you have any heritage in those cultural regions.
Another thing I must mention was that I was pleasantly surprised to find so many amazing strong female heroines here! There are a lot, and I mean, A LOT of stories about strong women, fighter women, wise women - it's not a narrative that's present in Western mythology almost at all - so this was an incredibly pleasant surprise for me. Some of these stories I know I will remember for sure. One of the stories even teaches that being sexually passionate and free as a quality in a woman can absolutely walk along with a heart made of gold and purity of soul. Also not a narrative present in the Western stories at all. Which makes it all the more sad to know that these cultures were destroyed and replaced with our brilliant culture of muting, silencing, shaming.
And of course, my personal favorite? Where Lake Patzcuaro falls in love with a princess and she loves him back :)
I thank the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange to my review. It does not affect my opinion.
Read Post on Book Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
This was a spectacular collection of myths - written in an easy to follow way, arranged chronologically, and truly epic enough to just read them casually, without the aim of education or research.
Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky is both a mythical creation story, as well as the history of the Mesoamerican tribes - much like The Old Testament is to the Jews. In that way, it's spectacular. I truly enjoyed the creation stories, as well as the earliest myths. The middle age stories of certain tribes rising to power I enjoyed less, as well as the Spanish conquest stories - those less so because it was just sad to read of these amazing nations being destroye and subjugated. But all of these stories are equally worth attention - especially if you have any heritage in those cultural regions.
Another thing I must mention was that I was pleasantly surprised to find so many amazing strong female heroines here! There are a lot, and I mean, A LOT of stories about strong women, fighter women, wise women - it's not a narrative that's present in Western mythology almost at all - so this was an incredibly pleasant surprise for me. Some of these stories I know I will remember for sure. One of the stories even teaches that being sexually passionate and free as a quality in a woman can absolutely walk along with a heart made of gold and purity of soul. Also not a narrative present in the Western stories at all. Which makes it all the more sad to know that these cultures were destroyed and replaced with our brilliant culture of muting, silencing, shaming.
And of course, my personal favorite? Where Lake Patzcuaro falls in love with a princess and she loves him back :)
I thank the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange to my review. It does not affect my opinion.
Read Post on Book Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
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