Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs

hmatherly
Sep 28, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Nov 8, 2023

Genre/Award/Honor

Fantasy

Age Group

7th – 12th

Plot Summary:

Solimar is getting ready to celebrate her quinceanera (her fifteenth birthday), but she is frustrated. Solimar longs to bring democracy and equality to her people. Even though she is the daughter of the king, her hands are tied because she is a girl and not an heir to the throne.

Breaking the rules, Solimar is given a gift: the ability to see the near future. But it only lasts while the monarch butterflies are in the Oyamel Forest.

When a neighboring king invades San Gregorio and takes her family and friends hostage, Solimar uses her strengths, instincts, and her new gift to help her father and brother take back the kingdom.

Justification

Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs, is a 2023 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee. The fantasy world where monarch butterflies bestow magical powers on a young lady captured my attention. It is a great book for older elementary and middle grade children.

Setting

Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs, is set in Mexico during an undisclosed time in the past. The kingdom of San Gregorio is much like historical Mexico, but with magic. As the narrative progresses, the setting moves from the kingdom of San Gregorio to Rio Diablo, a river with many obstacles that threatens to keep Solimar from reaching her father and brother in the town of Puerto Rivera.

Character

Solimar follows the hero’s quest. She grows from a polite, capable girl at the beginning of the story and blossoms into a strong, resourceful leader who persuades others to help her in her quest.

Language

Although written in English, Ryan uses Spanish words and phrases, such as rebozo (shawl), quinceanera, and curandera (medicine woman). In doing this, Ryan emphasizes the importance of the Latino culture and heritage in Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs.