HERALD-MAIL
“Rudy Ruiz shines spotlight on the border at Annapolis Book Festival.”
PASTE
“Ruiz’s thoughtful exploration of border narratives continues to resonate with audiences interested in the complex interplay of history, culture, and identity.”
THE VILLAGE VOICE
“The Border Between Us illuminates complex cultural and familial issues of timely and universal relevance.”
THE Latin Times
“Rudy Ruiz’s The Border Between Us Featured as National Latino Book Club’s March Selection”
Tucson Weekly
“Tucson Book Festival draws over 130,000 attendees. Rudy Ruiz’s appearance offered a rare opportunity to engage directly with an author whose work spoke to the region’s unique cultural position as a crossroads of American and Mexican influences.”
TUCSON FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
“Rudy Ruiz spoke at two panels in Tucson, ‘El Sueño Americano’ on the Nuestras Raíces Stage organized by the Pima County Public Library, and ‘The Ties that Bind’ on the University of Arizona campus.”
HOUSTON NEWS
“Ruiz earns a spot on the longlist for the prestigious 2025 Joyce Carol Oates Prize — a milestone that cements his growing stature in the literary space.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
“The Border Between Us featured among SLJ’s 25 Diverse Audiobooks for Kids and Teens.”
AUDIBLE
“The Border Between Us Spanish-language edition selected by Audible as one of the Top Ten Audio Books of 2024.”
AUDIOFILE
“Narrator Eddie Lopez shines…in this powerful story of a boy becoming a man.”
TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL
“At the 2024 festival in Austin, Rudy Ruiz joined Elba Iris Perez and Carlota Gedovius in a compelling Spanish-language event titled ‘Entre Dos Mundos: Familia, Cultura y la Búsqueda de Identidad.’”
TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL
“Rudy Ruiz and Daniel Chacón were featured at the 2024 Texas Book Festival in a panel moderated by Tess Passero Ottobre on ‘Writing from the Borderlands.’”
MYSA
“Rudy Ruiz to present The Border Between Us in both English and Spanish-language panels at the 2024 Texas Book Festival.”
DIVERSE VOICES
“Hopeton Hay interviews Rudy Ruiz about The Border Between Us for his Diverse Voices podcast.”
ENCUENTRAS YOUR VOICE PODCAST
“Rudy Ruiz discusses ‘Building Bridges, Not Walls: The Power of Multicultural Identity’ with podcast host Consuelo Crosby.”
Listen on Apple Podcasts >> or Spotify >>
washington independent review of books
“Ruiz helps us appreciate the great gift that our manifold heritages truly are. He has written a sensitive novel that addresses many issues facing today’s teens—from cultural disorientation to cultural identity, from material poverty to excessive materialism, from addiction to negligent parents. It’s a provocative book and well worth the read.” — Washington Independent Review of Books
FLORIDA WEEKLY
“The Border Between Us is much more than a coming of-age novel. Add in poverty, sickness, fear and hope. All of these things help to make this novel soar.”
BOOKLIST
“The American Library Association’s Booklist has given The Border Between Us a starred review, stating: ‘Ruiz has written a poignant tale about an endearing underdog’s pursuit of the American Dream…highlighting the universal value of strong family ties, hard work, and fortitude.'”
KIRKUS REVIEWS
“Kirkus calls The Border Between Us: ‘A moving story of one family’s toil amid a cultural struggle, told with precision and authenticity.'”
B&N TOP INDIE FAVORITES
“The Border Between Us selected as a Barnes & Noble NOOK Top Indie Favorite.”
New York TIMES
“Valley of Shadows featured in New York Times Book Review Quiz Bowl.”
MYSA.com
“Rudy Ruiz’s new novel, The Border Between Us, set for release September 17, 2024.”
TEXAS INSTITUTE OF LETTERS
“Rudy Ruiz has been inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters.”
New York TIMES
“The New York Times recommends Valley of Shadows upon its paperback release.”
National Geographic
“Valley of Shadows included in Essential Guide to Texas.”
TEXAS STANDARD
“The setting is so stirring and the prose, frankly, so riveting and beautiful.” – Texas Standard
Rudy Ruiz discusses Valley of Shadows on Texas Public Radio.
