Date: June 13, 2025
Author: Mariely Lares
Title: Sun Of Blood And Ruin
I made it halfway through and realized I wasn’t really sure what was going on and there was a lot of words Mz. Lares was using to set the reader up for this adventure that read like Greek to me. Or Spanish. Words that I didn’t feel were really explained very well for contextual reasons, considering I’m from the far northwoods section of the audience. More specifically, Wisconsin. USA. I would have appreciated a tad more of an explanation to all these words that started with a ‘T,’ without embarking on a research project.
This book reminded me very much of the series, Throne Of Glass, in so much as both lead character play a lady by day and at night their swords come out and their cloak and masks go up. Not only are they serious bada**es with a blade but they can both shape shift! (insert gasp here) They both trained intensely and extensively to become human weapons. They’re both the same age. There’s probably more similarities than just these that I didn’t pick up on.
The lines of loyalty for Leonora (Sun Of Blood And Ruin) seemed to be blurrier than did Caleana’s. (Throne Of Glass) From what I understood is she (Leonora) is daughter to the king and his mistress. His wife, the queen, wasn’t a fan, largely because the king was having a love affair with Leonora’s mom behind the queen’s back and the offspring, Leonora, inherited her mother’s magical powers.
So now the king has died recently leaving his teenage son in charge, oh lord. The problem is mom, the queen, still thinks she’s running the show.
In this book the stepmom is practically besties with the captain of the guard. Caleana, was herself, quite fond of her captain of the guard as well. (See? More similarities) Leonora, now also known as Pantera by night, has no qualms about accepting her role for allying with Spain via a marriage to the Spanish prince. Whom, according to the book cover, was Pantera’s sworn enemy. This way the kingdom can receive the military reinforcements it so desperately needs from Spain as one mighty fine accessory to the marriage.
While all this is happening a big band of rebels are roaming the Mexican countryside. Apparently, Leonora’s alter ego Pantera, was said to be inspiration for the rebels to take up arms. I’m confused. Is she fighting alongside the rebels? Or does she stand behind the throne? Or is she fighting for Spain? Do you see my dilemma?
Like I said, I started feelings these conflicting emotions towards the story about halfway through. So, in the case I was trippin’ I even gave the story an additional 10 pages to either hook me or forever lose me. All I can say is bon voyage.