The Sunlit Ruins: An Old Gods Story

The Archives of the Forgotten #1

by Andrea Septién

Ada and Miry didn’t mean to start a city-wide catastrophe.

Really, they didn’t.

But when a family trip goes awry, the two Mexican-American cousins from opposite sides of the border accidentally unleash an evil spirit from centuries past. The incident unlocks latent magical powers within the girls, who now have to figure out what’s going on.

Easier said than done.

The only things Ada and Miry know are that the spirit is tied to the pyramids of Teotihuacán, an ancient and abandoned civilization, and that there is only one organization that can help them. The Archivists of Teotihuacán.

With only a scant trail of clues to guide them, Ada and Miry must journey across Mexico City, uncover the origin of their powers, and try to reseal the spirit they’ve awoken.

But the hardest challenge of all?

Getting along with family.

Follow Ada and Miry on their adventure through Mexico and a hidden, fantastical world of magic based on the philosophy of the city of Teotihuacán.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Audiobook, Fiction, Mythology

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Raynee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spirited journey centered around two teenage cousins who, despite their apparent differences, discover their shared core values. This middle-grade fantasy is rich in Hispanic mythology, girl power, and the nuanced dynamics of young adults learning to communicate and overcome jealousy.

As Ada and Miry accidentally unleash an ancient evil spirit, their adventure takes them through Mexico City and into a hidden, fantastical world rooted in the philosophy of Teotihuacán. The story beautifully weaves cultural elements and mythology into a fun and engaging narrative, making it an enjoyable read for the reader.

The exploration of family dynamics, particularly between the cousins, adds depth to the narrative. Their journey becomes not only about sealing the unleashed spirit but also about understanding and appreciating each other. The themes of girl power and empowerment are subtly threaded through the plot, making it a positive and uplifting read for its intended audience.

I was gifted an advance listener copy and while the story was compelling, the accompanying sound effects were a bit cheesy and, at times, distracting. Yet, it's worth noting that for the target age group, these sound effects might enhance the overall experience, providing a vivid backdrop to the fantastical elements and a way for a young reader to help distinguish the setting.

A delightful mix of adventure, cultural exploration, and lessons in family bonds. Despite a minor distraction in the audiobook, the book's positive themes and engaging narrative make it a recommended read for young readers interested in magical quests and the richness of Hispanic mythology.

Thank you Bandele Books for an advanced listener copy of this book.

[Esme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg the audiobook for this is fantastic! It has sound effects and great narrators that brought the characters to life perfectly.

the writing reminded me a lot of Rick Riordan so I really really liked it! It was funny, and such a fun story. It was also full of BTS references.

I really recommend this for all you middle grade fantasy fan out there!

Thank you Bandele Books for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!

[Kayla Ivey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ada and Miry are cousins who haven’t gotten along in years and are suddenly thrust into a world of ancient gods, magic, and secret societies when their magic is unlocked on a trip to ancient ruins.

Full of adventure this book is also the story of family and how our differences can be our greatest weapons. The audiobook narrator is incredible and the sounds effects add an extra layer to the telling of this story. This book is full of heart and touches on how family ties can shape the people in your family differently.

I recommend this to anyone looking for an exciting fantasy adventure centered around family. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Ada is in Mexico visiting her cousins she is surprised to learn they have pyramids in Mexico and is even more surprised when her uncle insist on bringing her to see them. She gets along well with her two little cousins and her older cousin Fernando who is 19 but her 15 year old cousin Miranda although the girls are the same age insist on not getting along. While visiting the pyramids however Ada cannot find anyone else to take a selfie of her on top of the platform on the pyramid except for Miranda and right after she says “cheese!“ There’s a slight earthquake but when she looks around it seems only her and Miranda noticed it. The pyramids are made up of lots of stairs and Ada wore flats unlike Miranda who wore tennis shoes On the way to a different part of the park Ada hears a voice tell her to go A different way and so she does. When Miranda chases after her the two girls come up on a flying puma and right before it attacks Miranda cactus quills start coming out of Adas fingers this is just the beginning in Ada will not be the only cousin that leaves the pyramids with superpowers unfortunately when they do leave the park the fight is an over it’s only just begun! This was a cute quick adorable read I loved the cousins I loved the chemistry and poor Nando I would definitely want to listen to the next book in this Siri‘s and I am also going to look for the book by the guy who did the introduction although I have forgotten his name now I have a written down in my notes and I’m going to look for his book series. This is why I love offering to review books because I get to listen to books I would’ve never bought on my own but would definitely buy book two in this Series I want to think net galley and independent book publishers for this free audio copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love it but I also didn’t hate it. I did love the magical aspect of book and the entwined parts of the deity’s coming to help. Also the best part of this audiobook was the background noise, it helped you fall into the Mexico environment and feel like you were there!

The characters are cousins Ada and Miry. They are definitely spoiled. We spend a decent amount of time with them hating and being jealous of each other. Which I can understand teenager girls but we had other bigger more important issues going on around them, that I felt they should have gotten over themselves earlier in the book. Especially since they both had magic powers!!!! I felt bad for Fernando, he has some crappy luck finding out things that can cause bigger issues, his poor mental health. He was a great character, probably my favorite in this book.

