The Sons of El Rey by Alex Espinoza is a multi-generational tale of dual identities. Ernesto Vego, his son Alfredo and his grandson Julian alternate as narrators in this family saga that covers masculinity, sexuality, racism, immigration, family dynamics and mortality. Additional perspectives are introduced through narration by spouses, partners, and friends. The Sons of El Rey focuses on character development over plot creating well developed portrayals of the members of the Vega men. I really enjoyed this well written novel especially the author's brilliant ability to tell a story through so many perspectives. The book has a non-linear timeline which is sometimes a little difficult to follow. Nonetheless, this format creates unique and valuable perspectives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings: Racial/cultural fetishization, Hospice care, Homophobia

Espinoza’s novel uses lucha libre to explore machismo culture, queerness, love, and family, and for the most part does so successfully. The novel is presented in alternating points of views between three generations of men (Ernesto, Alfredo “Freddy”, Julian), a dead matriarch (Elena), and an anthropomorphization of El Coyote Rey (Ernesto’s wrestling persona). Each of these shifts is clearly labeled, and I didn’t find it confusing to move between voices and time periods.

Of these voices, I want to comment on Elena’s because I think it can be easy to overlook the nuance to her role. On the surface, she purely plays a part as part of a love triangle and giving birth. But Elena’s ghost recounts how she struggled in life, not just with trying to keep her husband’s love, but also as a woman in the patriarchal Mexican culture. She could not pursue her desire to be a nurse; she is constantly trying to speak but has no one listen to her. This comes up literally when she tells El Coyote Rey NOT to speak for her and to call her by her name. Her role, in other words, is as much a critique of the machismo culture as any of the men’s stories, but perhaps not as obviously.

I will say that the “family secret” in the novel was painfully obvious. Equally painful was how Julian (lover, not grandson) was treated as a character. We never get his point of view – only how Ernesto and Elena characterize him. All we know for sure is that he deeply loved Ernesto and was pushed away (despite an equal love) and fathered Freddy via Elena. Julian’s fate could have simply been left ambiguous, but instead El Coyote Rey (and thus Ernesto) envisions a slow, painful death and an unclaimed corpse, and then the one photograph of him that survives is nameless after Ernesto’s death. It just hit too close to the “bury your gays” trope for me, although I don’t think that was Espinoza’s intention at all.

Despite the obvious plot twist, the novel was still a fun read and had engaging characters due to the care given to describing the relationship between the fathers and sons, the love of lucha libre, and tackling different cultural struggles. The book emphasizes that to live is to struggle, but in struggling there is hope and forward progress.

Just absolutely wonderful. Completely resonant, headbreaking, timely, and propulsive. Set in post-pandemic Los Angeles, The Sons of El Rey follows three generations of men— the way trauma, struggle, and most importantly, love, penetrates lineage. Espinoza's prose is utterly captivating.

I received an advanced copy of this book courtesy of the Publishers. This story is multi-generational, which each chapter switching between characters, time periods, and countries. While not a unique story, it was fast-paced and enjoyable. I would recommend this book to others.

The Sons of El Rey explores themes of intergenerational culture, legacy, and trauma. Lucha here is a way of life, one that is so deeply rooted in Mexican culture and survival, and is contrasted with those who try to appropriate it by removing it from its cultural context. We meet Ernesto, a Mexican Man who is forced into the confines of heteronormativity and class-based oppressions, who through lucha finds an escapism to celebrate himself. He is tragically separated from Julian, the person he loves so very deeply, but who love is seen reflected in Ernesto’s children and grandchildren. Freddy, who is fighting to keep a gym open amidst the growing gentrification of Los Angeles while having the responsibilities of fatherhood, and the grandson Julian, who is finding his place as an openly Mexican-American man. Julian, who perhaps is living the life that Ernesto’s lover could never, but still faces the challenges of being a Mexican-American gay man in the present. Through exploring his dying grandfather’s legacy, Julian is not only able to find a love for lucha in his life, but hope - hope that he could live the life that Ernesto did not have access to.

Overall, a powerful, imagining of what queer life may have looked like in the past and how being connected with this history can help us find our own place in this world.

*Thanks Netgalley and to the Publisher for the ARC*

By far my favorite book I have read in the past 2 years. A story about Mexican and Mexican American culture and the issues within our own community that intersect with one's family life. Topics such as machismo, generational trauma, and grief that are relatable. I enjoyed reading the different perspectives of each character and how there are always more than one side to the stories.

I will say, that the book left me wanting to see more of Julian and his story after his grandfather's situation because I really enjoyed his storyline about the struggle of being young in today's society.

Three generations of sons and their relationships as Luchadores. Each making their own name and legacy.

I was blown away by the raw honesty and emotional complexity this story conveys. I felt the love, loss, and passion each character has with the sport and each other. It paints a perfect picture of multi-generational change and connection. I won’t forget this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC.

The Sons of El Rey is amazing book on the three generations of the Vega men. Each man is dealing with their own insecurities at different points of their lives. Ernesto finds that becoming El Rey Coyote in Mexico City as a way to appease the machismo culture that was embedded in him from his father. Alfredo “Freddy”, is trying to come to grips with the changing landscape of his community, and struggles to save the gym that his father built. Julian, is trying to navigate his life in the shadow of the lucha tradition, while being an openly gay Mexican-American man.

The story is so rich, and while some of the story has some very surreal moments from the point of view of El Rey Coyote himself, it does not hinder the flow of the story. It more to the culture of lucha, and the characters. I found myself thinking about all of these character throughout the day, and wondering how their story was unfold. It is a deeply touching story about love, family, and acceptance.

A sprawling culturally rich epic, one that blends some satire and humor with emotional gut punches and reality checks. The characters are realistic and flawed and somehow the story seems to not take itself pretentiously serious.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc