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morgancvtherine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Murder, Torture, Child abuse, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
booksthatburn's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-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
5.0
FEVERED STAR picks up where BLACK SUN left off, handling multiple perspectives in an excellently crafted way that was easy to follow. Now that Serapio is the embodiment of the Crow God, separated from Xiala, Serapio is dealing with the sudden change from being an isolated person to a religious figurehead, having lost everything that grounded him even as he gains immense power. Xiala is trying to rejoin Serapio, but gets caught up with a charismatic ex-priest, who has xer own agenda. Naranpa is an avatar without a temple, trying to connect to the brother she left behind years ago and figure out whether there's a life where she can fit. The worldbuilding focuses on different areas than what was established in BLACK SUN. No longer insular, many factions have moved in order to take advantage of alliances, and set up for the conflict that seems inevitable.
FEVERED STAR is lull between storms, the midgame when all the players trade promises and pledge loyalties. The Sky Made has several factions, but most of the perspective characters are on the outside in some way, removed from the major factions by training, distance, or a estrangement. This is one of the best examples I’ve read in a while of intricate but understandable politics in fiction, with many factions who all have slightly different goals and motivations. It also does an excellent job of allowing people within the factions to disagree, each having their own motivations. I love political wrangling and intricacy in fantasy and so I enjoyed this middle book of a trilogy where everyone’s trying to reposition after the gods are returned to the world. It could be said that either every character has a new storyline, or no character has a new story of their own that wasn’t present to the previous book. Everyone in their own way of dealing with what happened on the day of Black Sun, it represents such a monumental shift that even ignoring it would have to be a deliberate choice (albeit it one that I cannot recall any characters making). Several people’s access to power has changed either in a political or magical sense, and some minor characters from BLACK SUN gain new importance as they hatch their own schemes, taking advantage of the shifts caused by the eclipse.
This would mostly makes sense to someone who read the first book a while ago, but if they tried to start here without having read BLACK SUN at all, it would likely be confusing for a while. It's a well-told story, but one which fundamentally is concerned with moving things in place for whatever is to come in the third book. Part of how it maintains that balance is that many of the characters have a sense of this as a lull between conflicts, whether literal or metaphorical. Almost everyone is making moves to position themselves better for what is to come, or to control what the next change might end up being.
This is an excellent continuation of the series, and I'm excited to read how it all turns out.
FEVERED STAR is lull between storms, the midgame when all the players trade promises and pledge loyalties. The Sky Made has several factions, but most of the perspective characters are on the outside in some way, removed from the major factions by training, distance, or a estrangement. This is one of the best examples I’ve read in a while of intricate but understandable politics in fiction, with many factions who all have slightly different goals and motivations. It also does an excellent job of allowing people within the factions to disagree, each having their own motivations. I love political wrangling and intricacy in fantasy and so I enjoyed this middle book of a trilogy where everyone’s trying to reposition after the gods are returned to the world. It could be said that either every character has a new storyline, or no character has a new story of their own that wasn’t present to the previous book. Everyone in their own way of dealing with what happened on the day of Black Sun, it represents such a monumental shift that even ignoring it would have to be a deliberate choice (albeit it one that I cannot recall any characters making). Several people’s access to power has changed either in a political or magical sense, and some minor characters from BLACK SUN gain new importance as they hatch their own schemes, taking advantage of the shifts caused by the eclipse.
This would mostly makes sense to someone who read the first book a while ago, but if they tried to start here without having read BLACK SUN at all, it would likely be confusing for a while. It's a well-told story, but one which fundamentally is concerned with moving things in place for whatever is to come in the third book. Part of how it maintains that balance is that many of the characters have a sense of this as a lull between conflicts, whether literal or metaphorical. Almost everyone is making moves to position themselves better for what is to come, or to control what the next change might end up being.
This is an excellent continuation of the series, and I'm excited to read how it all turns out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Suicide, Racism, Alcoholism, Violence, Grief, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Murder, Death, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Animal death, Excrement, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Sexism, and Ableism
black_cat_iiix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Alcoholism
Minor: Child abuse
lolajh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Such an impressive sequel to Black Sun. Worldbuilding continued to develop along with the characters. Honestly liked this one even more than the first.