I am interested in seeing what happens in the sequel now that the girls shouldn’t be arguing as much and they also have to try to refigure out how to survive with their powers and all they know

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Andrea Septién for the arc

[Makayla Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook is so good!
The sunlit ruins focused on two Mexican American teen cousins born on the same day, same time. Miry born in Mexico, Ada born in the United States. Throughout the story they learn about their cultures, repair their relationship, recover from trauma. The magical element they had to learn together how to


Overall I loved the audiobook, and the story for it being middle grade it was really good. The magical element wasn’t confusing like with some fantasy. I loved that there was a lot of elements to the story and character development for both main characters.

[Benjamín Contreras · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is absolutely fantastic. It took me a bit to go with the flow of it, but once I caught it I was fascinated. Would definitively recommend it!

[Jaime Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where to start with this review?
Ugh.
Honestly I did not enjoy this book. Typically this would be right up my alley. Hispanic mythology, middle grade fantasy, girl power, magical realism...I mean, come on! That's a lot of points in the win column!!
But, no. This book didn't win with me. In fact, I forced myself to finish it just because I wanted to give it an honest review.
I read this as an audiobook.
The narration was good. The sound effects were AWFUL AND DISTRACTING! An audiobook doesn't need crash noises and music and twinkling and coughing and rushing water. It just doesn't. Good narration is all an audiobook needs.
Also, the constant back and forth of Spanish and English ?! We get it, they're both American and Mexican. You can choose one language and go with it. It won't hurt anyone. 😐 But the constant switch is super annoying, especially for people that speak only one language and there's rarely a translation.
I dunno, man. This wasn't for me. I think some serious editing is due in both the story and the audio.
The last two chapters were the best part of the book.
Will probably not continue the duology.

[Rebecca Nicole]

The Sunlit Ruins focuses on two Mexican American teen cousins who don’t get along, but have to work together when they stumble upon magical creatures and deities, and get chased around Mexico City.

I really enjoyed Ada and Miry’s journey. They are trying to figure out who they are and how to fit in when they are both split between two cultures. The two girls are often at odds with each other as they try to identify with different sides of themselves. I loved that we got to see from the perspectives of both Ada and Miry because we as readers get to see them feeling like they are falling short while the other one is perfect.

I loved the character moments between the two cousins, especially as they started sharing more of themselves and their insecurities with each other. They start to realize that they are both struggling with similar things.

That said, they argue a lot about petty things. It did get a little tiring, especially after the midpoint of the story when I thought they had made up. I guess it is realistic that there would be some left over arguing while they try to rebuild their relationship.

I also loved the adventure the characters had to go on, and the ways they tried to solve the puzzles. I especially loved when they were trying to figure out what was happening to them and searching the internet only to turn up AO3 fanfic. It was a fun nod to the fact that they are experiencing things usually only found in stories.

The magic was very unique and had consequences for using it. Both girls had to figure out how to use their magic and how to replenish it while trying to track down clues and survive the many obstacles along the way. The girls are going on a quest of self discovery while they are learning about the past in this fast paced adventure.

I found the ending very satisfying. As a consequence of the magic, Ada and Miry are forced to make sacrifices that will continue to affect them after the pages of this book are closed.

[Emily Stryker-Cherfan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ada and Miry inadvertently trigger a city-wide catastrophe when a family trip takes an unexpected turn. As two Mexican-American cousins with newfound magical powers, they must unravel the mystery surrounding an ancient evil spirit tied to the pyramids of Teotihuacán. The only hope lies with the enigmatic group, the Archivists of Teotihuacán. Armed with limited clues, Ada and Miry embark on a journey across Mexico City, exploring their magical origins and attempting to reseal an awakened spirit. Amidst the fantastical world of magic inspired by the philosophy of Teotihuacán, the cousins also grapple with the challenge of maintaining family harmony. The story weaves together adventure, mythology, and family dynamics as Ada and Miry navigate their way through this enchanting and perilous quest.

The Sunlit Ruins is a heartwarming tale that follows the journey of two cousins, Ada and Miry, as they rediscover friendship and delve into their family's heritage and culture. Andrea Septién offers a culturally rich adventure that combines family dynamics, magic, and self-discovery.

[Mariana Mas Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Though it’s not a perfect book, it was so fun to read a fantasy book set in México City and with Teotihuacan deities!

My favorite thing about the book was Quetzalcoatl 😅 The way the deities are characterized is so cool. The second half of the book, when the deities are finally on page, was the best part and I preferred it over the first half, which was more focused on the relationship between the cousins.

Some things: I think it reads more like middle grade than YA, Miry and Ada are 15 but they read younger. The audiobook narrator also makes them sound younger. However, there are themes that are older. It would have worked better for me if the book fully embraced the middle grade category (adjusting the themes accordingly). Middle grade would fit the story fabulously 🥰

At the beginning of the book there’s a lot of emphasis on people’s accents (who has a perfect English accent vs. who has a Mexican English accent). I think that’s included to explore the conflict of identity the cousins have, which is a very interesting theme to explore, but the way it’s explored can feel a bit jarring at times.

