Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I thought this felt like a really original story, despite being based on Zorro. The alternative Mexico setting was well constructed and the narrative moved along at a fast pace, though perhaps too fast at times - I would have liked a little more world-building in the different locations and at times it felt like we were just going from fight to fight with no downtime for slow character development and relationship building in between. I didn't see some of the twists coming, which is always nice! While it doesn't go straight into my 'must read' pile, I'd be interested in the sequels when they come.

First of all, I would like to say thank you for the review copy, which was provided to me by the publisher. This fact does not in any way affect my personal opinion of this book. This post contains advertising and the rights for the book belong to the publisher.

Of course, this is only my personal opinion of the book and just because I give this rating to the book doesn’t mean, that everyone will have that opinion.

Where do I start? I think it’s safe to say that this wasn’t my cup of tea.
The cover is gorgeous, and I think it fits the main story very well. It’s definitely artwork I would notice, and I would pick up the book in the bookstore.

Sadly, the cover was more appealing to me, than the actual story itself.

The writing was rough and still needs a bit of work. I had problems getting into the story because the narrative switched between past and present quite a lot. Maybe they will fix it in the official edition, but my ARC didn’t have a good transition between the time jumps, so I was often confused. The world-building itself was a cool idea, and it also lacked explanations for me. I liked the foreword and that there is a glossary (which I sadly only saw AFTER finishing the book). My knowledge of Mexican cultures and religion is somewhat limited and I would have wished for a bit more explanation sometimes.

I didn’t connect to the characters. They lacked depth for me and I didn’t care for any of them. I wasn’t fully invested in the story and because of that, the love story also felt flat for me. There also were some character traits/tropes that happened that I hated. Some were resolved in a nice way towards the end, but others weren’t. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the MC and the love interest, and in my opinion, she had way more chemistry with her best friend than that man…

Conclusion
Sadly a disappointment for me

A really good read that kept me gripped right up until the end.

Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

I was excited to read this book as a female Zorro type main character sounded exciting and flips the gender roles of the well known films but unfortunately, it wasn’t quite what I hoped for. It was a long book but slow going and a bit complex in terms of the history and the characters, social hierarchy and everything else so I did struggle to keep track of what was going on. The magical element was interesting and I would have liked to see more of that as well as more action from our female lead. There’s plenty of action and a heavy dose of politics, alongside a marriage of convenience and a chemistry fuelled relationship between the masked Panther and her newest nemesis, who is both a mystery and not all that he seems. I think this vibe between Panther and Tezca could have been explored a lot more and been… something? It was really here nor there in the end and since I like my fantasy with a good side serving of romance I was feeling pretty underwhelmed by this weird thing between them.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

I have mixed feelings regarding this book. It was a bit of a letdown, perhaps because I had very high hopes for it.
When it comes to the “Zorro retelling”,the story does deliver: Leonora is an interesting, fleshed-out character, and makes for a compelling protagonist. I can’t say the same for the rest of the characters, as they felt very two-dimensional. I feel a small cast of characters would have benefitted the story more, so that everyone can get development time.
I did enjoy the the worldbuilding, and the author does a very good job portraying Mesoamerican mythology, but overall the story falls flat and feels like nothing special.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. Mixed feelings on this one, I really liked the concept which explores mesoamerican mythology. The world building was both a strength and weakness, in that I really liked the depth that the author goes into but sometimes the execution was not quite there with several section that felt like info dumps. I liked the variety of characters, but I would have liked those relationships to have been a bit more fleshed out. I also enjoyed the story, but the pacing felt very hectic, with quite abrupt transitions. I think the author is talented and I will read the rest of the series, but in summary I think there was just too much packed into this book.

The concept is intriguing, and it combines Mexican history and Mesoamerican mythology, something I don't see in books very often. but too much world-building detail perplexes me. I'm also having difficulty keeping up with the writing, which occasionally jumps from present to past. ⠀
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Pantera appears tough and strong in the first chapter, which makes me root for her and a little surprised because her character becomes tedious to me as the story proceeds. However, if you like historical fiction, this book might be for you. It features an eye-catching cover that will encourage you to read it right away.

