Roanhorse has crafted a rich and deeply intriguing world in Black Sun. A world that will stay with you for some time. The writing was beautiful, without being heavy handed and the characterization was nothing short of stunning. This was my first Roanhorse book, but it certainly won't be my last.

This series has so much potential. While I feel like the world building was slightly lacking in this installment, I feel like we will get so much more in the sequel. The writing was excellent and it was such a unique book!

Inspired by pre-Columbian Americas civilization, this inclusive epic fantasy was fantastic! A cliffhanger ending left me wanting to know so much more. I can't wait for book #2.

I haven't owned this book for the longest time, but it is the book that I have the most copies of that has been unread, so I'm very happy to finally be able to move this into the read column.

Here's the thing. All of the pieces of this book were there for me to enjoy this book, or at least enough of them to at least get a solid rating. Of the nice things I can say, I really enjoyed the setting in this book. I really felt like each of the cities and the cultures were there. I felt that I understood enough of the dynamics between them and the history presented in the scope of this story to get a good feeling about it. Even the characters to a degree felt like I understood them, I got their goals and literally, every chapter of the book is tied into the overall plot in a way that felt tight.

On the flipside I kept wishing that the book was longer. I kept wishing for the character interactions to be something that wasn't tied into the plot, that could exist for just them. Maybe that's silly and bad advice for writing a book. That is to say that there were several moments in the book where things made sense for characters because it was clear that was where Roanhorse had set them out to wind up, but the steps along the way often felt more calculated and stuck to a formula than as part of an organic person's journey. The book also does this thing where it is framed by a ticking clock, but then will jump forward through time. This was most jarring when the main timeline of the book for the two hundred pages at the beginning is just two days and the remaining half of the book speeds through the remaining 19 so that the story can get to where it needs to. Again, Roanhorse does a great job allowing the reader to be able to predict the culmination because every character scene feels so telegraphed that in some ways it was hard to enjoy the final sequence of the book because it was so telegraphed. Though I will give credit for setting up a twist and following through instead of attempting to some last-minute plot twist that comes out of nowhere.

The writing was also approachable in a way that I appreciate in fantasy. It wasn't dry and never read like a textbook, but it also wasn't weighed down with overly descriptive text that usually ruins a reading experience for me. Speaking of the overall reading experience, it was fairly average. This isn't a book that I'd say I feel strongly for one way or another. The pieces were there, but there was something about the execution that still has me wishing for more. Or like there was a piece missing and if that had been added the rest of the book could click into place.

I won't be rushing out to purchase the sequel, but I could be interested enough to pick it up from my library just because I wouldn't mind being back in this world and seeing the ramifications of how this book ends could make for an interesting time.

Started out a little slow and confusing but it worked itself out beautifully. The representation in this book was fabulous and I can’t wait to see the relationships more in the next book.

Xiala was everything I love in a heroine and she was such a joy to read. I’d also love to wrap Serapio in bubble wrap and keep him safe.

I've read one of Rebecca's books in the past and at the moment I saw this book I knew I had to read it.
What an amazing decision I made! This is a remarkable story that will take the reader to an impressive world filled with astonishing characters and breathtaking landscapes.

Roanhorse proposes a new set in fantasy, focusing on pre-columbian cultures and civilization. This makes Black Sun a must-read for all fantasy readers. A book that gives a fresh feeling into the genre and opens the door for new stories to be explored by new and current authors.

Thank you so much for letting me read this book, I want to personally apologize for giving such a late review, last year was tough and it included a couple of movings. I really enjoyed the book!

Is the book going to be published in spanish? I'll be more than happy to help with promotion in latin american countries!

Rebecca Roanhorse has been on my radar for a while. I've been meaning to read Trail of Lightning since BookCon 2019 but haven't gotten around to it. When I saw Roanhorse was coming out with a fantasy novel set in the Pre-Columbian Americas, I was intrigued and excited.

Throughout the book, we follow four characters:
-Naranpa, the Sun Priest in the holy city of Tova.
-Serapio, "a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny."
-Xiala, "a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind."
-Okoa, a student who must travel home to bury his recently-deceased mother.

I thought the structure of the plot was really interesting. From page one, the chapters are counting down the days to the Convergence, or the winter solstice; while usually cause for celebration, this solstice also coincides with a solar eclipse, which is going to bring imbalance to Tova and to the world. We follow each of these characters - Naranpa in Tova; Serapio and Xiala on the seas as they journey toward Tova - as time inches closer and closer to the inevitable. This worked really well because each day that elapsed brought a greater sense of urgency and suspense, all ultimately leading to the chaos of the day of Convergence.

I also loved the characters themselves. They were complex and intricately wrought. I also loved the queer-norm world that Roanhorse built. Roanhorse treated each of the characters with respect, and I loved the inclusion, including the casual mention of f/f relationships and the use of nonbinary pronouns xe/xir for several characters.

I knew this was the start to a series, but I still can't get over that cliffhanger. I really can't wait for the release of the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an eARC of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This book was phenomenal! The world building was so detailed. The one main aspect of the book I loved is how I felt i was right there in each scene following the characters and they went along. I love Xiala. She had her issues but she is a powerful character in the story. I love books that have strong females. I did get some chuckles out of the book too. Humor is always welcomed. I have nothing negative to say. Fantasy at its’ best!

This is a stunning epic fantasy, and I devoured it in two days (in two marathon reading sessions each night, really). I love Rebecca Roanhorse, which is why I was so eagerly anticipating this book, but I was hesitant because I don't always love historical fantasy/high fantasy. I shouldn't've worried, though, because Roanhorse's signature immersive/seamless writing style immediately drew me in, and I was hooked from basically page 2. I love all of the characters, and they're drawn out so fully that it was difficult closing the book and knowing I'd have to wait however long for the sequel. (The semi-cliffhanger ending didn't help matters here!!) The seamless way she develops queer characters, be they pan [or bi], non-binary, or trans, is great, and the way this book plays with and reconfigures pre-Columbian indigenous American belief systems, mythologies, and cultural/social elements, mashed up with purely fantastical elements, is stunningly done. It's also one of the few books about which I can honestly say I wanted MORE, not just in terms of answering the cliffhanging questions at the end, but moreso developing the world and getting more backstory on the secondary characters. I'm hoping we get tons more of that in book 2, but I did wish there was ~100 more pages of this to savor. (I NEVER want a book to be longer, so this is very much a testament to Roanhorse's characterization and world-building skills.)

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

Rebecca Roanhorse's Black Sun is a fantastic entrant into the world of epic fantasy - her characters are vivid and authentic, the setting is deep and imaginative, and the overall impressions and drive of the story is second to none. She does a great job at allowing the reader to learn and discover the world without too much exposition, and isn't afraid to leave questions unanswered (until the next book, I hope). The setting feels unique, with factions and races that reflect their setting. All in all, Black Sun sets the stage nicely for what should be a very successful series.

I found this book difficult to read due to the use of gender-neutral and fluid pronouns. The premise was promising but the writing was a struggle. I do appreciate that it was written by a first-world author based on Pre-Columbian America which is always an interesting topic. I think fans of fantasy will find it interesting and captivating.

4.5 stars.

This book was a totally wild ride. A complex, but terribly exciting and intriguing fantasy with great writing. This is my first read from Rebecca Roanhorse, but after this experience I will not only be anxiously awaiting the sequel, I will be searching out her backlist as well. Her writing is immersive, descriptive, dark, and just plain enjoyable.

This story is so amazingly intricate and phenomenally constructed. The inclusion of South American forklore influence is something I found both intriguing and new. The atmosphere was rich and beautiful. I was lapping it right up.

The characters are very diverse, with great representation that felt seamless and natural. There are multiple protagonists as well as several important supporting characters and I found them all to be so amazing and tangible. The balance between them is well done as well and the construction of the story for multiple timelines felt fairly seamless in transitions.

I love being able to broaden my horizons with a read that keeps me gripped from beginning to end, which this did. There were admittedly some issues with pacing that slowed a few spots for me and prevented a full 5-star reading experience, but I was so wrapped up in the story and wondering where it would go that I plowed right through the slow parts to get my teeth sunk in a little further. The ending was a complete whirlwind that left me wanting more to the detail, but also left me salivating for the next installment. I mean...wow. I'm going to need this sequel soon.

** Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
A city-state controlled by priests whose houses have avatars. The house of the sun’s high priestess is a progressive and wants to change the way things are done. Her roots are in the Maw, a dark slum in the shadow of the city. She finds that her bureaucracy is not progressive.
This house of the Crow was attacked years ago for unclear reasons. The night of the Knives is burned into the psychic of the Crows. Some huge, sentient crows are used to fly some of the members of the Crow house.
Serapio was brainwashed from an early age to reap havoc on those who had humiliated the Crows.
He meets Xiala, a Teek sailor whose own differences breeds a mutual acceptance. Teeks have power of their own and Xiala uses it to captain a ship to get Serapio to his fate.
This story had many captivating moments but, for my taste, far too many loose ends. I felt, at least, a cursory conclusion could have been made. I’m guessing this is to lead to a sequel but I prefer some sort of wrap-up to enable the book to better stand alone.

Roanhorse's new epic fantasy follows a man who should be a god, a woman who has power over the sea, and a priestess from the wrong family trying to change her world. The worldbuilding is rich and beautiful, the people vibrant and the culture breathtakingly diverse. The author weaves a pre-Columbian world drawn from Aztec and Mayan traditions, with a bibliography for good measure (which, as a librarian, I love!) The characters are diverse, with gender fluidity as a part of the culture.

Black Sun is a fantastic start to an adult fantasy series. Following a cast of characters, Roanhorse crafts an intriguing narrative that sets up a well-crafted world explored by a diverse cast of characters.

The characters are all interesting in their own right with more diversity packed into this story than some whole series contain. Formatted into two storylines, the characters are split evenly and we see the plot points through various eyes. Something that often worries me when a book is written in this format is that one half of the story is usually more compelling than the other one. This is not the case here. While I did enjoy following Serapio and Xiala around more than Naranpa or Okoa, I was still equally as invested in both time/storylines. As someone who is not a fan of religious-based stories, I found Naranpa's fight to prove herself as a priestess compelling anyway based on just the political undercurrent that followed that story. And I loved how grey all these characters were at times, even Naranpa in my opinion. Well-rounded characters in a well-rounded world always make for an enjoyable experience that takes you away from our world.

The writing is masterful and atmospheric. The world-building lays the foundation for a complex magic system with some familiar tropes while including some innovative systems in these societies that Roanhorse takes us through. I did think the book was slow to get started in comparison with other books I was reading at the time but even so, around the 30-35% mark, the book already had a lot of stakes and intriguing plot points you had to follow through with. This is to be expected from an adult fantasy like this. Thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to continue with the series, especially with the cliffhanger ending. Roanhorse really proved that this is a series worth investing your time in.

4.5/5 Stars

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse is unlike any other fantasy book I have read. From the very first page, I could sense a dark edge to this story that was sharp and precise. This story was absolutely riveting. I usually have a bit of a hard time getting into muli-POV stories, but I found each perspective to be varied and engaging.

Roanhorse truly excels at crafting well-thought out cultures and worlds. The setting and culture of this story bled from the page, and was so vivid and distinct that I found myself wanting to know more and more about the different races, religions, and creatures of this tale. I am so glad that this is only book one of a series and that I will have more time to enjoy this awe-inspiring world.

Another area that was very well done in this story was the characterization. Each of the main characters in this story was in a very unique situation and role, but I found their humanity to be so clear and sympathetic: whether they were struggling with confidence, loneliness, rejection, or destiny. Serapio in particular was such a complex character- I could not get enough of his perspective.

This really is an amazing fantasy book. I look forward to the day when I finally have book two in my hands!

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

First book in the Between Earth and Sky series

5 stars

Black Sun centers around four characters (three who are central for the first 100 and one who pops in and becomes a key player) who are all connected to a central historical event that has been prophesied and long waited for in Tova. Serapio has been mutilated as is fashion for the Carrion Crow people by his mother, but her blinding him has led him into the journey of being marked as the vessel for the Crow God to return. Serapio will be his vessel. Xiala is a Teek (think like a siren) who is a pirate and is transporting a mysterious figure (Serapio) to Tova in time for the solstice. Naranpa is a Sun Priest and is unlikely candidate in the Priesthood for her station. She has to protect her life at all costs now that it looks like someone wants her out of the way. Okoa, is the prince of Carrion Crow and he becomes a integral part of the story about a 100 pages in. I loved this book. I loved the world building and I adored the characters with every fiber of being. Serapio was my absolute favorite and his journey throughout this book leaves me weeping and wanting a different ending for him because he deserves so much more than what the prophecy forces him to become. The writing in this book was exquisite and absolutely enthralling. I loved the narrative of the four characters and the interweaving of these storylines. Roanhorse does an amazing job at setting up a high fantasy story set against the backdrop of cultures similar to the Aztecs and Incas. Which was so much fun to read and see a fantasy world that is different from the usual Eruo-centric lens of fantasy. It was fun, but it also leads to great discussions on a number of topics that often can't be explored outside of the typical white lens that fantasy has been stuck into until probably the last ten years. Roanhorse is an innovative writer who loves her world and wants to tell this story well. I knew that I would love this book and it was one of my most anticipated books in the last half of 2020, but I didn't know I would love it this much because I've been on a bit of a fantasy hiatus. This book reminded me how much I love fantasy and how much fun it is for me. This book is gruesome, bloody, tension filled, full of political intrigue, and magic it checks off so many boxes. It was also really cool to read about several LGBTQ characters who existed in this world. While some faced persecution- Xiala, for her bisexuality in a place where it is banned and thrown in prison- others in the priesthood seem quite open and accepting of people who identified on the queer spectrum. There was also great discussions on colonialism and erasure of religion. I am so impressed with this book (and I knew I would be, but I gotta GUSH ABOUT IT).


