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A review by kmartbooks
The Tournament of Heirs by Amilea Perez
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
This book sets itself apart with a strong focus on family bonds and a refreshingly unique setting that enriches the fantasy genre. At its core, the book is about siblings Acalan and Metztli navigating the high-stakes competition of the Blood Bound Tournament, but the story takes its time establishing a sense of culture, politics, and personal dynamics before plunging into the danger of the tournament.
The pacing of the introduction is both a strength and a weakness. The time spent building the world, exploring the main characters, and introducing the other competitors adds depth, but it also risks testing a reader’s patience. There's almost no action until after 60% of the way through. A more concise opening might have maintained the richness while improving the momentum.
Where The Tournament of Heirs truly shines is in its setting and characters. The Mesoamerican-inspired world feels both vibrant and underutilized in fantasy, and Perez does a fantastic job weaving cultural elements into the story. Acalan and Metztli are compelling protagonists whose sibling bond is the emotional anchor of the story, refreshing in a genre often dominated by romantic-based plots. Speaking of which, while romance takes a backseat, it still adds an interesting layer that I’m curious to see explored further in future books.
The ending delivers on the tension and I'm excited to see where this one goes. As for the dog sidekick, I loved the inclusion of a dog, though its improbable training and breed confusion (I think it was supposed to be a Mexican hairless, yet this one is described as furry more than once) left me confused. I’m hoping it turns out to have some magical significance because it adds a fun dynamic.
This is a thoughtful, character-driven fantasy with a strong cultural identity and plenty of promise. While it requires some patience to get through the slower start, it is worth it for readers looking for something fresh in the genre.
Thanks so much to MTMC Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
The pacing of the introduction is both a strength and a weakness. The time spent building the world, exploring the main characters, and introducing the other competitors adds depth, but it also risks testing a reader’s patience. There's almost no action until after 60% of the way through. A more concise opening might have maintained the richness while improving the momentum.
Where The Tournament of Heirs truly shines is in its setting and characters. The Mesoamerican-inspired world feels both vibrant and underutilized in fantasy, and Perez does a fantastic job weaving cultural elements into the story. Acalan and Metztli are compelling protagonists whose sibling bond is the emotional anchor of the story, refreshing in a genre often dominated by romantic-based plots. Speaking of which, while romance takes a backseat, it still adds an interesting layer that I’m curious to see explored further in future books.
The ending delivers on the tension and I'm excited to see where this one goes. As for the dog sidekick, I loved the inclusion of a dog, though its improbable training and breed confusion (I think it was supposed to be a Mexican hairless, yet this one is described as furry more than once) left me confused. I’m hoping it turns out to have some magical significance because it adds a fun dynamic.
This is a thoughtful, character-driven fantasy with a strong cultural identity and plenty of promise. While it requires some patience to get through the slower start, it is worth it for readers looking for something fresh in the genre.
Thanks so much to MTMC Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.