The world of this book is really intriguing. I love that it connects the reader to mesoamerican culture and uses its history to inspire the fantasy elements in this book. I love the incorporation of indigenous myths and beliefs and everything you needed to know was explained quite thoroughly.

Now, the writing style took a bit getting used to especially during its many switches between past and present. I also felt like most of the characters felt very flat and lacked a bit of depth. As this is more of a coming-of-age story romance of course can't be amiss, but it didn't really get a lot of development and as such didn't feel earned and more forced.

All in all, I definitely recommend it to people, who like their historical fiction, as this is where the book really shines. Just be aware that it's not the biggest page-turner of the year.

I read an eARC of this so thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher.

There’s so much absolutely brilliant and fascinating story elements in this book. The world building is fantastic, the culture and the gods described are so wonderfully rich. The natives rebelling against the colonisers is such a compelling story.

I found the first part of the book really interesting. In the second part there were some really compelling story points but I did find it a little hard to follow. There was a lot happening very fast. I felt the novel could have benefitted from slowing down a little. To have the transitions explained a little more to ensure the reader can follow. There was so much good stuff in this book, I just needed the pace in the second half to slow down ever so slightly so I had the time and space to appreciate it all.

The main character was a few too many things for a first book. She was already amazing at everything and it felt a little unbelievable especially as she is so young. If she’d picked up skills/roles through the book it might helped rather than having them all at once. She starts the book as a powerful sorceress who can shapeshifter, a vigilante masked warrior, a princess. She’s sneaking out to fight but then managing to fulfil her royal duties and no-one gets suspicious. It didn’t feel very believable. She wasn’t particularly likeable although you do agree with what she’s fighting for. She’s often quite rude and disrespectful to others and dismissive of people. Some of the situations she gets into she gets out of a bit too easily and with very little explanation too.

The world building was exceptional and I loved the story and culture elements. This would have been higher rated if the pacing had been better and if it had been stripped back a little to just allow us to focus and enjoy the excellent story more.

The grand empire of Montezuma II has crumbled into the annals of history, its foundations resting upon the remains of Tenochtitlan. Whispers dare not escape the lips of mortals, nor do they dare to resurrect the names of long-forgotten gods. The magic that once danced across the land, weaving tales of witches morphing into jaguars and warriors taking flight as eagles, has been veiled by time.

Yet, amidst the silence, a new name emerges, borne on the breath of the Spanish conquerors as a curse, while blooming in the hearts of the people as a hero. A figure draped in a mask, a sorceress wielding a blade, steps forth to shape destiny anew.

But this identity is not the sole one belonging to her. In the eyes of the court and society, she is Lady Leonora de Las Casas Tlazohtzin, a radiant gem promised to the Spanish throne's heir. The dignified Leonora recoils at the sight of blood and shudders at the thought of unsheathing a sword, even against an audacious thief whose smile is as sharp as his wit.

Little do they know that Leonora and Pantera are one and the same. A cunning deception has ensnared them all, and with the ancestral magic coursing through her veins, Leonora stands almost invulnerable. But as an ancient prophecy of devastation looms, a choice demands her attention: relinquish the mask or her very life. Beyond the veil of legend, Pantera's destiny stretches further than a premature demise. As the truth of her origins unfurls, not even death can stifle her determination.

While I am relatively new to the realms of fantasy and mythology, I have been fervently expanding my horizons, and the experience thus far has been deeply enjoyable. The author has demonstrated exceptional skill in weaving this narrative, crafting a tapestry of words that paint a vivid and enchanting story. Characters burst forth from the pages, their presence tangible, the settings vibrant and evocative, and each character's voice rings true. At the heart of this tale lies the meticulous construction of a world rich in history, culture, and languages, a testament to the author's prowess in world-building.

However, the digital presentation of the E-Book could benefit from enhancements to foster a more user-friendly experience. Introducing navigational links for swift chapter access, ensuring a seamless flow of words without conspicuous gaps, and adorning the digital cover with an alluring design would collectively transform the E-Book's demeanour from its current semblance of a mere document into an enticing portal to a captivating literary realm. In light of these considerations, a minor deduction from my evaluation appears warranted.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I was entirely fascinated by the gender switch take on Zorro, it felt powerful and exciting. The plot, the setting, the characters and the fantasy elements were just excellent.

