Had this been marketed as a middle-grade book I would be more generous. But because it's marketed as Adult it's an absolute failure, in my opinion. The writing is incredibly simple and often pauses to make sure concepts are repeated as simply as possible in dialogue; scenes don't have enough time or weight (emotions, reactions, descriptions, etc) so they're over really quickly and then we just bounce to another disconnected scene/concept.

This feels like the author really loved their culture and its mythologies and wanted to bring that to a wider audience (which I love! you can really feel how important it is to them) but couldn't think of a story to connect everything together. Because those elements are handled so much more caringly and deftly than anything else in the book.

Idk. This was just... bad bad. Concept was a banger, but the execution was really letdown and needed way better editors.

After weeks and weeks of reading this I simply could not finish it, it was interesting at first but then I started losing interest which is a shame since it sounded absolutely amazing. I'm sure many others would enjoy this book but it wasn't for me!

“In the middle of the night, when the air cools and the crickets sing I'm just a girl afraid of death, wanting to grow up and see more of the world, taste more of life. But I am a child of the Nemontemi; my death has been foretold, and I'm not long for this world.”

Sun of Blood and Ruin is a spellbinding debut where history meets fantasy in a dazzling retelling of El Zorro! Venture to a 16th-century Mexico brimming with magic and rebellion, where our fierce protagonist, Leonora/Pantera, dances between two worlds, fighting for freedom.
With a sprinkle of Mexican folklore and a dash of Nahuatl phrases, this book paints a vivid tapestry of a world on the brink. It's a tale that speaks volumes about representation and the struggles faced by those caught in the crossfires of heritage and history.

While the story kicks off with a bang, unraveling the characters' true intentions becomes a puzzle. Some moments feel a bit rushed, leaving us yearning for a better blend of action and character growth.

Despite the bumps in the road, the author's bold vision shines through. While this adventure may have stumbled a bit, the promise of future tales from Lares has me eagerly awaiting more magic and mayhem.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the sneak peek into this enchanting world!

Was this book a great read? No. Was it pretty fun? Yes.

Sun of Blood and Ruin isn’t a book I can recommend with a good conscience, but I’m not going to sit here and say I totally regret reading it.

The story doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. There is more than one plot hole. There are several points in this book where things happen and I thought, “Wow! How convenient!”

Lares obviously doesn’t care much for cohesive world building, exploring the magic systems or belief systems she’s introducing, or even trying to roughly outline the rich culture she’s embedded her story in.

If I may say: This book reads like Lares just assumes her readers know what Mexico looked like (in all ways) in the 16th century: from the very earth on which they stood to the sky above them. While I don’t like authors who patronize their readers, it wouldn’t have hurt to give readers some clues into what Mexico culture was like in more detail.

It was a popcorn flick in the guise of a book. I wouldn’t buy it, but it was okay.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Since this review rated three stars or lower it won’t be appearing on my social media sites. Thank you.

File Under: Fantasy/Historical Fantasy

Loved the book, felt like I was on a wild adventure through 16th-century Mexico. So many visuals and I totally could imagine the main character Leonora, through her transformations and her journey to help those around her. Though I did find the way the author went back and forth between the past and present a bit jarring at first, nonetheless I continued and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book. Cant wait for what Mariely Lares has next!

This book delved into a captivating tale set in sixteenth-century New Spain. Mariely Lares introduces Pantera, a masked sorceress battling Spanish oppression while living a dual life as Lady Leonora, promised to Spain's heir. The narrative skillfully weaves Mesoamerican mythology and Mexican history into a tapestry of magic, intrigue, and romance. However, my enthusiasm waned as the plot unfolded, revealing disjointed storylines and shallow character development. Pantera's dual identity as a warrior and noblewoman is a compelling theme, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in the era, compounded by cultural suppression. Lares impressively incorporates Spanish dialects, the Nahuatl language, and authentic mythological elements, providing a rich backdrop. Despite occasional pacing issues, this story offers a unique exploration of colonialism, oppression, and war, making it a worthwhile read for those intrigued by historical fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book!

Overall, I had a great time with this book! I absolutely loved the Mask of Zorro as a kid so I was really excited to read a book with that theme and it was even better because our masked hero is a strong woman!

From the beginning, I was swept into the story. I loved learning about the Mexican folklore, the description was rich and beautiful and the plot was interesting and exciting.

There is A LOT that happens in this story…I did feel slightly lost a few points which is the main reason this isn’t a 5 star read for me but still really well done. I am looking forward to the author continuing her writing journey and will look forward to future books of theirs.

This was full of adventure and magic! I liked Leonora's character and her other persona Pantera. The story was easy to follow and kept me engaged. The side characters and subplots were interesting also. I really cannot wait for the story to be continued! I recommend if you enjoyed Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow and you want to read more stories with Mesoamerican mythology in them.

*P.S. Totally obsessed with the cover of this title.

A delightful story that entertains from start to finish! While the story does get bogged down at times with lore and legends, it was a very enjoyable read. I so appreciated how the story used historical events and context to build the world, yet wove in unique lore to create the fantastical setting. Can’t wait for the next one!

I loved the concept of this so much, but felt the execution was a bit lacking. The writing style took me a bit to get into and I feel like I wasn't able to get I vested as much as. I wanted to when it came to the characters and the plot. I would definitely read another book by Lares though because I feel there is potential.

