Reviews with content warning for Blood - Black Sun

disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

This book reads as a long prologue and essentially sets the stage for the second book.

It is indigenous high fantasy & in my opinion, is mostly character-driven as not *too much* happens as far as moving the plot along. Most of the notable action happens in the last 100 pages of this 454 book, which makes sense because it gets you revved up for the sequel, Fevered Star!

I felt myself invested in Xiala and Serapio’s journey to Tova. Xiala is an exiled Teek who becomes a ship captain who has singing powers over the sea, while Serapio is a blind, seemingly “harmless” young man on a mission to fulfill his destiny (which his mother convinced him of in the first chapter of the book, when he was younger). I enjoyed Serapio and Xiala’s dynamic (reminiscent of hurt/comfort) and was curious to see where it would go next, especially after the end of Black Sun.

There is also a subplot of Naranpa, who used to be a beggar in the Maw, and now holds a position of high authority in the priesthood. Nara’s ending was intriguing and I think that is when most readers will become much more invested in her storyline!

Read if you want a diverse fantasy with prophecies, morally grey characters, and beautiful writing!

see content warnings below <3

Content Warnings

melodyseestrees's review against another edition

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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

brooketreads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

Did anyone else get The Broken Earth Trilogy feels?
This book was fast paced and had me gripped from that opening chapter with Serapio. Multiple times throughout the book I said, holy sh*t (out loud). It was all a build up and the ending went very fast. I didn’t mind the speedy ending. Would I have loved and been happy to read a longer ending, yes. But, do I feel like it lessened my feelings, no. I enjoyed this so much I want to re-read and take notes. And this is something I don’t do anymore since the time I re-read the first Harry Potter book for a book club and took 14 pages of notes…front and back. It was a very, I have a problem moment.

Anywayyyyy, don’t read beyond this if you don’t want spoilers:

The storm on the sea and the mutiny…!!! That dang guy that Xiala saved in the water, then he lied and tried to have her killed… I hate that guy.
When Naranpa is getting taken from the tower!!!! I was hot! I wanted to fight someone. Naranpa’s talk with her brother was very heart rending.

Little note on the author:
Roanhorse was adopted out of her culture, her birth mother was Ohkay Owingeh. I did read an article from The Mixed Space about controversy surrounding the authors heritage and use of cultural stories. I still loved the book. I just want to be transparent.

Content Warnings

blakeandbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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? No

5.0

Content Warnings

lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious fast-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

4.0

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the 4 character POVs we get, and was rooting for them all, even though some of them were opposed to each other. I felt a bit sad for a couple of them. But I don't think I really loved any of them. They felt like full characters, but I don't think they really changed much from beginning to end. The pacing was a little bit odd. The ending is pretty abrupt; this is definitely 1st in a trilogy, so don't expect any resolution. I do give props to the world building here, it was very interesting setting (a fantasy world inspired by Pre-Columbus Americas). For me personally, I was into the book when reading it, but often forgot about it when not reading. I will definitely pick up the sequel at some point.

Content Warnings