I was happy to have been selected to read this since I've been a fan of Rebecca Roanhorse since I first read her short story *"Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience" three years ago. (*Link here if anyone wants to check it out: https://apex-magazine.com/welcome-to-...) That said it took me a bit of time to get through this one though it's no fault of the writing. I blame COVID for taking away a lot of my ability to concentrate on anything for too long.

That said once I got going I enjoyed the world-building very much and leaves you with just enough information to want more. It's inspired by Pre-Columbian Meso-American civilizations which are not only right up my alley but a refreshing change from most fantasy stories so often being bound to "Tolkienesque" and European traditions.

I was able to be transported to this world of prophecies, dark magics, and destinies through Roanhorse's crafted words. This story is like a tightly woven tapestry - full of rich, vibrant characters, settings, and movement. I think the majority of people who read it will be happy they did.

(One note because I feel I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it - there is a scene near the beginning that triggered me quite a bit. If you're sensitive to violence you may want to tread with caution. It wasn't gratuitious and contributed to the plot but it hit me by surprise. I won't say more because it's a spoiler but it did stick with me for a while.)

This is an exceptionally well done epic fantasy set in an otherworldly world based on the pre-Columbia era of the Americas. The world building is of course, lush and amazing, the characters are very well developed and the plot is so very interesting with lots of action and political intrigue to keep you interested to the end.

The amazing characters are just a small but important part of this book. We hear from many characters throughout the book, but there are three main narrators and then one that I certainly hope we hear more from.

Naranpa is the Sun Priest, who is only trying to do her best to keep the peace and prevent another war with the clans. She is thwarted by her own in ways none of us see coming.
Xiala was my favorite character. A young woman who has gone through many hardships to get where she is. Loved her Teek heritage, and hope we learn more about it in future books.
Serapio is also a favorite character. He has also gone through many hardships to get where he is. But he is such a lonely young man that you just want to give him constant hugs.
Oaka was the one we heard from the least, but I think we will see a lot more from in the future. What I saw I really liked.
The world building is of course is amazing. If you have read other works by this author, then you know what to expect. Everything is described in such a way that you feel that you are there, without the plot being bogged down. The mythology is also, so well woven into the story throughout that it never slows anything down. The pacing of the story is perfect, neither too fast or slow. But it is epic fantasy, so there is some expectation of the surreal and unanswered questions at the end.

I just loved the story and the characters. I loved that for most of the story, except for Serapio and Xiala, the narrators are kept separate until the end of the book. I also really appreciated the mayan and aztec mythologies and cultural influences of the story. This is one you really want to read if you like epic fantasy.

Let me start off by saying I am not a fantasy fan. I thought this may be different & sounded great, but I could not get into it...I tried multiple times to read it but I actually did not finish it. Usually, I finish every book that I read. There were so many characters that it was hard to keep track of as well. I am giving this 3 stars just because I am not a fantasy fan, but the reviews for it are amazing.

Thanks to Saga Press for the free advance copy of this book.

✨MINI REVIEW✨
A ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. (via Goodreads) 📚
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Things I liked:
📚 Casual queerness - pansexuality, gender neutral pronouns, trans characters, and none of it even factors into the main plot
📚 A big, sprawling world with intricate tribal history and relations
📚 Political intrigue, but not too much
📚 Visceral images - I could feel and smell and taste this world
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Things I didn't like:
📚 THAT CLIFFHANGER, I NEED BOOK 2 NOW!
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Content warnings: suicide, sexual harassment, substance abuse, gambling, murder, death.

From the author who brought us the Sixth World series, Rebecca Roanhorse provides us a rich fantasy story set in a fictional pre-Colombian America world with humans, huge insects and talking crows. I absolutely loved this book and will be purchasing a copy for my collection. I read an advance digital copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the pacing on this one, I didn’t feel at all bored with the story. The are several characters that are genderless which I thought was interesting, The world-building felt just about perfect. Roanhorse does a smooth job of brining the reader up to speed on this world, but doesn’t overwhelm and bore with details, which is a sign of a great writer in my opinion. The few main characters have depth and your interest in what happens to them grows as the tension builds. I cannot wait for the second book in this series. All libraries should purchase a copy of this!

