Revenge de los Muertos

Fifth Sun #1

by Talis Jones

Selah’s biggest dilemma was trying to decide what to study in college. That is, until she stumbled across a clue to the grandparents she’d never met and hopped on a plane to Mexico where she would discover an entire hidden world of magic and monsters. Her best friend was a bruja, the Chupacabra was more than a myth, and she’d inadvertently caught the attention of the terrifying Blood King with golden eyes. What started as a two-week vacation quickly devolved into an adventure she might never return from.

Día de los Muertos had almost arrived and the monsters were on the hunt.

366 pages, ebook

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

Talis Jones is a Mexican-English author of magic and mischief with several series published in print, digital, and audio.

Dog mom, Broadway enthusiast, and life-long bibliophile, Talis currently resides in North Carolina.

Find out more about Talis and her books at www.talisjonesofficial.com.

Reviews

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the idea of it, the culture the setting immerses the reader in, and the writing is easily readable. But I also feel like the main character was a wet rag who passively floated through the whole book, with the exception of one deus ex machina save toward the end. And even it happened without any active volition on her part. What’s more, most of the book (up until about 80% mark) focused on flirting, and dinners, and the daily minutia of vacationing and making friends. I was just a tad bored with the whole pedestrian affair.

None of that is to say this book is bad. It’s not. It introduces some interesting mythos and supernatural creatures. I think it just wasn’t exactly what I wanted it to be.

[Angela Jones-Cuéllar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect weekend read for the season! Revenge de los Muertos has a fascinating fast-paced plot with a swoon-worthy slow-burn romance and it’s all set in the beautiful land of Mexico. A definite recommendation for fans of urban fantasy such as Mercy Thompson, The Guild Codex, Vampire Diaries, and Hidden Legacy! Oh, not only does this book take place in Mexico, but it also has some telenovela vibes which I think people will either enjoy or won't. Maybe I was distracted by all of the food in the story but I found I didn't mind it lol!

Check out my post for the book blitz here: https://pooledink.com/2021/11/02/book...

P.S. I have a new book boyfriend ;)

[Sarah Jernigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it's 1am, and I just finished Revenge De Le Muertos, and I'm not okay, Talis! I have questions, and I need answers now! I absolutely love that this book was influenced by the authors heritage. I really enjoyed the family recipes in the back of the book. I used the guacamole recipe, and it was delicious! This book was so unique, and I can honestly say I have never met so many.. things in a book before from bruja/brujo's to half coyotes. This was a really awesome read, and I immediately want book 2

[Sarah Ashwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was a super-duper fun urban fantasy. I haven't read an UF novel set in Mexico before, so the setting and the authenticity of the setting really did it for me. I'm not gonna lie, there were some Spanish words and phrases I didn't understand--because high school Spanish class was a long time ago. But that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Really, it just added to the flavor of it. I adored the two main characters. I liked Selah because she's got this sort of sweet, naive quality, and she tends to go with the flow...until the end when she...well, I can't say. Spoilers. But let me just say she's very cool and I'm dying to see what she does next.
I adored Rafi from the moment he appeared on the scene. He's cool, he's sexy, he's funny. I loved this quote about him. "No, this unfairly handsome man with dark hair and golden eyes looked to be in his late twenties and stood six feet tall or taller with the air of someone who did *not* pick up anyone's dirty laundry or sweep anyone's dusty floors." Just that one line about him, and I was hooked.
I will warn you that you're probably going to get very, very hungry reading this book, because the descriptions of the food are literally mouth-watering. I wanted to go eat every time I tried to read it. lol
I mentioned the setting earlier, and one thing I loved about the setting was being able to learn more about the native customs, mythology, and folklore. It was a huge part of why I enjoyed the book so much.
Very slow burn romance, but that's fine by me. I love slow burn, and it just left me even more eager for Book 2.
In conclusion, I highly recommend this novel to any fans of fantasy or urban fantasy, especially urban fantasy with a unique setting.

[ROMEOISNOTFUNNY · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may have given it 3.4 stars. But it's not bad.
This is book 1 in a series and a new author to me. I found the book a good introduction to this world and its characters.
I found the characters charming and their antics fun. Favourite is Doby the cat and his initial interactions with the FMC and MMC. There is a slow burn romance, but no heated, steamy moments.
There are shifters, vampires, ghouls, demons, and more... but they are not ones that come from the myths of faie or different realms. Based on the mythology of ancient South America, an interesting different supernatural build for me.
It's filled with fun, flirty, a coming into power, discovery into magic and self-discovery, overcoming secrets, and the revealing of betrayal....potential release of choas...
I would recommend it as a book to read while recovering from book hangover. I don't feel invested enough to jump into the series and binge the next 4 books. But I am interested enough to come back to another time. Book 1 was an easy flow book. I didn't have to invest fully to grasp the plot or story. Maybe the other books will be more intense and pull in more... Maybe
3.4 stars

[Suzanne Rogerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed and can't wait to read book 2.

