A story of power, prophecy, and ancestral memory—Rise: The West Awakens blends magical realism, tradition, and Aztec mythology to reclaim story as resistance and remembrance.
Written by Ericka Carmona-Vega, this standalone novel is the first in a series reawakening the Aztec gods across time and space
Early praise:
Early blurb from Michael Zapata and Jac Jemc:
“RISE: The West Awakens is a work of power and corazón. The rebellious, loving, and richly drawn teenagers at the heart of this extraordinary debut YA novel, who are also nothing less than Aztec gods, offer us a vision of what is possible when we consider both the strength of our communal bonds and those of our shared and mighty ancestors. Ericka Carmona-Vega has gifted us with a fierce and transformative novel.”
—Michael Zapata, author of THE LOST BOOK OF ADANA MOREAU: A Novel
“RISE: The West Awakens is a story of parallel cultural moments that reveal the power and beauty of activism. It artfully uncovers the way layers of history coexist, merge and reignite over time. This book will absorb its readers absolutely and then release them energized and mobilized. A new masterpiece for audiences young and old, who believe in the possibilities the future holds.”
— Jac Jemc, author of THE GRIP OF IT and EMPTY THEATRE
Themes:
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Why it Matters:
This novel is part of the sacred work—an offering of story as medicine, memory, and movement. Fiction is how we remember who we are.
Where ancestral wisdom dances with today’s call for wholeness. Whether you’re here to deepen your leadership, ground your energy, or step into your sacred story, you’re in the right place.
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