TEXAS INSTITUTE OF LETTERS
“Valley of Shadows is awarded the Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Book of Fiction.”
LA TIMES
“Valley of Shadows included in LA Times map of great American novels.”
MYSA.com
“Rudy Ruiz to be a featured author at the 2023 Texas Book Festival.”
LATIN@ Stories
“Rudy Ruiz shares memories from the borderlands, providing insights on Valley of Shadows, as he speaks with Dr. Elena Foulis on her culturally themed podcast.”
UC MERCED
“Three of Rudy Ruiz’s books. – Seven for the Revolution (2013), The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez (2020), and Valley of Shadows (2022) – have been included in A Visual History of Chicano/a/x Literature.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
“Rudy Ruiz comments on Cormac McCarthy’s literary influence.”
MY SANANTONIO
“Valley of Shadows is one of four novels by San Antonio authors featured in LA Times list of great American novels.”
READING THE WEST AWARDS
“Valley of Shadows has been Longlisted for the 33rd Annual Reading the West Awards.”
CRIMEREADS
“Valley of Shadows named one of the Best Horror Novels of 2022.”
CRIMEREADS
“How Rudy Ruiz and His Neo-Western Aim to Change the Conversation About the U.S.-Mexico Border.”
BOOKLIST
“Ruiz’s engaging tale…is immersive and atmospheric. Ruiz deftly combines elements of romance, historical mystery, horror and magical realism to deliver a richly satisfying adventure.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“In its review of Valley of Shadows, Publishers Weekly states: ‘Ruiz offers an engrossing blend of historical fiction, ghost story, and mystery.'”
LOCUS MAGAZINE
“In his review, Ian Mond writes, ‘…Valley of Shadows is so damn enjoyable to read.'”
TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL
“Rudy Ruiz was a featured author at the 2022 TBF. Read the Festival’s Q&A with Rudy here.”
Publishers Weekly
“Rudy Ruiz on why remembering the past is so important and how he weaves history into his fiction.”
Superstition Review
“‘What Some Might Call Protest Literature,’ an interview with Rudy Ruiz.”
Latinx in Publishing
“Valley of Shadows brilliantly blends magical realism, western, and horror genres into a page-turning Rio Grande Valley epic – a haunting frontera tale, perfect for folks looking for their next thrilling read.”
Latinxperts
“Rudy Ruiz speaks with UT Austin folklorist and professor Dr. Rachel González-Martin about how his border experiences have shaped his writing.”
MY SAN ANTONIO
“Rudy Ruiz’s ‘Valley of Shadows’ brings magical realism to Texas-Mexico border.”
WASHINGTON INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF BOOKS
“A heavy dose of magical realism keeps the pages turning in this gritty, neo-Western mystery.”
MUST READ FICTION
“Rudy Ruiz is interviewed by Erin Popelka about Valley of Shadows.”
STEPHANIE’S BOOK REVIEWS
“Valley of Shadows is a masterful blend of western, horror, historical fiction and magical realism.”
A.E. JACKSON: EXPLORE THE UNCANNY
“Solitario Cisneros echoes at once of Stephen King’s Roland of Gilead, and even Sir Thomas Malory’s King Arthur in readers’ minds.”
PENNA BOOK REVIEWS
“A read that is haunting yet compelling…Well developed characters, whose stories are woven together by a masterful storyteller, interact to create a tale, at times utterly terrifying.”
MY SAN ANTONIO
“Get to know the 12 San Antonio-area authors at the Texas Book Festival.”
DEEP SOUTH MAGAZINE
“Valley of Shadows featured in Deep South Magazine Fall-Winter Reading List.”
BOOKIVERSE
“[Valley of Shadows] is a multigenerational epic saga as vast as the desolate landscapes where it is set, a classic in the making!”
LONE STAR LITERARY
“Valley of Shadows offers fresh, enticing, and entertaining fiction set deep in a region where Texas and Mexican cultures merge, and ghosts, evil spirits, and human values are not stopped by borders.”
