I love how queer people just *exist* and no one thinks anything of it in this world. This book is light on romance and there's plenty to keep you entertained throughout. A fantastic sequel and I'd be thrilled if there were a third!

3/5 because the writing is impeccable. The story is unique and imaginative. The downside for me is that there are just too many characters to follow. I'd prefer the POV from one or two.

I was a huge fan of Black Sun, so I was so pumped for this. There were some character interactions and dynamics that I really loved since we had characters from book one interacting with new people which was both entertaining and stressful. I just ultimately felt like the plot and character development (for Serapio specifically) didn’t quite advance as much as I was wanting. I am still excited for book 3, I just hope it delivers a bit more.

If you haven't started the Between Earth and Sky series, it's an epic fantasy series inspired by the civilizations and mythology of the pre-Columbian Americas. It's dark and vibrant at the same time, full of complex characters, beautiful imagery, and a compelling story. We follow multiple MCs in this series and all of them have their own agendas, their own gods or communities they are fighting for. It's beautifully done because you want the best for all of them, but if one succeeds the others fail. There is a lot of violence for the sake of ritual, both perpetrated against others and in the form of self-harm, so be mindful of that going in!

I adored Fevered Star. We get to know some of the characters better in this book, especially Iktan, who I love. We also learn more about the history that led to the events in Black Sun, the political intrigues and wars that set everything in motion. Although I loved Serapio a lot in the first book, I loved him even more in Fevered Star. Getting to see him deal with the aftermath of Black Sun's storyline was fascinating and made him a more complex and relatable character. Xiala will also have my heart forever.

I read this book in egalley, provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Gallery Press/Saga Books. #NetGalley #FeveredStar #BetweenEarthAndSky

I was almost sorry I didn't reread Black Sun before I picked this up, but I was quickly drawn back into this perfectly imagined world. Roanhorse uses the mythology of Central America to inform her work, but this is world building and high fantasy at its absolute best. It reads as if it could be historical fiction, in a world where magic of many kinds underlies the history.

Unusually in this type of book, this is only partially a quest book, and it does not have the typical version of good vs evil, because it is not clear who is in the best position to save or change the world, and because we meet and follow more than one potential hero -- and cheer for each of them. The concerns and conflicts are complex and subtle, which greatly enhances the story.

Hypnotically written, you will be enthralled until the end -- and the end makes it clear that the story is not over. Looking forward the #3 in the series. Highly recommended.

Some have tagged this LGBTQIA, and there are people of different genders and orientations, but it is a normal part of the world, and not a focus, which is lovely. The use of the pronouns xe and xir are deft and clear, and it makes me wish they'd been adopted in our world.

4.5/5 stars!

I absolutely adore the fantasy world that Roanhorse has created and was so glad to be thrusted back into it. The world-building as usual was stunning and learning more about the setting and its history was one of my favorite elements. There was definitely a shift in tone when looking at this book compared to Black Sun. Black Sun was darker, more focused on the action and build up, while Fevered Star was centered around the political scene and the characters. I really liked that we got to see more character development and depth to Naranpa's character as well as the connection to her roots in the MAW. I was slightly disappointed in the direction of Xiala's character however and her lack of development. Don't get me wrong she is still one of my absolute favorite characters, I was just hoping to see more personal growth and drive from her. I am hopeful however that we will get to see a lot more of her and from her by the way the end of this book came about. Although I enjoyed Black Sun a little more than this one, the second book is still quite the masterpiece. The political intrigue was just fantastic and I found myself flying through this book. There's just such a uniqueness and unputdownable quality to Roanhorse's writing and stories that I just can't get enough of. Definitely recommend this series and cannot wait for the last book!!

WOW....how to express how I feel about this book. To put words here won't even do it the justice this deserves. This fantasy series is phenomenal. When I read Black Sun, I was blown away by the originality of the story, of the different characters, of the world that was built. I love that we're getting all angles in the impending battle of this story. Each person has their own stake in it with well intentions, each has their own fears, their own downfalls. Each must make sacrifices, must betray someone or even themselves.

While this book was slower, as expected in the sequel of a trilogy, it really set the stage for what is about to be an FREAKING AMAZING FINALE!!!

I received an advance copy of this book free in exchange for an honest unbiased review.

