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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not sure if it’s a testament to Roanhorse’s skill as a writer or my own personal depravity but I’ve transitioned away from liking my men vaguely mean to liking them with copious amounts of blood in their teeth and able to burst into a flock of crows at will. Serapio continues to destroy the mold and remake it in his own image. Amazing second book (I usually hate second books) that expanded the plot just enough while also closing the events of the first book really well. Also, you had me at Iktan and Xiala buddy adventure. I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH.
I don't know, maybe I need to stop reading trilogies. I'm just so tired of these very long, second books where nothing happens except for the setup of getting the characters to where they need to be for the third book.
Roanhorse continues the beautifully vibrant and deliciously diverse Between Earth and Sky series with Fevered Star, a slow-burn sequel full of heavy consequences.
The story picks up quickly after the cataclysmic ending of Black Sun, and it's immediately clear that the tone has now drastically changed. Whereas book 1 almost reads like a fantasy thriller at times because of its 'ticking clock' element, Fevered Star feels more like a deep emotional character study set against the backdrop of a very slowly escalating political drama.
While I personally think the pacing was a bit rocky, especially compared to its exhilarating predecessor, I also can't deny that I was eating up all the delicious inner turmoil that all of these characters are going through. Especially Serapio's journey was extremely compelling (maybe because it was so tragically bittersweet?), and I loved the very nuanced exploration of divinity and faith through his perpective; this is one of the best executions of the 'gods walking among us' trope I have personally ever read!
Xiala remains my favourite of the POV characters though, but I do have to say that her journey was maybe the least compelling in here. Still, her wonderful personality more than makes up for it, and I loved the twists and turns in her storyline at the end of this instalment. And speaking of wonderful personality, Naranpa made such a 180 in this sequel for me, and I suddenly came to love her perspective. The complicated dynamic between her and her brother was just so beautifully and painfully written, showcasing that Roanhorse is a master at writing realistic characters and messy interpersonal relationships.
But honestly, can we all just agree that Iktan is the MVP of this series? Xe absolutely steals the show in every scene xe shows up in, and I desperately want xir POV; instead of Balam's or Okoa's perspectives, who honestly just bored me quite a bit, I would much rather have spent more time with Iktan. Or even better, give me a spin-off series following xir story!
Anyway, aside from all that beautiful character work, I also really adored the expansion of this breathtaking pre-Columbian inspired world and the intriguing deepening of the lore. These characters move around on the map quite a bit in this instalment, and I really liked encountering all the new settings and rich and diverse cultures that give this story so much life.
While the final chapters were objectively anti-climactic, I actually really respected that bold and unexpected subversion of my expectations. All the pieces have carefully been put into place for a magnificent, emotional, and dark finale, and I can't wait to see what Roanhorse has in store!
The story picks up quickly after the cataclysmic ending of Black Sun, and it's immediately clear that the tone has now drastically changed. Whereas book 1 almost reads like a fantasy thriller at times because of its 'ticking clock' element, Fevered Star feels more like a deep emotional character study set against the backdrop of a very slowly escalating political drama.
While I personally think the pacing was a bit rocky, especially compared to its exhilarating predecessor, I also can't deny that I was eating up all the delicious inner turmoil that all of these characters are going through. Especially Serapio's journey was extremely compelling (maybe because it was so tragically bittersweet?), and I loved the very nuanced exploration of divinity and faith through his perpective; this is one of the best executions of the 'gods walking among us' trope I have personally ever read!
Xiala remains my favourite of the POV characters though, but I do have to say that her journey was maybe the least compelling in here. Still, her wonderful personality more than makes up for it, and I loved the twists and turns in her storyline at the end of this instalment. And speaking of wonderful personality, Naranpa made such a 180 in this sequel for me, and I suddenly came to love her perspective. The complicated dynamic between her and her brother was just so beautifully and painfully written, showcasing that Roanhorse is a master at writing realistic characters and messy interpersonal relationships.
But honestly, can we all just agree that Iktan is the MVP of this series? Xe absolutely steals the show in every scene xe shows up in, and I desperately want xir POV; instead of Balam's or Okoa's perspectives, who honestly just bored me quite a bit, I would much rather have spent more time with Iktan. Or even better, give me a spin-off series following xir story!
Anyway, aside from all that beautiful character work, I also really adored the expansion of this breathtaking pre-Columbian inspired world and the intriguing deepening of the lore. These characters move around on the map quite a bit in this instalment, and I really liked encountering all the new settings and rich and diverse cultures that give this story so much life.
While the final chapters were objectively anti-climactic, I actually really respected that bold and unexpected subversion of my expectations. All the pieces have carefully been put into place for a magnificent, emotional, and dark finale, and I can't wait to see what Roanhorse has in store!
... nothing really happened in this book? Maybe I've been reading too many fantasy trilogies, but while I loved Black Sun, I got pretty bored in this one just waiting for some action. Felt like a long setup for book 3 and maybe this didn't need to be a whole trilogy.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It’s not fair for me to give this book a star rating because to be honest I just did not understand what was going on for any part of this book. I read the first one three years ago, and I enjoyed it a lot, but this one was just confusing because my memory is terrible. I also felt like this book was mostly set up for book 3 - the things that happened seemed like more minor plot points, and there wasn’t any sort of climax at the end. So I didn’t actually enjoy this book but it’s also not totally the book’s fault since I was missing important set up from the first book.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book is brilliant. Captivating storytelling and thorough world-building! I preferred this to the first book, but now I am eagerly awaiting a third instalment because there is just so much waiting to be resolved
Also, between Xiala and Iktan, I think I’ve found two more fantasy novel characters to add to my favourites list.
Also, between Xiala and Iktan, I think I’ve found two more fantasy novel characters to add to my favourites list.
While I was positively surprised by Black Sun and where I was engaged from the first page, the sequel Fevered Star failed to grip me in the same way. It feels like a filler book on all accounts: very little events, a lot of character development and loads of political scheming and plotting for the conclusion. I still thought the book was fairly easy to read, especially since I really enjoy the world and factions themselves, but I agree with several other voices I’ve heard that the trilogy could’ve easily been a duology. I also get a weird vibe from the main characters Xiala and Serapio, they felt different in the first book where they were much more engaging.
I’m still excited to see where this story ends, but sadly book 2 failed to draw me completely back into the world. 3.25 stars.
I’m still excited to see where this story ends, but sadly book 2 failed to draw me completely back into the world. 3.25 stars.