Southern Review of Books
“‘Valley of Shadows’ Is a Supernatural Genre Fusion that Sheds Light on Real Issues”
CRIMEREADS
“Ruiz’s latest is a chilling meditation on life and death in the 1870s borderlands between the US and Mexico, a neo-western that brings a fatalistic noir sensibility to a story with deep spiritual and literary roots.” –CrimeReads
GOODREADS
“GoodReads’ roundup of ’66 New Books To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month’ includes Valley of Shadows.”
SAN ANTONIO MAGAZINE
“How a San Antonio author is using fiction to shed light on Mexican American history.”
TRANSFER ORBIT
“Valley of Shadows featured in Transfer Orbit’s roundup of September book releases.”
FANGIRLISH
“The novel pays tribute to [Ruiz’s] family’s cultural background and puts a soul-stirring Latinx spin on three classic American genres: Western, Southern gothic and horror, and it’s the perfect read to celebrate [Hispanic Heritage] month.”
TOR
“Valley of Shadows included in Tor.com’s round up of ‘New Horror and Genre Bending September Books’!”
WE ARE LATINX
“Podcast host Eduardo Chavez interviews Rudy Ruiz about his new novel, Valley of Shadows, saying, ‘This book is a must read!'”
THE TWIG BOOK SHOP
“Book Launch Event at The Twig Book Shop in San Antonio, Sept. 20 at 5:30 PM.”
BOOKPEOPLE
“Book Launch Event at BookPeople in Austin, Sept. 21 at 7:00 PM.”
MYSTERIOUS GALAXY BOOKS
“Virtual Book Launch Event, Rudy Ruiz in conversation with Jennifer Givhan, Sept. 26 at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time”
COMPULSIVE READER
“An interview with Rudy Ruiz about his new novel, Valley of Shadows.”
LONE STAR LITERARY
“Valley of Shadows featured in Lone Star Literary’s roundup of September 2022 releases.”
REVIEW BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR JOANN LOSAVIO
“Valley of Shadows was WOW, a great slow burn paranormal mystery.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“Publishers Weekly features Valley of Shadows, stating that in Ruiz’s new novel: ‘the Mexico-U.S. border marks not only a political division but also an ever-thinning line between the earthly and supernatural worlds.'”
INTERNATIONAL LATINO BOOK AWARDS – 2021
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez received two Gold Medals at the 2021 International Latino Book Awards, one for the Rudolfo Anaya Best Latino Focused Fiction Book and one for Best Audiobook.”
Southern Review of Books
“Ruiz’s prose is buoyant and immersive… Its effusive descriptions are reminiscent of Laura Esquivel.”
Writer’s Bone
“Author Rudy Ruiz joins Daniel Ford on Friday Morning Coffee to discuss his novel The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.”
Harvard Magazine
“Author Rudy Ruiz carries on his Mexican-American family’s storytelling tradition.”
BuzzFeed
“BuzzFeed features ‘The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez’ on its list of recommended historical fiction books.”
Writer’s Routine
“Listen to Rudy Ruiz talk about writing culture and heritage authentically on the Writer’s Routine podcast.”
Fangirlish
“Rudy Ruiz talks about The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez and fighting stereotypes in literature.”
San Antonio Magazine
“Rudy Ruiz’s ‘The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez’ has been a lifetime in the making and is now an International Latino Book Awards winner.”
THE COLLABORATIVE
“Rudy Ruiz appeared on The Collaborative to discuss the importance of diversity in school reading lists during National Family Literacy Month.”
DIALOGUE
“Rudy spoke about writing magical realism into the Mexican-American Immigrant Experience, with best-selling author Susan Wingate on DIALOGUE Between the Lines.”
BOOK Q&A WITH DEBORAH KALB
“I hope someday the border can be a place of unity rather than division, a place where people learn to come together rather than be torn apart.” – Rudy Ruiz
Texas Public Radio
“Fronteras: Cursed Love At The Center Of New Novel ‘The Resurrection Of Fulgencio Ramirez'”
2021 SPUR AWARDS
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio was chosen by the Western Writers of America as a Finalist for Best Contemporary Novel.”