Whimsical Writing Scale: 5

SERAPIO!!!!!!!!!!! Serapio is my man and the best thing about this book. He is scary, tortured, but he is also so sweet and has the kindest spirit. When he exacts revenge on a group of people more than once in this book I WAS SCREAMING AND FLAILING. Yes, Serapio, show them your power. You are not be messed with. I loved Xiala's character as a Teek pirate. The Teek are similar to sirens, but she can live on land and it was so much fun to be on her pirate ship. Female pirates commander ships in such a fun way and I haven't read a good pirate book in so long, but this was a blast. Naranpa was kind of like ASMR- some people are obsessed and need it to fall asleep and some people cringe at- I am not sure where I fall on the spectrum with her because sometimes I like her and other times I question her choices. She's just so prideful that I'm like, "GIRL, open your eyes and see the people around you are betraying you. You can't be that dumb." She is that dumb though, but I was still rooting for her to survive. Okoa randomly comes in after a huge plot development, but I was totally here for it. Once Okoa establishes himself as part of this narrative and bigger story, I was a huge fan of him and I want him to be more fleshed out. Since he played such a huge role at the end, I have hopes for the sequel and his development.


Character Scale: 5

The Villain- There isn't really a set in stone villain in this book. There are circumstances and a society of people who should probably not be allowed to be in so much power, but they aren't all horrible people. This book is morally gray and I love it. Some may see Serapio as the villain, but that's my man and he is fulfilling the prophecy and doing what he has to for the Crow God to ascend. Will he be a villain in the upcoming books? Probably so, but he isn't in this book and I will build a strong case for him.


Villain Scale: 5

This book is everything I could want in a fantasy novel. The characters are amazing. I wasn't bored at any point in time in any of the narratives (WHAT A WIN!) and the writing fleshed out many worlds and cultures that I was able to follow and understand the operations of. This book is a national treasure and everyone should read it in 2021 if you didn't in 2020. Thanks for coming to my Black Sun gush party. Go read and then come gush with me because this book was perfect for me.


Plotastic Scale: 5

Cover Thoughts: I LOVE THIS COVER. It is ten times more amazing in person. Breathtaking. STUNNING. I can only imagine what the next cover will look like.

Thank you, Netgalley and Saga Press, for providing me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I read the finished copy that I purchased because I needed to hold this beauty.

I think I preclude all of my fantasy books with the fact that I tend to struggle through reading fantasy but I really enjoy them. It just takes me much longer to process the info - all the world building, the clothes, the creatures. I’ve just really got to take my time with it, particularly if it’s not more modernized, not magical realism, not the “regular world” with magical elements. And Black Sun was all new to me. Something really neat about the book is that it’s based in Indigenous and Central American culture and history, and that was one of the biggest appeals to me. So much fantasy is white-washed, even if it’s set in areas that are current-day Asia or Central/South America where white isn’t the predominant race and never has been.

This story follows a few different folks and different storylines, and honestly at the beginning it was a bit of a deterrent. I was overwhelmed by all the different characters and their different stories. But once I got the hang of each of the main characters and their respective plot lines, I was pretty into it. The story was incredibly immersive. I was super into the descriptors of each character, their backgrounds, and the outfits they wore. I can only imagine the beauty of each person in the story, and could truly visualize each and every glorious outfit and ornament.

What really sold me on the book was the very end. So I highly recommend that if you’re reading it and feeling overwhelmed or worried that it’s not a book that you want to finish, I urge you to keep with it because that ending will blow you out of the water. I’m now impatiently waiting the next books in the saga.

"Sometimes it is better to let one live with their sins than to free them through death. A dead priest cannot atone. A live one... well, there is always the choice." - Black Sun, Rebecca Roanhorse

Black Sun is heavily armed with many fantastical tropes and elements. If you’re a person on-the-fence when it comes to fantasy, or if it’s truly not your cup of tea, I don’t think you’ll enjoy this novel. But if you’re into fantasy even a small bit, this is one hell of a story. I cannot wait to journey back into the city of Tova and see what’s next to come.

This was a great book. I loved the characters and the story. I was really drawn into Serapio's story. I'm so excited to see where this series goes!