Xiala develops a bond with Iktan in this book, which is such a powerful duo that I adore and greatly enhances both these characters. Their relationship developing from mistrust and suspicion to a true friendship as allies was beautifully done. Xiala also opened up to xir about her past as a Teek, where Xiala’s flashbacks of her past murders were finally explained as well as the trauma she faces because of it.Events of her facing past relationships and family trauma, banishment from her people explain her issues summoning her Song and how it triggers her to use it. She also remains yearning for Serapio and dedicated to returning back to him, their love for each other so beautifully illustrated. And Xiala on her own is still so strong and an admirable character that keeps her as one of my favourites still, despite going into this having read reviews of her whole character in this book being about her helplessness without Serapio, which just isn’t true, because she barely lets herself grieve over their separation, and continues her journey by herself and then with Iktan very easily without Serapio’s help, proving she is a very capable woman on her own. Also did not like her temporary relationship with Aishe at the beginning. I wasn’t a fan of mainly due to Aishe knowing of Xiala’s feelings for Serapio, but still using Xiala for sex anyway, and she does lowkey assault her by touching Xiala when she’s just looking out a window. Yikes.
Iktan’s character absolutely blossoms in this book. Xe also opens up to Xiala about xir history as the priest of Knives, as well as xir past relationship and feelings towards Naranpa. Whilst there are no pov chapters from xir perspective, Xiala’s chapters where Iktan is present were able to show so much more about Iktan than Naranpa’s chapters in the previous book, showing the difference between Xiala’s and Naranpa’s connections with Iktan. I was able to fall even more in love with xir more once able to see xir character away from the other priests and on xir own. Xir cursing, authority, motives, dominance, humour, sarcasm, cockiness, confidence, strength, power, xir care for Naranpa were all just so perfect.
Xiala develops a bond with Iktan in this book, which is such a powerful duo that I adore and greatly enhances both these characters. Their relationship developing from mistrust and suspicion to a true friendship as allies was beautifully done. Xiala also opened up to xir about her past as a Teek, where Xiala’s flashbacks of her past murders were finally explained as well as the trauma she faces because of it.
Iktan’s character absolutely blossoms in this book. Xe also opens up to Xiala about xir history as the priest of Knives, as well as xir past relationship and feelings towards Naranpa. Whilst there are no pov chapters from xir perspective, Xiala’s chapters where Iktan is present were able to show so much more about Iktan than Naranpa’s chapters in the previous book, showing the difference between Xiala’s and Naranpa’s connections with Iktan. I was able to fall even more in love with xir more once able to see xir character away from the other priests and on xir own. Xir cursing, authority, motives, dominance, humour, sarcasm, cockiness, confidence, strength, power, xir care for Naranpa were all just so perfect.
“I know xe is charming and funny and—”
“Attractive.” A voice came from outside the tent flap. “Don’t forget shockingly attractive.”
“We are all prisoners here, Xiala. You, Ziha, even myself. Prisoners to fate, that unreasonable bitch.”
“If I wanted them dead, they’d be dead in seconds. Assassin, remember?”
“I was in a rage when Nara went missing. I blamed myself. Eche tried to claim that Nara had killed the tsiyo at her door and run, and while I am a fool, I am not an idiot. I tore the tower apart, sent dedicants out to search for her, and nothing. I couldn’t prove it, but I knew what they had done. When the time came for the Convergence ceremony, I sent one of my tsiyos in my stead. It was a thing I did often when I didn’t have the patience for their pomp and bloviating, and I was in no mood to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who had killed my friend.”
Even getting little hints about xir physical characteristics, mannerisms, traits like xir smirking and flirtiness, xir clothing style??? Xe is literally hot as fuck I cant take it.
“Xe was tall and sinewy, with a prominent nose in an angular face. Xir black hair had recently been shorn but since had grown in as a soft fuzz. Xe rubbed a hand over it now, as if annoyed at its length.”
“Iktan pulled off xir shirt, knotted it up, and dipped it in the water. Xe continued xir ablutions, wiping across xir underarms. Xiala turned to give the priest privacy when xe began to unselfconsciously strip off xir pants. She heard the splash of water and the soft rub of cloth against skin. The scent of yucca and lavender soap filled her nose. She caught sight of Iktan’s backside as xe padded over to a trunk in the corner and threw it open. It was piled with fabrics, and xe plucked various articles of clothing from inside, holding them up for size. Once satisfied, xe dragged on a pair of white pants and a plain white shirt that looked very much like the lesser cousin to Ziha’s finer ensemble.”
All these little hints of who Iktan is rather than chapters directly from xir perspective (although they would be perfect), allow Iktan to feel so much like a gift when there are less interactions and focus on xir character compared to Naranpa, Serapio or Xiala. It makes xir feel like a gift whenever we get little specks about xir life and personality that I do cherish a lot. Xir gender is also discussed in this book, which was lovely. Xir pronouns and identity are completely normalised in this world, and there are minimal, if any, instances where xe has to explain xir identity to anyone.
