This book just jettisoned to the top of my favorite books list. I’m obsessed!

Grieving Gold follows the lives of five separate yet interconnected characters living in a world ruled by three suns. Some have the ability to find special abilities in the light, while others can lose less desirable attributes in the dark. These findings and losings help our characters navigate a world rife with political mind games, nefarious street gangs, and things in the depths that have far too many legs. As each character strives for their own personal goals, a greater mystery unravels. What lurks deep below the city? And what does it want?

For those wondering if this is the book for them, it is reminiscent of Game of Thrones, The Lies of Locke Lamora, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and The Road to Eldorado. All while still maintaining a fresh and unique identity.

Each character comes alive with depth and complexity.
The story shifts between the viewpoints of five characters much in the same style as Game of Thrones. This method of writing keeps the story moving at an exciting pace as readers discover how the lives of the characters are connected.

With influences drawn from South American culture, this dark fantasy does not read like the traditional medieval European story that most people have come to expect in fantasy. There are no knights in shining armor, no wizards in purple cloaks, no fairies with weird love triangles. Instead there are golden ziggurats, tropical verdant jungles, llamas and jaguars, and descriptions of delicious meals that center around corn.

This series is going to be big. It breaks out of the stale tropes that have infiltrated the genre in recent years, giving readers an unparalleled experience. For those looking for a fast-paced, fresh fantasy story, Grieving Gold leaves little room for competition. With vivid characters and a propulsive plot, readers will be dying to read the next book in the series.

5/5 stars. Read it!

Reader’s Advisory Notes:

This book is light on romance which makes it a comfortable read for Ace (Asexual) individuals.

There are some scary scenes, but nothing too distressing.

This book contains a lot of spiders. Arachnophobia individuals beware!

Adult fiction, but also suitable for Young Adult readers who love horror and fantasy.

This book was a fun and engaging ride with loads of potential! The different perspectives were well done, making it easy to follow each character. The effort put into creating the world, from jungles with interesting creatures to a dystopian city with a new world on top, was clear, and I appreciated it.

However, I wish there was more information on the magic system. It's a bit complex, and I didn't fully grasp it. Adding a guide at the beginning of the book or tweaking the explanation could help. Despite this, the story is excellent, and I'm excited for more!

This is such a character driven and lore heavy book – and in my opinion too much so. There’s too much happening to keep the story comprehensive. I couldn’t keep track of the characters without constantly going back to my notes and that took away a lot of the experience.

I do however feel like there is something there. It just need a good edit or two to really sort out the characters and the lore.

Grieving Gold immerses you in a world unlike any other I’ve ever read. A multi-POV book, McDaniel is able to give each character their own unique voice to tell their captivating stories. There wasn’t a single point of view I didn’t enjoy reading. I only wish it was longer because I have so many questions left unanswered. I am anxiously awaiting for the next book in the series to find the answers.

Well done fantasy and great start to the series. Heavy on the world building but that works. Would recommend.

Overall I enjoyed Grieving Gold.

This book featured interesting and distinctive POVs that at some points intertwined. However, I wish there were more interconnected elements within the story.
One of the strongest points of Grieving Gold was the world-building, the author managed to paint a vivid picture of Luminocity, it did at some points feel a tad bit info-dumpy, but that is to be expected considering this is the first book within a series.
My biggest complaint with this book is the magic system, I still couldn’t sit here and tell you in great detail the in and outs of it after 450 pages, and this is mainly because the book doesn't feature much elaboration about the origins of the magic system or why some people possess different abilites.


Thank you to both Netgalley and Endless Equinox for the arc.

“There were more ways someone could lie than just with words.”

“Grieving Gold” by Daniel McDaniel is a five POV book. In a world where light is strength, when the light starts to fade, and shadows get more powerful everyone’s lives will change. Laxerion, noble son turned thief, deals with his father’s passing and his responsibility to his family and friends. Val-Gustus, Laxerion’s brother and general, deals with the family obligations and the threats upon the city. Ilumi, a scientist, juggles with creating and morality. Aiana, a huntress in the depths, guggles her darkness and need to get respect for her accomplishments. Dawb, an orphan boy, is determined to fight monsters in the dark because of his grief.

I loved this book so much! The lore and world-building were so great and all encompassing. All the different POV’s created a great unbiased look on what’s going on in the book but also it helped me view the entire world in different aspects that I felt I knew every crook and crevasse to the world. I cannot explain enough how much I loved this world. The writer wrote about the world building better than any book I’ve read before, it was seamless. The lore was so unique and interesting. I did not get bored for a second while reading. 5 out of 5 stars, so good.

-Multi POV
-Poverty
-Sun Gods
-Futuristic Technology

this book blew my mind. all the povs were distinct and i loved that i could differentiate between who was who throughout.

a lot of effort was put into the world-building for this and i truly appreciated that! i hate it when the world isn't developed properly and it's not done justice to. the magic systems were a little hard to keep track of, but overall a pretty solid debut novel! i recommend.

Grieving Gold was a good story with interesting characters.

The story is made up of a few POVs that will interweave at times or maybe not at all. There is a thief, a soldier, a scientist, a hunter, and an orphan. Each of there stories are interesting and complex, but at times I do wish there was some more interconnected elements to help bring the story together.

This being the first novel in the series it was doing the heavy lifting of world building. Jungles and caverns with strange creatures, a dystopian city that has built a new world on top of it and a magic system involving light, blood, and finding and losing things.

Overall I enjoyed the story, I do wish the magic system had been explained a bit more, at times it was confusing. It was also hard to pick out the overall direction of the story with the different POVs, but the world that had been built still leaves me excited for future novels.

Thanks net galley and endless equinox for this ArC

I was really able to enjoy this fantasy book a lot! From the writing style and storytelling it reminded me a bit of V.E. Schwab's books and City of Brass, which I both absolutely adore! The world-building ist great and the story is told very vividly. I love how the character's stories get woven together as the plot continues. Great book!

This is a thrilling and captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through the city of Luminocity, a place where the light of three sun gods shines down upon the decaying ruins of an ancient civilization. But beneath the surface, there is darkness and danger lurking, as a dark god seeks revenge and holds a grudge against the city and its inhabitants.

The story follows the intertwined fates of five characters as they navigate through the treacherous world of Luminocity. Laxerion Tama, a disowned noble son and leader of a heist group, suddenly finds his life turned upside down when his family and a past enemy come back into the picture. His brother, Val-Gustus Tama, a general and favored son, must take on the responsibility of protecting the city as war looms on the horizon. A young scientist, Ilumi, is faced with moral dilemmas as she discovers new and controversial technologies. Aiana, a huntress, struggles with her past and inner demons. And Dawb, a young boy overcome with grief, searches for monsters in the city's darkest corners.

The author has created a rich and vivid world in Luminocity, with detailed descriptions of the decaying city and its inhabitants. The characters are complex and well-developed, each with their own unique struggles and motivations. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this book is the exploration of morality and the consequences of advanced technology. The characters are faced with difficult choices and must grapple with the consequences of their actions. This adds depth to the story and makes it more than just a typical fantasy novel.

Overall, this is a must read for fans of fantasy and science fiction. The story is engaging and captivating from start to finish!

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Grieving Gold," the first book in the Luminocity Seed series by Daniel McDaniel, is an epic fantasy that transports readers to the awe-inspiring city of Luminocity, bathed in the light of three sun gods and built upon the ruins of an ancient, technologically advanced civilization. This novel is an intricate tapestry of dark twists and fantastical realms, perfect for fans of Brandon Sanderson, Fonda Lee, Patrick Rothfuss, and George R.R. Martin.

McDaniel's world-building is nothing short of spectacular, painting a vivid picture of Luminocity with its skeletal skyscrapers and a society divided by light and darkness. The city's rich history and the presence of a dark god lurking beneath its surface add layers of intrigue and depth to the narrative.

The novel follows five interconnected characters, each with their own compelling backstory and personal struggles. Laxerion Tama, a disowned noble and heist mastermind; his brother Val-Gustus, a general facing war and betrayal; Ilumi, a scientist grappling with moral dilemmas; Aiana, a huntress fighting her inner demons; and Dawb, an urchin seeking vengeance, all find themselves caught in the currents of destiny.

The plot weaves these characters' stories together in a complex and engaging manner, exploring themes of power, betrayal, morality, and the struggle against one's fate. McDaniel's writing is immersive, blending action, intrigue, and character development seamlessly.

However, the novel's ambitious scope and the number of characters may be overwhelming for some readers. The complexity of the world and the intertwining narratives require attention and may not appeal to those looking for a more straightforward fantasy tale.

Content warnings for themes of dark fantasy, moral ambiguity, and intense character struggles are appropriate. "Grieving Gold" will appeal most to readers who enjoy intricate epic fantasies, rich world-building, and multifaceted characters.

In conclusion, "Grieving Gold" is a masterfully crafted epic fantasy that offers a journey into a world of light and shadow, where eldritch beings stir and destinies intertwine. Its depth, complexity, and imaginative storytelling make it a standout addition to the genre, promising an exciting series ahead.