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blakeandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had such high hopes for this book. A fantasy novel set in 16th century New Spain with Mexican history and Mesoamerican mythology?! Along with the stunning cover?? I had to know! Sadly, it didn’t live up to my hopes. The pace felt very confusing, and the plot holes made it even more difficult to follow. I also felt that the romance was… nonexistent? They had no compatibility or connection whatsoever that it felt forced. I will say I really enjoyed Leonora as the FMC, and I felt like she was definitely a badass that fit her role well.
I had such high hopes for this book. A fantasy novel set in 16th century New Spain with Mexican history and Mesoamerican mythology?! Along with the stunning cover?? I had to know! Sadly, it didn’t live up to my hopes. The pace felt very confusing, and the plot holes made it even more difficult to follow. I also felt that the romance was… nonexistent? They had no compatibility or connection whatsoever that it felt forced. I will say I really enjoyed Leonora as the FMC, and I felt like she was definitely a badass that fit her role well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death
khakipantsofsex's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, and Violence
belleanndthebook's review
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I want to very emphatically recommend this book to avid fantasy readers! We have all been sleeping on the goldmine of a historical setting that was historical Mexico with all of the politics between indigenous nations, the Spanish settlers, and Spain itself. Although the writing had its flaws at times, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend the overall story. I found the characters endearing in a “they’re flawed, and annoy me at times, but I also kinda vibe with their quirks” way. (And no, I don’t mean quirky as in code that nuerotypicals use for nuerodivergent, I just think that the characters’ backstories were often fairly complicated, and that lent itself towards each character having something about them that was extremely unique.)
I would really look forward to any other books in this series, and I think that I would have the potential to enjoy future installments more now that the multifaceted aspects of the world-building have been fully explained in the first book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Death, and Violence
Moderate: War
Minor: Colonisation
vexatiousbird's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was exactly what I wanted it to be. Vivid and heartfelt. A protagonist who struggles and doubts but perseveres for a higher cause. A little twist of romance that doesn’t get in the way of the plot. A more hopeful reimagining of a terrible time in history. Well written and hard to put down. I loved how the mythology was brought to life and explored in a new way.
My only complaint is Leonora’s brother- his character is a little too flat to have as big an impact on the resolution as he does in the end, and his part of the plot wrapped up too neatly and suddenly. I think there could have been another chapter or two to get there more realistically.
My only complaint is Leonora’s brother- his character is a little too flat to have as big an impact on the resolution as he does in the end, and his part of the plot wrapped up too neatly and suddenly. I think there could have been another chapter or two to get there more realistically.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
lisashelves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, War, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
jashanac's review
3.75
I'm leaning toward 4 stars still, but right now I'm going to go with the 3.75.
I REALLY loved the first 40% or so of this book. Then around the middle mark it started to get wonky for me and around 60% is when I feel like the plot and pacing got pretty muddled and clunky. In particular the mini quest that happens in the second half of the book... the pacing of that just felt really off to me.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed the mythology and just, this fantasy world that is entirely unique in the current adult fantasy market. More Latin American and South American mythology and fantasy, please!!!! There is so much THERE to pull from and create amazing stories from, and I really hope that the recent slight uptick in those kinds of stories getting attention from publishing is going to continue... !
I am intrigued by this story and will definitely be picking up the second book, because I think that this author has a solid foundation to build from and with some experience and practice the issues I had would be easily "fixed" and just, wouldn't be a problem in future installments probably. We shall see!
I did LOVE the characters, but I rarely LOVE characters -- I liked these characters well enough though. I felt more positively than negatively toward them and didn't just feel "meh" about that. I liked them and found them to be interesting in general.
I REALLY loved the first 40% or so of this book. Then around the middle mark it started to get wonky for me and around 60% is when I feel like the plot and pacing got pretty muddled and clunky. In particular the mini quest that happens in the second half of the book... the pacing of that just felt really off to me.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed the mythology and just, this fantasy world that is entirely unique in the current adult fantasy market. More Latin American and South American mythology and fantasy, please!!!! There is so much THERE to pull from and create amazing stories from, and I really hope that the recent slight uptick in those kinds of stories getting attention from publishing is going to continue... !
I am intrigued by this story and will definitely be picking up the second book, because I think that this author has a solid foundation to build from and with some experience and practice the issues I had would be easily "fixed" and just, wouldn't be a problem in future installments probably. We shall see!
I did LOVE the characters, but I rarely LOVE characters -- I liked these characters well enough though. I felt more positively than negatively toward them and didn't just feel "meh" about that. I liked them and found them to be interesting in general.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Violence
Moderate: Colonisation
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