Reading the West
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez has been longlisted for the 31st Annual Reading the West Book Awards. Organized by the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association, ‘the awards, given to books published in the previous calendar year, celebrate the rich variety of writing in and about this region, and reflect the extraordinary diversity of the reading public.'”
ALA BOOKLIST
“With an atmospheric setting and beguiling prose, lavish details, fascinating, well-developed characters, and charming elements of magic realism, Ruiz conjures a magnetic story…” –ALA BookList
ALA BOOKLIST
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez named one of the Top 10 First Novels of 2020.”
HuffPost
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez is named one of the ‘most trending books by Latinx authors.'”
BOOK RIOT
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez is included in Book Riot’s ‘Best Books to Give As Gifts in 2020.'”
LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE
“Ruiz’s first novel is full of life, a brew of contemporary and historical fiction, a coming-of-age tale, adventurous, mysterious, and romantic, laced with social commentary, both spiced and sweetened by the grand Latinx tradition of magical realism.”
SAN ANTONIO REPORT
“[Fulgencio Ramirez] plumbs how the Mexican-American divide, a literal border and a metaphorical one, can form a person’s identity.”
Chicago Tribune
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez included in Chicago Tribune’s list of 11 books by Latinx authors to read for Hispanic Heritage Month.”
New York Journal of Books
“Ruiz creates a surreal world…full of rich detail.”
Rio Grande Guardian
“Ruiz’s novel is an evocative labor of love that immerses the reader in the culture and magic of the border.”
San Francisco Chronicle
“Rudy Ruiz talks about his debut novel The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.”
ALA BOOKLIST
“Booklist’s Best New Books of the Week includes The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.”
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
“Vivid debut novel follows a man’s quest for true love.”
MUST READ FICTION
“Erin Popelka with “Must Read Fiction” interviews Rudy Ruiz”
PARADE MAGAZINE
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez featured in roundup of New Fall Books from Latinx Writers for Hispanic Heritage Month.”
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
“List of 10 Great Fiction and Nonfiction Books to Read In September includes The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.”
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
“The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez selected as an Editor’s Pick for September.”
RIO GRANDE GUARDIAN
“Award-winning author Rudy Ruiz, a Rio Grande Valley native, is winning lots of plaudits for his first novel, The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.”
AL DÍA NEWS
“In the purest style of magical realism…The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez is a beautiful novel about love, family curses, class difference, and the difficulties of Latinos to progress in America.”
LATINX IN PUBLISHING
“Latinx in Publishing’s roundup of September Latinx releases includes Rudy Ruiz’s new novel.”
TOR.COM
“Tor.com’s roundup of New September Fantasy Books highlights The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.”
AVENIDA 35
“Spanish-Language magazine features “The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez.”
TEXAS PUBLIC RADIO
“Fronteras Extra: Rudy Ruiz Asks Readers To ‘Walk In Someone Else’s Shoes For A Few Pages”
RIVARD REPORT
“San Antonio Author Rudy Ruiz Seeks to Build Bridges, Not Walls, Through Fiction”
RIO GRANDE GUARDIAN
“As if given the power to look into the future, a short story written by author Rudy Ruiz describes the policies affecting the border between the United States and México.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS
“Many stories show real sparks of creativity as they give voices to the voiceless…most paint nuanced pictures of people seeking an impossible American dream. Well-executed stories that offer fresh perspectives on long-standing societal problems.”
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
“Rudy Ruiz writes with authority and emotion about issues close to his heart, such as immigration, but never lets a message get in the way of good storytelling and character development.”
Goodreads
“An original and thought-provoking look into the culture of U.S. Latinos, both immigrants and citizens.”
Latina Style
“Seven for the Revolution, written by Rudy Ruiz, an American author, advocate and social entrepreneur, was named a finalist in the International Latino Book Awards in the categories of: “Most Inspirational Fiction Book”, “Best Popular Fiction Book”, and “Best Cover Design – Fiction.”
The Brownsville Herald
“Local author wins big at Latino Book Awards. Brownsville-born author Rudy Ruiz won two awards last month during the 2014 International Latino Book Awards held at the American Library Association Convention in Las Vegas.
Ruiz’s book, “7 for the Revolution,” won Best Popular Fiction-English and The Mariposa Award for Best First Book in Fiction.”
