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nevenolson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Ahhh cliff hangers...
erynneb's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cafeaushae30's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kayleyc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
baberi22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
dlarkin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A fantastic read that lived up to the hype! A very unique and diverse setting with a breakneck pace! I just wanted more and can’t wait to get into the sequel
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Highly creative and captivating, Black Sun is the first novel in the Between Earth and Sky series. Inspired by pre-Columbian American civilizations, this is a story about prophecy, magic, tragedy, and revenge, shown through the lens of multiple points of view.
Roanhorse's writing style is excellent. Although I typically struggle with the fantasy genre, I was hooked by the first chapter. Detailed and clever, each character is unique and whole, all with their own admirable characteristics and flaws. The plot builds at a steady pace, definitely maximizing the effects of the last few scenes.
I also immensely appreciated the diversity. There were a variety of gender identities and sexualities represented (including a person who uses xe/xir pronouns!). These identities were normalized, which was a refreshing break from constantly seeing non-cis/het characters being bashed and belittled in fiction--we have enough of that in real life.
Overall, I would highly recommend Black Sun. I rarely read fantasy or adult, let alone adult fantasy, so I was surprised that I found this to be incredibly enjoyable.
Highly creative and captivating, Black Sun is the first novel in the Between Earth and Sky series. Inspired by pre-Columbian American civilizations, this is a story about prophecy, magic, tragedy, and revenge, shown through the lens of multiple points of view.
Roanhorse's writing style is excellent. Although I typically struggle with the fantasy genre, I was hooked by the first chapter. Detailed and clever, each character is unique and whole, all with their own admirable characteristics and flaws. The plot builds at a steady pace, definitely maximizing the effects of the last few scenes.
I also immensely appreciated the diversity. There were a variety of gender identities and sexualities represented (including a person who uses xe/xir pronouns!). These identities were normalized, which was a refreshing break from constantly seeing non-cis/het characters being bashed and belittled in fiction--we have enough of that in real life.
Overall, I would highly recommend Black Sun. I rarely read fantasy or adult, let alone adult fantasy, so I was surprised that I found this to be incredibly enjoyable.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect fantasy read for Native American Heritage Month!
Black Sun is a fantasy story with a full cast of indigenous people living in their own nation. There are various cities and clans who have their own traditions and gods. The story moves back and forward in time shifting through various characters. All chapters are identified by the "time until convergence". The convergence is when a total eclipse falls on the same day as winter solstice. This celestial event holds significance due to a prophecy:
A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun
We meet a woman who is a Sun Priest in the holy city of Tova. Xiala is another woman ,of Teek descent, who has an affinity with water. She pilots ships and can calm rough seas. Xiala is hired to transport a Serapio, a young man, to Tova. Serapio is covered with scars carved into his skin and was blinded as a child by his mother. Serapio has his destiny laid out before him since childhood.
This is the first in the series, meaning that there was a lot of world building. The author did a great job with this. It was interesting to envision a thriving society of indigenous people, unmarred by European colonization. The characters each had their own backstories . At first I had a bit of trouble remembering who was who but I got ahold of it soon enough. There is a lot of intrigue and plotting between the various clans and power plays within clans. It is the sort of epic tale where there is no clear good side and bad side.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
What to listen to while reading...
Ain't No Sunshine by IndianNation
Sunblind by Fleet Foxes
Look at this (Remix) by A Tribe Called Red
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by The Police
I'm Going Home by Buffy Sainte-Marie
Bleeding by Yo La Tengo
Wasted by Tomberlin
Black Sun by Death Cab for Cutie
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
Black Sun is a fantasy story with a full cast of indigenous people living in their own nation. There are various cities and clans who have their own traditions and gods. The story moves back and forward in time shifting through various characters. All chapters are identified by the "time until convergence". The convergence is when a total eclipse falls on the same day as winter solstice. This celestial event holds significance due to a prophecy:
A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun
We meet a woman who is a Sun Priest in the holy city of Tova. Xiala is another woman ,of Teek descent, who has an affinity with water. She pilots ships and can calm rough seas. Xiala is hired to transport a Serapio, a young man, to Tova. Serapio is covered with scars carved into his skin and was blinded as a child by his mother. Serapio has his destiny laid out before him since childhood.
This is the first in the series, meaning that there was a lot of world building. The author did a great job with this. It was interesting to envision a thriving society of indigenous people, unmarred by European colonization. The characters each had their own backstories . At first I had a bit of trouble remembering who was who but I got ahold of it soon enough. There is a lot of intrigue and plotting between the various clans and power plays within clans. It is the sort of epic tale where there is no clear good side and bad side.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
What to listen to while reading...
Ain't No Sunshine by IndianNation
Sunblind by Fleet Foxes
Look at this (Remix) by A Tribe Called Red
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by The Police
I'm Going Home by Buffy Sainte-Marie
Bleeding by Yo La Tengo
Wasted by Tomberlin
Black Sun by Death Cab for Cutie
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!