I greatly enjoyed this latest installment of the Between Earth and Sky series. The world-building and character-building by Roanhorse is truly remarkable, and it's so rare to find a book that excels in both. It feels as if you could walk into the pages of her book and set foot in the Meridian. The ways that magic, religion, and science clash and harmonize is genuinely interesting. And I adore so many of the complex characters she has crafted. Fantasy can sometimes take a good v. evil framework and base its storytelling around that. But her characters are far more complex and both her darkness and light have a place and a gradation that makes her writing sing. The complexity lends her work a distinct and interesting flavor that embodies fantasy at its best. Serapio is tragic without being whiny. Naranpa is pure without being naive. Iktan, a non-binary character, is richly complex, and xir gender feels both organic and affirming. This is the way that I want to see queer characters portrayed in literature. While I wasn't especially invested in the main romance, nor did I think this book really needed a romance with all the other amazing stuff it has going for it, there's so much delightful plot here. This book truly has something for everyone. I can't wait for book three.

This book fell flat, for me. I was a huge fan of book one of this series, Black Sun, when I read it last year. Unfortunately, this book was lacking in energy, too slow paced, and paid too much attention to characters that I didn’t care about as much as the others. This probably comes down to personal preference, but I just wanted more from this. The ending was gripping enough that I may pick up book three, but I will go in with lower expectations.

This book was great! A wonderful second book in the Black Sun series and I can't wait until the next book comes out. I'm on countdown mode.

Unfortunately, it's just been too long since I read Black Sun to be able to follow Fevered Star. I think in the future I will reread Black Sun once the trilogy is finished, however!

I've been dying to read this since the first book came out, and Fevered Star did not disappoint! I am absolutely fascinated by the world that Rebecca Roanhorse has crafted in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, and honestly all I want is more, more, more.

Fevered Star takes readers back to the Meridian and picks up right where Black Sun left off, continuing the stories of Naranpa, Serapio, and Xiala, while introducing some new characters to the ever-increasing intrigue. Roanhorse is a master of dramatic irony, and it hurt SO MUCH to know things that were happening that the other characters didn't know--or to know that two characters had just barely missed meeting. Ugh! My heart!

I feel like this book went by way too quickly, and I can't believe I have to wait AGAIN for the third one. I'm certain it's going to be worth it, though!

A word to readers who, like me, have trouble remembering the plots of books: I reread Black Sun right before I read Fevered Star, and I felt like I had a lot clearer idea of what was going on because of that. Roanhorse doesn't do a lot of retreading of old ground, which I really appreciate in a fantasy novel, personally, so it was nice to have just read the first book to have the story fresh in my mind.

Thanks to NetGalley, Saga Press, and Rebecca Roanhorse for the eARC of this book, provided in exchange for a review.

Black Sun is easily one of my favorite all time books and Fevered Star was one of my most anticipated books this year. At B2weird we read this recently and I was not ready for what came.
 
I will let you know that this will NOT be spoiler free, so please tread with cation if you do not want to be spoiled for this book.

We begin with someone that I had questions about since they were introduced in book one, Balam. He has gained godflesh, a fruit from the heart of The Graveyard of the Gods, and a tome that provides instructions on how to use it to dream walk and he wastes no time in using it. When book one ended I wanted to know more about his goals on this whole plot to end the Watchers and we did get more into that in this story, but I feel like it was just a scratch at the surface of who Balam is. We get to see him go on dream walking journey and learn that Naranpa has not died as his plot intended and then further learn that Serapio has not died on his holy quest either, all putting a wrench in his master plan. I enjoyed learning a bit more about him and following him on his journey but I felt like we would get more Balam. He is still a character that I am curious about and would love to learn more about, perhaps even get more backstory about how this plan that he, his cousin and Serapio's mom came to hatch. What their relationship was like and just how they came to find this to be their ambition. I also would have liked more dream walking from him. I know that it's being set up for him to go mad from doing it (it has been foreshadowed) but I would have loved to see him using the godflesh to dream walk and manipulate someone to a great extent. I hope we get more of him in book three.

Naranpa, sweet Naranpa. She begins her journey clawing her way back to life. Not only is she clawing her way to life but glowing as well. The path that Naranpa takes to embracing her Maw roots, aligning herself with her brother and opening herself to who she is now, an avatar for a god and possessing magic that she herself had not fully believed in before, is a harrowing one for her. While in Serapio's journey we see many lining up to follow the Crow God, Naranpa has her brother to act as her agent of sorts. Speaking her up to known associates, testing what she can do in front of them, all in the name of proving what Naranpa is now capable of. I enjoyed watching Denaochi and Naranpa build some sort of a relationship back up after being apart for so long and discovering who the other was now. I am gutted that Denaochi had to die in this book, I had looked forward to seeing more of him in the future and when he was cut down in a betrayal I was sad. I saw how it was necessary to show just what Naranpa is actually capable of with her new found capabilities as avatar but it doesn't make it sting any less. I love complicated characters and after learning more about his backstory I wanted more. Naranpa not losing the small bits of what made her, her, was something I was glad to see. She still had her kind heart, she still was a bit naïve (not as naïve as book one), and always thirsting and curious for more knowledge but when she finally met Serapio she didn't let her new status over take her and used her kind heart in their interaction. I look forward to seeing who she becomes when this trilogy comes to a conclusion.

