This was an intricate and fascinating novel exploring an alternate Mexico rich in the history of the indigenous people. I thought the struggle Leonora faced as a member of the Spanish Viceroyalty with indigenous roots and magic was really interesting and well done. I also really enjoyed the Meso-American mythology woven through the narrative and thought the author did a great job of situating readers in a world that may well be unfamiliar without spoon feeding them. My only issue is that the plot felt a bit disjointed towards the end, but other than that, this was a very enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I want to start off with the positives for this one because there were so many things I loved.
1. The characters. I felt they were so well developed, each with their own personality, wants and needs.
2. The world building, I felt this was fed to the readers nicely through the story, it never felt like there were any info dumps in any way.
3. The magic. I loved learning about it, and again felt like it was developed naturally through the story.

Unfortunately the plot itself is what let this book down. I didn't understand where it was going, I knew our MC had an axe to grind, I just didn't know why, what her end goal was. I also felt like the writing was a little choppy, it jumped between past and present tense with no warning or obvious transition.

I DNF'd this at around 37%

It took me a while to get through this book, & although I really liked the idea of it (who wouldn’t want a Zorro retelling), ultimately the execution just didn’t work for me.

The first half I really struggled with, the pacing felt off & there was quite a lot of info dumping. I am also not familiar with a lot of the lore this book is based on, but I felt like the book assumed you have a background knowledge going into it, so there was a lot that felt confusing to me or could have done with a bit more explanation. I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance & unfortunately I didn’t really connect with any of the characters.

The strongest parts of the book for me were definitely the writing & the mythology engrained within the book. I think there is a solid foundation there for the rest of the series & I will definitely look out for what Mariely writes next!

Thank you to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

I was immediately drawn to the cover of this and the blurb "a female Zorro retelling" sold this immediately.

The premise was great, I loved the setting however I found the plot a bit complicated and while using Spanish words added to the feel of the story, this confused me because I didn't know what they meant. The world building was intricate There were jumps between the past and present and this further complicated the story as there were no clear indication of the time jumps. Leonora is young and this came through and somehow I never quite connected with the characters in the story. The chemistry between the main characters was a little flat.

I did love the incorporation of Meso-American mythology and the rich setting of Mexico as well as the turmoil that Leonora experiences when trying to balance the different aspects of her life.

Overall this was a good debut but not a book that I would re-read.

A Zorro retelling that left me reeling!

Despite a slow start, this book HOOKED me after the first 50 or so pages. There's just something so addictive about the writing that I looked forward to reading it everytime I picked it up. I just had to get the special edition because the main character is so fierce and the love interest is so intriguing. I enjoyed the slow build up and the world itself was quite well-explained. The pacing was a bit slow in places, but added to the entertainment of the book.

Overall, I had a grand time with this book and would highly recommend it if you want something unique! Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc!

Diving into "Sun of Blood and Ruin" by Mariely Lares was like stepping into a vivid tapestry woven with threads of Mexican history and Mesoamerican mythology. The narrative captivates with its blend of magic, treachery, and the thrill of adventure, all set against the rich backdrop of post-conquest Mexico.

Mariely Lares reimagines the Zorro legend through the character of Pantera, the sorceress with a blade. By day, Leonora de Las Casas Tlazohtzin is the epitome of nobility, but as Pantera, she embodies the spirit of a masked vigilante, a hero to the people and a curse to the Spanish oppressors​​.

The dichotomy of Leonora's double life adds a fascinating layer to her character. She is portrayed as headstrong and multi-faceted, navigating the complex interplay between her public persona and the avenger lurking beneath. This duality is a central theme, challenging the reader to consider the masks we all wear and the cost of our true selves hidden beneath them​​.

Lares' incorporation of Mesoamerican mythology is particularly noteworthy, introducing a magic system rooted in the concept of tonalli, the life force derived from the sun. This central theme of self-awareness and identity is expertly interlaced with the narrative, urging readers to embrace their true selves​​.

"Sun of Blood and Ruin" is a masterful blend of fantasy elements—dry humor, romance, betrayal, and swashbuckling adventure—delivering a story that's as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. It's a powerful reminder of the enduring human spirit, resilience, and the quest for self-determination amidst the shadows of history​​.

