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ivereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
I am impressed with this book as much as the first, I can't begin to imagine the difficulties of writing this, of writing anything during Covid. I commend Rebecca Roanhorse and her team for striving forward through it and creating an excellent sequel. So excited for the third, almost so excited I wish I waited until June, with its expected release date. I am insanely impressed with the character development in Naranpa particularly. I didn't find much out of her in the first book, other than being an intergal part of the story. But she was really cracked open this time around. I was in love with her magic turn around and Nara seeing herself in a new perspective really made her open up. This was just an observation based on my experience with being autistic, but she really feels neurodivergent. And it became even more evident in the end when she is faced with the grief of her brother and a fight with Serapio. Her empathy matches with mine and of course it's easy to fall in love witha character like you, but It's always refreshing to recognize an author might be thinking of a certain group when creating a character. I was also impressed with Iktan and xer part in this book. I loved being able to see how xe thought, and why xe made the actions xe did. I felt like we didn't get a very strong why as to xer actions in Black Sun, and Fevered Star expanded upon it excellently. I love this series and I'm excited for the last book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Self harm, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism and War
ellyrium's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Self harm, Body horror, and Alcohol
anxietee9's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, War, Gore, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Body horror, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Religious bigotry
missmali's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Self harm, Violence, Murder, Blood, and Death
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
casdelvo's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Self harm, Torture, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
As in Black Sun, Roanhorse does a masterful job of bringing to life such a rich and complicated world in this second installment.
I always struggle a little bit with the second book in ANY fantasy series, simply because once the novelty of stepping into a new world and getting to know the characters fades, it becomes harder for me to keep track of (and therefore care about) all the complicated machinations of the plot.
But my investment in these characters kept me wanting to continue, even when all the politics and strategizing sometimes went over my head. I definitely appreciated that we got to spend more time with Iktan, because I found xir so interesting in the first book.
Where I tended to have the most trouble was understanding the characters’ wants and motivations, especially Iktan and Serapio. I wasn’t sure why they were doing what they were doing—what it was they were trying to achieve or what they were seeking (though this was eventually revealed pretty explicitly in Serapio’s case by the end)—and that took me out of the story a few times.
Other than that though, this really was great. I didn’t realize when I started that this isn’t a completed series, and I wish I’d thought to check because now I don’t want to have to wait to find out what happens next!! 😭
I always struggle a little bit with the second book in ANY fantasy series, simply because once the novelty of stepping into a new world and getting to know the characters fades, it becomes harder for me to keep track of (and therefore care about) all the complicated machinations of the plot.
But my investment in these characters kept me wanting to continue, even when all the politics and strategizing sometimes went over my head. I definitely appreciated that we got to spend more time with Iktan, because I found xir so interesting in the first book.
Where I tended to have the most trouble was understanding the characters’ wants and motivations, especially Iktan and Serapio. I wasn’t sure why they were doing what they were doing—what it was they were trying to achieve or what they were seeking (though this was eventually revealed pretty explicitly in Serapio’s case by the end)—and that took me out of the story a few times.
Other than that though, this really was great. I didn’t realize when I started that this isn’t a completed series, and I wish I’d thought to check because now I don’t want to have to wait to find out what happens next!! 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Murder, and Torture
Minor: Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Vomit
radlizareads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Self harm, Gore, Blood, and Misogyny
macknificent's review
adventurous
dark
slow-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
3.75
This suffered a bit of Second Book Syndrome, but I still enjoyed it. Crow Daddy and Ocean Bae still rule my heart so I cannot wait for Book 3! Mark my words, Roanhorse, I will never forgive you if they don't have a happy ending. Together.
As for Sun Skank, she continues to be a thorn in my side. I spent the entire book exasperated by her choices and wishing for her death.
All the other characters were interesting and fully fleshed. I live Roanhorse's world building, though I would like a little more of the history explained. I think that will happen in book 3.
Anyway, definitely will be continuing the series!
As for Sun Skank, she continues to be a thorn in my side. I spent the entire book exasperated by her choices and wishing for her death.
All the other characters were interesting and fully fleshed. I live Roanhorse's world building, though I would like a little more of the history explained. I think that will happen in book 3.
Anyway, definitely will be continuing the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Self harm
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Grief, and Death of parent
percyu's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
An absolutely amazing book!
After struggling to pick reading back up (especially with my interests) I am so happy to have stumbled across this series. I read the first in the series last year due to pure chance (working on a remote island for 6 months and being stuck with what books were present there) and fell in love with the world and it's characters. The setting is one that you don't see often: inspired by pre-Columbian America society and mythology. The lore is quick to understand and described in a way where I never felt lost or overwhelmed. The descriptions of the cities and people and past events make the world truly feel alive!
One thing I love is that the book follows characters of multiple perspectives and sides of the conflict. Rooting for one characters success often involves the downfall of the other.
I love how Roanhorse has LGBT+ representation in a way that the characters are seamlessly present in the world. This series is the first I have ever read where characters use xe/xir pronouns!
I cannot wait for the next book!
After struggling to pick reading back up (especially with my interests) I am so happy to have stumbled across this series. I read the first in the series last year due to pure chance (working on a remote island for 6 months and being stuck with what books were present there) and fell in love with the world and it's characters. The setting is one that you don't see often: inspired by pre-Columbian America society and mythology. The lore is quick to understand and described in a way where I never felt lost or overwhelmed. The descriptions of the cities and people and past events make the world truly feel alive!
One thing I love is that the book follows characters of multiple perspectives and sides of the conflict. Rooting for one characters success often involves the downfall of the other.
I love how Roanhorse has LGBT+ representation in a way that the characters are seamlessly present in the world. This series is the first I have ever read where characters use xe/xir pronouns!
I cannot wait for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Self harm, Violence, and Blood