Serapio, dear Serapio. This time around Serapio is not the confident holy man that he was in book one. His life's purpose to sacrifice himself for the avatar is thwarted when we see him being saved by his crows, who give their lives in exchange for his. Awake and without a purpose, Serapio is confused about what happened, who to trust and what to do. Being carried out from the aftermath of the slaughter that he caused at the end of book one, he finds himself with Okoa deep in the throws of Carrion Crow Clan woes. Okoa's sister is asserting herself as the new matron of the clan and is not a fan of Serapio, the fanatics that will follow the Crow God, and Okoa is stuck in the middle of it all trying to find which way to go and what Serapio means to them all. Serapio can hear the betrayal, the fanatics, the whispers and plans being made behind his back and while he still has powers, he is using them to his advantage and staying alive. At the end of this book we see him build his own kingdom, of sorts, from blood of those who pledge their loyalty to him. Unlike Naranpa who seemed to stay true to herself despite what she can do now, he is losing himself to these powers and I can't blame him. His whole life was a plot and he had no say in it. He has no other identity than being the boy that needed to sacrifice himself to let the Crow God live. I wait with bated breath to see what comes of Serapio, who he becomes now that he has to make these decisions for himself instead of following a carefully laid plan that was drawn up before he was even born.

While I had hopes for Okoa, I found that his story just furthered Serapio's. We did find out more about his mother and how she was actually murderer (which we all expected since book one) but I didn't feel like Okoa was a very actively participating in things. He fought with his sister, he fought with his cousin, he fought with the fanatics, and he fought with Serapio. While I understand that he himself is confused about where his loyalties lie, I wanted to see him grow a bit more. I thought the book would end with him making a stand of some sorts about where his alliance would lie.

IKTAN AND XIALA!! MY TWO FAVORITES MEET! For this book we see Iktan and Xiala travel together with Golden Eagle Clan. Iktan had conspired with Golden Eagle to dethrone Naranpa, but keep her safe, something that they betrayed. I loved seeing Iktan's and Xiala's banter and both equally aching in their own ways for the loved ones they want back. Iktan believes Naranpa dead and has no choice but continue on with xir's plan. Xiala believes the rumors that Serapio might marry Okoa's sister to further add to the power that Carrion Crow Clan might have but does not know that she merely missed him when fleeing with Iktan. The book unfortunately ends with them being torn in two different directions. This uneasy friendship was something that I enjoyed and I hope they get to team back up together in the next book to get their love's back. I also wanted to see Iktan slash their way through everyone and anything in xir's way, so I hold hope that I see that in the next book.

While Fevered Star is not as fast paced as Black Sun, I thoroughly enjoyed the set up to what will happen in book three. I can't wait to rejoin everyone again in the next installment.

Thank you again to Rebecca Roanhorse, Saga Press, B2weird and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ahh second book syndrome, my old friend...

I was right in thinking Nara would become the most interesting character in this book - but, alas, she was the ONLY interesting character. Xiala and Serapio are super passive in this book, giving us a POV to see other interesting things about other characters (namely, Ictan). This was almost entirely setup for a much larger conflict in book three (which will undoubtedly be epic) but it made for slow going, to the point where I put the book down for almost a week without really feeling bad about not reading it.

The world is fascinating and the politics are intricate, but I wanted a bit more action, a bit more direct consequences. I should get them in the next book, though, and I'm excited for it.

Ok, I L O V E D Black Sun, so I was so so so so excited to read this. I may have even overhyped it for myself. Because while this was a really fun read, I think it fell prey to second (or sometimes third) book syndrome—where it's used mostly for moving the plot forward for the next book in the series.

It was an absolute delight to return to the characters and this world that Roanhorse has created. I can say with extreme confidence that there isn't anyone I dislike, so it was so fun to follow each narrative and see what happened to all my favs. I feel like the romance got twisted in a weird way in this book—Xiala yearns after Serapio, which I found a bit boring (both to read and for her character). I can get behind some yearning thoughts, but I feel like it wasn't evocative and felt a bit one-dimensional, especially for a character as dynamic as Xiala.

