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Las heroínas: Una historia de amor y justicia
Two teen vigilantes set off on an action-packed investigation to expose corruption and deliver justice in Valiant Ladies, Melissa Grey's YA historical fiction novel inspired by real seventeenth century Latinx teenagers known as the Valiant Ladies of Potosí.
By day Eustaquia “Kiki” de Sonza and Ana Lezama de Urinza are proper young seventeeth century ladies. But when night falls, they trade in their silks and lace for swords and muskets, venturing out into the vibrant, bustling, crime-ridden streets of Potosí, in the Spanish Empire's Viceroyalty of Peru. They pass their time fighting, gambling, and falling desperately in love with one another.
Then, on the night Kiki's engagement to the Viceroy's son is announced, her older brother―heir to her family’s fortune―is murdered. The girls immediately embark on a whirlwind investigation that takes them from the lowliest brothels of Potosí to the highest echelons of the Spanish aristocracy.
By day Eustaquia “Kiki” de Sonza and Ana Lezama de Urinza are proper young seventeeth century ladies. But when night falls, they trade in their silks and lace for swords and muskets, venturing out into the vibrant, bustling, crime-ridden streets of Potosí, in the Spanish Empire's Viceroyalty of Peru. They pass their time fighting, gambling, and falling desperately in love with one another.
Then, on the night Kiki's engagement to the Viceroy's son is announced, her older brother―heir to her family’s fortune―is murdered. The girls immediately embark on a whirlwind investigation that takes them from the lowliest brothels of Potosí to the highest echelons of the Spanish aristocracy.
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2022
58 people are currently reading
9082 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Grey
17 books1,147 followersMelissa Grey penned her first short story at the age of twelve and hasn't stopped writing since. As an undergrad at Yale, she learned how ride a horse and shoot a bow and arrow at the same time. She also has a Masters in Art History but that's a much less useful skill.
She is the author of The Girl at Midnight trilogy, Rated, and the forthcoming The Valiant Ladies of Potosi.
To learn more about Melissa, visit melissa-grey.com and follow her on Twitter @meligrey.
She is the author of The Girl at Midnight trilogy, Rated, and the forthcoming The Valiant Ladies of Potosi.
To learn more about Melissa, visit melissa-grey.com and follow her on Twitter @meligrey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
July 15, 2022
In a Nutshell: A fun book though a bit ‘in-your-face’ with its writing. Will work great for its right audience –the upper end of the YA reading segment, maybe even the NA crowd. Older readers might end up rolling their eyes.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
😍 The story is partially inspired by the real life 7th century Latinx teenagers known as the Valiant Ladies of Potosí. I loved knowing that such brave and non-conformist young girls actually existed.
😍 Ana and Kiki’s connection is pretty well-written. I liked how no one judged Ana for coming from a shady background. This made for a pleasant change from the norm.
😍 It’s surprisingly complicated for a YA book, with a combo of sapphic romance, murder mystery, family drama, and swashbuckling action scenes. Add to this a dash of feminism and a smash of patriarchy, and you have quite a strong story in your hands.
😍 The vocabulary is also surprisingly rich for a YA book. I enjoyed some of the unusual word choices.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😑 Except for a regular mention of gowns and swords and noble titles, there was nothing in the setting to make this feel like a 17th century Peruvian story. The data was there, but it didn’t transcend into a genuine cultural experience. The dialogue writing is also quite contemporary in its style. I wasn’t expecting old-style English (or Spanish, to be more accurate) but the overuse of cuss words and modern day phrases further added to the inauthentic feel of the time period.
😑 The middle part of the story is quite repetitive. (Having the audio version helped a lot.)
😑 There’s no suspense. You know who the villains are the minute they enter in the page. It is just a matter of knowing how they will get their dues.
😑 All the factors which make YA less than ideal are present in this book – reckless leads who jump into danger first and regret their actions later, loads of internal rambling, tons of thoughts about physical attraction, exaggerated emotions,... There is no denying that eliminating these issues would have improved the book to a great extent.
😑 Some basic information seems to have been missed out upon. Like, what year is the story actually set in? When and why did Ana and Kiki become vigilantes? Knowing this would have helped understand them better.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at about 12 hours, is narrated by Frankie Corzo and Almarie Guerra. Both narrators do a wonderful job of bringing their respective charges to life with their voice. I enjoyed the audio version – it certainly enhanced the book for me.
I was mentally prepared for a YA-level book, so there was no great disappointment over the flatness of the characters and the storyline. If I had read this as a historical fiction, I would have rated it much lower. But as a YA coming-of-age/romance, it does justice to its genre.
3.5 stars, rounding up because I am sure it will click better with the right age group than it did with me.
My thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for the ALC of “Valiant Ladies”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Kiki and Ana are best friends from different circumstances. Ana was born and brought up in a brothel while Kiki belongs to a noble family. However, once their paths met, their bond forged strongly and Ana now stays with Kiki’s family, both trying hard to be society ladies. However, in secret, they are teen vigilantes, passing their time gambling and rescuing those who need to be rescued. When danger comes to their own house and a close family member ends up dead, Kiki and Ana realise that it is up to them to ensure that justice is served.
The story comes to us in the alternate first person perspectives of Kiki and Ana.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 The story is partially inspired by the real life 7th century Latinx teenagers known as the Valiant Ladies of Potosí. I loved knowing that such brave and non-conformist young girls actually existed.
😍 Ana and Kiki’s connection is pretty well-written. I liked how no one judged Ana for coming from a shady background. This made for a pleasant change from the norm.
😍 It’s surprisingly complicated for a YA book, with a combo of sapphic romance, murder mystery, family drama, and swashbuckling action scenes. Add to this a dash of feminism and a smash of patriarchy, and you have quite a strong story in your hands.
😍 The vocabulary is also surprisingly rich for a YA book. I enjoyed some of the unusual word choices.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😑 Except for a regular mention of gowns and swords and noble titles, there was nothing in the setting to make this feel like a 17th century Peruvian story. The data was there, but it didn’t transcend into a genuine cultural experience. The dialogue writing is also quite contemporary in its style. I wasn’t expecting old-style English (or Spanish, to be more accurate) but the overuse of cuss words and modern day phrases further added to the inauthentic feel of the time period.
😑 The middle part of the story is quite repetitive. (Having the audio version helped a lot.)
😑 There’s no suspense. You know who the villains are the minute they enter in the page. It is just a matter of knowing how they will get their dues.
😑 All the factors which make YA less than ideal are present in this book – reckless leads who jump into danger first and regret their actions later, loads of internal rambling, tons of thoughts about physical attraction, exaggerated emotions,... There is no denying that eliminating these issues would have improved the book to a great extent.
😑 Some basic information seems to have been missed out upon. Like, what year is the story actually set in? When and why did Ana and Kiki become vigilantes? Knowing this would have helped understand them better.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at about 12 hours, is narrated by Frankie Corzo and Almarie Guerra. Both narrators do a wonderful job of bringing their respective charges to life with their voice. I enjoyed the audio version – it certainly enhanced the book for me.
I was mentally prepared for a YA-level book, so there was no great disappointment over the flatness of the characters and the storyline. If I had read this as a historical fiction, I would have rated it much lower. But as a YA coming-of-age/romance, it does justice to its genre.
3.5 stars, rounding up because I am sure it will click better with the right age group than it did with me.
My thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for the ALC of “Valiant Ladies”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
June 20, 2022
This was a very entertaining read. I liked the book and had quite an enjoyable time reading it. I was trying to decide on the right tag for this book and I think historic fantasy seems to fit best. The story has that real fantasy feel yet it is loosely based on real people in a real place and time. I really enjoyed that mix and knowing that these characters, while still fictionalized, were actually based on two real women was a fun element of the book for me. This was mostly a fast paced read that had plenty of excitement to keep me turning the pages. While there wasn’t anything really mind-blowing about this book, and it had a few bumps too, it gave me the feeling of watching an enjoyable action movie… good fun.
While this book is touted as YA, it felt like older YA so more like NA to me. These two young ladies are out gambling, drinking, and sword fighting the night away. In fact, I don’t even know if the ages were ever mentioned, I may have missed it, but the mains felt like early 20’s and every subject of the book seemed on the adult side, but I’m always stumped about what exactly still fits into YA these days. While this was a pretty high action fantasy book, it also has a bit of a murder mystery –that really got the book moving- and a sapphic romance.
I found that I really enjoyed the romance. At first it was a little too in your face, mostly us readers being told that these two best friends are developing feelings instead of just showing us. But luckily once Grey found her writing groove, and the story really settled into itself, the romance was much more enjoyable. Grey was able to build up some nice chemistry while still keeping some sweetness due to the historic time period. Most of the book turned into being about a murder mystery, and the main character’s feelings growing even stronger for each other which happily were the two storylines I was the most interested in.
TLDR: I would recommend this book to historic fantasy or historic fiction fans that are looking for an action-filled story about two weapon wielding young ladies finding love and agency in 17th Century Peru. While I have to be honest that this wasn’t a wow book or a book I will remember forever, it still was a very entertaining book that I had fun reading and I expect others will too.
An ARC was given to me for a review.
While this book is touted as YA, it felt like older YA so more like NA to me. These two young ladies are out gambling, drinking, and sword fighting the night away. In fact, I don’t even know if the ages were ever mentioned, I may have missed it, but the mains felt like early 20’s and every subject of the book seemed on the adult side, but I’m always stumped about what exactly still fits into YA these days. While this was a pretty high action fantasy book, it also has a bit of a murder mystery –that really got the book moving- and a sapphic romance.
I found that I really enjoyed the romance. At first it was a little too in your face, mostly us readers being told that these two best friends are developing feelings instead of just showing us. But luckily once Grey found her writing groove, and the story really settled into itself, the romance was much more enjoyable. Grey was able to build up some nice chemistry while still keeping some sweetness due to the historic time period. Most of the book turned into being about a murder mystery, and the main character’s feelings growing even stronger for each other which happily were the two storylines I was the most interested in.
TLDR: I would recommend this book to historic fantasy or historic fiction fans that are looking for an action-filled story about two weapon wielding young ladies finding love and agency in 17th Century Peru. While I have to be honest that this wasn’t a wow book or a book I will remember forever, it still was a very entertaining book that I had fun reading and I expect others will too.
An ARC was given to me for a review.
October 9, 2024
OJITO, SI TE VAN LAS HISTORIAS CON…
Unas heroínas fuertes y seguras de sí mismas, y con grandes dosis de aventuras, no puedes perderte esta novedad😏!
Es más, si eres una apasionada de las novelas en las que no sabes quién es el malo malote y te encantaría descubrir al culpable de unas siniestras muertes, lo vas a flipar cuando te diga que… 🤫
¿De verdad pensabas que te lo iba a decir?
Pero volvamos a lo importante!
Es más, déjame decirte que esta historia transcurre en el s XVII, en Potosí, en un pequeño pueblo lleno de peligro y de salteadores, donde nuestras heroínas viven de día como damiselas y, por la noche, se convierten en justicieras y tratan de cazar al responsable de dichas muertes😱!
Vamos, entre esto y que la novela está inspirada en dos jóvenes que eran conocidas como "las justicieras", la tentación está servida!
Aquí encontrarás:
✨Romance sáfico.
✨Aventuras
✨Desafíos
✨Peligro
✨Traiciones y
✨Crímenes…
(Eso sí, es un libro bastante juvenil❤️)
Unas heroínas fuertes y seguras de sí mismas, y con grandes dosis de aventuras, no puedes perderte esta novedad😏!
Es más, si eres una apasionada de las novelas en las que no sabes quién es el malo malote y te encantaría descubrir al culpable de unas siniestras muertes, lo vas a flipar cuando te diga que… 🤫
¿De verdad pensabas que te lo iba a decir?
Pero volvamos a lo importante!
Es más, déjame decirte que esta historia transcurre en el s XVII, en Potosí, en un pequeño pueblo lleno de peligro y de salteadores, donde nuestras heroínas viven de día como damiselas y, por la noche, se convierten en justicieras y tratan de cazar al responsable de dichas muertes😱!
Vamos, entre esto y que la novela está inspirada en dos jóvenes que eran conocidas como "las justicieras", la tentación está servida!
Aquí encontrarás:
✨Romance sáfico.
✨Aventuras
✨Desafíos
✨Peligro
✨Traiciones y
✨Crímenes…
(Eso sí, es un libro bastante juvenil❤️)
January 31, 2022
Thank you to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Ugh I loved this so much!!
Valiant Ladies stars Eustaquia “Kiki” de Sonza and Ana Lezama de Urinza; two "proper" young ladies by day, dashing vigilantes by night. The two pass the nights drinking, fighting and causing all kinds of shenanigans. Then the day Kiki's betrothal is made public, her brother is murdered, though everyone believes he hung himself. Not only that but girls from brothels are going missing or turning up murdered in the stress. Darkness lurks the streets of Potosí and Kiki and Ana are going to find it.
I love these two hardheaded idiots so much. The best friends to lovers trope is strong in this and I am so here for it. I also love getting historical books that feature queer protagonists. It really reinforces the fact that being queer is not a new phenomenon. We've always been here, though the language and attitudes around it have changed.
I loved both Ana and Kiki so much. They're both a little reckless, but they complement each other so well. Any time one would lead, the other would be right behind ready to back them up. There is some of the book where these two idiots are pining for each other because they think their relationship/future is impossible and I just wanted to be like KISS DAMMIT.
The murder mystery aspect of this was so well done. I loved all the little clues that were dropped and how the whole scheme took shape. It was definitely bigger and more sinister than I thought at first. The ending was thrilling and I was so happy with how everything worked out.
I also wanted to mention this book is very sex work positive. Ana was raised in a brothel and she doesn't treat the sex workers who weren't able to leave any different than she treats anyone else and I really love seeing this kind of attitude. We definitely need more of it. Sex work is work and it should be treated as such.
Rep: Spanish-Peruvian sapphic female MC, biracial Dutch-Peruvian (indigenous) lesbian female MC, Spanish cishet male side character with gout who uses a walking aid, Spanish and Peruvian cast, mute Peruvian female side character who uses sign language.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, blood, body horror, colonisation, cursing, death, grief, injury/injury detail, kidnapping, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, misogyny, murder/ritualistic murder, sexism, suicide, violence. Moderate: past death of parent(s), chronic illness, fire/explosion, forced institutionalization (at a convent), gun violence, pregnancy mention, religious bigotry, sexual content (not graphic).
Ugh I loved this so much!!
Valiant Ladies stars Eustaquia “Kiki” de Sonza and Ana Lezama de Urinza; two "proper" young ladies by day, dashing vigilantes by night. The two pass the nights drinking, fighting and causing all kinds of shenanigans. Then the day Kiki's betrothal is made public, her brother is murdered, though everyone believes he hung himself. Not only that but girls from brothels are going missing or turning up murdered in the stress. Darkness lurks the streets of Potosí and Kiki and Ana are going to find it.
I love these two hardheaded idiots so much. The best friends to lovers trope is strong in this and I am so here for it. I also love getting historical books that feature queer protagonists. It really reinforces the fact that being queer is not a new phenomenon. We've always been here, though the language and attitudes around it have changed.
I loved both Ana and Kiki so much. They're both a little reckless, but they complement each other so well. Any time one would lead, the other would be right behind ready to back them up. There is some of the book where these two idiots are pining for each other because they think their relationship/future is impossible and I just wanted to be like KISS DAMMIT.
