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bersblue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Alcohol
janisgoblin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Homophobia and Rape
devlev7's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
This book was so much fun! It starts slow, and with a lot of characters to keep track of, but by the end it will have you on the edge of your seat. A wonderful example of diverse, creative fantasy, with excellent and unique world-building. This book will satisfy a fantasy lover who has been looking for a world of clan rivalry, mysterious powers, and bold flawed adventurers, not based on a Western/European history. The colors, the landscapes, the foods, the beasts, and the characters are so entertaining to imagine. The plot is dark and mysterious and interesting - it will keep you speculating as to what will
happen next, or who will betray whom. If you’ve read any of Roanhorse’s other series, The Sixth World, you’ll find Black Sun has similar complicated but endearing characters, thoughtful themes with references to indigenous history and folklore, and far more diversity than most fantasy, in terms of not only race/culture, but gender and sexuality, in a way that feels incorporated completely into the world and story without being forced. However, Black Sun takes these commonalities to a different, exciting place, by weaving not a post-apocalyptic world, but a wonderfully fantastical alternative imagination of a world outside our own. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
happen next, or who will betray whom. If you’ve read any of Roanhorse’s other series, The Sixth World, you’ll find Black Sun has similar complicated but endearing characters, thoughtful themes with references to indigenous history and folklore, and far more diversity than most fantasy, in terms of not only race/culture, but gender and sexuality, in a way that feels incorporated completely into the world and story without being forced. However, Black Sun takes these commonalities to a different, exciting place, by weaving not a post-apocalyptic world, but a wonderfully fantastical alternative imagination of a world outside our own. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
nexusgoblin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Roanhorse is fast becoming a favorite of mine. The world-building, lore, and political intrigue really set Black Sun apart from all other fantasy I have read and has me incredibly curious as to where the story is heading.
The audio version is excellent as well and has several narrators that all help bring the characters to life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
whatiskatelynreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Blood
caidyn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.5
Loved the queer characters and a world that, finally, wasn't English based or some other European culture. It was wonderful and I cannot wait to start the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
If you are looking for an immersive, epic, non-Eurocentric fantasy adventure with some romance, and with characters that you are rooting for then please read Black Sun! This is also a fantastic audiobook! I did a combo of listening while reading a physical copy. Full cast narration is well done.
A joy to read. I truly loved the world Rebecca Roanhorse has created. I think my favorite thing is that with the multiple POVs you are really getting attached to all these characters because they are complex and interesting, but they are (seemingly) on opposing sides so you're just wondering how it's going to play out. I love the inclusion of a character list, and maps! the only thing that would've pushed it over the top was a little glossary since this is a high fantasy (I found myself a bit confused mainly on the hierarchy of The Watchers and The Sky Made Clans).
As always check content warnings - there are some pretty dark things that happen, in particular with Serapio's backstory. The backdrop of the plot is political/religious tensions and power struggles.
This book also has fantastic LGBTQ+ and specifically nonbinary rep. There are unique non-gendered pronouns aside from she/her and he/him. Several of the characters are queer, and Xiala is definitely bi or pansexual.
It's definitely written as the first book in a series, so the ending is very unresolved, but in a way that you are just so excited to read the next books and find out what happens.
A joy to read. I truly loved the world Rebecca Roanhorse has created. I think my favorite thing is that with the multiple POVs you are really getting attached to all these characters because they are complex and interesting, but they are (seemingly) on opposing sides so you're just wondering how it's going to play out. I love the inclusion of a character list, and maps! the only thing that would've pushed it over the top was a little glossary since this is a high fantasy (I found myself a bit confused mainly on the hierarchy of The Watchers and The Sky Made Clans).
As always check content warnings - there are some pretty dark things that happen, in particular with Serapio's backstory. The backdrop of the plot is political/religious tensions and power struggles.
This book also has fantastic LGBTQ+ and specifically nonbinary rep. There are unique non-gendered pronouns aside from she/her and he/him. Several of the characters are queer, and Xiala is definitely bi or pansexual.
