Is eternal love just another fantasy?
In the most ancient times, Mexica males covet the rebellious Princess Iztac, as does Trickster God Tezcatlipoca who connives to steal her body and soul. After her suitor war-hero Popo dies in battle, she sickens, her ebony hair and skin foretelling an eternity of torture by star-demon Tzitzis.
Eons later in 15th century Texcoco, gardener-geek Menq conjures fantastical hybrids, dreaming of becoming a Grand Gardener. To win an apprenticeship, the shy teen discovers he must solve 3 Enigmas, using his wits and clever hybrids. But before the lunar eclipse, he must also re-materialize mystical Iztac back into his world!
To defeat the Trickster God before he extinguishes the Fifth Sun and ends humankind, Iztac must regain her empathy, and Menq overcome self-doubt, and solve the third and last Enigma. In their supernatural showdown, the teens merge their auras by imbibing forbidden flowers that bend space/time to straddle the Nepantla Otherworld. The gods reward their self-sacrifice with a never-to-end, unusual kind of love in glorious Tezcozinco Gardens.
Authors’ Insights about this novella
“The Obsidian Princess and the Grandest Gardener was a magical read, with a fresh feel and lore and setting that will be new to many. Readers will be captivated by the sweeping epoch- spanning storyline, the lovable naguals, and the unique plant magic practiced by Menq. The parallel-running storylines of Menq and Iztac build to a powerful crescendo that will stay with readers after they put the book down.
– José Pablo Iriarte, Nebula, Hugo, Sturgeon, and Locus Award-nominated author of fantasy and science fiction. MG novel Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed by Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024.
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“Oh my, I LOVED this book. This is my history, too! A magical and evocative tale about our antepasados (ancestors) and an unknown era of history.”
– Aimée Medina Carr, award-winning author of River of Love and the International Latino Book Awards
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"Garcia immerses the reader into the world of ancient Mesoamerican Gods, myths and magic in this modern retelling of the Popcatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl myth, popularized by Mexico City’s iconic volcano.
Will the God Tezcatlipoca’s efforts to end humankind by bringing about an end to the Fifth Sun prevail? Or will the unexpected encounter between a Mexica princess and a lowly gardener, and the magical showdown that ensues, bring about a miraculous rebirth for both?
Carefully rooted in deep knowledge of both history and myth, Garcia’s storytelling is at once engaging and metaphoric of the human experience.”
– Jesús Salvador Treviño, Television Director, and author of The Fabulous Sinkhole and Other Stories
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"A mind-blasting fantasy adventure that bridges the gap between MesoAmerican mythology and modern pop culture. Fun for everybody and their nagual.”
– Ernest Hogan, SF author of cult classics High Aztech and Cortez on Jupiter
Readers’ Comments
FWIW, the characters have stayed in my head for weeks after I finished reading it.” – an anonymous reader
Foreword
To readers, their family, and instructors:
This historical fantasy is based on the history, cultures, and languages of the peoples of the Valley of the Anahuac, as well as I understand it. Now called the Valley of Mexico, its most famous tribe was the Mexica, often referred to as the Aztecs. I sought to accurately portray those peoples and be considerate of their beliefs.
My family history claims we’re descended from "un indio who owned a silver mine" in Northern Mexico and would've been royalty from a Valley tribe, but I have no evidence of this.
To help you enjoy a Mexica tale, I used Mexica terms to set you in their world but tried to make their meanings clear within the story. Also, I used my artistic license to help non-Nahuatl speakers, like me, read the tale more easily.
Nearly everything about Valley life--except for some of my magic--is historically true, to the best of our knowledge. Prince Nezahualcoyotl was as gifted as in the story, something all of us should learn about since this wondrous civilization thrived only a couple of thousand miles south, on our own continent.
I decided to publish this book myself, after muchísmos attempts with traditional book publishers and literary agents. My dream is to: Hold my books in my hand. Autograph and hand them over or gift them to readers. Discover what gente think of my prose, plots, and characters. So, I’m nothing special.
I am special in that I could afford to publish this, only because of the assistance of my wife Carmen, my daughter Marika and son Michael and his wife Margaret. To raise some things, it takes avillage with un poco de dinero.
I don’t include a lexicon since I am not a scholar of ancient Mexico’s languages, although I’ve read and learned mucho. After all, this is a work of fantasy.
Gracias,
R. Ch. Garcia
Ordering info:
Book Launch Party: Sat. Dec. 7th, 2024 • 12:00–3:00pm
Location: Pinwheel Coffee, 3659 Navajo, Northside Denver, Aztlán, Colorado
Author: R. Ch. Garcia
ISBN 979834203729
published 2024, USA
pre-orders available now from your fave indie bookstore & online
200pp Price: $10 [cheap] + postage/tax
Garcia is available for joint YA or spec fiction or Chicano/Indigenous author signings/book readings at any indie bookstore, school, NGO or community group in nearby Colorado locations, no charge.