The murder mystery aspect of this was so well done. I loved all the little clues that were dropped and how the whole scheme took shape. It was definitely bigger and more sinister than I thought at first. The ending was thrilling and I was so happy with how everything worked out.
I also wanted to mention this book is very sex work positive. Ana was raised in a brothel and she doesn't treat the sex workers who weren't able to leave any different than she treats anyone else and I really love seeing this kind of attitude. We definitely need more of it. Sex work is work and it should be treated as such.
Rep: Spanish-Peruvian sapphic female MC, biracial Dutch-Peruvian (indigenous) lesbian female MC, Spanish cishet male side character with gout who uses a walking aid, Spanish and Peruvian cast, mute Peruvian female side character who uses sign language.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, blood, body horror, colonisation, cursing, death, grief, injury/injury detail, kidnapping, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, misogyny, murder/ritualistic murder, sexism, suicide, violence. Moderate: past death of parent(s), chronic illness, fire/explosion, forced institutionalization (at a convent), gun violence, pregnancy mention, religious bigotry, sexual content (not graphic).
June 25, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
Lesbian ladies swinging swords and drinking in seventheenth-century Peru, inspired by real historical figures! Valiant Ladies is a fun take on a historical mystery/thriller novel, though it does read on the more mature end of YA.
Kiki and Ana are best friends who have grown up together, and may be developing deeper feelings. But Kiki is supposed to marry the son of a powerful man, regardless of what she might want. Then girls start disappearing and Kiki's brother is killed in a way made to look like suicide. The Valiant Ladies of Potosi are ready to head into danger, uncover conspiracies, and seek justice! This does get dark and brutal at times, dealing with things like the assault and mistreatment of women (especially sex workers who get overlooked), murder, suicide, grief etc.
But I liked the book and it's great to see this kind of representation as well. I would have liked a little more longing and buildup in the romantic relationship. We know Ana is into Kiki pretty quickly, but it's unclear Kiki's feelings and I wish that arc had gotten going sooner. Overall though, a very solid YA entry! The audio narration was decent, but I kind of wish we had a single narrator instead of switching by chapter and perspective. It made it tricky sometimes to keep track of the character we were following at a given point. I received an audio copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Lesbian ladies swinging swords and drinking in seventheenth-century Peru, inspired by real historical figures! Valiant Ladies is a fun take on a historical mystery/thriller novel, though it does read on the more mature end of YA.
Kiki and Ana are best friends who have grown up together, and may be developing deeper feelings. But Kiki is supposed to marry the son of a powerful man, regardless of what she might want. Then girls start disappearing and Kiki's brother is killed in a way made to look like suicide. The Valiant Ladies of Potosi are ready to head into danger, uncover conspiracies, and seek justice! This does get dark and brutal at times, dealing with things like the assault and mistreatment of women (especially sex workers who get overlooked), murder, suicide, grief etc.
But I liked the book and it's great to see this kind of representation as well. I would have liked a little more longing and buildup in the romantic relationship. We know Ana is into Kiki pretty quickly, but it's unclear Kiki's feelings and I wish that arc had gotten going sooner. Overall though, a very solid YA entry! The audio narration was decent, but I kind of wish we had a single narrator instead of switching by chapter and perspective. It made it tricky sometimes to keep track of the character we were following at a given point. I received an audio copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Want to read
August 1, 2020
March 15, 2024
3.75 stars
Don't you just love books when they are inspired by real historical figures?
Don't you just love books when they are inspired by real historical figures?
September 20, 2022
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
]3.5 Melissa Grey really said sapphic latinx sword wielding vigilantes huh. The gall.
Follow Kiki and Ana's exciting adventures in the town of Potosí, as they fight to stop crimes (though they comit a few minor ones of their own oops), solve a murder, try to find their lost friend and crush the patriarchy. They even find enough time to fall in love along the way.
]3.5 Melissa Grey really said sapphic latinx sword wielding vigilantes huh. The gall.
Follow Kiki and Ana's exciting adventures in the town of Potosí, as they fight to stop crimes (though they comit a few minor ones of their own oops), solve a murder, try to find their lost friend and crush the patriarchy. They even find enough time to fall in love along the way.
June 16, 2022
17th century spirited adventurers!
Swashbuckling sword carrying ladies, depraved and dastardly villains, all merge to give a powerful story set in 17th century Potosí, Peru. Their adventures sweep through society from the heady heights of the rich and powerful to the inhabitants of narrow alleys and taverns. On their journey, the gift of love and acceptance is challenged.
When her brother Alejandro is found hanging from a tree on the eve of her unwanted betrothal, Eustaquia “Kiki” de Sonza is overwhelmed with grief. Determined by authorities as being a suicide, Kiki’s friend, more adopted sister, Ana Lezama de Urinza is not convinced. Kiki was to be married off to a man she has little time for. Inheritance being a key motivator. In fact Kiki doesn’t want marriage, hers and Ana’s relationship has steadily been growing into something more—sapphic love. Meanwhile, amongst the lower classes someone is killing young women, and others are disappearing. Kiki and Ana’s search for answers to many of their questions lead to the highest echelons in the land.
I was on the edge of my seat as these two ladies rolled from one dangerous situation to another. My heart was in my mouth, and at moments, I’m positive theirs were as well. Based loosely on actual people the tale of these two courageous women is a hard and fast ride.
A Macmillan Children's ARC via NetGalley
Swashbuckling sword carrying ladies, depraved and dastardly villains, all merge to give a powerful story set in 17th century Potosí, Peru. Their adventures sweep through society from the heady heights of the rich and powerful to the inhabitants of narrow alleys and taverns. On their journey, the gift of love and acceptance is challenged.
When her brother Alejandro is found hanging from a tree on the eve of her unwanted betrothal, Eustaquia “Kiki” de Sonza is overwhelmed with grief. Determined by authorities as being a suicide, Kiki’s friend, more adopted sister, Ana Lezama de Urinza is not convinced. Kiki was to be married off to a man she has little time for. Inheritance being a key motivator. In fact Kiki doesn’t want marriage, hers and Ana’s relationship has steadily been growing into something more—sapphic love. Meanwhile, amongst the lower classes someone is killing young women, and others are disappearing. Kiki and Ana’s search for answers to many of their questions lead to the highest echelons in the land.
I was on the edge of my seat as these two ladies rolled from one dangerous situation to another. My heart was in my mouth, and at moments, I’m positive theirs were as well. Based loosely on actual people the tale of these two courageous women is a hard and fast ride.
A Macmillan Children's ARC via NetGalley
January 22, 2023
4.5 stars. This one was a pleasant surprise! I was honestly expecting to be disappointed by this one, because the premise sounded too good to be true. Surely it was going to be another badly-written, thesaurus-abusing, been-there-done-that teen fantasy with forgettable characters and a cringey romance.
But....nope! I found myself enjoying this one immediately. I think I posted an update for page 4 that was like, "Don't get excited yet!", but thankfully my enjoyment carried through the book, not just the promising opening pages. It's definitely not high literature, but it is fun!
This book is about two teenage girls living in 17th century Peru, in the Spanish city of Potosi. They're vigilante crime fighters, despite their upbringing. Eustaquia (Kiki) is the daughter of a wealthy family, and Ana was an orphaned girl that somehow befriended Kiki and ended up being adopted into this wealthy family. Raised to be ladies, they instead eavesdropped on Kiki's older brother's fencing lessons, and taught themselves swordplay. Now, they sneak out at night to try to take out some of the crooks who roam the streets of Potosi. Meanwhile, Kiki is trapped in an arranged engagement to the son of a viceroy, a political marriage of which she wants no part.
