The Prince & the Coyote
In 1418, pre-Columbian Mexico, a young nobleman comes of age in a time of tremendous upheaval. The Mexican national hero, Nezahualcoyotl, a dreamer and poet as well as the crown prince of Tetzcoco (modern Texcoco), is sent to an elite school to learn the many duties of being a royal. His world is shattered when an uprising, led in part by his illegitimate half-brother, leads to the deaths of all Nezahualcoyotl’s family and sends Nezahualcoyotl himself into exile. Complex political strategy, military brilliance, and sheer stubborn determination to reclaim his throne keep Nezahualcoyotl going as he forges new alliances and fights for his rightful throne.
The world-building in this novel is exceptional. Bowles takes great pains to create a living, breathing world that appeals to modern readers. The labyrinthine politics involved in the relationships between the various city-states of Mexico at the time are fascinating. That aspect of the novel is certainly the strongest. The battle scenes, though sometimes feeling a little rushed, are exciting and detailed. Learning more about the weapons and battle tactics of this time was intriguing and made me want to learn more. Similarly, I appreciated learning about daily life for this region and time.
I have two minor quibbles: the book is marketed as a YA but, because of the complexity of the plot, it reads like an adult novel. Also, even though the story quickly grabbed my attention, I was almost undone by the names. While I appreciate, and usually insist upon, historical accuracy, this might be an instance where it would be acceptable to shorten some names to make this book more readable, even if it isn’t as technically accurate.
Overall, The Prince & the Coyote is a gripping, enjoyable epic through a largely overlooked period. Warmly recommended.
