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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pam Munoz Ryan is an incredible storyteller, but for me the fantasy SOLIMAR fell short. That said, for me ECHO was a tour de force, and the bar is set high. There are important themes --feminism and the view that a female was less able than a male; environment and the protection of the monarch butterfly; and the never ending conflict between good and evil. The plot , set in a castle in Mexico, is predictable, and somewhat slow, with the king's unscrupulous Minister and a greedy neighboring King who intends to conquer the kingdom. When Solimar visits a forbidden area of the forest and the butterflies rest on her rebozo, she is given the gift of being able to predict the future. One point of contention, for this reader, is that Solimar is 15, but she seems to behave on the younger side. With an uncomplicated plot, a castle and royalty, abuelas and healers, magic and monarch butterflies, and a bit of adventure, this title will appeal to many in the 4th-5th grades.
Thank you to Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for the digital arc.
Thank you to Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for the digital arc.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ARC Copy...the only compliant I would give is, the narrative/page count could have been longer to encompass the beautiful latin-spiced world building and colourful cast of characters. Good points on imagery.
Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs flutters into a world that feels like home, weaving Mexican culture, magic, and resilience into a story as rich as mole poblano. As someone with Spanish roots, I couldn’t help but feel a special connection—Solimar’s journey, much like the monarch butterflies, reflects themes of migration, transformation, and destiny, all deeply tied to our history. The book doesn’t just sprinkle in culture like tajín on a mango; it fully embraces it, from the magical rebozo to the spirit of community and tradition. With adventure, heart, and just the right amount of picante, this is a story that soars. But seriously—why must the books I really love be so short? I need more enchilada and less antojito!
Not Ryan’s beat, but enjoyable. I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was an excellent choice for Spanish, but she mispronounced multiple words and her sentences didn’t always flow properly-a mixed bag.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No