An interesting fantasy premise, it's been a while since I've read a fantasy book with a mainly Spanish / Mexican background. So that was interesting for me.
It took me a while to get in to this book with the time jumping POVs, it can be hard with not much context to follow the characters at this point. But I grew into it as the book went on.
Leonora is a good main character, however maybe not the most memorable MC in the world.
Overall a 3 star read. WIll read the second instalment for sure.

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me access to this title. A lot about Sun of Blood and Ruin is promising, particularly the world-building and lore inspired by Mesoamerican mythology and Mexican history. Unfortunately the book fell flat in key areas, notably the characterisation of protagonists and secondary characters, and a romance plot I couldn't warm to.

Unfortunately this book didn't work for me, I wasn't attached to the characters and I found the setting and storyline to be inconsistent.

Overall I really enjoyed the treachery, hidden identity and romance in this gender-bent Zorro retelling!

I did find it quite long winded at times, with things being dragged out but very little explanation behind the history etc being given. It felt a little info-dumpy on the wrong things and almost like there was a level of expectation for you to have learned some of the history aspects involved before reading which I unfortunately hadn’t. That left me kind of confused at some points with a feeling that I’d missed some quite important stuff that may have added to the story as a whole.

I found as well that there were too many characters with multiple names. For spoiler reasons I can’t say who but by the end I think there were at least four characters including Leonara/Pantera who went by multiple names and it made the story as a whole a bit jarring. While I understand why it was done I’m not entirely sure it had the intended impact. When it’s already a history you’re not familiar with, multiple names (and new characters being introduced right up until the very end) make it quite a difficult book to digest.

I really enjoyed the romance and the tension that came with it and the story overall was really interesting.

This was so good. If you want a tale of mixed race heroes fighting against colonialism then this is the book for you. It was so great at showing the many sides that Leonora had in her, showing her torn between her Spanish identity and her Native Mexican identity. I loved how it gave her the perfect place to hide in plain sight while still getting back to her mother's roots in the form of the vigilante Pantera.

Though I really liked the plot, I did find that the fight against the Spanish was kind of lost towards the end. I feel like I would have been happy with just the Spanish as the enemies instead of bringing in demons to try and end the world.

The characters in this were the best though. I loved Leonora's character so much as well as the love interest who was also many sided and sassy. I loved the banter between them and as well as Pantera's come backs when talking with the general.

All in all, this is a really strong fantasy. If you have any interest in Ancient Mexico and the Nahau, don't hesitate to pick this up.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me an arc of Sun of Blood and Ruin. This one piqued my interest due to it being inspired by Mesoamerican mythology and Mexican history which I thought was really cool. For context, I don't think I've ever read any fantasy with these mythology and history so I was very excited to try this one.

Sadly, this one was a DNF. As much as I'm interested in the topic, the writing style felt very "telling but not showing" and since it is written in first person, it felt like I was being "explained" and "taught" only? However, I thought the research that the author did was super extensive and so the historical elements of this book was really great and I appreciate the work the author did to bring this book alive.

Sun of Blood and Ruin
Fantasy
Mariely Lares
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The beginning of this book was quite slow and it took me a little while to actually become interested in the plot. The pacing was also a little inconsistent.

The FMC came across as immature, although she is only 18. I found her impulsive and sometimes she didn't think of the consequences but she was also endearing at times.

I wasn't keen on the romance in this book but I think that's more due to personal taste than anything else.

The world building was great! I loved the mythology and the Spanish influences. I haven't read any other fantasy books with this kind of world building so it kept me curious and wanting more.

Overall this was a good debut and while certain things in this book weren't for me, I know that other readers will enjoy this book.

*Thank you to @Netgalley, the author and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*

We are in the 16th Century with Mexican Mythology and folklore, Leonora who has been promised to the Prince of Spain in marriage, is also the vigilante Pantera who fights for the rights of the people who want to overthrow the Spanish ruling.

Lots of twists and turns in this and some great historical information about the folklore and Mythology which I found quite interesting and which brings the book to life.

It does take some concentration to keep on track with the characters but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Giving it four stars

"Sun of Blood and Ruin" by Mariely Lares is a novel with immense potential, but it falls short in some areas. The author's storytelling ability is evident, and the world-building is rich and imaginative, creating a vivid backdrop for the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with a beautiful writing to top it all off.

