Book Review: Aztec Gold By Caridad Piñeiro
Title: Aztec Gold
Author: Caridad Pineiro
Publisher: Carina Press
Book Received For Review from Publisher via Netgalley
Blurb
Six months ago, Cynthia Guerrera’s lover and fellow archaeologist Rafael Santiago trekked into the Mexican jungle in search of one of the fabled Cities of Gold—and never emerged. Guilty over their parting, Cynthia won’t rest until she knows what happened. When the discovery of a conquistador’s journal corroborates Rafe’s intended path, Cynthia is determined to finally leave the safety of the museum to rescue him, despite the conquistador’s dire warnings, and her own traumatic past.
Arriving at a remote village deep in the jungle, Cynthia is both elated and angered to find Rafe alive. But he is far from well, having watched his team be decimated by a bloodthirsty demon-goddess. When Rafe reveals he has been gifted with supernatural powers—powers he plans to use to kill the beast and save his brother, still held captive in the temple—Cynthia must face her own inner demons to fight alongside the man she loves.
35,500 words
Review:
Ms. Piniero, is a good writer.
I enjoyed the mythology in Aztec Gold. Goddesses and native cultures, mixing with romance and adventure is a staple in this story. I love to read treks to find a love one. It’s putting someone in an unknown situation and watching what they encounter and what happens to them . It can be exciting and can change the life of all those experiencing it. This is the basis of Aztec Gold. The descriptions and interactions with their guide and people they meet along the way added to the story really well.
However, this story did not connect with me on an emotional level. The characters felt distant to me. I understood their plight and their reasoning, but it did not move me to root for them. The story was slow for me until they reached the temple. I loved the mythology of the greedy goddess.
The main issue was the book was so well written I didn’t feel emotionally attached. It feels like Ms. Piniero knows how to technically write well. Grammar is on point, sentences are to the point without wasting words, and the language was intelligent. What was lost in all the technically good writing was the fire, or flavor (I don’t know what other word to use) of the story.
The ending made it seem like we could see Rafe and Cynthia again on another adventure that seems promising. I would read Ms. Piniero again because the base of the story is really good.
However, if you want to read a story with great mythology give this a try.
Rating: 2/5 Stars