I absolutely adored this book and the audiobook via Libro.fm. This is such a breath taking and beautiful story. It was so nice to read a slower moving fantasy that while still a high paced urgent deadline to get to it was still a joy to listen/read. I really loved Serpaio and Xiala they are probably my favorite out of the the cast. I think what clinched it for me was the honey and hot bath scene towards the end. It was so beautiful and caring. I enjoyed the built in queerness to the world and the use of neo pronouns for the two nonbinary characters. I also greatly appreciated how as far as I can tell that all the four of the narrators for the audiobook are first nations/native voice cast. Which I think is incredibly important.

I am 100% looking forward to the next book.

This was an INCREDIBLY fun time and broke me out of a reading slump, so kudos to Roanhorse for that. Will definitely be picking up the rest of this series when it comes out. For fans of THE POPPY WAR by R.F. Kuang, BONE SHARD DAUGHTER by Andrea Stewart, PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE by Samantha Shannon, and probably RAGE OF DRAGONS by Evan Winter—basically fantasy books that are very voicey and page-turning.

BLACK SUN is a fast, intense fantasy centered around three main characters: the first is Serapio, a young man with a large destiny resting on his shoulders, born for a purpose that slowly gets revealed through the course of the novel. Second is the Sky Priest Naranpa, a lowborn Dry Earther who rose, against expectations, to the highest position of the Sky Made priesthood and made plenty of enemies because of it. And third is Xiala, a sailor and a Teek, a mysterious magical culture that many consider more story than reality, who finds herself ferrying Serapio to Tova to meet his fate.

Loved the worldbuilding in this novel. I am always looking for more high fantasy that is not centered around European history/customs/culture, and this hit the mark on that. Roanhorse created a vivid world with a rich cultural history, and I loved learning more about the various different clans in Tova and how each of them jockeyed for power against one another. The Crows, of course, were my favorite and I loved all the chapters where we got to see more of their inner lives. Do wish we got more of the cultists but that will probably be explored in the next book, as BLACK SUN was primarily an introduction to the world and a way to get Serapio where he needed to be. Basically a road trip book, but I was never bored throughout.

Speaking of next books, Roanhorse set herself up for a really good series. The ending of this book was satisfying, but it also opened up a lot of questions about other aspects of the world, and left room for the map to open up for other intrigues and consequences of the Convergence.

Black Sun is my favorite fantasy read of the year so far -- it gripped me from the very beginning and did not let go even once. I loved the epic scope of the world Rebecca has created, the sense of history and lore that is hiding beneath the surface (surely to be explored further in the sequels!), and the rich prose that brought it all to life. I also found all the POV characters compelling, their stories urgent and their motivations well laid out. Especially loved Serapio, who seems like such a tragic, doomed figure yet is really humanized throughout the entire book. Honestly can't wait for what's next!

*review copy provided by Netgalley, but all opinions are mine

Black Sun is a richly detailed epic fantasy in a setting inspired by pre-settler colonialism Americas. The book opens with a moment of intense violence, as Serapio's mother performs a ceremony to make him the crow god's vessel. He has a destiny to fulfill, and the book follows him and several other characters as the destined day approaches: Naranpa, a controversial, populist Sun Priest; Xiala, a Teek ship captain who takes a foolhardy mission to avoid spending more time in prison; and Okoa, who has been trained in warfare and has unexpectedly come into a position of power within his community, the Carrion Crow.

This has moments of intense and detailed violence, which made it difficult for me to stomach - I almost noped out right at the beginning, but am glad I stuck it out. After the first chapter, the story builds slowly as the world gets more thoroughly fleshed out. That said, I still felt confused and a little lost through most of the book, and felt like I didn't have a good grip on the world.

I liked the characters, but I felt like they didn't have quite enough depth for me to actually care about them as people. I was definitely invested in the plot, however, and the setting was so phenomenal and unfamiliar to me that it kept me interested even during slow points.

If you enjoy high fantasy, or if you want to read fantasy that doesn't have dragons, this is a solid choice.