It's definitely written as the first book in a series, so the ending is very unresolved, but in a way that you are just so excited to read the next books and find out what happens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Drug use, Gore, Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Religious bigotry
mutilation/scarring (of a child)ameliabee33's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Easily this is going to become my new high fantasy obsession. There is depth to the characters that we get pov chapters from, Xiala, Serapio, Okoa, and Naranpa. I would literally protect all of them with my life, like oh my God the author makes all of their individual life struggles and goals easy to root for. This book is great if you're looking for a new take on high fantasy, as the author states in the author's note the setting for fantasy is typically a rendition of England and various western European countries. It is another book that has multiple pov's in chapters- which I have always liked having more than one character tell a story because you can get more depth about the world and context the book is set in (I think it's a remnant of my Warrior Cats days 😋).
Xiala, I would die for Xiala. She is a boat captain, a lover of beautiful things and people, and with a hidden past that readers just get a glimpse of. She is also a Teek, legendary women known to use their Song to manipulate the sea and men alike. She was such a strong, resilient chatacter throughout the book that I just kept wanting more and more chapters about her.
Serapio is the avatar for the crow god. Grandfather Crow. Blinded by his mother at a young age, he has grown up and taught that his purpose is to be the vessel for the crow god, which will emerge during the Convergence. I just wanted to protect Serapio this entire time 😭 He wanted human connection and love and so much was standing in his way. I will support him always.
Naranpa is the Sun Priest from the wrong side of the tracks, for lack of a better phrase. As a part and leader of the religious order of Watchers, Naranpa tries to implement institutional change in the order, which has a bloody past and prejudice riddled everywhere. I was left wanting more from her chapters, just more history of her ascension to Sun Priest as well as a more in depth description of her tried and failed changes.
Okoa is the head of the Shied for the matron of clan Carrion Crow. He is a fighter and rider of a raven named Benunda. While he grieves the murder of his mother he gets involved with Grandfather Crow cultists, which want the Watchers killed and their power stripped from them. We had the least amount of chapters from this character, but I have a feeling he will play a more important role in the upcoming books.
Overall there was rich storytelling and great world building inspired by cultures in the pre-Columbian Americas as well as Polynesian. I am so glad I picked this one up for Native American Heritage Month 😊
Xiala, I would die for Xiala. She is a boat captain, a lover of beautiful things and people, and with a hidden past that readers just get a glimpse of. She is also a Teek, legendary women known to use their Song to manipulate the sea and men alike. She was such a strong, resilient chatacter throughout the book that I just kept wanting more and more chapters about her.
Serapio is the avatar for the crow god. Grandfather Crow. Blinded by his mother at a young age, he has grown up and taught that his purpose is to be the vessel for the crow god, which will emerge during the Convergence. I just wanted to protect Serapio this entire time 😭 He wanted human connection and love and so much was standing in his way. I will support him always.
Naranpa is the Sun Priest from the wrong side of the tracks, for lack of a better phrase. As a part and leader of the religious order of Watchers, Naranpa tries to implement institutional change in the order, which has a bloody past and prejudice riddled everywhere. I was left wanting more from her chapters, just more history of her ascension to Sun Priest as well as a more in depth description of her tried and failed changes.
Okoa is the head of the Shied for the matron of clan Carrion Crow. He is a fighter and rider of a raven named Benunda. While he grieves the murder of his mother he gets involved with Grandfather Crow cultists, which want the Watchers killed and their power stripped from them. We had the least amount of chapters from this character, but I have a feeling he will play a more important role in the upcoming books.
Overall there was rich storytelling and great world building inspired by cultures in the pre-Columbian Americas as well as Polynesian. I am so glad I picked this one up for Native American Heritage Month 😊
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and War
oodles17's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Classism
Minor: Suicide and Alcohol
krishnak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I loved the universe that the world was set in. The characters really draw you in and the pacing of the book is good so that it doesn't feel like anything is dragging on. I will probably have to read this book again to fully understand what was going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Sexism