This historical fantasy debut in 16th century Mexico had me extremely hyped. The premise of a Zorro reimagining with a fantasy twist sounded like a lot of fun. I also have to say that precolonized Mexico with Aztec myth and Mesoamerican mythology has always mesmarised me and I will jump on any opportunity to devour more stories with those elements.💕
While this book delivered on the vigilante bruja and the Spanish colonization setting, the world was not as lush as I hoped it would be.
I had very high expectations for this debut novel and would have loved more detailed world building and character developement: our main character has been lost in the forest for 10 years learning to be Pantera the sorceress, based on the native gods' magic. Instead of a reference the first book for me could have been those ten years alone to set the scene.
The political aspects of the Spaniards and the different tribes readying for battle could have been a bit deeper and more epic.
Overall I feel this would have been great as a YA novel but a bit underdeveloped for adult fantasy.
However, I did really enjoy the characters and their relationships throughout the novel. The siblings relationship as well as the enemies to lovers were done really well.
I cannot wait for the author to build out this world more in the rest of the series. More historical references, footnotes, or a more comprehensive glossary in the back would make this so much richer!!!

Slightly confusing start but once i got ahold of the two storyline I liked the pacing better. Our main character is typical 18 year old, finding her own way in life. She's not always the most likeable but she isn't meant to be, shes meant to make daft decisions and mistakes and it shows. I love the !6th centuray mexico setting and it's inspriations, however as someone with no previous knowledge of this era or it's folklore, i did find things harder to follow. While i would have liked more explanation that is on me for not knowing not the author. My main issue was with the dialogue. It felt 'clunky' and didn't flow very well.
Overall an excellent story idea, but i felt it lacked in explanation and finesse.

A book beautifully written and rich in culture. I loved this unique fantasy.
The gender switch take on Zorro interested me a lot. My only negative is I wish this felt more like an adult fantasy.
But overall a great read!

I only got half way through this one and I am unfortunately just not connecting with the characters/story... This definitely reads more like YA fiction than adult. I was really interested in folklore/mythology aspects but none of it is very well explained, at least at the start, so I juist found myself confused a lot of the time.

Sun of Blood and Ruin follows Leonara de Las Casas Tlazohtzin a woman who is both Mexica and Spanish, a woman who is also Pantera - a masked sorceress. This book starts with the promised gender-swapped Zorro retelling and expands into what feels like an origin story for the sorceress Pantera with a story that is much larger in scope.

The best way I can describe the structure of the story is dreamlike. The narrative moves at a rapid pace with some swift, perhaps abrupt, shifts between scenes with the fantastic blending between the everyday similar to the progression of a dream. I can see how some may not like this style of writing. It took me a few chapters to really be really drawn in, and I ended up really enjoying the style.

What I loved most about this book and what I thought was the most well done was the interweaving of the mythology of the Nahua people into the story. The author also uses Nahuatl and Spanish words throughout with quick definitions so the reader is not pulled out of the story.

A word on Leonora, she is certainly a flawed character. While she is loyal and wants to serve, she is also often quick to anger and impulsive in her actions. She did grow, especially near the end of the story, though I would have liked to see a bit more detail or explanation with this.

Overall, I found this to be an excellent blend of fantasy, mythology, and history.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins

After ten years of being presumed dead in the jungle, Leonora returns home. Unfortunately, fitting in seems even more difficult than when she left. Not quite Spanish and not quite Mexican, she finds herself distrusted at all turns. The guise of Pantera gives her the anonymity she needs to make a difference. And the magic she learnt in the jungle gives her the means. Yet Leonora is not the only player in the game, nor is she the only one wearing a disguise. If only she can uncover everyone else’s secrets before they uncover hers.

Leonora is a very realistic and relatable character. She doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere and doubts herself constantly, whilst at the same time holding herself to the highest of expectations. Her present is coloured by her past, which is made more interesting by the fact that she’s lived two different lives already: one as pampered child and one as a powerful sorceress. Trying to combine both lives almost leads her to lose herself. Only when she focusses on herself instead of others does she find the power needed to save them all. Leonora’s journey is one of discovery and growth: a coming-of-age story on a grand and mythical scale.