4.5 stars

Black Sun was my first novel by Rebecca Roanhorse and it will not be the last. <strong>Black Sun was an exciting fantasy told through the eyes of three people who were necessary to bring about the end to the existing world. Serapio was raised from a young age to be the vessel for the return of the crow god. Xiala was the captain of the boat directed to transport Serapio to the city of Tova. Naranpa was the sun priestess who wanted to bring about change, but was also the woman Serapio was directed to kill. <strong>Black Sun</strong> was an instant stand-out; the world intrigued me from the start and the characters were both complex and fully developed. If you enjoy characters that toe the line between good and evil, Roanhorse's cast of characters will draw you in.
Part of Black Sun's beauty comes from its world and inclusivity. This was the first book I've read that used the pronouns xe/xir and it was refreshing to read a fantasy that wasn't European-inspired. My only quibble was that I didn't quite understand the world. Because there was a bit of travel, I was curious about their path. It was frustrating not having a reference point, but overall <strong>Black Sun</strong> was one of the most satisfying fantasies I've read this year.

I have read all of Roanhorse's novels and enjoyed them all. This one took a while longer for me to get into, but as she is a trusted author, I knew she would take my on an unforgettable journey. And she did. I hope this is just the first in a series. Her world-building is unparalleled and her characters pack an emotional punch.

Roanhorse has created an epic fantasy, using elements of mythology and history from Pre-Columbian America. There is a lot of violence; this is an adult book, though it will probably find its way into the hands of mature young adults as well. I loved it, pure and simple. This woman can write a compelling adventure, and her ideas are amazing.

The story is told from multiple points of view, from different people around the Crescent Sea, each of whom will be caught up in the fate of a man born to be a God -- at least, that's what his mother told him.

The characters are interesting, the world building complete and intriguing, and the plot page turning. Cannot recommend this one highly enough

#NetGalley #LJDOD


SPOILER











Roanhorse now has us hanging fire for the conclusion of two series, for this one, like the Dine-based Fifth World books -- ends on a cliff hanger.

An epic fantasy with a unique cast of characters and creatures. Gods, prophecies and destinies fuel this complex world. In the beginning I was a little overwhelmed with the world building but quickly became so curious of the main characters. While there is a sense of urgency to fulfill the prophecy, there's plenty of unexpected friendships and self discovery along the way. I'll be patiently waiting for the next book in the Between Earth and Sky series because book one definitely leaves me needing more!

An utter masterpiece. Roanhorse weaves a darkly compelling and brutal fantasy, filled with powerful worldbuilding, complex characters, and a fast-paced plot. That was enough to move this into one of my favorite fantasy reads of the year, but the way Roanhorse weaves everything together so deftly moves Black Sun into masterpiece territory. This is a book people will be talking about for years in SFF.

Once again Rebecca Roanhorse wove a tale that kept me glued to the pages until the very end. This book had a wonderful cast of characters that are all different and not fall victim to any obvious tropes.

The story was well written and thought out. The pacing was perfect as it never dragged but also never felt rushed.

There was great representation in the book. The mythos is obviously borrowed from mezzoamerican culture and there's even representation for the LGBTQ community with a bi character, a transgendered character, and non-binary as well.

This is just the beginning of a series that's full of promise. Rebecca Roanhorse can't come out with the next one fast enough. I need to read it now.

I'm thankful to Net Galley and the publisher Saga Press for allowing me to read this for free in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher, @gallerybooks, for granting my @netgalley wish and giving me access to Black Sun by @rebeccaroanhorse in return for my honest review.

Man, oh man. You know when you start a book and you just know it’s going to be special? That is how I felt about Black Sun and I was not disappointed. This book takes gods, magic, class hierarchies and prophecies, and shakes them alltogether for an unforgettable story. From the very start, @rebeccaroanhorse creates an immense world that draws you in. I would venture to say our most beloved character, Serapio, was mutiliated by his mother at a young age for a higher purpose. To further the cause, Xiala is contracted to take him to the city of Tova for a very rare celestial event. Meanwhile, we are also following two characters who stories also center on Tova, as we are in a knowing convergence of their story lines.

What I loved about this book:
-Structure: I love books told from multiple viewpoints
-Landscape: This book created an unique world that I am dying to see more of
-Characters: Rebecca Roanhorse does a great job of making us love and understand where each character is coming from in their motives

What I disliked about this book:
-I was a little bummed that there more of the event this whole book was leading up to. But that being said, I think this only happened because it is the first in the series and the groundwork needed to be laid.

4/5 Stars. COME ON BOOK #2!!!!

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. There were so many interesting things about it - I thought the concept was interesting, and cultures, the characters, everything. This is also the first time I've read a novel that normalized transgender and non-binary characters, which I really appreciated (we need to see more of that). But I just had a hard time really connecting with any of the characters, though I did find them interesting. I also had a hard time really getting involved in the conflict of the novel because there was no clear good guy/bad guy. The entire novel felt like rising action, and then it stopped right at the climax. No conclusion, no falling action.

