Book one in a set of new legends!

It's the 16th Century in colonial Central America, "New Spain" where witchcraft is punishable by death and many indigenous customs and places of worship have been destroyed.

Lares introduces us to Pantera, the Panther uses her magic and legendary swordplay skills to fight the tyranny of Spanish rule. Pantera is actually Leonora de las Casas Tlazohtzin a heir to the Spanish Throne and well known as a lady afraid of violence and blood.. Leonora is only 18.and is never seen outside the castle. Her magic emboldens her while she fears the predicted destiny of her early death.

As with all heroic novels, there comes a time when Leonora is forced to choose. Join Pantera, learn about ancient folklore and enjoy this reimagination of the myth of Zorro!
#Avon #harperVoyage #harper #sunofbloodandruin

I wish I had enjoyed this more. The cover and the synopsis were so interesting, but I was almost immediately let down by the reading experience. The story is entirely too incoherent. I felt like I was picking through a pile of corn to find a corn kernel--I couldn't really parse through distinct plot points and characters. There was also not enough setup for the story. I do enjoy stories where we dive right into the action, but that requires some crafty exposition sprinkled into the beginning of the story to sort-of backfill context for the reader. In this story we dove right in and just kept going and I felt like that John Travolta GIF where he's just confusedly looking around. And then, when we did get any sort of context or explanation, it was so out of nowhere/abrupt that it felt like I had walked into a wall. I think that's part of what made the story feel incoherent, too--the constant pauses to insert these paragraphs of information that didn't really...flow with the pacing of the story at all. I also wasn't a huge fan of the characters mostly because a lot of their dialogue felt...stilted? At times they sounded pretty unnatural, and it was noticeable.
I did absolutely love the mythology, though. I was super interested in it and even ended up looking at some other books to get more in-depth information on it because I was really captivated by it. The world building, too, was great. The descriptions of the setting and the world were lush, but juxtaposed with the incoherent-ness of the plot/pacing and characters, it ended up not being able to save this read for me. The setting and action was so well done, and I can tell that this author not only has talent for lush worlds, but they also can really write. So, while I didn't like this, I would happily pick up something by this author in the future!

3.5/5 stars- rounding to 4.
WOW! This historical fantasy from Mariely Lares is one that will fully immerse you in a magical and violent story set in sixteenth century New-Spain (Mexico). Our leading lady, Leonora is the daughter of a viceroy and a Mexica woman, finding herself stuck between the happenings of Spanish nobility and court and her mission to fight against the injustices of colonization. When she isn’t holed up in the palace, engaged to the heir of the Spanish throne, she is sneaking out and donning the mask of her hidden identity: the warrior sorceress and vigilante known as Pantera.
Things I loved:
- it’s a “finding yourself” kind of story
- a sprinkling of romance with good banter (don’t expect spice though)
- well thought out world building heavily inspired and rooted in mesoamerican mythology and history. It is done with respect and acknowledgement of the realities of history, not just what has been recorded by the “victors”
- shape shifting and magic is fun
Things that I didn’t love/am concerned about:
- the plot went between moving too slow and too fast. Sometimes I was struggling through long descriptions of fighting while other times I felt the conversations were rushed or missing parts.
- it’s been a moment since I read or watched zorro but other than her being a vigilante it didn’t feel particularly zorro-y
- I wanted more development and detail given to the romance aspect. I understand not all books need it but with how much they were flirting we barely get kisses :/
- the end felt a little “oh the giant eagles are here to save us” in that the solution to the conflict just kind of *happens*
- I have a degree in Spanish education and a minor in Latino and Latin American studies and even I was sometimes lost and overwhelmed with the terms and language used. I trust there were will be a glossary etc. in the book but I am worried about the general public being able reading this book and not getting overwhelmed. I am a firm believer that if you can drink from the hose of George Martin, Tolkien or other fantasy authors, you can read and understand non-Eurocentric vocabulary and mythology but I also know that your average (probably white, English speaking) reader might not find this approachable out of ignorance, laziness, etc. That being said- educate yourself and learn something new WHILE you read :)

Some favorite quotes:
- “The strange thing about leading a double life is that you may suddenly find the double life leading you.”
- “you will die” “I am ready” “I am not” ❤️
- “do yourself a favor, Leonora. Decide what it is you want. Do you want to kill me? Or do you want to bed me?”