What I love most about Leonora is how she relies more on her wits and her sword than on her magic. Yet, at the same time, she is not afraid to use her magic when needed. This is reflective of the tightrope she walks to find balance in her life as she battles the fine line between many opposites: animal and human, love and hate, secrets and truth, Spanish and Mexican, warrior and Lady, life and death.

The first half of the book was hard to get through and made me put it off several times. The story starts right away, no initial explanations and hence hard to follow for someone who has only had limited contact with indigenous cultures of Mexico (quite frankly, all of the Americas). Yet, some explanations were inserted later on, and here I want to point out the word inserted; the info-dumps felt like they were copied from an encyclopaedia and didn’t gel with the general style of writing.

Throughout the book the more two dimensional characters were difficult to distinguish from each other, which was especially vexing when reading pages of stilted dialogue. It got a little better in the second half of the book, though.

Sun of Blood and Ruin is a gender reversal Zorro retelling with a lot of fantasy elements that will certainly gain fans. Unfortunately, I had the impression the core story was actually the latter part of the second half of the book and the first half was later added to create a novel out of a novella.

Let me start by saying that Sun of Blood and Ruin, whose story takes place in sixteenth-century Mexico during Spain's colonization, has a fantastic premise : it's a reimagining of Zorro with a fantasy twist, starring Leonora, a noble 18 year-old woman who can turn into a panther and who uses her powers to fight against the injustices faced by indigenous people in this colonial hell.

As made clear by my three-star rating, my reading experience sadly didn't go as well as I hoped it would, but this debut still has great things to offer in my opinion and I'm interested in seeing where Mariely Lares will take her series in the sequels.

✨writing✨
The beginning was rough, especially because the narrative kept switching between past and present with a distinct lack of transitions that prevented the writing to flow smoothly. I wouldn't say the writing was bad (in my opinion it's better written than Fourth Wing to be honest) but it's a debut and it very much shows. It does flow better in the second half once the story finds its pace.

✨characters✨
I didn't feel any type of way about Leonora, the main character : she was impulsive at times, and her inner thoughts got a bit repetitive, but if I didn't love her, I didn't hate her either. The thing is, she's 18, and beyond the central anticolonial theme (which I loved), Sun of Blood and Ruin is very much a coming-of-age, "finding who you are" type of story. There's nothing inherently bad about this story type, but they're not my personal favorites sadly.

I wasn't a fan of the way women characters were handled in the first half, but a particular plot point I hated at first did get resolved in a somewhat satisfying way in the end.

In general though I found the secondary characters quite lacking in terms of depth and as a result I had a hard time caring for them. Nothing I haven't read before, and the main character did get development, but it always ruins my enjoyment a little.

✨romance✨
Sadly the romance didn't work for me at all : at first I felt nothing, then I started actively disliking it.
▪ first of all: when exactly did that happen? because I for sure didn't see it;
▪ secondly: I can't say I liked the pairing, they lacked chemistry and it felt forced as a result.

✨settings/world-building✨
The intricate world-building is by far the strongest facet of the book, and I was delighted by the care with which Mariely Lares detailed both the indigenous myths and the every day life (there's food!!!!! can we get a hoora?). It made for a really interesting and quite unique read in the European obsessed Fantasy genre. As far as I'm concerned everything was explained enough, but the explanations themselves weren't always presented in a smooth way (see my complaints about the lack of transitions). I really liked the inclusion of Spanish, too, and that the author didn't feel the need to automatically translate everything.

All in all, a decent novel I'd recommend to readers who are tired of European inspired Fantasy, with the caveat that this is a debut and that it's not devoid of flaws that are somewhat typical for debuts.

Leonora is a beautiful and headstrong woman in her brother's court, but in secret she disguises herself as the vigilante Pantera, who protects her people from the Spanish oppressors.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book and I was so excited to read it! The world building was solid with a really interesting magic system and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. Unfortunately the plot let it down though - the pacing was strange and there seemed to be a lot of skipping important events. I did like the book, but not as much as I had hoped.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review