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julia87's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really wanted to love this book. The world building is amazing, I loved the representation of disabilities and the diversity in this story, however something just fell flat for me.
I struggled to find all of the different povs interesting. I loved Xiala, she comes from such an interesting culture I wish I could’ve learned more about. Serapio was also an intriguing character with a lot of potential for development. He has such a crazy backstory that I also wish came to more in the end. His development just felt rushed and didn’t really result in anything astronautical. Naranpa and Oakoa were definitely my least favorite point of views, though they too have cultures and backgrounds I find incredible, I just couldn’t feel empathic for them? I can’t quite figure out why I just didn’t love their chapters as much.
The plot was very meh. There was sooooo much build up and for what? There really was nothing exciting at the end that made me want to read the next book. I understand the build up will probably take hold later, but the plot had so much potential the execution just wasn’t there.
I give this book three stars because it definitely has its pros and cons. The representation is wonderful and I feel that within this genre (and almost every genre of book) there needs more representation like this. The settings were well written, the characters as well though some definitely more than others. The world building was magnificent, very well done. The plot on the other had was sub par, and as someone who loves an explosive ending, this just wasn’t for me. The writing style was fine, however again, not for me.
I struggled to find all of the different povs interesting. I loved Xiala, she comes from such an interesting culture I wish I could’ve learned more about. Serapio was also an intriguing character with a lot of potential for development. He has such a crazy backstory that I also wish came to more in the end. His development just felt rushed and didn’t really result in anything astronautical. Naranpa and Oakoa were definitely my least favorite point of views, though they too have cultures and backgrounds I find incredible, I just couldn’t feel empathic for them? I can’t quite figure out why I just didn’t love their chapters as much.
The plot was very meh. There was sooooo much build up and for what? There really was nothing exciting at the end that made me want to read the next book. I understand the build up will probably take hold later, but the plot had so much potential the execution just wasn’t there.
I give this book three stars because it definitely has its pros and cons. The representation is wonderful and I feel that within this genre (and almost every genre of book) there needs more representation like this. The settings were well written, the characters as well though some definitely more than others. The world building was magnificent, very well done. The plot on the other had was sub par, and as someone who loves an explosive ending, this just wasn’t for me. The writing style was fine, however again, not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Blood, and Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
aplpaca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
kaseybereading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, and Death of parent
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it. The world building is amazing and the characters are so much fun. It was super fun reading from several characters' perspectives and anticipating their paths colliding cataclysmically! Who do you root for when one of your POV characters is out to kill another?
📘The Gist 📘: In legends, the crow god ate the sun. Now, he's on a journey to do it again. The story follows seafaring Xiala and her passenger Serapio as they make their way toward Tova for its solstice celebration. At the same time, the sun priest of Tova prepares for the festivities dedicated to renewal and finds herself embroiled in a political plot that could destabilize peaceful tribal alliances.
📒Representation📒: Indigenous mcs and culture, bipoc mcs, neo pronouns, a-spec mc, nonbinary and trans sc, blind mc
💕 For readers looking for 💕: Epic fantasy, tribe society and characters, legends, scary gods, crows, multiple POV characters, LGBTQ+ characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racial slurs
libraryfairyrachel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia
beccaand'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
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
puttingwingsonwords'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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, and Cursing
literarypenguin'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
Black Sun is less of a novel and more like a reading experience. When you open to the first page and close to the last you are taken on a journey of epicness and excitement. This exceeds all expectations and is excellent in terms of a debut novel. This book was such a pleasure to read and will stick in my mind for years to come.
The world building. What can I say about the world building? It was beautiful and breathtaking! Every single location in the book was described perfectly and they all felt like real places in the world. Each place felt different and none of them felt duplicated or the same. Roanhorse has a great eye for detail and made each place it's own, she gave them character and attention. The places felt like they were characters as well as the characters themselves. I loved reading a new chapter and being introduced to a new place. You also learned about the types of people that lived in these places and what went on there. There were port towns that made their income on fishing, slum towns for the poor and low class and the more well developed places for the high class society. The diversity of locations was the best I have ever seen.
