In the year 1814, Venezuela stands at a turning point, in the midst of one of the bloodiest wars in history: the struggle for independence after 300 years of Spanish colonial rule. Facundo Ocampo, a 13-year-old mestizo boy destined for the priesthood, sees his life changed forever when the war arrives at his doorstep. Drawn to the cause of freedom, Facundo must face a world filled with sacrifice, loyalty, and the fight for survival as he joins the patriots in their battle against tyranny.

At the center of the conflict stands General José Tomás Boves, a ruthless leader of the Spanish royalist forces. Using brutal tactics, Boves spreads fear and terror throughout the country, threatening to crush Venezuela’s dream of freedom. As Boves’ forces grow stronger, Simón Bolívar, the Liberator, calls upon the patriots to defend Caracas and rekindle hope for the republic. With historical figures like Bolívar and General José Félix Ribas shaping the course of the war, Leones a caballo takes readers on a gripping journey through decisive battles — including the dramatic Battle of Urica. Against this backdrop unfolds Facundo’s moving coming-of-age story, in which he must make impossible choices and come to understand the true cost of freedom.

Perfect for lovers of historical fiction, war stories, personal growth, and Latin American history, Leones a caballo brings Venezuela’s epic struggle for independence to life with vivid realism.