Overall I had a lot of fun and I’m excited for book 2! ❤️ I’m looking forward to more Quetz 🙊

*I highly suggest the prequel story! It was so good 😍

[christinac_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Book; 1/5 Audio
YA Contemporary fantasy about two Mexican-American cousins on each side of the border who unleash evil spirits. Rich in culture and references. Adventure story about respecting and embracing your heritage. Personally was quite annoyed that the bulk of the novel involved these kids bickering constantly about EVERYTHING - both vocally and in their thoughts. Disliked the narration style - felt very contrived as if I was toddler at a library being read aloud a picture book. Actual coughing, screaming, grunting added as sound effects by the narrator in addition to the music, phone ringing, thunder, and so on and so forth heavily detracted from the reading experience. This had potential but unfortunately I really didn’t enjoy the experience.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn into The Sunlit Ruins by the cover of the two protagonists in front of a Teotihuacán pyramid in Mexico. And I have to say this was an enjoyable adventure to go on as the cousins discover the magical side of the ancient Teotihuacán culture. I was so happy I gave this book a chance.

We follow cousins Ada and Miry (which I thought were spelled different based on how it's pronounced), both born on the same day as an ordinary trip to the Teotihuacán pyramids turn into a fight for their lives, and forced to discover the depths of their newly awakened magic tied into the Teotihuacán culture before disaster strikes.

Along with that, the girls explore their fractured relationship and their place in their culture as both Mexican and Americans, being mixed heritage. The interjection of Mexican culture was done well, and relates to the characters culture clash, as well as how it helped with character growth. I enjoyed getting to know these two as they are forced to work together through the adventure, deal with comparison traps, as well as how they contrast with each other, which is always a fun dynamic to read about. The other characters the two encounter were also fun to learn about and were fleshed out, especially older cousin Fernando. I love the bonds of family that's pervasive throughout. Small heads up, there's mentions of a bad touch moment in one character's past.

The world building was done well, both with current day Mexico City and the Teotihuacán culture. I felt like I was there most of the time and immersed in the magic and lore of the ancient culture, and it's link to the current day. The story was engaging from start to end and it didn't feel like there was a lot of drag to the story. For the most part, the pacing was great, with a few twists to keep things going. There was a bit of an info dump when things are being explained, but it's not super bad.

I listened to the audiobook, which was easy on the ears. Though the two main ladies voices sounded very similar that at times I thought it was the same person, so it was a minor issue, but not too bad, considering they are a sense twin cousins (it makes sense). I do like that the presentation steps it up a notch with sound effects for scene transitions and other events throughout that made it feel like an audio drama.

The ending was quite interesting and I can't wait to see how everything is wrapped up in the second half of the duology. This is a fun read for YA readers looking for something with a Percy Jackson vibe that can't be missed.

*I received a review copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.*

[Ariadna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story follows Ada and Miry who are two Mexican American cousins, one was raised in America, the other in Mexico. One day the family trip to the pyramids of Teotihuacán in Mexico city goes wrong and they accidentally end up releasing an evil spirit from centuries ago, gaining powers of their own along the way. Their only clue is guiding them to the organization called Archivists that supposedly could help them. Now they are stuck together with each other to figure out the mess they’ve made and try to get along.

I read this as an audiobook: the narration was good and easy to follow, and it was accompanied by a lot of sound effects and background noises, which I think were kind of cool because it helped to fall into this Mexico environment better.

This middle-grade fantasy was pretty rich in ancient prophecies, Hispanic mythology, girl power, empowerment and family drama. These themes were subtly intertwined with the main plot, which made it a very positive and uplifting read. The book had a great exploration of family dynamics, particularly between two cousins and added a great depth to their characters. Their journey revolved around not only beating the evil spirit, but also understanding and appreciating each other. The story was also fun to read because of all the action scenes and battles with the gods and some pretty remarkable animals and monsters, like Pum-eagles and huge spiders.

This was the third book that had remarks on BTS that I read, and my heart is happy that they get the recognition they deserve. Both Miry and Ada were real ARMYs and there were a lot of references about Suga and Jimin.

The thing that I didn’t enjoy as much as I wanted was the constant switching between English and Spanish languages. At first, I kind of liked it but as the story went on it started to irritate me, because I think it was a bit too heavy on that. There were rarely any translations, so I didn’t understand a lot of it, even though I know a bit of Spanish.

This book is a YA fantasy, but this was the first time while reading this genre when the book felt really teeny-like. Usually, I totally forget about the MC’s age and just delve into it. In this case, I couldn’t shake the knowledge that they are fifteen years old, because they acted like teens (as they probably should). There is also no romance involved, so the main conflict is among the family members.

I didn’t love this book, but I also didn’t hate it. While it wasn’t for my age gap, the book was really fun to listen to, so definitely recommend, but maybe for a bit younger audience.

I am really thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book to read.

[Kerensa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pum-Eagles, Mayan Gods, and Cacti Needles Oh MY!

Trigger Warnings:
Sexual Assault (Groping)
Death
Chronic Illness
Bullying

This was a refreshing story about two Mexican-American cousins, Ada, born in the United States, and Miry, born in Mexico, who were born on the same day at the same time. Throughout the story, they learn about their culture and history, repair their fractured relationship, remember and recover from trauma, accept themselves for who they are, and learn to work together.
Ada is visiting over the summer with her family in Mexico City and while visiting the Teotihuacán pyramids the girls are transported through a portal to that ancient city and accidentally release an evil spirit, that can end the entire world. Dormant magical powers appear within the girls, confusing them but also getting them interested in figuring out the Who, What, When, Where, How, and WHY of what is happening to them.

