Are you a middle grade reader who loves to read fantasy books? Well it’s been a while since I have read a fantasy book. But last week, I got to pick one up called “Solimar The Sword Of Monarchs ” By Pam Munoz Ryan, the author of Esperanza Rising, a favorite of mine. If you still miss those Disney princess books and movies you had grown up with, this book will give you a perfect amount of nostalgia.
It starts off with a teenage girl named Solimar, soon to be princess and a daughter of Mexican royalty. However she won’t be crowned princess until her quinceanera in a few weeks. She’s excited to experience truly being in royalty and possibly becoming Queen in the future as her brother has decided to leave the palace to lead a life of an ordinary person. Traditionally, only sons are the heir to the throne.Solimar encounters monarch butterflies that come through Solimar’s kingdom enchanted forest every year during migration season. Magically young butterflies infuse her rebozo(a shawl) giving her the magical power. This would grant her intuitions for the future. Solimar must keep it a secret from the public so no one becomes suspicious. However, a greedy king from the neighboring kingdom , their rival, finds Solimar’s secret and plans to keep her hostage and take over the enchanted forest. He invades the kingdom when her dad King Sebastian is out of town.Luckily, Solimar manages to escape from the evil King and his devious plans. What will happen to Solimar and her kingdom? Will she have to miss her Quinceneara? Read this book to find out.
What I loved about this fantasy book was the easy language and the diversity in character. The character of Solimar, a Latino princess, was a great highlight. This book especially talks a lot about Solimar’s pride in her Spanish and Indegenious heritage and discusses how badly colonialism had impacted Mexico during her times. I would highly recommend this book to girls who love books about women empowerment because this book shows a true hero you are looking for. It’s about the magic of Girl power that saves the kingdom.