Obsidian and Blood

paperback, 896 pages

Published June 26, 2012 by Angry Robot.

ISBN:
978-0-85766-236-1
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5 stars (1 review)

A massive fantasy omnibus containing all three novels in the Obsidian and Blood

SERVANT OF THE UNDERWORLD Year One-Knife, Tenochtitlan - the capital of the Aztecs. The end of the world is kept at bay only by the magic of human sacrifice. A priestess disappears from an empty room drenched in blood. Acatl, high priest, must find her, or break the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead.

HARBINGER OF THE STORM The year is Two House and the Mexica Empire teeters on the brink of destruction, lying vulnerable to the flesh-eating star-demons - and to the return of their creator, a malevolent goddess only held in check by the Protector God's power. The council is convening to choose a new emperor, but when a councilman is found dead, only Acatl, High Priest of the Dead, can solve the mystery.

MASTER OF THE HOUSE OF DARTS The …

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Review of 'Obsidian and Blood' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

De Bodard uses the tropes of a classic procedural mystery to take us through her fantasy Aztec world. Our protagonist investigates a murder, which proves to be the string that eventually unravels plots and machinations that extend far beyond the obvious fatality. Think Chandler or “Chinatown”.
Her vision of Aztec society is fascinating. The gods and monsters are all too real. Cruel beings which at their most compassionate must be bribed into allowing human existence. Sacrifices of blood and pain are necessities to ensure the survival of the world itself.
“Obsidian and Blood” is an omnibus collecting all three of her novels in this mythos, as well as some short stories. It is very very bloody and horrific at times. If that poses no problem, these books are highly recommended for readers looking for something outside the common faux European fantasy settings.