The author does a good job of introducing us to these two girls and their world. It feels familiar in a way that I thought was going to be same-old vaguelly-old-timey fantasy-ish with women in skirts and corsets and men in tall boots waistcoats, but there was an undercurrent of culture there that bled through. It's a Spanish city, so speech and mannerisms have a Catholic flavor at times. While I could have quibbled at certain historical things (such as the aforementioned corsets, which in this time period would have just been "stays" and definitely not tight-laced as they are in one scene), the time period was vague feeling enough that I figured certain details could slide (it wasn't until the author's note that I even knew the time period for sure).
Kiki's older bother Alejandro really shone from early on, and the reader really grows to like this charming older brother who indulges and encourages the girls' swordplay. It was a genuine
I didn't even mind the romantic component in this book very much. Usually teen books like this feature some kind of insta-love or a loathe-to-lust component that just makes me roll my eyes. This was different. The two teens had grown up together, so it was really more of a childhood sweethearts vibe than anything else. They're both attracted to each other, and it's made clear to the reader almost immediately. None of that silly denial stuff like, "Ugh, I hate him, he's so arrogant with his rippling abs and his bronze hair...." Nope, here they both liked each other (even if they haven't admitted it until now), and the main hold up is that Kiki feels trapped by her duty to marry the viceroy's son. That's reasonable to me; sure, romance is all fine and dandy, but the reality is that for a LOT of history marriage wasn't about love, and people just had to marry the person most advantageous for financial or political reasons. Like, that's a legit reason why someone might resist giving in to attraction they feel for someone of the wrong class (or gender). So, yeah, their romantic feelings made sense to me, so whatever angst or lovey dovey stuff we're subjected to felt natural to me and I could tolerate it.
For the most part I thought this book was well written enough. By "well written" I mean that I didn't really notice the writing, which these days is a good sign for me. And get this: it's written in first-person/present-tense! My nemesis! I hate FP/PT! But guess what? I barely even noticed it here! Huzzah! It can be done!
Anyway, the writing was generally good, though it is the reason I'm not giving this book a FULL five stars. I did have a few hitches. First, the alternative POVs between Kiki and Ana were a little too similar, and I usually had to pause to reset my headspace to align with whichever POV we were in now, like "Ok, this is Kiki, the rich one" or "Ok, this is Ana, raised in a brothel." If the author had found a way to make their narrative "voices" sound different enough from one another, the transitions would have been less confusing and more natural. I managed, but it wasn't flawless.
There were a couple of other instances that made me wince slightly, mostly just cases where I noticed the author repeated phrases. For example, a character spits on someone and it hits their face with a "satisfying plop". A few pages later another character gets spit on, and it again lands with a "satisfying plop". Nooo, too soon for the same description! Likewise, there was a part where a kiss is described as "I slot my mouth of hers", which made me pause on it's own, unsure if I'd ever described a kiss "slotting". Then, not long afterwards, she "slots her mouth over mine". What? Again? Ugh... But, these were just minor quibbles. I winced and moved on.
Besides, the REST of the writing was well worth it. I always appreciate some snarky scoundrels, and these two ladies had snark in spades, both in their first-person narrative and in their dialogue.
Inside voices only at this parties, or so one wrinkled old dowager saw fit to inform me when I had the nerve to laugh to loudly at one of these things. I was twelve. She's dead now, so really, who's laughing now, you rotten old tramp?
Now, some of the plot elements are a bit simple (you know the villain pretty early on), but the story itself was entertaining enough that I can forgive a less-than-mind-blowing plot. The ending was also a bit silly but, again, overall the book was such fun that I didn't mind too much.
One thing that I wondered throughout the book is how Ana and Kiki became friends in the first place, and how it came about that Kiki's noble family adopted this brothel-raised street urchin in the first place. If it was ever addressed explicitly in the story, I missed it. I wondered right up to the end, and then there was the author's note...
THE AUTHOR'S NOTE!!
Somehow I completely did NOT realize that this book was based on REAL PEOPLE. Ana de Lezama and Eustaquia de Sonza were REAL LIFE lesbian teen crime-fighting vigilantes in 17th century Potosi. Eustaquia really was the daughter of a wealthy family, and she really did befriend a street orphan named Ana, who really was adopted into this wealthy family, and they really did learn swordplay by eavesdropping on Alejandro's lessons, and they really did roam the streets fighting criminals. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? How badass is that? This is how we know a rough time/place for this book (and therefore, which historical details are inaccurate), and rather than just an imaginary Spanish-ish city in a vaguely pre-1900s time period. Because they were REAL PEOPLE! So that must be why we (the readers) never really learn how Ana and Kiki met, and how/why exactly Ana was adopted by the family....because in real history, it's not known how Ana de Lezama and Eustaquia de Sonza first became friends and all that. FASCINATING.
Ok, so, needless to say I'll be adding this book to my own personal library. It was a lot of fun, and..I mean, come on. Teen lesbian sword-fighting vigilante badass girls, and it wasn't a disappointing book? YES PLEASE.
But....nope! I found myself enjoying this one immediately. I think I posted an update for page 4 that was like, "Don't get excited yet!", but thankfully my enjoyment carried through the book, not just the promising opening pages. It's definitely not high literature, but it is fun!
This book is about two teenage girls living in 17th century Peru, in the Spanish city of Potosi. They're vigilante crime fighters, despite their upbringing. Eustaquia (Kiki) is the daughter of a wealthy family, and Ana was an orphaned girl that somehow befriended Kiki and ended up being adopted into this wealthy family. Raised to be ladies, they instead eavesdropped on Kiki's older brother's fencing lessons, and taught themselves swordplay. Now, they sneak out at night to try to take out some of the crooks who roam the streets of Potosi. Meanwhile, Kiki is trapped in an arranged engagement to the son of a viceroy, a political marriage of which she wants no part.
The author does a good job of introducing us to these two girls and their world. It feels familiar in a way that I thought was going to be same-old vaguelly-old-timey fantasy-ish with women in skirts and corsets and men in tall boots waistcoats, but there was an undercurrent of culture there that bled through. It's a Spanish city, so speech and mannerisms have a Catholic flavor at times. While I could have quibbled at certain historical things (such as the aforementioned corsets, which in this time period would have just been "stays" and definitely not tight-laced as they are in one scene), the time period was vague feeling enough that I figured certain details could slide (it wasn't until the author's note that I even knew the time period for sure).
Kiki's older bother Alejandro really shone from early on, and the reader really grows to like this charming older brother who indulges and encourages the girls' swordplay. It was a genuine
I didn't even mind the romantic component in this book very much. Usually teen books like this feature some kind of insta-love or a loathe-to-lust component that just makes me roll my eyes. This was different. The two teens had grown up together, so it was really more of a childhood sweethearts vibe than anything else. They're both attracted to each other, and it's made clear to the reader almost immediately. None of that silly denial stuff like, "Ugh, I hate him, he's so arrogant with his rippling abs and his bronze hair...." Nope, here they both liked each other (even if they haven't admitted it until now), and the main hold up is that Kiki feels trapped by her duty to marry the viceroy's son. That's reasonable to me; sure, romance is all fine and dandy, but the reality is that for a LOT of history marriage wasn't about love, and people just had to marry the person most advantageous for financial or political reasons. Like, that's a legit reason why someone might resist giving in to attraction they feel for someone of the wrong class (or gender). So, yeah, their romantic feelings made sense to me, so whatever angst or lovey dovey stuff we're subjected to felt natural to me and I could tolerate it.
For the most part I thought this book was well written enough. By "well written" I mean that I didn't really notice the writing, which these days is a good sign for me. And get this: it's written in first-person/present-tense! My nemesis! I hate FP/PT! But guess what? I barely even noticed it here! Huzzah! It can be done!
Anyway, the writing was generally good, though it is the reason I'm not giving this book a FULL five stars. I did have a few hitches. First, the alternative POVs between Kiki and Ana were a little too similar, and I usually had to pause to reset my headspace to align with whichever POV we were in now, like "Ok, this is Kiki, the rich one" or "Ok, this is Ana, raised in a brothel." If the author had found a way to make their narrative "voices" sound different enough from one another, the transitions would have been less confusing and more natural. I managed, but it wasn't flawless.
