Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were so interesting and complex, my personal favourite was Metztli she was so relatable and well balanced. I also really loved the way that sibling bonds were portrayed in this book, I think Amilea did an amazing job at describing what it is to have a sibling. I really loved her writing as well, it was easy to read but so beautiful and addictive. Everything about this world was so well written from the culture to the gods to the divide, I enjoyed every moment of learning about this world. The ending had me absolutely gagged, the last 100 pages I was permanently on the edge. I’m excited to see where this story goes next!
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ɪ ʀᴇꜰʀᴀɪɴ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴘʀᴏᴠɪᴅɪɴɢ ꜱᴛᴀʀ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡꜱ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀʟʟ ᴍʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡꜱ.
Thank you to the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read this book, hearing that it had trials and Aztec mythology. I love the sibling relationship, relationship with their parents, and the mythology. However, the pacing of this book wasn’t for me. It was slow, hyper focused on the relationship between the sibling and with a lot of info being poured into the first 60% of the book. The tournament didn’t happen until the last 40% and I found it difficult to remain engaged or feel connected to the other characters. I think there could be more character development through their interactions and dynamics. Maybe less telling us, and less of the sibling but weaving in engagement with one another.
An ambitious debut and I am curious to see how the writing grows and to see how the prophecy pans out with Metzcli.
Thank you to the author for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read this book, hearing that it had trials and Aztec mythology. I love the sibling relationship, relationship with their parents, and the mythology. However, the pacing of this book wasn’t for me. It was slow, hyper focused on the relationship between the sibling and with a lot of info being poured into the first 60% of the book. The tournament didn’t happen until the last 40% and I found it difficult to remain engaged or feel connected to the other characters. I think there could be more character development through their interactions and dynamics. Maybe less telling us, and less of the sibling but weaving in engagement with one another.
An ambitious debut and I am curious to see how the writing grows and to see how the prophecy pans out with Metzcli.
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The elevator pitch of the book is that it's a The Hunger Games × Aztec Mythology mash-up that follows two siblings who have been raised to compete in a fight-to-the-death tournament.
The book delivers really well on establishing the bond between the two siblings, Metztli and Acalan. It's clear that they are incredibly close and would do anything for each other and their family - including a willingness to sacrifice themselves for the other. Acalan is the golden retriever brother to Metztli's black cat sister, and their dynamic is just so good.
The Tournament itself is unfortunately not as prominent a part of the narrative as I would have liked to see. It was quite some time before we actually get to see the siblings and the other heirs in "action" in the tournament, and then it was over comparatively quick. I personally would have really enjoyed getting to the tournament earlier in the story, and then drawing it out with more conflicts and interactions between the Heirs.
The world-building was what comprised the bulk of the narrative, and that's what contributed to the slower pace in the first half of the book. Some of the elements felt repetitive and made it feel at times like the plot wasn't progressing much. The Aztec Mythology and cultural elements that were included were great, and I just wish there had been more. But it does seem promising that the gods will feature more in future books!
The romance is very much the sprinkling the author describes it as. It just makes the book more of a fantasy than a romantasy. The two romances are definitely subplots and not the main focus, and one is a rivals-to-lovers while the other is an insta-love/love at first sight romance.
Overall, The Tournament of Heirs is a promising debut (that ends with a big twist and cliffhanger, by the way!), and I'm excited to see how the author continues the story and grows in her storytelling.
The book delivers really well on establishing the bond between the two siblings, Metztli and Acalan. It's clear that they are incredibly close and would do anything for each other and their family - including a willingness to sacrifice themselves for the other. Acalan is the golden retriever brother to Metztli's black cat sister, and their dynamic is just so good.
The Tournament itself is unfortunately not as prominent a part of the narrative as I would have liked to see. It was quite some time before we actually get to see the siblings and the other heirs in "action" in the tournament, and then it was over comparatively quick. I personally would have really enjoyed getting to the tournament earlier in the story, and then drawing it out with more conflicts and interactions between the Heirs.
The world-building was what comprised the bulk of the narrative, and that's what contributed to the slower pace in the first half of the book. Some of the elements felt repetitive and made it feel at times like the plot wasn't progressing much. The Aztec Mythology and cultural elements that were included were great, and I just wish there had been more. But it does seem promising that the gods will feature more in future books!
The romance is very much the sprinkling the author describes it as. It just makes the book more of a fantasy than a romantasy. The two romances are definitely subplots and not the main focus, and one is a rivals-to-lovers while the other is an insta-love/love at first sight romance.
Overall, The Tournament of Heirs is a promising debut (that ends with a big twist and cliffhanger, by the way!), and I'm excited to see how the author continues the story and grows in her storytelling.
This book surprised me! By the time I finished reading I could not stop thinking about it. We get A LOT of background in the beginning so it’s a slow build up to the actual tournament but man is it worth the wait 🙌🏼 A great combination of lore, romance and action.
The bond between our two MC’s, Metztli and Acalan is beautiful. Amilea does an incredible job depicting what it’s like to have a complex relationship with your sibling. The Aztec culture was perfect for this. It really set the stage for the tournament origins and solidifying the plot.
