"Gods and aliens mix in Quetzalcoatl, a novel that gives Mesoamerican mythology a science-fiction twist.

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Sheonaid Kuchera’s epic novel Quetzalcoatl reimagines an ancient god as an alien observing and guiding humanity’s fate. Quetzalcoatl, who has gone by many names, wants to leave a record behind. Thus, he explains his time on Earth, where he was often treated as a god by human beings though, in actuality, he is part of an alien race conducting experiments on Earth. His early adventures include a move to South America, time spent among the Aztecs, and a decision to leave the region behind. His record is episodic and includes events as disparate as the fall of Atlantis, nuclear war, family battles, and human myths that are repackaged as part of the alien race’s plot.

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This first series entry follows the alien visitor’s experiences as god, explorer, and possible savior of humanity. Moving through the rise and fall of several civilizations, its brisk pace encompasses vast expanses of time and space. It also explores a bevy of often conflicting myths in a way that feels coherent. It includes set-up for the rest of the series as well, with Quetzalcoatl foretelling an eventual conflict between human beings and the aliens—part of a broader epic yet to take shape. In a book covering so many plotlines and adventures, the consistency of the story of Quetzalcoatl’s family is an anchoring force. Quetzalcoatl is a breathless fantasy novel that reimagines and humanizes a god’s story in terms of alien involvement on Earth."