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rowanhill's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Features:
- Gender bent retelling
- Indigenous mythology and folklore
- Realistic historical setting with a magical twist
The promise of a gender bent retelling of Zorro with a Mesoamerican twist drew me immediately to this book. Taking place around 20 years after the Conquest of Tenochtitlan, this book not only managed to immerse me in the culture and mythology of the region, but also provided an honest snapshot of a very dark and complicated period in Mexican history. The magic system introduced into this otherwise realistic historical setting was intriguing and really felt like it belonged. Unfortunately, the strength of the setting did not carry over to the characters of the book. I was looking forward to a more modern and complex exploration of a ‘Zorro’ character, but was left a little disappointed. I had a good time reading the book, but a mix of relatively flat characters and pacing issues makes it far from the perfect read for me.
Summary
Ever since the fall of Tenochtitlan, the Indigenous people of Mexico have suffered under the tyranny of Spanish rule. Things are only getting worse as the Spanish continue to tighten grip on the once powerful empire. Standing between her people and the brutality of the Spanish is the mysterious masked vigilante Pantera. A skilled warrior wielding ancient magic, Pantera represents everything the Spanish are trying to wipe out for good. Little does anyone know that behind the mask is Leonora de Las Casas Tlazohtzin, a noblewoman who might soon become the future queen of Spain. Balancing a double life only becomes more complicated as prophecies of the end of the world as they know it and her own early demise seem to be coming true. The powers of Leonora and Pantera alone might not be enough this time.
An Immersive Setting and Magic System
I have always been a sucker for a good historical setting and this book definitely delivers. Despite having some magical aspects, this feels like an accurate representation of 16th century Mexico and manages to be both sensitive to native cultures and unforgiving in its depiction of Spanish colonization. The cherry on top is definitely the magic system. Where not overly complicated, it melds so well into the mythos of the region and enhances the culture aspects being explored. My one complaint is that there are multiple times where Leonora ‘sets the stage’ through exhibition rather than allowing us to immerse in the setting more naturally. However, as someone previously unfamiliar with this slice of history, I found most of the information interesting and helpful rather than distracting.
Lackluster Characters and Uneven Pacing
In addition to being Pantera, Leonora is an individual of influence trapped between two worlds. She is mestizo (a person of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent), and though she is more connected to her indigenous culture, her life outside of being Pantera takes place amongst the Spanish elite. These aspects of her identity along with the time period opened the door for a really intriguing and complicated character. Unfortunately, I feel like almost none of these opportunities are taken. Though Leonora contemplates the various masks she must wear, it never seemed like there was an authentic and deep struggle to reconcile the various pieces of herself. I definitely think there were attempts to do so, but it just doesn’t come through for me. Unfortunately, there is even less development of the side characters and the somewhat stilted dialogue fails to create any sort of chemistry (positive or negative) amongst them.
This book is a debut novel and like many, it struggles with some pacing issues. There is fast paced action and high stakes as we enter the story, but then the story seems to come to an abrupt halt for the better part of the first half. I don’t mind a shift from high adrenaline action to the slow burn of political intrigue, but without proper development, it just falls flat. However, more than that I think it was the sense that Leonora/Pantera is just kind of floundering for quite awhile. Pantera comes across as somewhat clumsy in a way that goes beyond just compensating for an injury sustained at the beginning. Likewise, Leonora fails to come off as clever or savvy in the political world and I have a hard time believing that others would fall for her charade. Their respective failures make it difficult for either to find direction in this story and this, along with a little too much exposition, makes for odd pacing.
Overall
Overall, I had a good time reading this book and would recommend it to people I know would appreciate the vibes and overarching themes. However, it definitely has some flaws that could make or break the reading experience for some readers, so I would carefully consider these before investing in this read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Religious bigotry, Blood, and Racism
stevienotnicks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Do you ever find a book that gives you exactly what you had no idea what you were looking for?
Everything in Sun of Blood and Ruin happens along the backdrop of the Spanish colonization of Mexico. I loved how the author weaved in true history with her beautifully created interpretation of Mesoamerican mythology. She gave life to the deities we read about during the type of the Aztec and Mayan empires & showed the devastating effect of colonization on indigenous traditions & way of life.
The world building was near perfectly done. Instead of info dumping for pages like many fantasy authors are wont to do, Lares instead presents knowledge as dialogue or inner monologues. In this way, it doesn’t feel removed from the main storyline or slow down the pacing.
My only critique is with the ebb & flow of the overall story. Many interesting subplots were introduced only to never be mentioned again. Just as the story would seemingly be reaching its crescendo, the tension and excitement would plummet, staying unresolved while another plot line is explored. I felt a jolt of disconnection each time, but in truth, all of these subplots were so gripping that I was quickly appeased.
If you’re looking for a captivating, unique fantasy with lovable characters, political intrigue, and the always loved “chosen one” trope, this one will not let you down!
Everything in Sun of Blood and Ruin happens along the backdrop of the Spanish colonization of Mexico. I loved how the author weaved in true history with her beautifully created interpretation of Mesoamerican mythology. She gave life to the deities we read about during the type of the Aztec and Mayan empires & showed the devastating effect of colonization on indigenous traditions & way of life.
The world building was near perfectly done. Instead of info dumping for pages like many fantasy authors are wont to do, Lares instead presents knowledge as dialogue or inner monologues. In this way, it doesn’t feel removed from the main storyline or slow down the pacing.
My only critique is with the ebb & flow of the overall story. Many interesting subplots were introduced only to never be mentioned again. Just as the story would seemingly be reaching its crescendo, the tension and excitement would plummet, staying unresolved while another plot line is explored. I felt a jolt of disconnection each time, but in truth, all of these subplots were so gripping that I was quickly appeased.
If you’re looking for a captivating, unique fantasy with lovable characters, political intrigue, and the always loved “chosen one” trope, this one will not let you down!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Colonisation, and Racism
Moderate: Gore
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
madscientistcat's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The tempo and plot feel very young adult, though the violence is certainly not. The familiar plot with a beautiful overlay of indigenous Mexican religion and magic will be appealing to romantasy fans who are interested in a different perspective than the well-tread Eurocentric-style worlds. I appreciated Lares’s introduction and explanation and loved that she used Spanish and Nahuatl unabashedly and with no in-text clarifications.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Murder, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Misogyny
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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