However, the pacing of the book is inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by slower, less engaging segments. The world-building, while rich, can also be slightly complex making it challenging to follow at times. Additionally, the romance felt a bit bland and it took away from my enjoyment of the story.

Despite these drawbacks, "Sun of Blood and Ruin" has the potential to be a captivating read for those who appreciate intricate fantasy worlds. With some refinement, it could truly shine.

It should 2* for the first half, very slow, and 4* for the second part.
It's a coming of age story and I wasn't a fan of Leonora as I found her a bit flat. There's passion but it seems a bit forced.
The world building is excellent and I found it fascinating even if I assume that some guide about Mesoamerican culture would help
3.5 upped to 4
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I did enjoy my read through of this book and I am certainly glad I was able to snag a special edition to proudly display on my shelf! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.

I was attracted to this book because of its setting in the South American mythos, a change from the usual European slant.
Set in 16th Century Mexico against the backdrop of the Spanish invasion we are in an alternate world where magic, old gods and shape shifting are possible. Our main character is Lady Leonora, is of mixed race whose father is from the Spanish nobility and her native mother from the Nahau.. Leonora in the grand tradition of the Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro, has two lives, one as a pampered noblewoman of the realm betrothed to the Prince of Spain and the other as Pantera, (she transforms into a panther) champion against injustice perpetrated by the invading Spanish army.
Leonora's double life causes the usual problems and the struggle to maintain the separate identities is explored but perhaps deserves deeper delving. The impacts of being mixed race, colonisation, a woman in a male dominated world and political unrest are all touched on in this book and the historical setting is well fleshed.
The historical aspects and mythology of the story felt authentic and provided an excellent base for the story, and I found Leonora to be an engaging character, but thought that some of the pacing of the story was uneven.
Overall a book to recommend and my thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC, all views are my own.

I'm a big fan of Zorro, and I'm not sure why. Perhaps some early TV memories of endless black-and-white serials, or the Tyronne Power version. I've latterly become well acquainted with Douglas Fairbanks's turns, and even the Isabelle Allende novel. So throw me a Zorro who is half noble-woman, half MesoAmerican sorceress shapeshifting panther woman, and you will probably snare my interest.

Set a generation after Cortes, Leonora de Las Casas Tlazohtzin is the sister of the Mexican Regent, promised to the next King Of Spain in marriage and also Pantera, the indigenous swashbuckling fighter for Mesoamerican rights. It starts in media res, and her teasing relationship with the troops is pure Zorro, as are the petticoats and smiles as she tries to negotiate her life at court. Mariely Lares throws dual identity complication upon complication, and of course there is a mysterious pirate, plus the Prince Of Spain who isn't quite who he seems. I ate up the first half of this book as the turbo-pulp it is, and whilst it plays fast and loose with history because it is a fantasy, it does a surprisingly good job at looking at settler colonial integration particularly where there is a mixed race generation below.

As the stakes grow the book flips in its second half to be a much more mythological fantasy, Leonora finds out more about her powers and where they come from, and there are trips through mysterious jungles to secret lost magical civilizations and the cycle of rebirth and gods come into the picture. This stuff is all fine, and Lares does make it a natural progression from the first half, but I guess I preferred the swashbuckling when it was down to earth, and the romance when it didn't necessarily involve deities. Nevertheless this is a really fun piece of work, perhaps over-stuffed and over-ambitious but I'm not calling that a negative.

I didn't know what to expect going into this. I only read the blurb after I read the book because sometimes it's nice to be surprised.

We have a quite well done trope with the whole 'princess' going undercover as a normal citizen being a masked sword wielding heroine with shifter senses and magical powers and a 'superhero' name. I do really like Pantera as a character though, she is very feisty and thinks that she is always right.

That's where the general part of the story ends with some ancient gods and a possible apocalypse type situation with a whole bunch of plots all coming to a head all at once.

There is a lot of history telling in this book and there are a lot of characters and places with similar sounding names so it took me a while to get my head around it. It was definitely something that made it hard to read this book without having to go back and re-read pages sometimes to try and work out what was being talked about.

As a first read through it was quite enjoyable and if I ever get the time to go back and re-read it, I think it would be better as a second read through.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperVoyager UK