- Mariely Lares

Sun of Blood and Ruin - Dawn of Fate and Fire (Sun of Blood and Ruin, Book 2)

By Mariely Lares
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The stunning conclusion to the duology that began with the internationally bestselling Sun of Blood and Ruin, this gender-flipped Zorro reimagining weaves Mesoamerican mythology and sixteenth-century Mexican history into a swashbuckling historical fantasy filled with magic, intrigue, treachery, and romance.

They call her many things. Witch, Nagual warrior, lady, Pantera. And after defeating the Obsidian Butterfly, Leonora carries a new name: Godslayer.

Peace in Mexico City is fragile. Rebellion brews in the North, and with the people’s safety at risk, Pantera must once again become the demure viceregent Leonora to stop a war before it begins. But her friends are scattered, Tezca is gone, and one wrong move could seal her fate. Caution is her ally, for the real Prince of Asturias – her former betrothed – has arrived at court, reigniting rumours Leonora and Pantera are one.

Meanwhile, a greater threat looms in the mountains, where a false king seeks to summon the god of night using a weapon of untold power. It’s up to the Godslayer to confront this enemy… and the one growing within her. Only by embracing her divine origins can Leonora triumph over the forces of darkness – and maybe even spark a revolution that could change Mexico’s fate forever. But in doing so, she risks losing herself forever…

Author: Mariely Lares
Format: Hardback
Release Date: 14 Aug 2025
Pages: 480
ISBN: 978-0-00-860960-3
Mariely Lares is a Mexican-American writer of fiction. Born in the only hospital of a small town in Southern California – which, fun fact, is also Cher’s birthplace – she grew up straddling two worlds, crossing the border almost every day. She has a degree in Computer Science Engineering and lives in San Diego, where she can be found doing all the outdoorsy things, rescuing dogs, and writing her next book.

PRAISE FOR SUN OF BLOOD AND RUIN -

'An exhilarating tale of revolution, original magic, and divided loyalties, Sun of Blood and Ruin is a triumph. Rich with vivid characters, and an immersive landscape, Lares weaves a breathtaking, complex story grounded in Mesoamerican myth that pulls the reader into a fantastical journey of self-discovery, courage, and the meaning of freedom. Don't miss this one!' -

Ehigbor Okosun, Sunday Times-bestselling author of Forged by Blood -

'Lares makes a triumphant debut with a vivid epic set in an alternate 16th-century colonial Mexico…Lares has a talent for historic detail and…the vast supporting cast is equally well integrated and easy to keep track of despite its size. Interweaving history, mythology, romance, and swashbuckling action, this is a surefire hit' -

Publishers Weekly (starred review) -

'Sun of Blood and Ruin is an exciting adventure with plenty of swordplay and magic, but is also a beautiful love letter to pre-colonialist Mesoamerican cultures' -

Tor.com -

'A fast-paced, smart historical fantasy…Weaving together narrative strands of identity, colonialism, indigenous belief and self-determination with swashbuckling adventure, Sun of Blood and Ruin introduces a powerful new voice to the genre' -

Grimdark Magazine -

'[An] ambitious debut… Ideal for speculative-fiction readers longing for a fresh setting, Zorro fans, and those looking for a nuanced historical-fantasy treatment reminiscent of Rebecca Roanhorse and R.F. Kuang' -

Booklist -

'Lares’s debut is an action-filled historical fantasy set in an alternate 16th-century Mexico, featuring Mesoamerican mythology and a unique blend of magic and adventure' -

Library Journal -