“I’m no woman,” xe said, “but I’m no man, either. It is a gender most common to my clan, but I have heard there are others.”
PERFECT description of being non-binary. Much better than Powageh’s “third gender” explanation xe provided in the first book, but since Iktan said there are more genders than man, woman, and xir gender identity, there are probably many other non-binary identities apart from Iktan’s, and gender can feel different for everyone, I just favour Iktan’s description of it much more because being non-binary isn’t describing what somebody is, but rather what they aren’t, which is exactly what this description depicts, making it much more inclusive and less binary than the description “third gender”.
Then there’s fucking NARANPA. Can I just say I’ve loved her since day one when everyone was shitting on her, and she really proved her worth in this book. She grows confidence in herself,
“She wasn’t sure when it happened. The healing power she had called to aid Denaochi morphed into something else. And in the cauldron of her anger, that something became heat, became fire, and flames roared from her palms Her back slammed into the ground but she did not let go. She clamped her hands to the sides of Pasko’s face, willing the fire to consume him. At first, his skin only smoldered, tendrils of smoke intertwined with his curling black hair. Then heat built as if from inside, and his skin began to bubble like water on the boil. His cheeks collapsed, then his forehead, and his eyes popped and sank.”
Like??? This bitch is fucking POWERFUL as hell!!! Naranpa also reconnects with her brother, Denaochi, and their whole arc about reuniting and building their relationship once more only to have what happens to happen, broke my fucking fragile heart.
“See, Brother, Naranpa thought. Zataya, Sedaysa, your foolish older sister. You were well loved after all.”
Also Naranpa gay panics:
“Naranpa could not hide her sharp inhale. This was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, and for a moment she forgot her words.”
And SERAPIO??? This man had a full on corruption arc where his character turns extremely morally grey but where I am still able to love him so much. Dude has a whole scene of building a castle around him from nothing full Elsa-style, so what’s there not to fucking love? And he is still so pure deep down, his yearning and care for Xiala, the scene where he summons a crow for some random kid, then when he breaks down and asks Maaka to tell him stories to calm down because that’s what Xiala always did, like dude that shit is beautiful.
“The desire to take to the sky and fly to her was so strong he had to force his breath to steady. It was as if he were made only of need, a thousand shards of desire in the shape of a man, and he would give whatever he must to reach her.”
He’s so in love? Serapio’s treatment from other people is also explored, especially regarding how people treat him when he is disabled, and the amount of disrespect he receives and is only worshipped, not truly loved by anyone other than Xiala.
“Hands reached for him to hold him up, but all he felt was the panic of being touched by people he could not see.”
“Look at me, Odo Sedoh!” “No, look at me, Crow God!” I’m blind! he wanted to shout. Can’t you see that I’m blind?”
Serapio is vastly disrespected, his privacy and right to not be touched being violated, and the discomfort of that escalating because he can’t see the people doing it to him. Being touched without consent is a frequent occurrence experienced by disabled people, which I think the author brought awareness to with how Serapio is treated.
There are also a lot of other interesting characters such as Zataya, where the shadow world that Serapio connects with is delved into further, as well as pov chapters from Okoa and Balem’s perspective, but they didn’t interest me as much as other characters. Overall, Roanhorse’s writing is absolutely impeccable—chapter 20 in particular was written perfectly, and I was able to so easily picture everything going on. Most perfect fucking book ever.
There are also a lot of other interesting characters such as Zataya, where the shadow world that Serapio connects with is delved into further, as well as pov chapters from Okoa and Balem’s perspective, but they didn’t interest me as much as other characters. Overall, Roanhorse’s writing is absolutely impeccable—chapter 20 in particular was written perfectly, and I was able to so easily picture everything going on. Most perfect fucking book ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Adult/minor relationship, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Self harm, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, War, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Transphobia
purplepenning's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Self harm
Moderate: Sexism, Classism, Grief, Animal death, Torture, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Thank you to B2 Weird Bookclub and Saga SFF for a physical copy in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.
Can't believe I have to wait another year (or more!) to see how it all ends. *cries forever*
Fevered Star immediately picks up where Black Sun leaves off: the convergence has happened and Year 1 of the Crow has begun. Once again we follow Naranpa, Serapio and Xiala as they figure out their paths and how the events surrounding the city of Tova will shape them.
