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Yaotl, former priest but now a slave, is not enjoying himself. He has seriously displeased his master who has had him caged. Yaotl is unable to stand up or even to stretch himself. The cage is manifestly too small for him and even if it weren't, the sticks poked at him -- or the bag of ground thorns poured over him -- would not permit him to sleep comfortably. Lord Feathered in Black, his master, is so savagely dissatisfied with Yaotl that although he is prepared to sell his slave, it would only be to someone who wishes a sacrificial victim -- one who would be killed in the most excruciatingly painful manner possible. Fortunately, Tiger Lily, a woman who, at one time, was briefly his mistress, buys the slave, although she almost repents her purchase when she learns his cost. The fact that she was bidding against his brother does not serve to lessen her displeasure, either. Yaotl, Lily and Lily's father, Kindly, make their way to the city of Tetzcoco -- not the slave's preferred destination. Lily explains that they need to obtain a message from a merchant, Hare, which she is to take to Mother of Light, a royal concubine. Unfortunately, when they arrive at Hare's house, they discover a body and Lily is almost immediately arrested for the murder. Kindly retains a lawyer, Obsidian Tongue, to defend Lily and he and Yaotl, together with Nimble, Yaotl's son, return to Hare's house, where they find the corpse of Hare -- and a little Mayan girl. They do not speak the child's language so add her to the already augmented party. The city is riddled with spies since there are two claimants to the throne: Prince of Willows and Lord Maize Ear, because the former monarch, Hungry Child, had not appointed a successor before pining away after losing a lover. Yaotl's party find they are equally at risk from either side. This book is a true delight. If you have ever felt any curiosity about the history of the Aztec (or Mayan, for that matter) civilisation prior to the coming of the conquistadors, you could do far worse than to read this meticulously researched book. Not only does Simon Levack present the facts, some of which are decidedly unpalatable, about the old empire, he also tells a very good story to sweeten the pill of history. The only aspect of the story which the author confesses might be less than accurate, is the introduction of the lawyers. He has had to rely on surmise to construct that particular facet of the otherwise beautifully researched tale. The characterisations are particularly well done. Yaotl fairly leaps off the page, so convincingly is he drawn and Lily, Kindly and Nimble are equally persuasive. The implications of the advent of the conquistadors, too, are more than sufficient to hone the interest of the reader in subsequent books. While CITY OF SPIES is but one of the Aztec series, it is sufficiently stand alone to satisfy any reader.
Reviewed by Denise Pickles, March 2007
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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