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myralovesbooks's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a tough read for me. I tried to push through the immense world-building and absorb as much as I could. I appreciated the diverse characters and relationships but was let down by the plot. It was also too dark for my mental health. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
mostdefinitelystephanie's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mopherad's review
4.0
Good start to a series, fantasy mesoamerica is a great setting, characters solid, magic interesting. Book just stops right when it gets going so hopefully sequel brings it to the next level.
cfjwebs's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
vaanjai'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? No
4.25
laplatts's review
5.0
A prophecy has been told. A god will return under the Black Sun.
I don't even know where to start with this one. This is gritty fantasy that sweeps you away from page one. There is magic, cruelty, destiny, duty, political intrigue, gender-fluidity, non-heteronormative relationships- Black Sun truly has it all.
Despite being a fantasy novel with non-human (or at least not fully human) characters, Roanhorse shows humanity in all its triumph and all its unflattering shades. Her characters are so deep, intriguing and vibrant that I know I will not forget ant of them anytime soon. Each of them is memorable in their own way, and completely apart from many of the fantasy tropes that authors rely on.
The writing itself is beautiful and precise, with echoes of Native American myth woven into the story. I was truly mesmerized. I mean, this would have been a one-sitting book if it hadn't been for the kitchen sink backing up mid-read!
Anyone that has enjoyed N.K. Jemisin, George R.R. Martin and Pamela Freeman is sure to enjoy Black Sun. I am very much looking forward to the second instalment of the series.
I don't even know where to start with this one. This is gritty fantasy that sweeps you away from page one. There is magic, cruelty, destiny, duty, political intrigue, gender-fluidity, non-heteronormative relationships- Black Sun truly has it all.
Despite being a fantasy novel with non-human (or at least not fully human) characters, Roanhorse shows humanity in all its triumph and all its unflattering shades. Her characters are so deep, intriguing and vibrant that I know I will not forget ant of them anytime soon. Each of them is memorable in their own way, and completely apart from many of the fantasy tropes that authors rely on.
The writing itself is beautiful and precise, with echoes of Native American myth woven into the story. I was truly mesmerized. I mean, this would have been a one-sitting book if it hadn't been for the kitchen sink backing up mid-read!
Anyone that has enjoyed N.K. Jemisin, George R.R. Martin and Pamela Freeman is sure to enjoy Black Sun. I am very much looking forward to the second instalment of the series.
tsunni's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I love the pre-Columbian setting. The world and the cultures are so interesting and different from usual fantasy tropes. I also love how queer the characters are, and all the pov characters are checklists of traits that I should, theoretically, really like and find easy to emotionally engage with. I should be totally swept up in each of the pov characters’ journeys and emotional arcs.
Unfortunately I absolutely struggled getting through this. I could not engage with the characters at all. I found their arcs uninteresting and their actions at odds with who I’m told they should be. What the story tells me they do and tells me they feel never lands emotionally; I felt like the story failed mightily to prove to me these were actually the people who earned their current position or actually lived their lists of character traits. Many of their moments that should land emotionally just don’t; the further I got into the story, the more of these didn’t land, the less interested I was in continuing.
It’s a shame; there’s so much I should like, but I think there’s a bit too much tell that never resolved with the show. The settings and the characters really should have worked for me, and I’m walking away from this disappointed that it didn’t.
Unfortunately I absolutely struggled getting through this. I could not engage with the characters at all. I found their arcs uninteresting and their actions at odds with who I’m told they should be. What the story tells me they do and tells me they feel never lands emotionally; I felt like the story failed mightily to prove to me these were actually the people who earned their current position or actually lived their lists of character traits. Many of their moments that should land emotionally just don’t; the further I got into the story, the more of these didn’t land, the less interested I was in continuing.
It’s a shame; there’s so much I should like, but I think there’s a bit too much tell that never resolved with the show. The settings and the characters really should have worked for me, and I’m walking away from this disappointed that it didn’t.
whimsykat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
missingbuttons's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0