Review: A perfect blend of creative writing, art, history and adventure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 29, 2012
In this by author Zoe Saadia - "The Highlander." We are introduced to the amazing people and the great civilizations in the valleys of Mesoamerica. The story is set around the ancient city of Texcoco, a major Acolhua City-state in the central Mexican plateau region situated on the eastern bank of Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico, to the Northeast of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.The Highlander is an exceptional tale about two young men from differing tribal-nations set in ancient Mexico. The story is a richly-developed, engrossing, and awe inspiring tale of evolving friendship & loyalty, combined with excellent romantic, dramatic, blood-curling, and exciting sub-plots throughout. This magnificent story combines expert in-depth knowledge by the author, with wonderful creative writing that not only makes the book a gripping read, but a fantastic way to learn about some of the richest yet, least know historical civilisations of our times.The two central characters in the story, Coyotl and Kuini first meet when they are young on a hill overlooking the Great Capital of the Acolhua people. The two young men forge their friendship and bond on this peaceful and beautiful hill however; their respective journeys and lives ahead are very different although always somehow closely related. The reader is drawn into their lives and consumed by the fantastic ancient names and equally fantastic supporting characters contained elsewhere in the story.The book has outstanding visual descriptions, allowing a reader of any age to travel through these ancient Mexican times and the lives of these two young men, as if they are sat right next to them, hearing their every word, and following their every adventure and progress in life. The young men share a love and lust for many things however; who seeks love and who lust power remains to be seen. The book entraps the readers in this incredible world and enables a vastly valuable historical culture to be taught in a most creative and inspiring manner.Nothing is predictable in this story, like Coyotl and Kuini, the supporting characters are all affected by the threat of an impending tribal-nation conflict, the outcome and consequences of this looming is hard to predict as the plot is filled with deceit and unpredictable developments. The only constant throughout the story is the two main characters quest to keep their nation-tribes safe from the challenge of the times.There is nothing one dimensional about this book, you will be totally absorbed by superb character names like Nezahualcoyotl, Iztac-Ayotl, or the incredible tribal-nation names like Tepanecs, Aztecs and Chichimecs to mention a few. The story is the perfect blend of creative writing, art and history told in a breathtakingly educational manner in my opinion. I found the book is exciting, emotional and fast-paced with the reader drawn in by the quality of the storyline, which is only surpassed by the quality of the writing. It was an immensely enjoyable read and contains a whole wealth of information about ancient Mexico woven throughout the story, which I loved.This book is powerful, it allows you to travel through the times and you will long remember the names, places and events long after you finish reading it.The author has created a marvellous book and is definitely a rising star! A not to miss read! You won't be disappointed!