Sun of Blood and Ruin

 By: Mariely Lares 

Location: FIC LAR

Genre: Mexican history and Mesoamerican mythology

 This has Zorro Vibes!!!!!

Mexican history and Mesoamerican mythology meet in this thrilling historical fantasy with magic, intrigue, treachery, romance, and adventure.

The empire of Montezuma II has long fallen, a city raised on the bones of Tenochtitlan. None dare whisper the names of their gods- or speak of the magic that once graced the land, of the witches who hunted as jaguars, the warriors who soared as eagles.

Until a new name emerges- a curse on the lips of the Spanish, a hero in the hearts of the people. A masked vigilante, a sorceress with a blade.

Pantera

But that is not her only name. To all who know her, Leonora de Las Casas Tlazohtzin is a glittering jewel of court, promised to the heir of the Spanish throne. The respectable Lady Leonora faints at the sight of blood and would sooner be caught dead than wield a sword…even against a dauntless thief with a cutting smile.

No one suspects that Leonora and Pantera are one and the same. Leonora has fooled them all, and, with magic of her ancestors running through her veins, she is nearly invincible- until an ancient prophecy of destruction threatens, and she is forced to decide: surrender the mask or her life. But the legendary Pantera is destined for more than an early grave, and once she discovers the truth of her origins, not even death will stop her.

 Review by Natalie

Sun of Blood and Ruin is a vigilante novel rich in Mexican mythology and folklore and has set the scene for an amazing series to flow from.
We follow Leonora, who's been promised to the Prince of Spain as a wife by her stepmother, who despises her. But Leonora has a double identity as she is also the masked vigilante Pantera who fights for the rights of the people and supports the overthrowing of the Spanish ruling. This book had lots of little twists and turns as well as some I guessed at but was pleasantly surprised by the ones I didn't see coming. I loved the scene setting and hope there will be a prequel as to how Leonora became Pantera and her life when she went missing from the woods as a child. I really couldn't put this book down and flew through the pages. This book gave me Zorro vibes along with Avatar at times. If you love books rich in folklore and are interested in Mexican history, you must give this a read.