The Monitor
“With life along the Rio Grande as his inspiration, Rudy Ruiz, has been named a finalist in the International Latino Book Awards.
Ruiz’s book “7 for the Revolution” follows seven characters and their journey through life as Latinos.”
Reading in Spanglish
Review: “The book is an enjoyable read. I would feel comfortable sharing this book with a YA reader, as well. The book’s areas of excellence are the storytelling, the ability to convey our culture so well, and originality.”
Reading in Spanglish
Interview: “Ruiz began writing as a child and has always used his experiences on the U.S.-Mexico border and his heritage as inspiration.”
National Latino Book Club
Selection: “Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club present Conversations with Las Comadres. February 2014 Additional Conversation Selection: Seven for the Revolution.”
American City & County
Leadership Book Club Selection: “Inspired by his upbringing by Mexican immigrant parents and a career dedicated to public immigration policy, Ruiz, president of Interlex Communications and author of two previous works, brings to life the plight of the Latino immigrant experience in America.”
San Antonio Business Journal
“Rudy Ruiz has penned a new book, “Seven for the Revolution.” It has been named a finalist in the International Latino Book Awards in the categories of: Most Inspirational Fiction Book, Best Popular Fiction Book, Best Cover Design – Fiction; and it is also up for The Mariposa Award for Best First Book – Fiction.
Ruiz has been recognized as an advocate for immigrants and immigration reform.”
Hispanic MPR
“Hoping to share his views on Latino immigrants and their desire to find opportunity and the American Dream Rudy Ruiz, the son of immigrants himself, shares seven fictional stories in Seven for the Revolution A Collection of Short Stories (Milagro Press, $15).”
Antesala
Translated from Spanish-language magazine review: “The book captures your interest from its opening paragraphs. I recommend this book with one note of caution: it will be impossible to stop reading it.”
CNN
“Border native Rudy Ruiz is the author of “Seven for the Revolution” (Milagros Press), recent winner of four 2014 International Latino Book Awards, including first place for best popular fiction. He is CEO of Interlex, an advocacy marketing agency based in San Antonio.”
CONEXIÓN
Translated from Spanish-language newspaper article: “Growing up along the border between Texas and Mexico in the Rio Grande Valley showed Rudy Ruiz first-hand the challenges and triumphs of immigration.”
LatinoStories.com
“Rudy Ruiz has been selected by LatinoStories.com as #1 among the 2015 Top Ten ‘New’ Latino Authors to Watch (and Read). Rudy Ruiz tops the list this year, and with reason. Not one sentence in Seven for the Revolution sounds like it comes from a debut fiction author. The tension in each is well-crafted, making the reader want to turn each page as quickly as possible.”
The Brownsville Herald
“Brownsville native Rudy Ruiz has taken the top spot of LatinoStories.com’s 2015 Top Ten ‘New’ Latino Authors to Watch and Read for his book ‘Seven for the Revolution.'”
TheLatinoAuthor.com
TheLatinoAuthor.com has selected “Seven for the Revolution” as one of “The Top Ten Fiction Books by Latino Authors for 2014,” stating that “Mr. Ruiz uses seven stories to open a window into the plight of U.S. Latinos of yesteryear, of today, and of the future. He is a fantastic writer and storyteller and does a wonderful job of capturing the lives of people searching after an impossible American dream.”
Antesala
The intro translated from Spanish: “Rudy Ruiz receives awards, continues struggle on behalf of Latino immigrants.”
Latin Post
“Ruiz depicts yearning and suffering on the page with purpose and intrigue, converting backstory and conversations into thunderous, nuanced stories.”
Latin Post
“Mexican American writer, author and immigration advocate Rudy Ruiz was recently honored at the Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival. The author received three new awards for his critically acclaimed debut book ‘Seven for the Revolution.'”
LatinHeat
“In a time when immigrants are under attack, Rudy Ruiz’s fiction book debut Seven for the Revolution is both timely, and brave. Seven immigrant stories that have hit a cord and propelled the book into an award-winning streak, winning four prizes at the 2015 International Latino Book Awards’ Latino Books into Movies Awards.”