There were a couple of other instances that made me wince slightly, mostly just cases where I noticed the author repeated phrases. For example, a character spits on someone and it hits their face with a "satisfying plop". A few pages later another character gets spit on, and it again lands with a "satisfying plop". Nooo, too soon for the same description! Likewise, there was a part where a kiss is described as "I slot my mouth of hers", which made me pause on it's own, unsure if I'd ever described a kiss "slotting". Then, not long afterwards, she "slots her mouth over mine". What? Again? Ugh... But, these were just minor quibbles. I winced and moved on.
Besides, the REST of the writing was well worth it. I always appreciate some snarky scoundrels, and these two ladies had snark in spades, both in their first-person narrative and in their dialogue.
Inside voices only at this parties, or so one wrinkled old dowager saw fit to inform me when I had the nerve to laugh to loudly at one of these things. I was twelve. She's dead now, so really, who's laughing now, you rotten old tramp?
Now, some of the plot elements are a bit simple (you know the villain pretty early on), but the story itself was entertaining enough that I can forgive a less-than-mind-blowing plot. The ending was also a bit silly but, again, overall the book was such fun that I didn't mind too much.
One thing that I wondered throughout the book is how Ana and Kiki became friends in the first place, and how it came about that Kiki's noble family adopted this brothel-raised street urchin in the first place. If it was ever addressed explicitly in the story, I missed it. I wondered right up to the end, and then there was the author's note...
THE AUTHOR'S NOTE!!
Somehow I completely did NOT realize that this book was based on REAL PEOPLE. Ana de Lezama and Eustaquia de Sonza were REAL LIFE lesbian teen crime-fighting vigilantes in 17th century Potosi. Eustaquia really was the daughter of a wealthy family, and she really did befriend a street orphan named Ana, who really was adopted into this wealthy family, and they really did learn swordplay by eavesdropping on Alejandro's lessons, and they really did roam the streets fighting criminals. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? How badass is that? This is how we know a rough time/place for this book (and therefore, which historical details are inaccurate), and rather than just an imaginary Spanish-ish city in a vaguely pre-1900s time period. Because they were REAL PEOPLE! So that must be why we (the readers) never really learn how Ana and Kiki met, and how/why exactly Ana was adopted by the family....because in real history, it's not known how Ana de Lezama and Eustaquia de Sonza first became friends and all that. FASCINATING.
Ok, so, needless to say I'll be adding this book to my own personal library. It was a lot of fun, and..I mean, come on. Teen lesbian sword-fighting vigilante badass girls, and it wasn't a disappointing book? YES PLEASE.
Want to read
October 25, 2021SWORD LESBIANS INSPIRED BY PERUVIAN LEGEND! can you hear me screaming? I AM LOSING IT.
June 9, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up!
Very fun, unapologetically sapphic and full of vigilante justice for women who would've struggled to get it otherwise. A bit predictable at times, but still a very fun romp.
Very fun, unapologetically sapphic and full of vigilante justice for women who would've struggled to get it otherwise. A bit predictable at times, but still a very fun romp.
September 7, 2024
[3/5]
Una historia que me ha parecido muy interesante, ligera y entretenida.
Lo que más me ha ganado de este libro es que las protagonistas estén basadas en dos mujeres fuertes y valientes que existieron en el siglo XVII. Me ha parecido muy interesante conocer la situación de el Potosí en estas fechas ya que, en España, las cosas siempre se cuentan de una manera, por lo que creo que era muy necesario ver la crudeza, la pobreza y la desesperación que se vivía en aquella época.
Si a esta parte de histórica, le sumamos que el romance entre las dos protagonistas me ha parecido muy creíble, bonito y, además, valiente para la época pues bueno tenemos una romance que engancha de principio a fin. Por otro lado, la parte del misterio que rodea a las protagonistas considero que también está muy bien tratado y aunque conoces en todo momento al culpable, te mantiene enganchada hasta que se resuelve.
Quizás lo que me ha dejado un poco más fría ha sido aquellas partes que he considero que no eran necesarias, algunas escenas que me han parecido lentas, falta de escenas entre las protagonistas, y una resolución muy rápida al final.
En conclusión, una historia que mezcla romance, histórica y misterio, perfecta para echar una tarde leyendo un libro que se lee solo.
Una historia que me ha parecido muy interesante, ligera y entretenida.
Lo que más me ha ganado de este libro es que las protagonistas estén basadas en dos mujeres fuertes y valientes que existieron en el siglo XVII. Me ha parecido muy interesante conocer la situación de el Potosí en estas fechas ya que, en España, las cosas siempre se cuentan de una manera, por lo que creo que era muy necesario ver la crudeza, la pobreza y la desesperación que se vivía en aquella época.
Si a esta parte de histórica, le sumamos que el romance entre las dos protagonistas me ha parecido muy creíble, bonito y, además, valiente para la época pues bueno tenemos una romance que engancha de principio a fin. Por otro lado, la parte del misterio que rodea a las protagonistas considero que también está muy bien tratado y aunque conoces en todo momento al culpable, te mantiene enganchada hasta que se resuelve.
Quizás lo que me ha dejado un poco más fría ha sido aquellas partes que he considero que no eran necesarias, algunas escenas que me han parecido lentas, falta de escenas entre las protagonistas, y una resolución muy rápida al final.
En conclusión, una historia que mezcla romance, histórica y misterio, perfecta para echar una tarde leyendo un libro que se lee solo.
July 7, 2022
I received an arc for the audiobook from NetGalley.
The concept for this book was great, and the beginning was promising, but overall, it didn't live up to my expectations.
First off, this book isn't really about vigilantes at all. Yes, our two main girls get into fights pretty often, but it's not like they're out there solving crimes and catching bad guys. Yes, they sort of try to solve one crime in particular, but they don't figure things out at all and are handed the solution on a silver platter.
This book follows two girls, Kiki and Ana, who have a difficult relationship. Because on the one hand, there's a class difference between them, with Kiki being from the rich elite, and Ana being from the slums, but on the other hand, Ana has been accepted into Kiki's family, which makes them almost like sisters. At least they both see their brother (Kiki's biological brother) as brother. But they are also in love.
Despite this being presented as teen vigilantes, this is really mostly a romance, and not a very good one at that. Both girls like each other as the book starts and are pining for the other. We read this from both viewpoints, so it's painfully obvious to the reader, yet not to them. I don't mind that. I do mind the lack of development in their relationship after that. Like they suddenly openly admit they like each other, but the steps toward that make little sense to me? There's little discussion about their feelings so they go from not knowing the other loves them to knowing, but it's never explained how? Maybe I just missed that?
You could call this book actionpacked, because there are certainly a lot of pointless fights, but there's very little that happens to actually further the plot. Which makes the plot very weak, because it's barely there. And there's also very little character development or relationship developments, which makes me wonder what exactly was the point of this book? I was bored for a large part of it, because nothing of importance happened.
I enjoyed the setting of this book a lot, and that was probably my favourite aspect of it. I haven't read many historical fiction books set in South America, but I certainly want to read more now. I really liked that this book was set in Peru and learning about Peru in the 17th century was fun. But the characters also often talked in ways that felt waaay too modern. This book is actually based on historical people so it was very much possible to tell their story in a way true to the time period, and I feel like it's such a pity that this wasn't done. It was really jarring.
This book discusses several difficult topics, like suicide, mistreatment of women, torture, childabuse, rape, etc. Some of it was handled well, other things less well, but overall it was fine.
The audiobook was fine. It's not the best I listened to, but also not bad in any way. The two pov's are very clear, and it's decently told but it wasn't anything special and couldn't save this book. I struggled to get through this, despite actually really enjoying the first few chapters.