Ada and Miry are joined by their college-age cousin who helps them along the way, some ghosts, Puma-eagles, giant spiders, and Mayan Gods. The girls are pre-teens, just 12 years old, which I was a tad bit surprised by, as I thought their ages were around 15 or 16. The author handled some of the more taboo topics gently, while still explaining the impact of the trauma experienced by Miry. We get to follow along with them as they follow the trail to finding The Archivists of Teotihuacán, an organization that is supposed to be able to help them figure it out and banish the evil spirit. Together they travel across Mexico City finding out more about themselves, and their new powers, meeting an old God, learning to use their powers, and figuring out how to get along with each other and what family means.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this story about Ada and Miry. It was fresh and new and I honestly enjoyed the fact that, while it is listed as Sci-Fi & Fantasy and Teens & YA, it felt more in line with a story my 9-year-old granddaughter would enjoy, except for a few "bad words" sprinkled here and there. Of course, in today's society, those words are not shocking at all unless you live under a rock. I also enjoyed the fact that this story is in another country and was narrated in clear English but with some Spanish influence and speaking, which was very refreshing. There were some background sounds sprinkled here and there like the sounds of Mexico City, the voice of the spirit, etc. I am glad that it wasn't as overwhelming as some can be, but do think there could have been a bit more. The narrator put everything she had into this story, the lilting of her voice while reading normally, the raising of voices, the teasing and bullying tones, it was almost like I was listening to a TV show or movie at times. This in itself is enough to keep readers interested.

The characters were engaging, I became engaged with them and their lives and wanted to know more, as well as wanting to find out everything about their powers and the Archivists. I think the world-building could have been better as I would have liked to have been able to picture the city and scenery in my mind more, especially when the girls were in the jungle. I did like the sounds included such as the panthers' growls. I loved watching the girls' relationship building over the story, putting aside their differences, and learning the true meaning of friendship and family.
People of all ages will enjoy this story as the audiobook creates an immersive experience that allows the reader to connect more with the characters and their experiences. While I think reading this story in any format, be it print, digital, or audio, the audio version would be the best for those wanting to truly immerse themselves in the experience. I usually don't compare books but this one reminded me of Percy Jackson and his adventures learning about his history. This is my first experience with a book by the author Andrea Septién and I believe I will have to check out more and share this audiobook with my granddaughter.

[Weslei Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an eArc for the audiobook on Netgalley, and I really need to say as someone who hates audiobooks, THAT WAS AMAZING! OMG, Luzma Ortiz narration was perfect and all the sound design, it was incredible, you could hear the streets, the jungle, steps of people walking, it was so good and it helped alot to get into the story and now I kinda wanna hear more audiobooks like this.
But for the story, I love it and it was perfect, I already read most of Bandele's books from the TJ Young series and was really interested in the shared universe, the choice is kinda interesting, it's not exactly "Aztec/Nahua cosmologies", but cosmologies of Teotihuacan, the people that were living in the region before the Aztecs, althought there was some sincretisms, similar to how the romans adopted greek gods. One of my nitpickings with many "mexican folkore" books is that they always treat indigenous people (specially nahua and mayans) as something of the past when having books talking about their cultures, so at first I was bothered with the deities talking about the aztecs in the past tense, but that's because they come from way before them and this whole thing of they remember what humanity remembers and since humanity forgot her name, she also forgot too or even the whole identity crisis of Quetzalcoatl with him being the most famous deity and having way too many forms, because humanity keeps adding to his mith is kinda interesting, the series do have some Percy Jackson influence even if they aren't demigods.
Also is a small thing but I like that contrary to most "mexican mithology books" they actually discuss and acknowledge that THOSE ARE NOT GODS, they are deities, the book itself says it Quetzalcoatl wasn't the god of the light, he is light itself. This is one thing that I see alot of books get wrong, trying to take indigenous believes and write them using an eurocentric view, making them be similar to greek gods, one of the things that I loved so much about TJ Young from Bandele was that he actually took the effort to understand how being a son of Orixa works, doesn't mean that they are your biological father but it's more like a spiritual connection, I love that he just didn't take the Percy Jackson gods and added a "Yoruba Skin" ignoring how rich it all is and this book also had the same effort, of not comparing them to the eurocentric compect of gods and pantheons but actually presenting them as cosmologies, the only characthers that treat them as gods, are the villains who don't understand how exactly it should work.
About the main characthers, I kinda love them, I'm brazilian (born in Brazil) but I do speak spanish and I'm familiar with some parts of mexican culture, the spanish parts were not hard at all and it's interesting seeing how they identity works, they're both mexican american, with Ada having both mexican parents but growing up in the USA and Mini having an american dad but growing up in Mexico (also, wouldn't that make her American Mexican instead of Mexican American?) also I love the scene of Ada screaming fucking gringa to Mini, it was so petty LOL. Yes, both of you are and that's okay, just accept it. They bickering never get's annoying and is really interesting this thing of they both wanting to be like the other or not feeling "mexican enough" while Fer is just there having to stand both of them fighting, Fer is also such a interesting characther, I hope we get more of him in book two.
There is so much more in this book, I loved this journey and it was right up on my alley, I need to read more stories like this, most of it was pretty funny and lightharted but there were some serious moments, a huge CONTENT WARNING/TRIGGER WARNING for death, grief, bullying SA (Groping) and stalking

[[☁️]REY🐉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both ada and miry are Mexican-American but each one of the cousins is different than the other . We follow their adventure trough a magical world with a lot of secrets and manipulation . The events of this journey are going to be in Mexico City when ada who lives in America came to visit her family .