One of my favorite things in this book was the presentation of different cultures and people presented in this book. It was done beautifully and respectfully without losing your attention. It was amazing to read about Central American culture and how some of those beliefs were incorporated into the story. Roanhorse took inspiration from not just Central American culture but Indigenous Americans as well. It was very refreshing to see Indigenous culture be in the spotlight and to be a part of the story. The culture didnt take over the story, it became a part of the story and was done very well.
The characters were easily one of my favorite things about this book. I loved all of the characters and no character was the same, everyone was different. They all had their faults and weaknesses and no one was totally good or bad. They were all in a gray area just like all humans are. Just like humans, racism and discrimination was present in this book and was done in a respectful and well thought out way. I could believe these characters were actual people, I loved them.
The LGBTQ representation was off the charts lovely. There were bisexual, trans and non binary characters throughout this book. It was done in such a great way that the representation did not take over. The representation was there but it didnt drown out the story. I really appreciated that and felt like the author really did her research and cared enough about it the community to write them respectfully.
I do not want to write anymore because I dont want any spoilers but do give this book a go you will not regret it at all. If you want a new fantasy favorite then pick up Black Sun. You will love it from the first page to the last and make you wanting more after it is done.
The world building. What can I say about the world building? It was beautiful and breathtaking! Every single location in the book was described perfectly and they all felt like real places in the world. Each place felt different and none of them felt duplicated or the same. Roanhorse has a great eye for detail and made each place it's own, she gave them character and attention. The places felt like they were characters as well as the characters themselves. I loved reading a new chapter and being introduced to a new place. You also learned about the types of people that lived in these places and what went on there. There were port towns that made their income on fishing, slum towns for the poor and low class and the more well developed places for the high class society. The diversity of locations was the best I have ever seen.
One of my favorite things in this book was the presentation of different cultures and people presented in this book. It was done beautifully and respectfully without losing your attention. It was amazing to read about Central American culture and how some of those beliefs were incorporated into the story. Roanhorse took inspiration from not just Central American culture but Indigenous Americans as well. It was very refreshing to see Indigenous culture be in the spotlight and to be a part of the story. The culture didnt take over the story, it became a part of the story and was done very well.
The characters were easily one of my favorite things about this book. I loved all of the characters and no character was the same, everyone was different. They all had their faults and weaknesses and no one was totally good or bad. They were all in a gray area just like all humans are. Just like humans, racism and discrimination was present in this book and was done in a respectful and well thought out way. I could believe these characters were actual people, I loved them.
The LGBTQ representation was off the charts lovely. There were bisexual, trans and non binary characters throughout this book. It was done in such a great way that the representation did not take over. The representation was there but it didnt drown out the story. I really appreciated that and felt like the author really did her research and cared enough about it the community to write them respectfully.
I do not want to write anymore because I dont want any spoilers but do give this book a go you will not regret it at all. If you want a new fantasy favorite then pick up Black Sun. You will love it from the first page to the last and make you wanting more after it is done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, and Death of parent
unwise_samwise'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Biphobia, Body horror, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Vomit, and Death of parent
beesknees's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Black Sun is an epic fantasy that takes place in an incredibly thought out setting. The detail and descriptions of the continent this story takes place on, and the way in which each individual city and location are described with geography and culture is just wonderful. This book was not a mystery, but I was so busily invested reading alongside the characters, that I found myself shocked at the events which unfolded throughout the story. This story does utilize multiple perspectives, but it is done extremely well; there was never a character I was unhappy to read about, and I was always excited or anticipating the next time I'd see each character again. Romance in this book is written with incredible chemistry, which just added to the quality of the book. I am eagerly anticipating the release of book 2 in this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and War