I will definitely still be reading the next one, as I'm really interested to find out what happens next - I have a suspicion the next book should be much better.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review and I also received the audiobook from the Libro FM ALC program. Thank you Netgalley, Libro FM and the publisher for my gifted copy. I really enjoyed this book. I tend to enjoy the books that have pirates and are set on the sea. It seems like a good start to a new series and I can't wait to read the rest.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Actual rating: 3.5

Rebecca Roanhorse begins a new epic fantasy series with Black Sun. The series is inspired in part by the mythology, lore, and legends of the pre-Columbian Americas. Riddled with prophecy, betrayal, magic, and politics, Black Sun sets the stage for much more.

This is the first of Roanhorse's works I have read, though I have many others waiting on my to-read list. I am fond of mythology in all of its forms and am so very excited for the representation for indigenous stories and peoples that this story brings. There is also representation for nonbinary people(xe/xir pronoun usage) and for other LGBTQ identities as well.

I found Roanhorse's writing to be very accessible and enjoyable. I did however, think this book suffered from typical book-one-of-high/epic-fantasy-series troubles. There was a lot of information. Even without the info-dump, it was a lot. Which is fine and necessary, but does require attention. The start was also slow, likely to allow all that information to be conveyed.

The standout characters for me were absolutely Serapio, Iktan, and Okoa with Xiala as an honorable mention. I am definitely invested in their stories and look forward to their progression in the rest of the series.

I did ultimately enjoy this book, and think that I will enjoy future books much more now that the world has been established. I look forward to more from Roanhorse and am even more motivated to go through her backlist.

Black Sun primarily follows three characters, two of whom are traveling together. Serapio is a young blind man with scars like crow wings across his shoulders, an affinity for crows, and an ominous destiny which he must soon fulfill in the holy city of Tova. Xiala is a brash, desperate captain with mysteriously magical powers of song, for which she is feared and hated. It is her job to get Serapio to Tova before the winter solstice, a perilous journey at that time of year along the route she must take. Meanwhile, in Tova, the young Sun Priest Naranpa struggles to maintain her position of authority over a priesthood that views her as an illegitimate leader because of her humble birth, even as Naranpa tries to implement reforms that will maintain peace in Tova and strengthen the priesthood of Watchers' position in a society that has some good reasons to distrust them.

If you like epic fantasy but are tired of the same old European-inspired world building, this is the series for you. I feel like Roanhorse could teach a master class on effective world building, because this book does so much to present a lush, lived-in world full of complicated politics, brewing religious conflict, and spectacular sights, all inspired by cultures that may be unfamiliar to a lot of readers, but without ever letting the story get bogged down in the details.

I loved the characters, too, each of whom has a satisfying arc of character development over the course of the story. Roanhorse does an excellent job balancing epic powers and destinies with very human anxieties and insecurities. The result is a set of protagonists who are both larger than life and intimately human.

Speaking of characters, there's plenty of queer rep here. Xiala seems to be bisexual or pansexual, and there are side characters who are trans, including nonbinary ones.

Fair warning, though, this novel does explore some very dark themes that might not be for everyone. To offer some prominent examples, the first chapter opens with Serapio as a 12-year-old boy undergoing a severe ritual scarification process as his mother carves a crow design into his back and then blinds him in the same ritual that is designed to imbue him with the powers of a god. When we're introduced to Xiala, we learn that she's missing part of a finger because a treasure seeker got her drunk and cut off that body part to be used as a good-luck charm, because superstition has it that the bones of the Teek people are good luck. Later, we learn about a side character who was sold into prostitution when he was a child. If you're concerned about content, I recommend you check my content warning and content warnings in other reviews first. Personally, I think that if you're ok after getting through the first chapter, then you'll probably be ok with the rest of the book, though of course a lot of that depends on what you specifically might find triggering.

This is one of my favorite books of the year. It's refreshingly original, tightly plotted, and brilliantly imagined. I do advise potential readers to pay attention to the content warnings because this book can be graphic in the violence it portrays, but I also thought that it handled that violence thoughtfully and used it in very specific plot-relevant ways, rather than violence for the sake of violence. I loved this book, and can't wait for book 2. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a bold new fantasy unlike any you've read before.