The Prince & the Coyote - by David Bowles (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Fifteen-year old crown prince Acolmiztli wants nothing more than to see his city-state of Tetzcoco thrive. A singer, poet, and burgeoning philosophical mind, he has big plans about infrastructure projects and cultural initiatives that will bring honor to his family and help his people flourish. But the two sides of his family, the kingdoms of Mexico and Acolhuacan, have been at war his entire life - after his father risked the wrath of the Tepanec emperor to win his mother's love. When a power struggle leaves his father dead and his mother and siblings in exile, Acolmiztli must run for his life, seeking refuge in the wilderness. After a coyote helps him find his way in the wild, he takes on a new name - Nezahualcoyotl, or "fasting coyote" ("Neza" for short). Biding his time until he can form new alliances and reconnect with his family, Neza goes undercover, and falls in love with a commoner girl, Sekalli. Can Neza survive his plotting uncles' scheme to wipe out his line for good? Will the empire he dreams of in Tetzcoco ever come to life? And is he willing to risk the lives of those he loves in the process? This action-packed tale blends prose and poetry - including translations of surviving poems by Nezahualcoytl himself, translated from classical Nahuatl by the author. And the book is packed with queer rep - queer love stories, and a thoughtful of pre-Columbian understandings of gender that defy the contemporary Western gender binary."-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

PURA BELPRÉ HONOR WINNER

BOOKPAGE TOP 10 BEST BOOK OF 2023
KIRKUS BEST OF THE YEAR

Mexico. 1418.

Meet Prince Acolmiztli. Puma of the Acolhua People. Heir to his father's throne. Half Acolhuan, half Mexica. Singer. Warrior. Poet. Sixteen years old.

And now, betrayed. A palace plot, placed by the deadly Tepaneca Empire, kills his mother and siblings, puts his father's army into retreat, and sends Prince Acolmiztli into a treacherous exile. Battling hunger, snow-swept mountains, and the machinations of the city-states all around him, Prince Acolmiztli vows revenge. It will take years, but he will return to seek justice. And he'll do it with a new name:

Nezahualcoyotl. Fasting Coyote. One of the most legendary figures in history.

From the award-winning David Bowles comes a heart-pounding historical epic that is Gladiator meets the Song of Achilles -- The Count of Monte Cristo set in pre-Columbian Mexico. Illustrated throughout gorgeously by Amanda Mijangos, The Prince & the Coyote brings to life one of Mexico's most treasured heroes - Nezahualcoyotl - in a story that will thrill readers far and wide.

P R A I S E

★ "Riveting...A maelstrom of oscillating joy and tragedy."
--Kirkus (starred)

★ "Bowles adeptly crafts a complex, multi-format, and genre-bending novel for teens."
--School Library Journal (starred)

★ "Weaving history and fiction together, David Bowles fashions a rich story of political intrigue, ferocious battles, beautiful landscapes and the enduring hope of humanity."
--BookPage (starred)

"The pre-Columbian world comes brilliantly alive... Striking four-color illustrations by Amanda Mijangos enhance the sense that this is a glimpse into a complex world as it once existed."
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Once again, Bowles expertly builds on Nahuatl heritage through the historical life of the sapient Acolmiztli (Nezahualcoyotl)."
--Booklist

"Sophisticated... Bowles's immersive prose makes this a mature novel that never shies away from the ferocious realities of war and death."
--Publishers Weekly

"A stunning historical epic set in pre-Columbian Mexico based on the life of Nezahualcoyotl. Not only are there beautiful illustrations from Amanda Mijangos, but David Bowles incorporates Nezahualcoyotl's surviving poetry into the novel as well. The Prince and the Coyote is a rich and layered story about one of the Americas' greatest heroes. I was mesmerized from beginning to end!"
--Jen Steele, Boswell Book Company

Review Quotes

"A gripping, enjoyable epic through a largely overlooked period." -- Historical Novels Review

"A stunning, historical epic set in pre-Columbian Mexico based on the life of Nezahualcoyotl. Not only are there beautiful illustrations from Amanda Mijangos, but David Bowles incorporates Nezahualcoyotl's surviving poetry into the novel as well. The Prince and the Coyote is a rich and layered story about one of the Americas' greatest heroes. I was mesmerized from beginning to end!" -- Jen Steele, Boswell Book Company

"Teenaged Acolmiztli lives in pre-Columbian Mexico in the year 1418 and, for one so young, carries unfathomable burdens. Filled with grief and anxiety, Acolmiztli goes on a quest, seeking refuge, developing new friendships, and learning to heal from the trauma. Once again, Bowles expertly builds on Nahuatl heritage through the historical life of the sapient Acolmiztli (Nezahualcoyotl)." -- Booklist

"The pre-Columbian world comes brilliantly alive... Striking four-color illustrations by Amanda Mijangos enhance the sense that this is a glimpse into a complex world as it once existed." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

[STAR] "Bowles adeptly crafts a complex, multi-format, and genre-bending novel for teens."-- School Library Journal (starred)

[STAR] "Weaving history and fiction together, David Bowles fashions a rich story of political intrigue, ferocious battles, beautiful landscapes and the enduring hope of humanity."-- BookPage (starred)

"Sophisticated... Bowles's immersive prose makes this a mature novel that never shies away from the ferocious realities of war and death." -- Publishers Weekly

[STAR] "Riveting." - Kirkus Reviews (starred)

About the Author

David Bowles is a Mexican American author and translator from South Texas. Among his multiple award-winning titles are The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas; Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico; Flower, Song, Dance: Aztec and Maya Poetry; and Ancient Night. David presently serves as the vice-president of the Texas Institute of Letters.

Amanda Mijangos was born in Mexico City, graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, and studied illustration in Mexico and Buenos Aires. She has illustrated literature and poetry in books and magazines for people of all ages and gives drawing and illustration workshops for all audiences. Her work has been recognized with awards from countries near and far. This her third book for Levine Querido, following The Sea-Ringed World and Sheep Count Flowers.