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feministy's review
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is the revenge fantasy novel I never knew I wanted. Holy shit this was so good.
It's not like anything else that I've read before.
It's not like anything else that I've read before.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Murder, and Violence
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
You Dreamed Of Empires is probably one of the most surreal and unique reading experiences I’ve ever had. Transcending genres and literary conventions, Enrigue imagines an alternative version of what happened when Hernan Cortés and the conquistadores arrived in Tenochtitlan. I can’t fully describe how I feel about this book, but it was such an interesting read and there was a lot of subtle yet profound commentary about empires, religion and humanity.
In this book, Enrigue presents a subversive and complex reimagining of the Spanish conquest & the fall of the Aztec empire. It follows a broad cast of characters, from both the conquistadors perspective and Moctezuma and his court. To me, each character represented a different genre & character archetype and it was fun seeing how the author played with those elements to tell the story. There’s aspects of different genres from the old epic chivalric poems, political thrillers and literary fiction. Each character represents a different perspective on the events surrounding the fall of the Aztec empire and what could have happened instead. There’s interesting commentary about how we remember historical events depending on who is the victor and how so much is lost because of that.
I also really enjoyed the historical and cultural details of the Aztec’s way of life and I learned a lot about their culture and language.
This book was witty, nuanced and philosophical and while some of it went over my head, it was a thought-provoking read and I’m glad I picked it up.
In this book, Enrigue presents a subversive and complex reimagining of the Spanish conquest & the fall of the Aztec empire. It follows a broad cast of characters, from both the conquistadors perspective and Moctezuma and his court. To me, each character represented a different genre & character archetype and it was fun seeing how the author played with those elements to tell the story. There’s aspects of different genres from the old epic chivalric poems, political thrillers and literary fiction. Each character represents a different perspective on the events surrounding the fall of the Aztec empire and what could have happened instead. There’s interesting commentary about how we remember historical events depending on who is the victor and how so much is lost because of that.
I also really enjoyed the historical and cultural details of the Aztec’s way of life and I learned a lot about their culture and language.
This book was witty, nuanced and philosophical and while some of it went over my head, it was a thought-provoking read and I’m glad I picked it up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
hamohero's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I did quite enjoy the cheeky narration but I barely understood what was happening without the historical/literary knowledge along with the lack of punctuation, huge cast with multiple names, and the sudden shifts in setting/povs.
Also tw:mention of rape p111 and reference to said rape p129
Also tw:
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Drug use, Gore, Violence, War, Sexual violence, Blood, Murder, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Rape, Ableism, and Animal death
klabardee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Excrement and Sexism
theboricuabookworm's review
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I saw a review that called this book hallucinatory and that is incredibly accurate. Both in the actual uses and portrayals of hallucinogenic substances but also in a wonderfully vibrancy and vivid setting. I could genuinely picture the chinampas and soaring temples of Tenoxtitlan as well elaborate clothing and costuming of both parties. It was some of the most vivid storytelling I've ever experienced that attributed more to showing and not telling than one would think.
I have never had much interest in witnessing a fictionalized account of the arrival of the Spaniards in LatAm until I read this book. It is evident in every line the breadth of Enrigue's knowledge of the history but also his want to make this story a fictional one. Although the amount of quips and witty remarks I'm sure abounded during the conquistadores' time. This is a work of translation in more ways than one as we also follow Cortés's translators as they navigate Moctezuma's court as well.
Enrigue wrote an intensely grotesque, sometimes vulgar, all around ride of a speculative historic fiction that I don't think I'll ever do justice in describing. However it is a story I loved if only in how those that hail from a colonized place can appreciate letting our colonizers get their comeuppance.
cw: brief mentions of rape (on page and past occurance); colonization; violence; misogyny; gore; blood
I have never had much interest in witnessing a fictionalized account of the arrival of the Spaniards in LatAm until I read this book. It is evident in every line the breadth of Enrigue's knowledge of the history but also his want to make this story a fictional one. Although the amount of quips and witty remarks I'm sure abounded during the conquistadores' time. This is a work of translation in more ways than one as we also follow Cortés's translators as they navigate Moctezuma's court as well.
Enrigue wrote an intensely grotesque, sometimes vulgar, all around ride of a speculative historic fiction that I don't think I'll ever do justice in describing. However it is a story I loved if only in how those that hail from a colonized place can appreciate letting our colonizers get their comeuppance.
cw: brief mentions of rape (on page and past occurance); colonization; violence; misogyny; gore; blood
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, Drug abuse, and Gore
Minor: Rape
aleyajo's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Fascinating look at Tenochtitlán history and what could have been.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Death, Gore, Violence, Drug use, Addiction, Colonisation, Blood, and Drug abuse
30something_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Honestly, this was a fever-dream (in the best way possible.)
A hallucinogenic and fantastical rendering of Mexican colonial history.
I found that I best enjoyed this as a tandem read with the audiobook. It was very interesting to see the exclusion of quotation marks throughout the entire book but the narrator provided such great differentiation between characters during the dialogue.
A hallucinogenic and fantastical rendering of Mexican colonial history.
I found that I best enjoyed this as a tandem read with the audiobook. It was very interesting to see the exclusion of quotation marks throughout the entire book but the narrator provided such great differentiation between characters during the dialogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Drug use, Death, Colonisation, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
ritual sacrificetmdreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Full of political intrigue this beautifully written book paints the city of Tenochtitlan at contact with Spanish conquistadors. You dive deep into 1519 and learn so much about the people, and this city. The descriptions make me want to visit Mexico City to she if what remains of the vibrant pre-contact city. The bulk of the events occur in a day with some flashbacks that help provide rich character development. There is some surprising funny moments when the emperor is on shrooms. It’s a tangle of intrigue that is difficult to follow at times but if you are a fan of Historical Fiction you should pick up this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Minor: War, Cannibalism, and Violence
clynns's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Like taking mushrooms.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Torture, Pedophilia, Racism, Colonisation, Physical abuse, Excrement, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Slavery, War, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Rape, Terminal illness, Violence, and Xenophobia