Solimar

The Sword of Monarchs

By: Pam Muñoz Ryan

Narrated by: Franchesca Agramonte

Middle-grade fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising will find a new Mexican heroine to love in Solimar and a fresh, magical story!

On the brink of her Quinceañera, and her official coronation, Solimar visits the oyamel forest to sit among the monarch butterflies. There, the sun pierces through a sword-shaped crevice in a boulder, which shines on her and sends the butterflies humming and swirling around her. After the magical frenzy, she realizes she's been given a gift — and a burden: She can predict the near future!

She has also become a protector of the young and weak butterflies. This alone would be a huge responsibility, but tragedy strikes when a neighboring king invades while her father and brother and many others are away. The remaining villagers are taken hostage — all except Solimar. Can this princess-to-be save her family, the kingdom, and the future of the monarch butterflies from a greedy and dangerous king?

Written for ages 8 to 12 by the Newbery Honor Medal winner of the highly acclaimed novel Echo.

©2022 Pam Muñoz Ryan (P)2022 Disney Hyperion

Fun adventure story

Listened to this with my 7 & 9 year old daughters and we all really enjoyed it. 😊

Great book!

Definitely worth the read. I recommend listening to it on audible to really get a feel for the story. My 9 year old loved it, but a little over half way through found it more entertaining.

Not a great experience

My children and I listened to this book as part of our homeschool curriculum for the month. We listen to multiple audiobooks every month and normally really enjoy them. This one, not so much. The reader for this one had the worst timing and inflection for dialogue, and mispronounced several words. The book itself was okay but not great.

Its a horrible book

Her accent reading and overall story is horrible to listen too bored me to death.