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In sixteenth-century New Spain, amidst an epidemic and cultural clashes, Leonora, inspired by Zorro, becomes a masked defender against societal turmoil. Her impending arranged marriage and mestizo identity add personal struggles to her heroic pursuits. As conflict looms between Spanish overlords and a mountain rebellion, Mesoamerican mythology weaves a unique backdrop.

Though captivating, the story's delivery lacks cohesion, leading to overwhelming conflicts and adversaries that hinder emotional impact. Still, the imaginative world-building and the fusion of history, mythology, and personal struggles are commendable.

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, as well as Netgalley, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4 Stars for Sun of Blood and Ruin! Wow what an action packed, twisty, and magical story! Although the lore could be very heavy at times, I found it much easier to follow as the story progressed. It was fascinating to enter such a unique world full of monsters, gods, and mythology. A Zorro retelling with a female lead, there was plenty of swordplay and banter to keep it fun. Definitely recommend reading this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to read this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I wanted to love this one so so so badly.

I was obsessed with zorro as a kid and to see an author do a gender bent zorro warms the little girl wannabe vigilante still inside me.

But the execution just wasn’t there. Okay characters, but with a lack of clarity on why they did things a lot of the time, and jarring plot transitions that just made the story feel clunky and hard to read.

A lot of potential, but needs better editing.

I want to start off by saying that I was incredibly intrigued by the premise of this book and could not wait to dive in. Unfortunately, once I started reading, I was unable to get sucked into the world and it took me longer than I care to admit to get through it. The story has so much potential from the beginning, but the execution felt shallow and generic to me. While the writing style didn’t bother me, everything from the characters to the sequence of events felt almost as if the author was checking off a checklist while writing. I think it was because of this that I struggled with the pacing in most of the book. My favorite part was undoubtedly the mythology and I love that Sun of Blood and Ruin offered a refreshing glimpse into a world not often represented in the fantasy genre. Unfortunately, I was unable to ultimately form a good connection with the characters or the plot line, but I think that with a bit more fine tuning, it could have been fantastic. Mariely Lares is definitely an author I’ll be keeping my eye on.

I received an eARC of this book for review from Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

• The Brief: Sun of Blood and Ruin is the first installment of an epic fantasy series set in sixteenth-century New Spain. It is a gender-bent Zorro retelling with world politics, magic, gods, and romance. The POV character, Leonora de las Casas Tlazohtzin, is the mestizo sister of the viceroy. Pantera is the masked hero of the people, fighting to protect them. Only her trusted servant knows that Leonora is Pantera. The conflict between her peoples escalates as the end of Fifth sun approaches, Leonora discovers the hidden truths about her world and her magic.

I thought the setup was a great idea but poorly executed. By the end, I felt the author was packing too much into too few pages. Either she should have edited out some plot, saved some reveals for the sequel, or had a longer first installment. Also, if Leonora passed out once, she passed out a dozen times. Between that and many jarring and abrupt transitions, I think the author didn't know how to end a scene. Lastly, I am a very character driven reader and while the characters did have motivations, the reasons for specific actions weren't always clear. More than once I was wondering, why are we traveling back there again? Did I miss something? That said, the characters are nuanced and not one note (excepting the antagonist), which I appreciate.

I throughly enjoyed Panteras story! I loved her, Tezca, and the magic system! My only complaint is the world building. The 2nd half of the story has great world building. But the first half has very little and it was a little difficult to follow.

This one started off really well. It gave me high hopes. I liked the imagery and characters and was excited to continue reading.

Unfortunately, it went mostly downhill from there. It makes me sad because a couple more revisions could have made this one a great 2023 read.

My main problem was the plot choices made later in the book and my struggle to follow what was happening at times.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy.

I was really interested to learn more about indigenous Mexican culture, and enjoyed those aspects, but I think this book was a little too on the younger side of YA for me.

The book begins with a lot of exposition right at the start-- everything that's happened in the MC's life, what conquistadors are, every single detail about how Pantera's powers work. It felt like more explanation than story for a while there.

“There is war, there is burning. Guide my sword arm. Let her sing in battle.”

I mean "gender bent zoro set during the sixteenth-century Mexico during Spain's colonization to the backdrop of mesoamerican mythology" really got me. After reading so much European based fantasy, this felt like a refreshing new story that I was eager to get into.

