Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

Honestly this one was a hard one for me to read, and that was really because it felt like I was reading a textbook. I already have issues reading textbooks for school – seriously how was I ever a good student is still a mystery to me – and when I saw the blurb for this one on Netgalley, I was hoping that it was going to be… I guess different from what I got.

One of the comments that I’ve heard from other reviews that I personally agreed with was the reasoning for including Chapter 2 in the novel. It didn’t follow our main character’s point of view, and honestly I felt like it was a totally separate short story from what the rest of the novel was about. That was also the chapter that felt the most like I was reading a textbook that tried to give some sort of human aspect to the history, but didn’t.

I will say that I can see how much research that Bodden did for this novel, and that’s probably why it felt like I was reading a textbook. It was an odd feeling if I’m quite honest, because while we hear about this book from Flower’s point of view, it still felt like she was just spitting out facts. I didn’t really get any emotion from it, and I honestly couldn’t tell if Flower really felt anything about what was happening to her or what she was experiencing, or if she was just a spectator. Which she shouldn’t have been just a spectator, since she was going to be the sacrifice for Moctezoma.

It personally wasn’t for me, but I think those that are interested in non-fiction novels about this time period may find it interesting, even though it’s technically a historical fiction novel.

Extremely brutal and gory, this was a difficult read for me. The realization that this was a brutal time in history helped me to finish. As historical fiction goes, there are not so many books set in the time of Moctezoma and Cortes, and this does set the stage for the tragedy that ensued.

Extremely raw and gritty descriptions of rites. This book is based on the Spanish conquest of Mexico which was ruled by the Aztecs.There are three story lines.The author did a great job with showing the other side of history.
Solid book.Extensive research.
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC

I chose Arrows of Fire because I enjoy historical fiction. I was particularly intrigued by the time period of the book. Set in the Americas during the reign of Montezuma, Arrows of Fire follows the lives of a peasant girl, Montezuma, and a European explorer. These three separate viewpoints kept the story flowing smoothly. Three different people with three different lives intersect in a time of great change in history. Through each character the reader can see how the "conquest" of the Americas changed so many lives in ways no one could have predicted.

Bodden chose her characters well. Each one brought out different emotions. I pitied young Flower when she was ripped from her family and cheered her determination. Through Montezuma, I saw the traditions and beliefs he embodied. Lastly, Cortez showed the arrogance of the Europeans. Convinced their way was the only way and the use of force to establish their reign in another world.

I will admit there were times when the story seemed to slow down. Overall, I enjoyed the ability to step into another time and witness history from a unique viewpoint.

A great novel from a turning point in central
American history. I look forward to reading more from this author.