The concept for this book was great, and the beginning was promising, but overall, it didn't live up to my expectations.
First off, this book isn't really about vigilantes at all. Yes, our two main girls get into fights pretty often, but it's not like they're out there solving crimes and catching bad guys. Yes, they sort of try to solve one crime in particular, but they don't figure things out at all and are handed the solution on a silver platter.
This book follows two girls, Kiki and Ana, who have a difficult relationship. Because on the one hand, there's a class difference between them, with Kiki being from the rich elite, and Ana being from the slums, but on the other hand, Ana has been accepted into Kiki's family, which makes them almost like sisters. At least they both see their brother (Kiki's biological brother) as brother. But they are also in love.
Despite this being presented as teen vigilantes, this is really mostly a romance, and not a very good one at that. Both girls like each other as the book starts and are pining for the other. We read this from both viewpoints, so it's painfully obvious to the reader, yet not to them. I don't mind that. I do mind the lack of development in their relationship after that. Like they suddenly openly admit they like each other, but the steps toward that make little sense to me? There's little discussion about their feelings so they go from not knowing the other loves them to knowing, but it's never explained how? Maybe I just missed that?
You could call this book actionpacked, because there are certainly a lot of pointless fights, but there's very little that happens to actually further the plot. Which makes the plot very weak, because it's barely there. And there's also very little character development or relationship developments, which makes me wonder what exactly was the point of this book? I was bored for a large part of it, because nothing of importance happened.
I enjoyed the setting of this book a lot, and that was probably my favourite aspect of it. I haven't read many historical fiction books set in South America, but I certainly want to read more now. I really liked that this book was set in Peru and learning about Peru in the 17th century was fun. But the characters also often talked in ways that felt waaay too modern. This book is actually based on historical people so it was very much possible to tell their story in a way true to the time period, and I feel like it's such a pity that this wasn't done. It was really jarring.
This book discusses several difficult topics, like suicide, mistreatment of women, torture, childabuse, rape, etc. Some of it was handled well, other things less well, but overall it was fine.
The audiobook was fine. It's not the best I listened to, but also not bad in any way. The two pov's are very clear, and it's decently told but it wasn't anything special and couldn't save this book. I struggled to get through this, despite actually really enjoying the first few chapters.
January 27, 2023
Hmm. This was boring.
I'm sure there are kids out there who will adore this book with every fibre of their beings and all power to them. There's a reason certain styles of stories turn into classic tropes, and there's nothing wrong with rehashing an oldie but a goodie.
Ana and Kiki are maybe not the most endearing protagonists ever, but they're not hateable, they're reasonably consistent, and their motives are believable. Alejandro, Rosalita, Don Carlos, Magdalena, and Santiago are all as sympathetic as they need to be, even with limited page-time. The villains are as hateable as they need to be. The setting feels realistic (if a little generic), so most of it works technically. It just doesn't personally work for me, though I did and always do love gratuitous clothing descriptions. Honestly, they could have been more gratuitous.
I do have some technical quibbles: as I said, the setting feels incredibly generic. This could just as easily be the world of Kaz Brekker or Locke Lamora. There is nothing that makes it unique. This was the biggest disappointment for me because I kept waiting for something that felt Bolivian, but there wasn't really anything. I know this is set before Bolivia as we know it existed, but I was still hoping. 😔💔
My other major problem is the pacing. Alejandro's death is, ostensibly, the inciting incident of the novel. It's mentioned on the back cover, for goodness sake. And yet it does not happen until nearly 150 pages in. There is SOOOO much exposition. Some of it needed to be shortened, some cut entirely, and some moved to after the inciting incident. Placing Alejandro's death there made things like the string of murdered prostitutes -- including Magdelena's cousin -- fade to the background and therefore carry much less weight than they should have. Which also meant the murderer didn't feel as threatening or believable as he should have been, even though he's entirely disgusting and despicable.
I don't know if I have less patience for romance as I get more comfortable with being ace, or if I have less patience for YA now that I've been an adult for over a decade, or if it's a mix of both, but aside from the fact that the protagonists were lesbians, it was an incredibly cliché and predictable period romance. It's got girls who hate pretty dresses, girls wearing painful corsets, girls loving being outside and getting dirty rather than acting like proper ladies, unwanted engagement with yucky dude, dead mother, naïve and/or idealistic rich kid with a heart of gold who falls in love with someone outside their social status, world-wise poor kid who falls in love with said rich kid, girl who sneaks out dressed in men's clothes, girl who learns sword fighting despite being a girl... I could go on. I don't hate any of those tropes. I even love a few of them. But combining all of them together made the story too predictable, even for a cliché period romance. The fact that half the review quotes on the back mention a 'ballroom scene' and we can all just automatically infer what that will be should tell you just how cliché the book is. The murder investigation isn't compelling because the villain is exactly who you expect it to be. There's really only two characters it could be and, surprise surprise, they are working in concert. The romance goes exactly as you expect it to, because the two are so obviously in love and their arguments are so ridiculously tame and low stakes and they are both so incredibly hot. I mean, Kiki takes the time, upon being physically dragged out of a depressive episode because her brother was publicly murdered, to remark on how hot Ana looks in her tight breeches. There was never any question of how any of this was going to end.
It's a happy ending all around but somehow it's still deeply unsatisfying. At least, for me. Like I said, I'm sure there are others out there who have a precise literary longing that this will fill perfectly.
I'm sure there are kids out there who will adore this book with every fibre of their beings and all power to them. There's a reason certain styles of stories turn into classic tropes, and there's nothing wrong with rehashing an oldie but a goodie.
Ana and Kiki are maybe not the most endearing protagonists ever, but they're not hateable, they're reasonably consistent, and their motives are believable. Alejandro, Rosalita, Don Carlos, Magdalena, and Santiago are all as sympathetic as they need to be, even with limited page-time. The villains are as hateable as they need to be. The setting feels realistic (if a little generic), so most of it works technically. It just doesn't personally work for me, though I did and always do love gratuitous clothing descriptions. Honestly, they could have been more gratuitous.
I do have some technical quibbles: as I said, the setting feels incredibly generic. This could just as easily be the world of Kaz Brekker or Locke Lamora. There is nothing that makes it unique. This was the biggest disappointment for me because I kept waiting for something that felt Bolivian, but there wasn't really anything. I know this is set before Bolivia as we know it existed, but I was still hoping. 😔💔
My other major problem is the pacing. Alejandro's death is, ostensibly, the inciting incident of the novel. It's mentioned on the back cover, for goodness sake. And yet it does not happen until nearly 150 pages in. There is SOOOO much exposition. Some of it needed to be shortened, some cut entirely, and some moved to after the inciting incident. Placing Alejandro's death there made things like the string of murdered prostitutes -- including Magdelena's cousin -- fade to the background and therefore carry much less weight than they should have. Which also meant the murderer didn't feel as threatening or believable as he should have been, even though he's entirely disgusting and despicable.
I don't know if I have less patience for romance as I get more comfortable with being ace, or if I have less patience for YA now that I've been an adult for over a decade, or if it's a mix of both, but aside from the fact that the protagonists were lesbians, it was an incredibly cliché and predictable period romance. It's got girls who hate pretty dresses, girls wearing painful corsets, girls loving being outside and getting dirty rather than acting like proper ladies, unwanted engagement with yucky dude, dead mother, naïve and/or idealistic rich kid with a heart of gold who falls in love with someone outside their social status, world-wise poor kid who falls in love with said rich kid, girl who sneaks out dressed in men's clothes, girl who learns sword fighting despite being a girl... I could go on. I don't hate any of those tropes. I even love a few of them. But combining all of them together made the story too predictable, even for a cliché period romance. The fact that half the review quotes on the back mention a 'ballroom scene' and we can all just automatically infer what that will be should tell you just how cliché the book is. The murder investigation isn't compelling because the villain is exactly who you expect it to be. There's really only two characters it could be and, surprise surprise, they are working in concert. The romance goes exactly as you expect it to, because the two are so obviously in love and their arguments are so ridiculously tame and low stakes and they are both so incredibly hot. I mean, Kiki takes the time, upon being physically dragged out of a depressive episode because her brother was publicly murdered, to remark on how hot Ana looks in her tight breeches. There was never any question of how any of this was going to end.