Leonora is a half Spanish, half Indigenous lady that is unassuming at home but sneaks out as pantera - a masked sorceress that uses her magic tonalli and sword to come to the rescue of the oppressed Indigenous folks. Shadowed constantly by a prophecy that she will die young in battle, she's content doing just that for life until her marriage is arranged to the widowed prince of the Spanish throne. Fearing that she'll have to leave and no longer be able to help her people - she knows that she must amp up her help, even if it ends her life.

But the Indigenous folk have their own resurgence efforts - and they do not see her as one of their own due to her mixed heritage. As her own brother debates going to war with them, she knows that conflict is not far away, unless she can mediate. Hoping to connect with them more, she tries to connect with a new guard - Ayeta, whom she knows as a pirate and turncoat for both sides. Enemies as Leonora and only slightly trusting as pantera - their banter was one of my favorites throughout the story.

The worldbuilding and mythology in this book is incredible. From the first moment you are thrown into a lush and vibrant world, full of delicious foods, gods and their magic systems and vibrant setting descriptions - making it impossible to not see yourself alongside the action.

One of the few drawbacks I found was the pacing. The book seemed to alternate between info dumpling and pages of dialogue. We get so much so fast and then trickle throughout until the cycle repeats. I wish it had flowed better or blended a bit better into the rest of the story. As someone that wasn't familiar with this world to begin with, I felt myself needing more to understand even with the glossary.

The last 30% of this book takes a wild turn and has you reeling throughout. There were some dramatic twists and turns that I never saw coming. I simply cannot wait for the next book.

rep// Indigenous MC, mixed MC, side MLM, queer rep, genderfluid rep

cw// violence, death, colonialism, homophobia

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. I had such high hopes for this based on the synopsis, beautiful cover, and interesting mix of mythology and history. The world building and vivid cultural influences were by far my favorite part of the book. It was unique and well thought out. I did not connect with the FMC Leonora, who can transform into a disguised vigilante named Pantera to fight for justice in her society. I was a little bit lost for the first half of the book, and when I finally started to figure out what was going on in the second half, I had already lost interest in the plot. The writing felt a little disjointed, but I do think the author seemed to hit a better flow in the second half.

I think this book has a lot of important cultural elements, and is an interesting mix of historical fiction/fantasy, but overall this read just wasn’t for me.

I honestly could not get more than 50 pages in to this book before I had to just give up. I couldn't really tell you anything of substance I read in those pages except a bunch of concepts with no explanation whatsoever. I feel like this book laid heavy into the religious aspects and downplayed a lot of things that could have been really great.

All in all just not the book for me, but doesn't mean it doesn't have an audience out there.

I’m so confused. I feel like the story wasn’t described well. I feel like I am missing a lot of context. I don’t know these characters or higher beings she talks about. I feel like you have to go into this book already knowing more mythology than I know.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a very interesting read. I really loved the world building and background. I felt like that part of the story was really strong. I didn’t really care about the characters, some things just felt disjointed. I did see where someone called this book a “genderbent Zorro retelling”, and that made more sense, but I still feel like something was missing.

I have such mixed opinions about this book because I think there are some things that it does excellently and there are some that are quite disappointing.

The world-building ended up being my favorite aspect even though it started off pretty rough since the book throws you into the action on page 1. There’s a lot for the reader to get caught up on and the author does exposition slowly throughout the whole book. I would recommend that readers unfamiliar with Mesoamerican mythology and Mexican history read the chapter at the end of the book about history and terminology before starting the book. I didn’t realize that this chapter existed until halfway through reading the book so I think some of my early confusion with the world could have been avoided.

I did not realize that this was the first book in a series instead of a stand-alone until I had finished the book. I thought way more plot threads were going to be tied up but instead, almost everything was left very open-ended, presumably to be addressed in the sequels. While series often leave room for continuation, each installment should ideally provide a satisfying conclusion on its own. Regrettably, this book fell short of achieving that sense of closure.

The main reason for my disappointment with the ending had to do with the plot and pacing. The narrative felt meandering and disjointed, with the protagonist Leonora's actions sometimes lacking impact. The pacing felt uneven, with significant events receiving only brief attention while mundane actions were drawn out. Initially a reimagining of Zorro, the story veers off into a new direction, focusing on the prophecy and the Fifth Sun toward the latter portion.

