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stw07's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
But personally, I find it hard to care about plots concerning gods and destinies. It’s just not really my thing. I was much more interested in the characters. Still a really solidly written and original fantasy novel.
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Gore
Minor: Murder and Suicide
Moderately graphic description of ritualistic mutilation of a child at the start of the book.lolajh's review against another edition
- 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
Xiala was an amazing character to learn about throughout this book. A pirate captain who had to work hard to gain the respect of her peers due to her being a female captain as well as a Teek, which is a female-only race in this world. She is targeted by racism, sexism and homophobia and is very confident and accepting of all her identities. There are minor flings and attraction between her and women throughout the book, and the highlighted romance being between her and a man. Seeing a heterosexual relationship with queer characters was really interesting because of how different love is experienced compared to typical heterosexual relationships. Xiala is also so strong independent from her love interest with her own goals and ideals. Her character arc was wonderful and relatable. Loved it
Serapio’s chapters were of great interest because of how the author describes his perception of the world being blind. This is done so well that when the chapter ends and switches to a different character I am still experiencing Serapio’s blindness and get confused on why appearances of things are being described because of how immersed and realistic his blindness is conveyed. Serapio’s disability also does not in any way weaken him; he is a strong physical fighter often underestimated by his opponents and him being able to see again is never a goal of his - it’s just accepted which was lovely to see.
Then Naranpa, my beautiful underrated queer ball of sunshine. In many reviews she is described as naive, which she can come across as at some points, but I just think she is a person trying to see the best in everyone and just has a lot of bad things happen to her. I love her very much. Naranpa’s chapters were also interesting because of her assassin ex-lover Iktan who is nonbinary and goes by xe/xir pronouns that are never disrespected by the characters except for
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Murder, Racism, Sexism, Violence, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Transphobia
readingelli's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
kodafaith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Racism
micklesreads's review against another edition
- 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
below as a spoiler. I'm glad I pushed through though; this was great fantasy with wonderful character development and world-building, and it's queer to boot.
Bird nerds will love the depiction of crows, and the author was faithful to science regarding their grieving and memories.
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Suicide, Torture, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Death
whitedaylilies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Violence, and Suicide
readundancies's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Who’d a thunk it?
The characters are the real treat of this story. I enjoyed Serapio’s storyline and learning how he grows from boy to vessel, and am more intrigued to see where his story goes in the sequel. But I lived and died by Xiala. Rebecca Roanhorse has this incredible ability to write fierce and resolute female characters and Xiala is no exception. She’s incredibly strong-willed and readily adaptable to change and I love her Teek magic. It’s very mermaid-siren vibes and despite the fishtails I was down for that. (It’s here where I should note that outside of The Little Mermaid nostalgia I carry with me, mermaids are not really my thing. I love sea-faring adventures and nautical tales, but mermaids, not so much.) And while Okoa didn’t really have a major role other than to help set up the political climate of Tova and the history and worldbuilding, it’s clear that he is going to have a larger role in the sequels which I’m eager for because his contentious relationship with his sister brews drama that I am here for.
And even Naranpa, who started off as my least favourite character, ended up turning things around by the end and growing on me. At first I just could not get behind her attitude at the beginning. The entitlement that comes with her role as Sun Priest just dripped off of her and it was not a good look. It had gotten to the point where I was actively disappointed when two successive chapters were from her POV because her internal monologue was so grating. It wasn’t just that she was unlikeable, it was that her naïveté led to frequent bouts of general floundering and her far too easy to rile up personality was making me really apathetic towards her whole situation. But once she fell back onto her roots and away from the political games that she was frankly not great at keeping levelheaded towards, she became not only tolerable but worth rooting for. I can’t wait to see where her story leads in the sequel.
When it comes to world building, I didn’t think it was as stellar as the characterization, but it’s something that can easily be addressed and improved upon in the sequels. Because I want to know everything about the Teek. Everything. There was not nearly enough information and backstory provided to readers about them and I desperately need more. Even the Obregi and the House of Seven and merchant lords - Balam specifically has a backstory that I am itching to sink my brain into - the culture is there and I feel it in the pages of the book but I haven’t gotten to explore it yet and I need. I crave. I desire muchly.
The plot was also a highlight. It was a little jarring at first navigating the time changes between the character perspectives, but it functioned really well to connect everyone and reveal important plot points and backstory in a smooth manner. The build up of suspense towards The Convergence kept the pace chugging along at a nice speed and I never felt things were happening too slowly or too quickly. There was a seafaring adventure, political machinations (where the fall of Abah was swift but vindicating) and a soft magic system that has a lot of potential and I ate it all up like it was my favourite food and I was starving.
Special shout out to Michelle Marchese for the interior design of the hardcover because maps. I adore them.
And the dust jacket? Stunning. Simply stunning.
One more amazing read from Rebecca Roanhorse and I’ll become a fully-fledged believer, anointing her to Favourite Author status. I eagerly anticipate this happening in the sequel and the second novel in her Sixth World series which I need to crack open since it’s been sitting all neglected on my shelves for a while.
Moderate: Racism, Child abuse, Blood, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Suicide
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
- 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
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse is the first novel in the Between Earth and Sky series. This is a secondary fantasy world based on pre-Columbian Americas, so I got a refreshing departure from the typical European epic/heroes journey.
We follow different POVs throughout the book that give us different insight into the greater whole of the story. We follow Serapio, destined to be the Crow god reborn and is blind; Xiala, a Teek woman sailor tasked with getting Serapio where he needs to go in time for the winter solstice/solar eclipse; Naranpa, the Sun Priest who doesn't fit in and wants to reform the priesthood; Okoa, a son of Carrion Crow clan who has learned the art of war; and Zataya a Dry Earth Witch.
I absolutely loved the world building in this! Rhoanhorse finally shows us what a sophisticated society before colonialism could have looked like. This world was so vibrant and varied and so different from other fantasy stories. It reminds of some of the African I spired fantasy worlds that didn't focus on colonialism. The characters were all so different and not what you'd expect for a heroes journey type of story. Xiala is my favorite so far. A bisexual woman who has the ability to Sing the Sea to calm and control a man's heart. Sign me up for that siren song. I also loved her relationship with Serapio. This was not a romance heavy book, but I appreciated their connection as it grew over time.
We get some amazing rep in this book! For starters, Serapio is blind and the most capable person in the book. Rhoanhorse took such care with her representation. This is also a world that recognizes a third gender, and we get a couple of characters using neopronouns such as xe/xir. There is also mention of trans people being a normal part of the world.
This book landed on a nasty cliffhanger! I feel like so much happened, but I still have so much to learn. I feel like I could read an entire book just about Xiala. Rhoanhorse gives us themes around opposites and duality such as light/dark, sky/earth, good/evil. She also subverts the idea of Serapio being a villain. I don't know that I would even label him as an antagonist. Imma need that second book now. If you have read this, please feel free to DM me, I need to discuss (read: scream).
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
kirstengo00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Suicide
itendswithe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
A dark fantasy set in a pre-Columbus America that hooked me within the first few pages.
Four character perspectives (and in the audiobook, by 4 narrators) converging together in a battle between the old crow god and the new sun god. This book has magic, adventure, and a dose of blood - it's one of the best books I've read so far this year.
Covers some heavy topics, so check out the content warnings.
I would recommend if you like: diverse fantasy stories, characters with some edges, queer rep, and old magic.
Graphic: Colonisation, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Biphobia, and Death of parent