There were some unexpected twists and some I anticipated that still got me 😭 and the enemies to lovers here 😮💨😮💨😮💨 ALSO THAT ENDING EXCUSE ME 👀 I cannot wait to see what book 2 brings!
The bond between our two MC’s, Metztli and Acalan is beautiful. Amilea does an incredible job depicting what it’s like to have a complex relationship with your sibling. The Aztec culture was perfect for this. It really set the stage for the tournament origins and solidifying the plot.
There were some unexpected twists and some I anticipated that still got me 😭 and the enemies to lovers here 😮💨😮💨😮💨 ALSO THAT ENDING EXCUSE ME 👀 I cannot wait to see what book 2 brings!
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Wow. All I can say is that I am shooketh to the core. Never had I dared to hope for a heroine as badass as Metzli Amos. She's more than we deserve and when you add in her brother, Acalan and her hot, cocky, mortal enemy, Necalli Cruz, it's a dynamite cast.
For those of you that loved YA novels like The Hunger Games but couldn't stand Katniss' woebegone monologuing, The Tournament of Heirs is the book you've been waiting for.
The first half of the book does drag on more than I'd like, but there's a lot to set up and once the tournament begins, the pace picks up right away. Any book that is based around the Aztec culture and pantheon has my immediate interest, and Amilea Perez has delivered a novel that made me swoon, gasp, swear and even tear up a little.
I feel so lucky to have been able to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For those of you that loved YA novels like The Hunger Games but couldn't stand Katniss' woebegone monologuing, The Tournament of Heirs is the book you've been waiting for.
The first half of the book does drag on more than I'd like, but there's a lot to set up and once the tournament begins, the pace picks up right away. Any book that is based around the Aztec culture and pantheon has my immediate interest, and Amilea Perez has delivered a novel that made me swoon, gasp, swear and even tear up a little.
I feel so lucky to have been able to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for the arc!! I enjoyed the build up before the tournament. I think it’s important to learn about the people and the histories and see the heirs before the tournament actually starts. The reader’s anticipation is slowly building along side our main character’s.
I thought there was enough foreshadowing for the reader to get an idea of what was to come, but the question was the “how.” I could somewhat see what was going to happen but the fun lies in the fine details of how everything plays out.
Without spoiling too much I LOVED our animal sidekick! Such a good friend. Definitely deserves to live his best life.
I thought there was enough foreshadowing for the reader to get an idea of what was to come, but the question was the “how.” I could somewhat see what was going to happen but the fun lies in the fine details of how everything plays out.
Without spoiling too much I LOVED our animal sidekick! Such a good friend. Definitely deserves to live his best life.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
Truly Captivating Strong Female Character, this book swept me away!
thank you Amilea for this ARC, I truly enjoyed every moment. I leave my review with all opinions being my own.
Imagine Clash of the Titans meets The Hunger Games, all infused with rich Mexica Aztec culture. The world-building is stunning, the politics intricate, and the characters leap off the page. Though it’s a slow burn, every detail immerses you deeper into this beautifully crafted universe.
The story follows siblings Acalan and Metztli, heirs to one of six houses locked in a deadly tournament. Their bond is the heart of this tale, genuine and unshakable. And if that wasn’t enough, drama and chemistry are in full supply as both siblings find themselves romantically entangled with heirs of rival houses. We get not just one but two captivating romances, one love-at-first-sight and the other a teasingly good enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
Now, Metztli, what a gem of a character! She’s quickly become one of my favorite heroines. Strong, defiant, determined, and outspoken, she refuses to be a pawn in the hands of power-hungry gods. As the story unfolds, her desire for change simmers just beneath the surface until she finally declares, “Enough is enough.” Metztli is ready to take her destiny into her own hands, with a resolve that promises to shake the very foundations of her world.
I loved every moment of this book and am already eagerly awaiting the next installment!
thank you Amilea for this ARC, I truly enjoyed every moment. I leave my review with all opinions being my own.
Imagine Clash of the Titans meets The Hunger Games, all infused with rich Mexica Aztec culture. The world-building is stunning, the politics intricate, and the characters leap off the page. Though it’s a slow burn, every detail immerses you deeper into this beautifully crafted universe.
The story follows siblings Acalan and Metztli, heirs to one of six houses locked in a deadly tournament. Their bond is the heart of this tale, genuine and unshakable. And if that wasn’t enough, drama and chemistry are in full supply as both siblings find themselves romantically entangled with heirs of rival houses. We get not just one but two captivating romances, one love-at-first-sight and the other a teasingly good enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
Now, Metztli, what a gem of a character! She’s quickly become one of my favorite heroines. Strong, defiant, determined, and outspoken, she refuses to be a pawn in the hands of power-hungry gods. As the story unfolds, her desire for change simmers just beneath the surface until she finally declares, “Enough is enough.” Metztli is ready to take her destiny into her own hands, with a resolve that promises to shake the very foundations of her world.
I loved every moment of this book and am already eagerly awaiting the next installment!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes