The New World of Martin Cortes is the story of a mestizo - a child of mixed race. Marton’s father was Hernan Cortes, the conquistador the conquered the Aztec city. His parents met when Malinche began translating for Hernan and later brought Martin into the world as an illegitimate child. Taken from his mother when still a baby, Martin was raised by his father’s relatives. He became a page in the Spanish court and later was a soldier in Spain’s army. His loyalty to Mexico was marred by his defiance of the ruling government, which culminated in his torture, exile and death far from his homeland.
Anna Lanyon has written a window into history during the tumultuous conflict between Spain and Mexico when a young man attempts to shake off his fathers shadow, deal with his legitimate half-brother and try desperately to fit into one of his parent’s worlds.
The New World of Martin Cortes is an exploration history and the age-old dilemma of a youth trying to fit in. Lanyon has created a well-structured story that combines historical accounts and a universal human-interest tale to hold the reader's attention until the last page. This is a must-read for those who love history and also those who just love a good story.