I just finished reading Mariely Lares’ debut novel, Sun of Blood and Ruin and I absolutely loved it! You follow young sorcerers and vigilante, Leonora, in this fantastical tale that takes place in sixteenth century New Spain/Mexico. I was mesmerized with Lares’ writing, it is so intricate and atmospheric. I can vividly see the forests and mountain-side tribes she describes in this story. As a horror fan, I was mostly surprised at how descriptive the battle and death scenes were.. it is not for the weak. I very much appreciated this innovative take on the “zero” retelling and trusting it to tell a tale of oppression, indigenous myths and colonization history. Was it difficult to understand at times? Yes, but no different than any other fantasy novel where world building is important and necessary for the story and plot. At its core this is very much a coming of age story about a girl who has a gift and an immense need to fight for humanity.
Thank you so much #avon #harpervoyager and #netgalley for this advance readers copy.
Read if you like:

🤍fantasy/shape shifters
🤍coming of age
🤍indigenous myths
🤍great side characters
🤍zoro retelling
🤍strong female characters
🤍many action scenes
🤍slow burn romance

In 16th century New Spain, witchcraft is banned, and Leonora is set to be wed to the heir of the Spanish throne. But she’s hiding some pretty big secrets. Leonora is also Pantera, a sorceress with incredible sword skills who fights against tyranny. As she challenges the Spanish rule, Leonora finds herself on a journey full of violence and self-discovery.

I absolutely love the premise of this book. The synopsis was so intriguing, and I really like that it’s set in 16th century Mexico. Unfortunately, I just didn’t find myself immersed in the story.

The writing was challenging in the beginning, and I think that the pacing was off for the first half of the book. Things did start flowing better in the second half, which I enjoyed. The world building was well done and included history and mythology in meaningful ways. I also really enjoyed the magic system.

The characters didn’t feel fully developed to me. I never really felt a connection with Leonora (or any of the other characters). The romance didn’t seem like it needed to be in the book. It didn’t seem realistic and didn’t add to the story. Overall, this was an okay read. It was choppy at times and didn’t feel like a cohesive read, but was still interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

Overall I am a little disappointed because of the potential this has to be really informative of the culture and still exciting for many types of readers. I didn't ever get quote fully immersed in this story and was struggling to finish. It felt very young in terms of the writing but also very confusing since I couldn't quite connect to be characters or explanation of culture in this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Overall I really struggled with this book. The beginning of the story felt like there was a ton of information dumping but I didn’t feel as though it helped with world building. I wasn’t impressed with the main character - she was overly focused on her failings as a sorceress, dying in battle under the Fifth Sun and trying to outwit Nabarres. There was a love interest with who Leonora/Pantera had minimal chemistry. There were multiple identities for multiple characters throughout the book that made it confusing to keep everyone straight. This aspect was also less impactful as the book progressed because it was no longer surprising that no one was who they seemed to be.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book I liked it but not one of my favorites. I found it a good story but by the end I felt like I just wanted it to be over.

Sun of Blood and Ruin presents a compelling premise with its deeply rooted mythology and folklore, exploring culturally significant themes through a cast of intriguing characters and engaging dialogue. However, the execution of this promising narrative leaves much to be desired. While the story showcases well-researched mythological foundations, it suffers from notable editing issues that detract from the overall reading experience. The transitions between scenes often feel abrupt and disjointed, leading to confusion for the reader. Additionally, while the integration of magic with folklore is appealing, the abundance of information regarding magical creatures and character transformations becomes overwhelming, making it challenging to keep track. Despite these shortcomings, the book offers much to enjoy, yet its potential is hindered by these issues. For a debut novel, I remain hopeful that future works by this author will benefit from improved editing, allowing their storytelling prowess to shine more brightly.

Sun of Blood and Ruin, by Mariely Lares, is an exciting, engaging tale of 16-century Mexico under Spanish rule. The heroine, Leonora de las Casas Tlazohtzin, is a sort of gender-flipped Zorro, fighting oppression as La Pantera (The Panther) with both her Sword of Integrity and her inner tonalli power, as she struggles with court politics, with her heart, and with her own cursed destiny.
...
This is a very involving story, with plenty of passion. There’s a lot more happening that I won’t spoil, but like xocolatl, the original chocolate drink, this book is a rich, frothy brew, and the conclusion, although it has its bittersweet elements, goes down smoothly. If you’re interested by historical fiction with plenty of kinds of conflict, or in Mesoamerican culture, plus a fantastic cover, you should consider giving Sun of Blood and Ruin a try. It comes out on Feb. 20 from HarperCollins.

The book truly shines in its rich mythology and vibrant culture. However, beyond that, it tends to veer into generic territory.

Honestly, I had trouble getting into this book. The first chapter kicks off with a bang, but then things start feeling a bit all over the place. It's like we're swinging between info overload and chatty dialogue, and neither really hits the mark. Sure, the backdrop of Mexico in the 1550s is super fascinating, but it feels like the juicy bits of history and culture aren't spread out evenly. As someone who knows nothing about this era and Indigenous culture/mythology, I struggled to follow the plot and political intrigue because the backstory feels kind of distant and detached. Plus, there are heaps of characters thrown at us right from the start, but none of them really get fleshed out.
I kept mixing up the side characters, which made it tough to stay invested in the story.

I feel like there was a lot of potential here, but it was a little hard to get into. I enjoyed the mythology but the main character wasn't my favorite. I'll probably come.back to it again later for a reread.

★ I received an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ★

I honestly can’t believe I am DNFing this, I’m a huge history nerd and loveeee Zorro so this should have been a 5 ⭐️, no brainer for me. Unfortunately this did not live up to my expectations. Leonora is supposed to be a badass Sorceress and panther shifter who trained with a master for 10 years prior to the book… However, she seemed pretty incapable of doing much of anything, let alone helping anyone. I loved the blend of history and myths in the world building of this story, but I have zero patience for female main characters being blehhhhh when I was promised badassery. I don’t rate books I don’t finish, and maybe the MC Leonora grows into her power, I’m just not invested enough to find out.