It's a happy ending all around but somehow it's still deeply unsatisfying. At least, for me. Like I said, I'm sure there are others out there who have a precise literary longing that this will fill perfectly.
November 14, 2022
This would be a great readalike for One for All by Lillie Lainoff.
February 9, 2025
2.5-3?
El caso es que ha estado bien, pero sin más. Las protagonistas son chulísimas, el romance sáfico y el misterio engancha, pero… se me ha hecho ¿soso? No sé si por la narración, que no llegaba a transmitirme toda la emoción que debería tal y como estaba sucediendo todo.
El caso es que ha estado bien, pero sin más. Las protagonistas son chulísimas, el romance sáfico y el misterio engancha, pero… se me ha hecho ¿soso? No sé si por la narración, que no llegaba a transmitirme toda la emoción que debería tal y como estaba sucediendo todo.
October 9, 2022
Thank you net galley for providing me with a free arc of Valiant Ladies in exchange for a honest review
I was honestly hesitant to request this considering that I do not have a lot of experience with reading by using audiobooks, and the books I did read were memoirs and simple romances. However I was extremely relieved to find out that this was really easy to follow,both due to the amazing narration and the well crafted plot.
The characters as well as the romance were incredibly well written.The mutual pining and desires of the main characters in contrast with society and its many rules as well as the talk about misogyny and classism, created a beautiful and complex story.
What I also appreciated other than the romance was the side characters and the mystery plot. The villains had actual motivations about their actions and the pacing of the story allowed the reader to get to know every important character and actually feel sorrow, anger, desperation and joy along with the MCs.
Overall an excellent read but please check trigger warnings: Graphic violence and murder, mentions of sex and sa (not graphic), homophobia (not graphic), misogyny and classism
I was honestly hesitant to request this considering that I do not have a lot of experience with reading by using audiobooks, and the books I did read were memoirs and simple romances. However I was extremely relieved to find out that this was really easy to follow,both due to the amazing narration and the well crafted plot.
The characters as well as the romance were incredibly well written.The mutual pining and desires of the main characters in contrast with society and its many rules as well as the talk about misogyny and classism, created a beautiful and complex story.
What I also appreciated other than the romance was the side characters and the mystery plot. The villains had actual motivations about their actions and the pacing of the story allowed the reader to get to know every important character and actually feel sorrow, anger, desperation and joy along with the MCs.
Overall an excellent read but please check trigger warnings: Graphic violence and murder, mentions of sex and sa (not graphic), homophobia (not graphic), misogyny and classism
lost-interest
July 4, 2022Sample Reading:
I don‘t like the writing and I‘m not interested in a dual POV story where both characters are pining after each other right away, not even if it‘s sapphic. Mutual pining only works in fanfiction because a relationship (friendship or other) has been established in canon beforehand.
Pre-Release:
Sword lesbians you say?? And I have to wait for June 2022??
I don‘t like the writing and I‘m not interested in a dual POV story where both characters are pining after each other right away, not even if it‘s sapphic. Mutual pining only works in fanfiction because a relationship (friendship or other) has been established in canon beforehand.
Pre-Release:
Sword lesbians you say?? And I have to wait for June 2022??
Want to read
April 12, 2021Vigilante crime fighters, sapphic romance, and it's set in Peru? Sign me tf up!
February 28, 2024
When Kiki pulls her hand back, it’s as though she takes a part of me with her, a little piece of my heart suspended on a string.
3.5 stars. Or like, 3.25? Not gonna lie, a lot of the enjoyment I got out of this stems from the fact that I knew it was based on real women, and that was super fascinating to me. The Valiant Ladies of Potosi, teen lesbian vigilantes in 17th century Bolivia who went around fighting bandits, seems like something a baby dyke would dream up, but they were real! I did mostly enjoy the plot of the book and what the author did with their story, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing.
Which is a complaint that I have about a lot of historical fiction, particularly when it comes to the dialogue. If I'm reading historical fiction, I want to feel immersed in the time and the language. And half the things that came out of these characters' mouths seemed like they belonged in 21st century America, not 17th century Bolivia. It was modern to a degree that just felt annoying and jarring. Granted, I don't know a lot about Latin American Spanish, and I guess you could make the argument that what we're reading is just a translation of what would have been said in Spanish. I guess. But I still just didn't like the writing much. Some of the plot events seemed so haphazard, and it was a little difficult to connect with some of the decisions they made. I guess there needed to be come conflict in the romance, but the way it was drawn out seemed to artificial and stilted, even more so because they eventually resolved it with so little fanfare. I also felt like... idk, this would have been a lot more effective without the constraints of being a YA book. It's not that I wanted it to get super graphic about the fights and the other types of violence that the girls witnessed, but I really felt like the book was perpetually holding itself back.
It wasn’t hell, I think . The phantom sensation of her skin against mine that tormented me so after she kissed me in the orange grove. It was heaven all along.
But there was a lot to like in the book. I really loved the two main characters, how stubborn and strong and headstrong they both were. Friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes, and even though the way the romantic arc was written wasn't my favourite thing, I still loved all the mutual pining, and how they were both so desperately gone for one another from day one. Lots of little things in the plot weren't particularly difficult to figure out, but it was still pretty entertaining. Lots of exciting moments. And again, I loved that they were both so capable. They did make mistakes and get themselves into bad situations, but they got themselves out, without anyone to save them but each other. That was great.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Almarie Guerra and Frankie Corzo, and it was really good. I loved both narrators and their renditions of the characters. Even though the book wasn't a new favourite, I still feel like I'm not ready to leave these characters, so they definitely made an impression on me. I'd definitely check out other books about the Valiant Ladies, if they're ever written.
Content warnings:
“I’m with you,” says Ana. “Every step of the way.”
March 11, 2025
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
De día, Kiki y Ana son unas auténticas señoritas del s XVII, pero al caer la noche, cogen sus espadas y mosquetes para aventurarse en las bulliciosas calles, plagadas de delincuencia de Potosí, Perú, donde pelean, apuestan, y se enamoran la una de la otra, hasta que la misma noche en que se anuncia el compromiso de Kiki con el hijo del virrey, alguien comete un asesinato. Ambas se embarcarán en una peligrosa investigación que las llevará hasta los burdeles más modestos de Potosí... y a los niveles más altos de la aristocracia española.
Bueno, pues ha estado bien, una historia de aventuras, con unas protagonistas sáficas de armas tomar (literalmente), una investigación peligrosa con intrigas, secretos y mentiras, y un romance ¿imposible?, así que en realidad es una novela que cuenta con todos los elementos para emocionarme de principio a fin.
De día, Kiki y Ana son unas auténticas señoritas del s XVII, pero al caer la noche, cogen sus espadas y mosquetes para aventurarse en las bulliciosas calles, plagadas de delincuencia de Potosí, Perú, donde pelean, apuestan, y se enamoran la una de la otra, hasta que la misma noche en que se anuncia el compromiso de Kiki con el hijo del virrey, alguien comete un asesinato. Ambas se embarcarán en una peligrosa investigación que las llevará hasta los burdeles más modestos de Potosí... y a los niveles más altos de la aristocracia española.
Bueno, pues ha estado bien, una historia de aventuras, con unas protagonistas sáficas de armas tomar (literalmente), una investigación peligrosa con intrigas, secretos y mentiras, y un romance ¿imposible?, así que en realidad es una novela que cuenta con todos los elementos para emocionarme de principio a fin.