Please before you pick this book put in mind that this is a middle grade novel . I enjoy it tough but I hate when people are rating books based on their category , not all of us will love a middle grade novel but obviously there are a lot of people who will love it because it’s really enjoyable .

I listen to this book as an audiobook and just wow I loved it , and the sound effects were great it bring you into the world as fast as you start listening . And the narrators Luzma Ortiz and Martin Martinez were so good . Especially Luzma Ortiz she as wonderful, the way she delivers changes from one character to another, which makes you understand the depth of the characters and get attached to them more . I actually don’t know if I would’ve loved this book the same way if I just read it without listening to the audiobook .

We follow this story with a lovely double POV ( Ada’s POV and miry’s POV ) . I loved that Andrea septièn gave us just enough from both girls . I love Ada’s POV more btw but there’s moments when I felt that I want to know what’s happening with miry and BOOM Andrea gives it to me .

And I loved the writing style like a lot . It was so good and so easy to read , the novel in general is an easy read . So I want to say that this novel will be a good beginning to a middle grade kid who wants to get into reading the sunlight ruins will be just the perfect start to reading.

The only thing that I hated about this novel is some gaps in the characters . Like ada and miry are 15 years old but sometimes you feel like they’re older a lot older and that made me not enjoying the characters development . But otherwise by the end of the book we see how that journey reflected on the girls personality.

This novel discusses many important topics for the target age group such as friendships , bullying , self love and self acceptance , communication , Jealousy and envy , abuse (light) .. And This added a lesson to the fun adventures we had with the girls .

I rated it 4 ⭐️ . The only thing that prevented me from giving it 5 stars is the contradiction in the characters, meaning that sometimes i felt that they are young girls but other time from their dialects i felt as if they are adults.
I’ll absolutely recommend it to middle grade readers .
Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity 🏹

[Justine Korson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't listed to many audiobooks, but this is one of the best one's I've had the pleasure of hearing!! There were sound effects and music added into it that made the experience very immersive. The sounds of cars, kids laughing, and the growls of pumas all added to the atmosphere I was building in my mind while listening to this. I also appreciated how there were two narrators for the different characters in the story. Hearing their grandparents distinct voices for the letter was a very nice touch.

Overall for the story though, I was surprised when I realized this book was marketed as YA when it felt more like a MG novel. The characters Ada and Miri felt very childish with their jealousy and anger towards one another. I was frustrated by their constant arguments and didn't blame Fernando at all when he kicked his cousins out of the car so they could finally talk things through. Their issues with one another could've been solved so easily if they'd just talked about what was bothering them. I do understand that teenagers might have a hard time discussing their feelings but both girls were very perspective of each other, despite their outward disdain. Ada is also a very talkative character so I expected her to open up to Miri and ask her questions but that's not what happened.

They did eventually open up to each other and boned over their love for BTS (which was so real of them) but by then I was already so frustrated by their petty fights that their reconciliation couldn't amend how I felt about them. I do like them individually though. Ada was very upbeat and positive despite the stress of learning about their magic and the deities. Miri was very strong and confident even in the face of her bullies. Together though... the girls were too much.

I liked that this story touched on topics like Ada's disconnect with her culture and language, Miri's bullying and her SA. These topics were handled well and discussed at length by the characters in a way that was respectful to the topics and helpful to those who don't understand the kind of pain that comes from these situations.

I would rate this book a 3.75 as I do think it is a very great read (listen) and I am looking forward to reading what happens in the second novel as the end result of the novel was very harrowing for the girls. I anticipate that I'll like the second novel more because the girls have become friends and probably won't be fighting as much.

[Lila S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Bandele Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and Members' Audiobooks for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It didn't allow for the option of an audiobook edition on Goodreads but I listened to the audiobook and loved it! The sound effects were literally amazing! I also loved the narrators! I’ve never listened to any audiobook with sound effects like this and I loved it

This is a fast paced book about a girl and her cousin who accidentally cause a disaster. They were constantly arguing but it was seriously so funny. I love how they randomly gain powers and have no idea how or why they have them.

I literally found this book so entertaining. I was genuinely so shocked when I realized that 20 minutes had gone by because it felt like only 10 minutes had passed. This book had me so focused on it that I couldn't focus on anything else.

I loved how some of the chapters were from Ada's point of view and the other chapters were from Miry's point of view. They had such different yet similar personalities and I loved every second of it.

Despite being 15 years old, Miry and Ada don’t often act their age, and that was frustrating. Although sometimes amusing, their bickering became annoying. When they were jealous of the other one, it was a bit frustrating. Whenever they were jealous, they reminded me of 10 year olds. I feel like I wrote a lot in this review about ages but it bothered me a bit how they don’t really act their age, making us think that they were a lot younger than they actually were.

I felt like I barely knew anything about Fernando. I loved his personality and he seemed really nice, but I can say very few things about him besides that. I think he’s in college but I might be wrong. I don’t really remember how old he is because I think that it was mentioned once in the first quarter of the book.

