The Making of an Aztec Mythology By Tricia Copeland
Mexican American Matt Maes and I met at a networking for creatives online meetup. I was instantly drawn to his creative mission and looked up his work. What I found amazed me. His series of art pieces depicting goddesses resonated with my passion for creating strong female characters. I connected with him, and we met one on one. In our first chat we talked about a collaborative project and decided to meet again. In our second chat Matt suggested producing an illustrated book. This idea excited me, and we began working right away.
He wanted to explore a character that drew from his Mexican heritage and had the name Azreya stuck in his head. After some research, and upon finding that Azreya had Latino roots, I created Azreya’s character and the beginning of her story. Azreya became an Aztec girl born on the eve of the winter solstice. Azreya had golden eyes, a color very odd for an Aztec baby, and a birthmark on her left hand. Her parents believed she was cursed by the god Tepeyollotl, the Aztec Lord of Darkness. Matt read initial drafts of Azreya’s story and helped shape her reactions to the challenges she faced.
Matt and I researched the Aztec culture, religion, language, and society to ensure that the book accurately represented how the Aztecs lived, what they ate, how their society worked, what children did, their government organization, religion, buildings, roads, tools, weapons, and trade practices. We incorporated many words from the Aztec Nahuatl language and included a glossary of Nahuatl terms, as well as a map of the Aztec Empire, in the finished book.
As the story evolved, Matt and I collaborated on which scenes in the book should be illustrated. He initially hand sketched drawings that matched the characteristics of the Aztec people, their dress, weaponry, and style of building. After hand sketching the drawings, he created digital images and added color to the drawings. In addition to serving as illustrations, these drawings helped create covers for the book. For art lovers and budding artists, we included all his initial sketches in the paperback and hardcover versions of the publication.
Azreya, Aztec Priestess earned a 5* rating and Bronze Award from the Readers’ Choice Book Awards in 2022. The reviewer wrote: “Azreya, Aztec Priestess, by author Tricia Copeland is an engrossing chapter book for middle grade readers based on Aztec mysticism and mythology. The book is told from Azreya’s perspective, a young girl born with special gifts and extraordinary powers. The book follows her journey from birth to her teenage years, as she is torn from her family and forced to live with a shaman who exploits her for his own personal gain. It is a journey of courage, self-discovery, and emancipation, as Azreya fights for her life and her people. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and the illustrations by Matt Maes are divine.”
Matt and I have attended several book and art events, reading chapters from Azreya and talking about this special collaboration. We love the book and friendship that grew from its creation. Azreya is a book not only for middle grade readers, but also for young adult and adult readers that love history, mythology, legends, and a little bit of paranormal fantasy as well.
Happy reading,
Tricia Copeland, Author
ABOUT TRICIA:
Tricia believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles from contemporary romance and fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.
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“A young Aztec girl's journey of courage, self-discovery and emancipation. … A fascinating and engaging book about Aztec mythology.” – 5* Readers’ Choice Book Awards
For years, Azreya accepts her place as one cursed by the gods, but with foresight of an impending slaughter, she dares to attempt to reverse the Aztec people’s fate.
At the age of three, Azreya is placed in the care of a shaman, Nukpana, who promises to protect her. Servitude to the man who vowed to keep her dark side from emerging seemed a small price to pay until a special client visits. Azreya’s inner compass clashes with Nukpana’s wishes and her rage boils over.
With the demon just under the surface, she has no choice but to flee, only to find her own family refuses to take her in. Still unable to stand by and witness her people’s demise, Azreya pursues a quest to enlighten them. She faces many challenges—not the least of which is the monster hiding under her own skin.
Can Azreya control her inner beast and convince her people to break from age-old patterns, or will the Aztecs be vanquished by the enemy?
Embrace your inner strength in Azreya, Aztec Priestess!