August 30, 2022
NetGalley Audio ARC.
Umm I think I loved this? Sapphic musketeers in Peru. It's like, perfect. Except! Except for Ana's absolutely disgusting habit of SPITTING ON PEOPLE. Yes, you lose a whole star the SEVERAL instances where Ana spits on people. Twice hit and once miss. I can't. It's probably the most disgusting and disrespectful thing someone can do and I can never get behind that. 🤢
Aside from that, I really enjoyed this! It was fun and mysterious. And a slow burn. There's no fantastical elements in this, it's basically a young adult historical mystery romance? I'm not sure how old these girls are actually. Time to read Melissa Grey's backlog! I think I own some!
Umm I think I loved this? Sapphic musketeers in Peru. It's like, perfect. Except! Except for Ana's absolutely disgusting habit of SPITTING ON PEOPLE. Yes, you lose a whole star the SEVERAL instances where Ana spits on people. Twice hit and once miss. I can't. It's probably the most disgusting and disrespectful thing someone can do and I can never get behind that. 🤢
Aside from that, I really enjoyed this! It was fun and mysterious. And a slow burn. There's no fantastical elements in this, it's basically a young adult historical mystery romance? I'm not sure how old these girls are actually. Time to read Melissa Grey's backlog! I think I own some!
March 29, 2023
Strong start. I genuinely thought I would love this! But then it got so boring...
I feel like the author focused on the wrong things.
I feel like the author focused on the wrong things.
January 3, 2025
If the “touch her and you die” trope was a single book, it would be this one. Both of the MCs are fierce, formidable, hardheaded, and totally in love with each other. Their relationship was hands-down the best part of the novel. Friends to lovers with just the right amount of angst and lesbian yearning. *chefs kiss* The only thing that stopped this from being a five star read was the pacing. It started off well, but dragged on in the middle - then the final chapters were packed with so much action and revelation it gave me whiplash. It did wrap up nicely though, and the middle didn’t drag so much as to lose my interest. I also found the mystery to be a little obvious, but I can see how it wouldn’t have been from the character’s POV. Overall, the novel is a wonderful historical fiction with two main characters you want to see thrive and kick ass together. ⚔️
July 21, 2022
I didn't realize before I started reading, but this is the book I have been wanting to read for I don't know how long. It was fun, it was funny, it was sweet, it was badass. I just had an all-around great time while reading it.
Perhaps because it is based on real people, this book delights in being separate from actual history, which served the book very well. The characters speak and think in more modern language (though not distractingly so), and the girls are free to be brazenly in love with each other with little more than a scandalized gasp or a "hey, that's wild" from the people around them, which allowed me, as a queer reader, to also indulge myself in the fantasy of kicking ass, taking down the patriarchy, and getting the girl in the end. (It also means I don't feel like I'm snooping on real people, because obviously it didn't happen like this, but it's still really cool either way.)
That being said, it is not a rosy, completely-divorced-from-history fairy tale either. The world felt well-drawn, and while I always trusted this book would have a happy ending, it also did not pretend life is great for teenage girls at this time, nor did it shy away from acknowledging and criticizing the ways the nobility and specifically Spanish colonizers suck.
As for the characters, both Ana and Kiki were delights. Their voices were distinct (and so funny), and while they were certainly badass, they were badasses who felt like people, with feelings and vulnerabilities as well as snark. Their romance was likewise really sweet.
I would not have known about this book if it hadn't been recommended to me, but I'm so glad it was because it was so good. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves badass historical sword lesbians with a little bit of mystery (and really, how could anyone not love that?)
Perhaps because it is based on real people, this book delights in being separate from actual history, which served the book very well. The characters speak and think in more modern language (though not distractingly so), and the girls are free to be brazenly in love with each other with little more than a scandalized gasp or a "hey, that's wild" from the people around them, which allowed me, as a queer reader, to also indulge myself in the fantasy of kicking ass, taking down the patriarchy, and getting the girl in the end. (It also means I don't feel like I'm snooping on real people, because obviously it didn't happen like this, but it's still really cool either way.)
That being said, it is not a rosy, completely-divorced-from-history fairy tale either. The world felt well-drawn, and while I always trusted this book would have a happy ending, it also did not pretend life is great for teenage girls at this time, nor did it shy away from acknowledging and criticizing the ways the nobility and specifically Spanish colonizers suck.
As for the characters, both Ana and Kiki were delights. Their voices were distinct (and so funny), and while they were certainly badass, they were badasses who felt like people, with feelings and vulnerabilities as well as snark. Their romance was likewise really sweet.
I would not have known about this book if it hadn't been recommended to me, but I'm so glad it was because it was so good. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves badass historical sword lesbians with a little bit of mystery (and really, how could anyone not love that?)
June 21, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and Recorded Books for sending me an early copy of this audiobook! All opinions are my own!
This book had absolutely no right being so dang good! It had absolutely everything you could want wrapped up into one shining package. Strong women, the sweetest sapphic relationship, 17th century Peru, swords and ale, and mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat! Honestly what more could you ask for?
I adored Kiki and Ana both. They were both so strong in their own ways, even though their stories were so different from one another. The way that they loved each other and fought for what was right was so inspiring it made me want to pick up a sword (which is definitely not a good idea).
I also really loved the way that identity was written in this story. Kiki and Ana both had to discover who they wanted to be and what it would mean in the world that they were born into. But more than that, the people they loved had to learn what it would mean to accept that identity and embrace them no matter the world around them. The way they embraced their femininity as well as their bravery, boldness, wildness, and all the other things that are seen as masculine, was something that was so inspiring and uplifting.
If you're a fan of strong women, queer women, and historical fiction, this is a must-read this pride month! (Or whenever you happen upon it!)
This book had absolutely no right being so dang good! It had absolutely everything you could want wrapped up into one shining package. Strong women, the sweetest sapphic relationship, 17th century Peru, swords and ale, and mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat! Honestly what more could you ask for?
I adored Kiki and Ana both. They were both so strong in their own ways, even though their stories were so different from one another. The way that they loved each other and fought for what was right was so inspiring it made me want to pick up a sword (which is definitely not a good idea).
I also really loved the way that identity was written in this story. Kiki and Ana both had to discover who they wanted to be and what it would mean in the world that they were born into. But more than that, the people they loved had to learn what it would mean to accept that identity and embrace them no matter the world around them. The way they embraced their femininity as well as their bravery, boldness, wildness, and all the other things that are seen as masculine, was something that was so inspiring and uplifting.
If you're a fan of strong women, queer women, and historical fiction, this is a must-read this pride month! (Or whenever you happen upon it!)
April 27, 2024
Based on the real Latinx teens known as the Valiant Ladies of Potosí, this fun historical fantasy will surely keep you entertained! It was swashbuckling and feministic, with some dashes of humor and sapphic romance. Overall was really fun and entertaining! I did guess some of the more mysterious parts pretty early on but still felt like the story was entertaining and interesting. There was also quite a few heartfelt moments that made me tear up and I really love how it all ended.
I do wish there was some more description of this fantastic time period and world. More of the dresses and swords and buildings. That definitely could have been elaborated on but overall it was fun and entertaining!
I do wish there was some more description of this fantastic time period and world. More of the dresses and swords and buildings. That definitely could have been elaborated on but overall it was fun and entertaining!
July 26, 2022
I know, I know, books are about more than just the romance BUT this romance — damn. While the story felt so big and monumental, the romance was so precious. It felt exactly like all my sapphic romances have been, just two best friends slowly falling for each other. It's the rec string through the book, that keeps this characters going: their love for each other. To be honest, I wasn't even the biggest fan of the plot but this romance means so much to me <3
February 19, 2023
This was a ton of fun to read! There's definitely some serious stuff happening throughout the book, but I believe there was enough lightheartedness to balance it out. I love Kiki and Ana!
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