Quetzalcóatl is seriously my favorite character. He is literally my new obsession. Quetz (I’m listening to the audiobook so I might be spelling it wrong) is a mood. I mean…HIS FAVORITE MOVIE! Help, I died. You need to read this book if not for anything else then for Quetz. I think I laughed at EVERYTHING he said. I seriously need more of him, preferably a lot more.

It took me a bit to get into this book, but when I did, I really liked it.

Overall, despite its faults, I definitely enjoyed this book and it is a good first book in a series. I definitely want to read the sequel!

[Krisi Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bandele Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Overall I thought listening vs. reading to this book is a great choice. This is a middle grade level so kids will love the additional sound effects and the young voice of the narrator. Subjectively I was not a fan of the Guadalupe/Ada narration, but enjoyed Miri and the other characters. However that is not going to be reflected in my review! The creative choice to add sound effects and phone call messages that were slightly distorted was very immersive. This propelled the background and setting the scene/sense of place. That was very well done.

Sadly, this was not my favorite book. What i did love about it, is the bottom line of embracing your heritage and learning to love yourself even if you don’t fit in a perfect box. They highlight (briefly without garish or terrifying details for young readers) safety for women and young girls in a city where men often do not get caught. This was well done and I appreciate the nod and awareness to it. I also loved the family ties/focus driving the relationships in this book with cultural education and insight. As a Caucasian American that has no traditions from my ancestral roots, I love reading books where I’m learning about other cultures. What I did not like, is I felt like the plot was so vague that it became meaningless to me. There’s a hint at something evil in the beginning, discovering things about themselves and how to stop it, and then a little clarity on the antagonist, but it never felt like a strong pull towards the story. That was pretty disappointing because other aspects of the book were very enjoyable. I love books with a veiled mystery that compels me to keep reading. But this….was not done well and fell flat. It didn’t make me curious, or wanting to know more, it left me being like okay why is this happening? It was almost like it was happening outside all the internal struggles in the distant perimeter instead of being the main obstacle our protagonists had to deal with. It just didn’t match to me.

I’m giving this book 3 stars, and I feel like that’s generous. There are aspects I enjoyed and I pointed out, but as a whole it felt disjointed. And I am sad to report I will not be reading the rest of the series and the cliffhanger at the end was not enticing to me at all.

[A Mac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual Rating 2.5

TW: Stalking, Bullying

Ada and Miry go on a family trip to an ancient ruin and accidentally end up starting what promises to become a city-wide catastrophe. This triggers hidden powers in the cousins, ones they struggle to understand as they struggle to get along. The only thing they know for sure is that everything is tied to the ancient ruins of Teotihuacán, and that they must race against time to find answers before Mexico City comes under threat.

This story is told from the dual POV of two cousins, one who identified as American and the other who identified as Mexican. While it is part of a larger collection of books (The Old Gods world), you can read this book without having read any of the others.

My favorite part of this book was the history and lore surrounding Teotihuacán and the magical realism aspects. The magic was a lovely addition, and I liked how well it was tied into the history and lore of the country. The balance of the magic, the consequences of using it, and the girls trying to figure out the limits and source of their powers added fascinating aspects to the story.

There were a few aspects I didn’t care for. This book was all about keeping secrets from parents and those older/wiser than the protagonists. It’s not a good message to reinforce in fiction, and I dislike how often it shows up in YA books. The other thing was that the jealousy and rivalry between the cousins became frustrating. It was painfully repetitive, with both cousins saying almost exactly the same thing in the chapters from their POV. Their arguing was just as painfully annoying, and all of this lasted until over halfway through the book – it detracted from the plot and my enjoyment significantly. Thankfully it likely won’t be an issue in the future books since it was resolved in this one.

This one almost read a bit more like a MG read based on the writing aside from the amount of swearing and the TW themes (there’s a significant of swearing, which I found unnecessary and odd). This made it feel a bit awkward overall and like it might not quite satisfy any audience. I love the concept of this book, but it just didn’t deliver the way I hoped it would. My thanks to NetGalley and Bandele Books for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Stephanie Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this audiobook from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Miri (Miranda) and Ada (Guadalupe) are 15-year-old cousins. Miri was born in Mexico and Ada was born in the US on the same day. At the same time. They were very close when they were younger but after some time they started to grow apart and now all they do is fight when they're together.
Ada comes to visit over the summer with her family and something mysterious happens. They get transported through a portal to the ancient city of Teotihuacan while visiting the ruins. Thus setting off a series of events that can end the world. Can they get over their differences and make it before the world is destroyed?

Narrated by: Luzma Ortiz and Martin Martinez
Ortiz does a wonderful job at distinguishing between characters. I can always tell when Ada and Miri are talking because Ada's voice is higher and has an accent when she speaks Spanish. I also really like that she was able to switch so easily between the languages. It made it very realistic. (I do this a lot.) The audio was immersive and fast-paced. The added sounds of busses the city people talking and Pum-eagles (Puma with eagle wings [ Puma Alado ] ) roaring really gave a surreal feeling to the story.

This story is very fast-paced and I had trouble putting it down to go to sleep. There are very emotional moments and a few trigger warnings (below). Ortiz did great at expressing emotion and made me cry twice. I like that the characters complain about each other but they can also see each other's strength.

Trigger Warnings:
Sexual Assault (Groping)
Death
Chronic Illness
Bullying

Overall this was a wonderful debut novel and I can't wait for book 2.
There is a prequel that I am going to read next, it is a short novella.

