Meet the Gods of Sun and Sacrifice Step into the dazzling world of ancient Mesoamerica with this engaging and accessible guide to Aztec mythology. #1 New Release in Aztec History Explore the legends, gods, and cosmic cycles that defined one of the most powerful civilizations in the Americas.  Far from a dry academic text, Myths, Gods, and Rituals of Aztec Mythology brings these ancient stories to life with vivid detail and cultural insight. Readers are introduced to the core beliefs of the Aztec people, including their view of the cosmos, the importance of rituals, and their reverence for nature’s forces. Through simple yet powerful storytelling, Matthew Torres offers a beginner-friendly entry point into one of history’s most fascinating mythologies. Perfect for curious minds and first-time learners, this book breaks down complex Aztec myths with clarity and captivating storytelling. From the epic creation story of the Five Suns to the mythic journeys through the underworld, Torres makes it easy to understand how the Aztecs explained life, death, and the universe. You'll meet gods like Quetzalcoatl, Tezcatlipoca, and Huitzilopochtli, and explore their symbolic meanings and roles in Aztec society. With a strong sense of narrative and attention to historical context, this book connects the dots between myth, daily life, and cultural legacy. Inside, you’ll find: An easy-to-follow overview of major Aztec gods like Quetzalcoatl and Huitzilopochtli, plus underworld spirits, elemental deities, and cosmic forces. - Cultural context that brings myths to life, including the sacred Aztec calendar, rituals, and worldview of cyclical time. - Myths and beliefs reimagined for modern readers, from the epic Five Suns creation story to the spiritual meanings behind sacrifice and daily life. If you liked Native American Stories for Kids , Fifth Sun , or The Other Ancient Civilisations , you’ll love Myths, Gods, and Rituals of Aztec Mythology. “European myths are so prevalent, and often told in depth while given allowances to stretch the imagination. It’s long overdue for a book to do just that with the interesting and vibrant myths of the Aztec empire, and Matthew Torres is just the person to present it to us.” — Terry Blas , author of Reptil and Hotel Dare “Matthew Torres invites the reader to share his passion for Aztec mythology with wonder, astonishment, and playfulness.” — Kim Noonan, filmmaker Introduction “The truth is told best when it is told as a story.” —Hélène Elizabeth Louise Amélie Paula Dolores Poniatowska Amor Aztec myths were never meant to be read like history books. If this book was filled with the mythologies, as directly told like a textbook would, it would last only a few pages, and most stories would read as such: In the Era of the First Sun, Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca fought. Quetzalcoatl won. The End. Why did they fight? We don’t know. How did they fight? We don’t know. Where did they fight? We don’t know. But —we can speculate! And that’s exactly what this book will do. It will take history and mythology and add story through educated speculation. Why did they fight? Quetzalcoatl was the God of Justice, and Tezcatlipoca was being mean to the Giants (Yes, the Aztec had Giants). How did they fight? Tezcatlipoca carried with him the Smoking Mirror, an Obsidian Mirror seething with Magic. Quetzalcoatl had the power of an ancient Primordial deity coursing through his veins. Where did they fight? In the 13 Heavens, where the gods called their homes. Now, with context clues from mythology, we have a picture of two powerhouse gods fighting. A god of magic summoning forces of chaos to battle a gigantic feathered dragon-snake who breathes wind so powerful it obliterates whole forests. Two powerful forces fighting for the fate of the world, both believing they’re right, and with a cohesive narrative tying it all together. That’s what this book is, and what other books on Aztec mythology aren’t. See, it’s one thing to tell history, but it’s another thing entirely to make history entertaining. Trust me, I was a substitute teacher for years, and most of the videos I made as a content creator were about history. History can be made entertaining, and that is what this book is about. Aztec history, especially mythology, was passed down in fractured pieces. What little remains is filtered through colonial accounts, rewritten by friars, mistranslated by outsiders, and shaped by the trauma of conquest. For every surviving sentence, there are pages lost to fire, censorship, or forgetfulness. And while many modern historians seek to piece it back together, this book seeks something different: to breathe life back into those fragments. And let’s be honest: most mythology books are either academic and dry, or so loose with the facts they barely qualify as mythology. This book lives in the space between—rigorous in research, but imaginative in spirit. These are myths retold through a storyteller’s lens, with e