Solimar: The Sword of the Monarchs

“I can fix that” is Berto’s positive response when anything breaks (102). His reassuring mantra reflects his unflappable, optimistic personality. While Berto’s practical approach to life is slightly shaken by Solimar’s tale of the magic rebozo and the appearance of Zarita, he adapts quickly to the existence of enchantments, showing his resilience and open-mindedness.

Berto reveals his strong moral character with his readiness to help Solimar reach Puerto Rivera. Solimar’s assurance that King Sebastián will help Berto’s homeland is a motivating factor for Berto, but he also feels an ethical imperative to help save Solimar’s kingdom and the monarchs.

Berto is shown to be a worthy friend and match of Solimar, as well as a worthy hero. Like Solimar, Berto is compassionate and appreciates nature. He rescues animals from the deadly waterfall with his Confiscator, and cherishes the monarchs as much as Solimar does, being careful not to ask her questions that might injure them. Berto is also a conservationist: His desire to create a reservoir and canal system to bring water and life back to his valley reveals his drive to preserve, manage, and restore natural resources.

In his efforts to realize his late father’s progressive ideas for change despite ridicule, skepticism, and limited resources, Berto models responsibility, determination, and confidence. He shows Solimar, who also has trouble getting others to see her vision, that they can affect positive change.

Tall, with black eyes and wavy hair like his father’s—but without the gray—handsome Prince Campeón is considered a prize by the village girls. However, marriage is not high on Campeón’s to-do list. Although next in line for the throne, Campeón, Solimar notes, does not have the same “sense of purpose” as her father (38). Instead, he is thoughtful and bookish. He always seems to be “lost in his own thoughts” as he wanders the castle reading and stumbling into things (38).

Campeón lacks kingly ambition and kingly qualities. He is “inept” with animals. He does not enjoy traveling with the caravan to Puerto Rivera, only “pretending” to be interested in King Sebastián’s duties. His nickname, Campeón, means “champion,” but Campeón feels that his life is out of his hands. As he tells Solimar: “‘I’m not even the champion of my own life’” (41). Campeón does not want to be king. Unlike Solimar, Campeón wants to be rid of his royal responsibilities, to follow his heart and discover himself travelling the world. He is more of an individualist than his sister.

Through Campeón, the novel suggests that coming of age requires hard decisions: prioritizing adult responsibilities over self-interest. Faced with a threat to his family and kingdom, Campeón abandons his travel plans and stays to help. However, Muñoz Ryan also shows the importance of independence and maintaining one’s sense of self. Campeón ultimately achieves his desire to travel and plans to use his experiences for the good of San Gregorio, balancing self and responsibility.

The novel’s human antagonist, King Aveno, is physically and morally the opposite of Solimar’s father, King Sebastián. King Aveno has a red face, his clothes are immaculate, and he looks like he never gets up from his chair or his horse. In contrast, King Sebastián is rumpled from working “in the streets, stables, and fields—where he said a king belonged” instead of holed up in his castle (33). Unlike Sebastián, who cares for the wellbeing of his land and people, Aveno values money and personal power above all else. Aveno lacks scruples: Aveno bullies and threatens other kingdoms to get what he wants—land to decimate for profit—and when denied, he uses kidnapping and extortion to take what he wants.

King Aveno does not care if others like him: He has alienated all the other kingdoms around him and believes that he is invincible. He comments that “[t]he other kingdoms are too small and pathetic to make a move against me” (82). King Aveno’s arrogance, avarice, and anti-environmental attitude contrast with King Sebastián’s approach to governing, as well as Solimar and Berto’s values. King Aveno’s demise confirms his bad guy status and affirms King Sebastián’s values of conservation and benevolent, inclusive rule.