A Note From the Publisher
ISBN: 9781951905330 (eBook edition)
ISBN: 9781951905347 (Paperback edition)
ISBN: 9781951905354 (Hardback edition)

EDITION Audiobook, Unabridged
ISBN 9798868748882
PRICE $14.99 (USD)
DURATION 10 Hours, 23 Minutes, 41 Seconds

[CourtLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

What Ada and Miry, two Mexican-American cousins, thought would be just another summer in Mexico with their families, turns out to be the start of an adventure they could never have imagined.

Ada and Miry must overcome their differences to work together to uncover the mysteries behind Teotihucán and the learn who the Archivists are.

Narrators Luzma Ortiz and Martin Martinez did a really wonderful job at bringing this story to life. The audio is full of music and effects that help provide depth and make this story very enjoyable to listen to. This makes the Sunlit Ruins a very quick fast paced read.

I really enjoyed how well put together both the book and audio were.

That being said I do have a few minor elements I had did not enjoy. Parts of the story where Ada or Miry was upset or complaining came off as very winey and somewhat annoying. This did not take way from the story but was something I noticed.

Due to the narrator being the same for both Ada and Miry it was sometimes hard for me to tell who’s POV we were in. This wasn’t a major problem but I do feel like two different narrators might have helped bring out more of the differences in their tones.

Overall the narration and the writing was very well done and extremely enjoyable. The further you get in the story, the more everything picks up due to how well the pace of the writing and the narration are matched.

I really enjoyed the mythology and am glad to have had a chance to read this story about the deities of Teotihucán, which I had not read about until now.

I personally enjoyed the Sunlit Ruins a great amount for I am a huge fan of stories involving mythology. I think that if you, like I, enjoy books like Percy Jackson, then the humor, mythos, and energy of this book will really speak to you.

I cannot wait to read more from this world and the author.

Thank you to Bandele Books, NetGalley, and the author for an ALC for my honest review.

[The Opal Grove Editing · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book a proper review, but unfortunately the audiobook ARC that I was sent from NetGalley seems to have some issue with it which meant I was only able to get about 56% of the way through. Whenever I tried to listen from Chapter 23 onwards, the audiobook would freeze and then crash.
However, I am able to comment on what I read up to that point. I was excited about the premise of this book, as it seemed to have everything I love - ancient evil spirits, undiscovered magic, and a quest to save the world. But unfortunately, I felt that the story really fell short.
First of all, the two main characters - Miry and Ada - are whiny. The two of them are constantly griping at each other, both out loud and in their head, and it gets tiresome pretty quickly. It feels as though they are being purposely obtuse just for the sake of continuing the plot, and it can be irritating.
Also, the magic that the two girls learn is... weird. Ada is able to grow one of her nails extra long (almost like a cactus needle) and then shoot the elongated nail as a projectile. But it was when she grew it even longer and started wielding it as a blade instead that I had to take a step away. Miry's magic is just as odd though - she shoots individual strands of her hair as projectiles, but it got weirder when she started using her arm hairs.
There were a few things that I did like though, and that was the deities who controlled the magic, and the way that different magic users recharged their magic through different means, e.g water or sunlight, but unfortunately this wasn't enough to turn the story around.
The narrator's voice for the audiobook was also grating, and there were unnecessary sound effects thrown in throughout.
All in all, I'm not that upset that I haven't been able to finish this book, and I won't be recommending it to others.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for a review.

What an amazing adventure. Perfect for any fans of Percy Jackson, this story, part of, based on the foreword, a larger universe, features characters receiving powers from deities of Central America, specifically, Teotihuacán, and have to save the world.

Ada and Miry are both fantastic characters. I loved watching them grow, both as themselves and grow together, dealing with issues of identity, trauma, and social issues like bullying. Through the story, the girls have to sort out how they feel about the identities, with both dealing with not feelings being Mexican enough for Mexico or American enough for America. They face these issues, and their issues with how they view each other, as the story progresses, allowing them to grow and change, become happier with each other and themselves.

While all this is happening, the world is ending. A seal has been broken, and they have to figure out how to fix it, while navigating these new powers and abilities from gods that, depending on which girl you're reading from, they aren't even aware existed, must less that they were real, could talk to them, and of course, give them magical abilities. Featuring epic magical fights and a great final showdown, the girls face the world, together with other family members, and an ancient organization designed to protect the world.

My sole grievance was not with the writing, but with the audiobook- it features random sound effects at the start of each chapter, which I found very distracting and detrimental to my reading experience. Additionally, at one point, the narrator completely changes while they read a letter, which was jarring and took me out of the story.