It took a chapter or two for all of the first book to come back to me, but once I was situated again, I was hooked. While the plot is rather unresolved and seems mostly there to set everything up for the final book in the trilogy, I was happy to come along for the ride. There is a lot of political intrigue in this book, which means lots of fun secrets and alliances to try and puzzle out (which I am admittedly bad at).

I had a really fun time reading this, and it just makes me even more excited for the final book in the trilogy! I can't wait to see what becomes of Xiala, Serapio and Naranpa.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital advanced review copy!

I got an ARC of this book.

I tried to read it, but just couldn't get into it. I blamed my reading slump. I ended up waiting for the audiobook to come out to give that a shot. Black Sun's audiobook is AMAZINGLY PERFECT. I figured it would help. The voice acting was wonderful still, but I still couldn't get into it.

The biggest issue for me is this is pretty much a basic fantasy novel now. The magic feels too free and like it is controlling the story. There is so much going on that nothing feels important.

I don't like fantasy novels. I keep trying and once in a while I find something that breaks through for me. Black Sun is one of the best things I have ever read. This just felt leagues below that one. It isn't a bad book, but it wasn't for me. I'm really sad about it. I wanted to love this so much. I might still give the next book a try and see if I can sort myself out by then.

#FeveredStar has to be one of the most eagerly anticipated sequels of 2022!!

Getting back into this world has been a wonder, Roanhorse's world building is epic - I am ridiculously excited that this series is being adapted into a TV show.

In Fevered Star we learn more about the history and mythology of the Meridian that paints such a vivid picture of the rise and fall of the different clans.

Following events in #BlackSun we are reunited with Serapio, Xiala, Okoa and my fave Naranpa and we also get more from Iktan and Balam. Seriously these characters are just so amazingly written, they are so layered and each bring their own unique qualities to the story.

I have been waiting to continue Serapio's and Naranpa's story for a while. Fevered Star did not dissapoint me. The only negative is that I have to wait for the third book! I really want to know what will happen next. I enjoyed getting to know Iktan, Xiala, Balaam, Okoa, and others a bit more in this book. I feel bad for Serapio because he is torn between being a regular human and the Odo Sedoh.

Fevered Star

By: Rebecca Roanhorse

Gallery Books, Gallery/Saga Press

Publish Date 19 April 2022

LGBTQIA/Multicultural Interest/ Sci-Fi & Fantasy

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Gallery Books for allowing me to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

There are no tides more treacherous than those of the heart. —Teek saying

The great city of Tova is shattered. The sun is held within the smothering grip of the Crow God’s eclipse, but a comet that marks the death of a ruler and heralds the rise of a new order is imminent.

The Meridian: a land where magic has been codified and the worship of gods suppressed. How do you live when legends come to life, and the faith you had is rewarded?

As sea captain Xiala is swept up in the chaos and currents of change, she finds an unexpected ally in the former Priest of Knives. For the Clan Matriarchs of Tova, tense alliances form as far-flung enemies gather and the war in the heavens is reflected upon the earth.

And for Serapio and Naranpa, both now living avatars, the struggle for free will and personhood in the face of destiny rages. How will Serapio stay human when he is steeped in prophecy and surrounded by those who desire only his power? Is there a future for Naranpa in a transformed Tova without her total destruction?

Book Review:

I am at a lost on how to review this book. I gave this book a 2.5 star, but it will be a 3-star rating on Good Reads. I was greatly disappointed in this second book. This book took me almost a month to read because I didn’t want to pick it up. Nothing wrong with the writing style I just couldn’t care about the characters. I so wanted to know what was going on, but I just couldn’t connect with the three main characters in the book. It felt like the story jumped from scene to the next. I did feel for them when something major happened and The Teek couldn’t fix the problem. I like how they really cared for their enemies and really didn’t want a war. I haven’t decided yet if I will finish the series. I am hoping for a better outcome in the final book. I wish I felt better about this book but this one didn’t do it for me, Sorry.

A very strong sequel! What I enjoyed most about Fevered Star is that it is more character focused than Black Sun. It was interesting to see Naranpa's development as she continues to discover who she is as the Sun Priest. I thought she was quite irritating in the first book but she grew on me in this book. We see a more vulnerable side of Xiala, as she navigates her way back to Serapio and we get introduced a new POV from Lord Balam.
The worldbuilding continues to be amazing as we expand further within the Meridian and I enjoyed all of the political drama and power struggle amongst the clans.
Thank you to Saga Press for the gifted copy!