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tinysierra's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
An amazing epic fantasy with intriguing diverse characters. Wow. Also… mermaids! Giant crows!
There was a mix of character driven and plot driven moments. I felt like there was a lot of slow/medium paced moments where there was more focus on character development/interactions but it did pick up in some places with more plot related aspects. It kept my attention either way.
The timeline hopped around a bit, jumping back into the past and then forward into the present. Slowly putting the pieces together. The chapters had the date along with experts from in world media (like journal entries), which really added to my immersion.
I liked Xiala and Serapio’s chapters the most. It was nice to see the story through a blind characters perspective. I hope to see more about Xiala’s powers in the next book.
In this book, queer characters are accepted in some of the societies but not others. There are characters that use neopronouns (xe/xir)! Xiala mentions that she takes pleasure with “men, women, and other genders” which I assume means that she’s bi or pan.
The ending was fast and admittedly a little anticlimactic but I don’t find myself feeling disappointed. I’m curious about where the story is going.
There was a mix of character driven and plot driven moments. I felt like there was a lot of slow/medium paced moments where there was more focus on character development/interactions but it did pick up in some places with more plot related aspects. It kept my attention either way.
The timeline hopped around a bit, jumping back into the past and then forward into the present. Slowly putting the pieces together. The chapters had the date along with experts from in world media (like journal entries), which really added to my immersion.
I liked Xiala and Serapio’s chapters the most. It was nice to see the story through a blind characters perspective. I hope to see more about Xiala’s powers in the next book.
In this book, queer characters are accepted in some of the societies but not others. There are characters that use neopronouns (xe/xir)! Xiala mentions that she takes pleasure with “men, women, and other genders” which I assume means that she’s bi or pan.
The ending was fast and admittedly a little anticlimactic but I don’t find myself feeling disappointed. I’m curious about where the story is going.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Death, Gore, Addiction, Blood, Violence, Body horror, Classism, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Confinement, Homophobia, Suicide, and War
Minor: Infidelity, Abandonment, Animal death, Vomit, and Sexual content
itendswithe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
[-0.25 star for a cliffhanger first book. I feel strongly that first books in series should be able to stand on their own].
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Biphobia, and Death of parent
robliophile's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Black Sun kicks off a fantasy trilogy set in a fantasy-analog of the indigenous Americas. The prose delivers on the familiar story beats of many modern scifi/fantasy series, evidencing Roanhorse's experience in the genre.
The intermingling plot threads of Serapio's determined journey of annihilation, Xiala's aimlessness-turned-purpose, and the fragile balance of power's scales being tipped in Tova dance around one another until the pivotal climax that sets up Fevered Star, the sequel. For all of the exciting build-up to that climax, these books would be nothing without their characters. Serapio, Xiala, and Naranpa feel distinct and deserving each of the screen time they get. Even the supporting cast oozes originality and subverts expectations more than once.
A great start to a trilogy that promises to be a breath of fresh air!
The intermingling plot threads of Serapio's determined journey of annihilation, Xiala's aimlessness-turned-purpose, and the fragile balance of power's scales being tipped in Tova dance around one another until the pivotal climax that sets up Fevered Star, the sequel. For all of the exciting build-up to that climax, these books would be nothing without their characters. Serapio, Xiala, and Naranpa feel distinct and deserving each of the screen time they get. Even the supporting cast oozes originality and subverts expectations more than once.
A great start to a trilogy that promises to be a breath of fresh air!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Xenophobia, and Body horror
Minor: Colonisation
Shoutout for a fantastic use of non-binary characters as part of a cultural setting and allowing them to feel like authentic, real people instead of caricatures of inclusivity!
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