[goblins and tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sunlit ruins, written by Andrea Septién is a wonderful story, playing in modern day Mexico city, entwined with century old magic, Teotihuacán, and deities.
The story focuses on two cousins Ada and Miry who cannot stand each other, trying to save the city, whilst trying to figure out their powers.
I loved the story, the relationship between the cousins and how they evolved, faced with identity problems, magic and danger.
I enjoyed not having the greek pantheon, wich so many books feature nowadays, but diving into the world of Teotihuacán. I have to admit I learned a lot, as I hadn’t really stumbled upon these deities before.
The magic system is super interesting and I enjoyed learning more about the magic together with our Main Characters.
And the ending of the book was so good, but it still leaves me wanting more, I want to explore the world further. It felt as if the book had only scratched the surface, intriguing me.
However I wasn’t to fond of the use of spanish, I don’t understand spanish that well, but that made me relate to Ada, who also doesn’t know spanish.
I read this book as an audiobook. The narrator has a captivating voice and manages to show each character differently, especially with the use of accents.
But I did have some issues with the audiobook, there were a lot of sound effects in between. I understand that many people enjoy that, however I did not. Rather I was constantly sucked out of the book into reality and it was difficult to stay in the flow in the story.
Considering all the points i mentioned I would give the audiobook 3,25 stars, personally I would have probably rated it higher if I had read it as I absolutely love the story, I just had a big issue with the sound effects.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Mexican teens—one from the U.S. and one from Mexico—on a wild and strange adventure.

It all started on a family trip to Mexico City, where polar opposite cousins, Ada and Miry, encounter strange sightings like puma-eagles.

The first scene seemed to be an attack of the puma-eagles and the girls realized that they had special abilities. Of course, there’s undoubtedly confusion about all this here.

“Your magic has awoken, but you have cracked the seal. And now you must repair it.”

The narrative was witty and enjoyable. I liked the Mexican culture and the Spanish language infused throughout the whole story. The girls were literally worlds apart as far as behavior, customs, culture, and language went, which made it more difficult to work together in this mysterious magical quest. They would constantly be butting heads on everything. American Ada was too naïve about thievery and slimy men in Mexico. Good thing she had her tough-as-nails cousin.

The characters and the story really grab you. It was a fast-paced and crazy adventure through the streets of Mexico, especially when it came to the action scenes. However, the descriptions were a little long at times and the details can get confusing. It was a long journey and I would’ve preferred a quicker pace that would’ve went along with a shorter read. That’s pretty much what brought this down from a 4 to 3.5 for me.

The best parts for me were the culture clash between the cousins and the magical action. It’s definitely a worthy fantasy read with other worldly creatures, magic, and history. Recommended, for sure.

Rating: 3.5 stars

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sunlit Ruins is a fun twist on the gods affect the human world trope ah la Percy Jackson. Although this story is square in teen territory, as opposed to middle grade.

The story follows two Mexican-American cousins, Ada and Miry, who have become so different as teenagers they can’t remember how they were so close as kids. Their tension keeps up as they make their way across Mexico City trying to use their newfound godly powers to stop a terrible power from destroying the city. With the help of their older cousin and a group of mysterious magic users, Ada and Miry will have to work together to have any hope of succeeding.

The way the powers manifest in this story are surprisingly unique and discovering them along with the girls is fun. The gods of this story are also presented in an intriguing way and I liked their interpretation. Plus, the use of ancient Mexican cultures as a base is cool.

I also appreciated the way Ada and Miry are both developing into themselves and how their life experiences affect their choices. As a side note, I also think it’s funny that they use their older cousin’s good kid status to basically have their parents ask zero questions. It’s a clever way to have family included without pulling them all into the adventure.

The audiobook has solid narration and includes extra sounds to highlight new scenes. It’s worth a read for anyone looking for a fun summer adventure.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connect to your magic; nourish your roots
As an American “mutt” with no working knowledge of my ethnical history (besides being told of some possibilities), I applaud those who keep up with their heritage. Architecture & art, crafts & cuisine, history, language & literature, music & mythology, textiles, etc. Pass it along!
Shared culture bridges the generational gap and it solidifies same-generational ties. As someone who, like Ada, lives in a separate country from family, I can tell you firsthand how important staying in touch means.

There’s a lot of great stuff in here, for adults as well as teens. In addition to the entertainment value and the aforementioned cultural & familial aspects, readers are taken (literally) on a journey of Mexico City. Be an armchair traveller and check out the various sites & attractions (I sure did!).

The author addresses how to respect oneself in the face of bullies (yes, even adults do it):
‘If I do not like what they say, I do not listen.’
‘People’s judgment only affects you as much as you let it.’


Some things are the same world over:
‘I think my patience is in the coffee.’


And don’t miss out on the Pronunciation Guide and Glossary.

May we all be the anchor our family members need and the stewards of our cultural background(s).

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sunlit Ruins" by Andrea Septièn is an outstanding YA book, drawing striking parallels to the beloved Percy Jackson series. The narrative's swift pace, fueled by intense action, at times posed a challenge to keep up with, but this very dynamism contributed to a quicker, exhilarating read.

Tailored for young adults aged 15-20, the audiobook version enhances the experience. The narrator skillfully conveys emotions, immersing listeners in the excitement, worry, and more. The audio quality is exceptional, with clear narration and delightful sound effects that vividly illustrate the unfolding events.

While the rapid world-building at the story's onset may momentarily confuse readers about characters and details, the character development shines, particularly between the two main protagonists—15-year-old Mexican/American girls navigating their newfound powers.

I highly recommend "Sunlit Ruins" to those seeking a fast-paced, accessible read, especially newcomers to YA fantasy. The use of short chapters adds to the book's pace, offering a refreshing brevity for those averse to lengthy chapters. The narrative unfolds with captivating twists and turns, providing an enjoyable exploration of the girls' powers and their origin. This book is a delightful journey for readers of all levels, promising excitement and discovery from start to finish.