The main antagonist for most of the book is Captain Nabarres, who is essentially a figurehead for Spanish colonization/occupation. So many pages are dedicated to Leonora talking to, fighting against, and escaping from Captain Nabarres. However, most of the interaction between Nabarres and Leonora feels perplexing and devoid of purpose. There’s this extremely confusing scene where Leonora “outsmarts” Nabarres with a political maneuver but it ends up not having any effect so I’m still not sure what the point of that scene was. The book spends so much time developing the antagonistic relationship between Leonora and Nabarres but then introduces a completely new villain in the last part of the book. This new villain lacks the build-up and emotional investment required for their ultimate defeat, especially because Leonora is almost immediately told exactly how to defeat them.

I didn’t feel like the characters were particularly compelling including the main protagonist, Leonora. Leonora’s thoughts are pretty repetitive throughout the book in order to really make sure that readers can’t possibly miss the main themes of this book. We’re also introduced to a pretty big cast of secondary characters early on and it’s difficult to distinguish between everyone. This becomes even worse when they get to Snake Mountain and are introduced to all the leaders of La Justicia.

Leonora’s secret identity, Pantera, is underdeveloped because we’re never told what she did as Pantera, before the start of the book, to become so beloved by the people. Conveniently in the first chapter, she gets shot in the leg (while failing to save someone) so she can’t do her normal Pantera activities for the first part of the book. Even so, there’s never any mention of what she previously did as Pantera and the only times she ever dons the Pantera disguise in the whole book is to taunt Captain Nabarres and try to steal back her sword. Even in the Batman movies, they show him stopping some random petty crimes apart from the whole supervillain plot.

Leonora’s motives for being the vigilante Pantera are also underdeveloped because she states that she wants Pantera to give people hope but this is never actually displayed through her actions. She spends most of the time arguing for diplomacy between La Justicia and the viceroy, her brother, which honestly makes her seem more naive than anything else. I always feel like it’s kinda weird when a fantasy book involves a fight against injustice and tyranny but does not ever question the concept of an absolute hereditary monarchy.

In essence, this book possesses commendable strengths in its world-building and initial premise, yet it falls short in weaving a compelling plot with well-developed characters and motives. While the foundation for an engaging series is present, more effort could be invested in pacing, character depth, and plot structure to create a more cohesive and fulfilling narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

DNF.

I tried to get into this one since it is a genderbent Zorro retelling and that sounded pretty cool! I haven't seen a book like it before. Unfortunately the writing style was hard for me to get into and I found myself not wanting to pick it up in a span of a couple weeks. I may come back to it eventually but right now I have other books that need my attetion.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a complimentary earc to review. All opinions are my own.

This book started out well and I was so excited for the cultural and mythological inspirations. Unfortunately the plot felt extremely disjointed. This book felt like it needed another round of editing for better flow. The plot just felt pieced together in odd ways.

I had such high hopes for this one – genderbent Zoro retelling with Mesoamerican mythologies! – but I straight-up hated it. Choppy, jerky prose combined with a pretty bland first-person, present-tense perspective, with a heroine right out of a bad YA novel. The dialogue stops and starts and jumps topics seemingly at random, and virtually every character is a predictable, simplistic trope – the evil stepmother, the wicked guard-captain, the wise but inscrutable magical mentor. I was torn between rolling my eyes and fighting to keep them open, because I was falling asleep despite the leaping from roof to roof and all. Blunt prose turns even moments that should be exciting into snoozefests – I was either pissed off at how stupid a scene was, confused, or incredibly bored.

I mean – no sensory description of the magic, shapeshifting or wall-leaping means none of it hits me; you might as well be telling me your grocery list. Forget telling-not-showing; this is a telling-not-feeling book, which is infinitely worse.

Luckily I’m passingly familiar with the mythology Lares is drawing on here: if you’re not, good luck, because despite the clumsy 5-page-long info-dumps absolutely none of the mythos is explained. Neither is the history; do you know who Cortés is, and his role in the slaughter of the South Americas? No? Then you might want to have Wikipedia open as you read, because so much is treated like it’s general knowledge that doesn’t need explaining, when in fact a lot of readers are going to be pretty lost.

And – of course there’s a sexy pirate. Of course there is.

A really amazing premise ruined by an execution that couldn’t do it justice.