I seriously love this series so much. The characters are just freaking amazing and I would die for basically all of them. We see a lot of growth from them all, but especially Naranpa in this one. I’ve liked her from the beginning so I am only excited to continue to see her grow.
We also get more worldbuilding and mythology/history of The Meridian. I would love to read a fictional non-fiction about this world. I want to know everything! I love seeing how the clans work, and then all the various outsiders and the way the past and now their future desires are shaping conflict. It’s a work of art.
Fevered Star pulls no punches and is an incredible addition to the series.
Rep: All Native/Indigenous cast. Pansexual cis female MC, queer cis female MC, blind cishet male MC, cishet (presumed) male MC, queer bayeki (two spirit/nonbinary specific term) side character, two spirit/nonbinary side characters (use neopronouns), various queer side characters.
CWs: Violence, blood, grief, injury/injury detail, body horror, death, gore, confinement, cursing, physical abuse, suicide, torture, death of parent recounted, murder, alcohol consumption, war themes. Moderate: Sexual content (consensual). Minor: Child abuse, rape, self harm.
Can't believe I have to wait another year (or more!) to see how it all ends. *cries forever*
Fevered Star immediately picks up where Black Sun leaves off: the convergence has happened and Year 1 of the Crow has begun. Once again we follow Naranpa, Serapio and Xiala as they figure out their paths and how the events surrounding the city of Tova will shape them.
I seriously love this series so much. The characters are just freaking amazing and I would die for basically all of them. We see a lot of growth from them all, but especially Naranpa in this one. I’ve liked her from the beginning so I am only excited to continue to see her grow.
We also get more worldbuilding and mythology/history of The Meridian. I would love to read a fictional non-fiction about this world. I want to know everything! I love seeing how the clans work, and then all the various outsiders and the way the past and now their future desires are shaping conflict. It’s a work of art.
Fevered Star pulls no punches and is an incredible addition to the series.
Rep: All Native/Indigenous cast. Pansexual cis female MC, queer cis female MC, blind cishet male MC, cishet (presumed) male MC, queer bayeki (two spirit/nonbinary specific term) side character, two spirit/nonbinary side characters (use neopronouns), various queer side characters.
CWs: Violence, blood, grief, injury/injury detail, body horror, death, gore, confinement, cursing, physical abuse, suicide, torture, death of parent recounted, murder, alcohol consumption, war themes. Moderate: Sexual content (consensual). Minor: Child abuse, rape, self harm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Alcohol, War, Violence, Body horror, Death, Gore, Suicide, Torture, Death of parent, Confinement, Cursing, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Self harm, Child abuse, and Rape
ehmannky's review
dark
emotional
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
So! Good! I think that it's incredibly interesting to go beyond a prophecy and see the aftermath. And so much is happening here. All the characters were so lonely and in pain and it's just a study in what trauma does to people and the ways that not having support around you hurts people further.
Naranpa's chapters were the best and everything that happened with her was so engaging. I think that the only thing I personally was annoyed with was how Xiala's entire personality just revolves around Serapio. Like, I get she's lonely but meh. Wasn't a fan of that. I did love her little journey with Iktan and I can't wait to cry over Iktan reuniting with Naranpa in book 3.
Naranpa's chapters were the best and everything that happened with her was so engaging. I think that the only thing I personally was annoyed with was how Xiala's entire personality just revolves around Serapio. Like, I get she's lonely but meh. Wasn't a fan of that. I did love her little journey with Iktan and I can't wait to cry over Iktan reuniting with Naranpa in book 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Body horror, Physical abuse, War, Blood, Xenophobia, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
caseythereader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Saga Press for the free advance copy of this book.
- I'm never sure how to review sequels without giving too much away. Let's just say I was so happy to be back in this world, and to see the story expand and the characters grow.
- Roanhorse has created such a compelling set of characters and history with these books. Every time the viewpoint switches I'm happy to be with whoever it is.
- This being the middle book of a series, it was a bit more place setting and a bit less action than BLACK SUN, but there were still plenty of gripping scenes, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
- I'm never sure how to review sequels without giving too much away. Let's just say I was so happy to be back in this world, and to see the story expand and the characters grow.
- Roanhorse has created such a compelling set of characters and history with these books. Every time the viewpoint switches I'm happy to be with whoever it is.
- This being the middle book of a series, it was a bit more place setting and a bit less action than BLACK SUN, but there were still plenty of gripping scenes, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Blood, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Suicide, Violence, War, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
batesbarb's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Grief
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Blood, and Child abuse
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