Review - 12/1/2022
Urban fantasy is not something I read very often, but I’m glad I read Revenge De Los Muertos. It is an excellent introduction into the Fifth Sun series and I really enjoyed it.

This is a story filled with magic, covens and secrets. We get to see a slice of Mexican culture and it’s nice to have the odd Spanish phrase included. I did not know all the words, but it was easy enough to interpret the meaning. Plus there is a handy guide at the back of the book if you are interested in understanding the words and how to pronounce them.

The main character, Selah, starts the books very trusting and naïve. Almost too naïve. But we get a hint that things are not as they seem, and our patience is eventually rewarded (though I can’t say more – you just have to read it to find out!).

My favourite character was easily Rafi, a sexy protector with many hidden depths, and it was great to have alternating chapters from his viewpoint. There are lots of supporting characters too that bring the world of magic alive.

There is plenty of mystery and hints of a slow-burn romance to come, all elements I love in books. The events at the end had me rushing through the pages. It was dramatic and eye-opening for the reader and the characters alike. I can't wait for book 2.

FYI - I won the ebook in an online competition and this is my honest review.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

Simply amazing book! Great storyline. Keeps you on the edge of your seat! Can’t wait to read the other books!

[Richard Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge de los Muertos combines adventure, suspense and Aztec/Mexican lore in a genuinely fascinating story. Talis Jones has also provided enough humor and banter between the characters to keep the book from becoming too heavy. There is an abundance of supernatural characters, each with a distinct personality and powers. I was worried at first that I was heading into a book filled with American stereotypes of the supernatural. You know, ugly women wearing black pointed hats, Ouija boards, pentagrams, and goat skulls stuck on a pole. There was none of this nonsense. Instead, the characters were new and exciting. They provided me with a glimpse into Aztec lore and culture. They also were tied into some common images of the supernatural—angels, demons, outlandish beasts.
The story is set in modern-day Mexico. People and customs were presented in a vivid and engaging manner. I almost could taste the foods! But there were no page long descriptions (a la Charles Dickens). The words instead were few and well chosen, just enough to create a clear mental picture.
The plot provides a great adventure. There is a lot of action. The climax was awesome. The suspense approaching the finale made me read as fast as I could to the end. There is a nascent romance as well. But not that gooey stuff found in “romantic” novels. More believable, like a romance that may spring from friendship, like between real people.
My negative comments are few. The Aztec names were tough for me to say. There was a very good glossary in the back of the book, however. I was impatient to learn the outcome of the story, and didn’t look up many words. Perhaps pronunciation and meaning could be placed in parentheses after a word is used for the first few times. In my mind the word Bruja (witch), has really negative connotations, which I don’t think are intended. Perhaps a made-up word like “spell-caster” or “soul warrior” could be used, although I hate to second guess an author who uses words so well.
This is a truly gripping adventure story. The lore and legends add to its mystery. Don’t be tempted to skip to the ending, though. You won’t understand it. Read and enjoy it all the way through. Even the acknowledgements.

[Rachel Mars · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK!! Okay going into this I knew very little other than “spooky monster creatures in Mexico” (honestly sold right there) and that I was on the hunt for a book by a local author. And I hit the jackpot! I even ordered the next book in the series before I even finished this one because I just knew I had to keep going. Having finished it now I can say that I was right, and I’m sad I have to wait until tomorrow to start the next one 😂

Revenge De Los Muertos is an Aztec-inspired urban fantasy filled with chupacabras, reapers, brujas, and Blood Kings, a taste of Mexican culture and lore, and lovable characters that I’m very excited to follow throughout the series! It really was just so fun and I was glued to the book the whole time!

[RDCooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. It starts as an innocent trip to Mexico and blossoms into suspenseful action and fun while the reader learns so much about the Mexican culture. The end really catches you by surprise. It definitely makes you want to get the next book in the series. The authentic Mexican recipes at the end of the paperback version are a fun addition.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I can't wait to read the second book and see where the story goes.

[Rachel Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The author did an amazing job bringing Mexican myths to life. The characters felt real and complex.

[Megan Oliveri-Ferreira · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m sad to say this book wasn’t for me. I enjoyed the premise but the plot fell flat. I think it would be great for a middle school age range!

[Talis Jones]

Fifth Sun is an Aztec-inspired urban fantasy series that dives into the hidden world of the ancient and impossible. Following an orphan with a secret that could shatter the world, a Blood King wrestling with his past and the weight of the crown, and the supernatural chaos that escalates once these two souls cross paths. Brace for brujas, blood drinkers, chupacabra, romance, and perhaps even a sip of apocalypse.

REVENGE DE LOS MUERTOS (Revenge of the Dead), the first book in the Fifth Sun saga, kicks off this urban fantasy thrill when Selah decides to travel to Mexico for summer vacation with her best friend and finds herself surrounded by monsters, magic, destiny, and a blood king with eyes that pierce her soul. Once orphaned and alone, she’ll discover a hidden empire battling to answer her call.