Title: The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico
Author: Bernal Diaz del Castillo
Review: A first person account of Cortes' conquest of Mexico by a soldier who was there with him. This is the best and most complete account of the discovery of Mexico and its eventual conquest by Hernan Cortes.
The detailed account gives a staggering view into what must have been a harrowing and breathtaking journey and war.
Rating: 5
Genre: Non-fiction History
Title: Doppelganger
Author: Marie Brennan
Review: Mirage is a bounty hunter and Miryo is a witch apprentice. When Miryo attempts the tests that will make her a full witch, she is informed that she has a doppelganger that she must kill, if she is ever to attain her full powers as a witch. So she sets out to hunt Mirage, who knows nothing of the existence of her double. Mirage meanwhile is working on a commission from the witch council to discover an assassin. Soon their paths will collide! This was a fairly solid read, with an interesting premise, but I guessed pretty early on what the solution to their dilemma was, and it got boring watching the characters race around trying to discover the solution, when I already had. I may not bother with the sequel.
Rating: 2
Genre: Fantasy