Reviews

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

solly's review

4.0

3.5 stars

Disclaimer: the audiobook file I listened to (legally, obviously) was damaged and crackling at times and it did detract from my enjoyement of the book because of sensory issues

Otherwise this felt like reading a long introductory book for the next one, but like in a good way? I enjoy stories that take their time if they have strong worldbuilding and characters to support it. Here, the worldbuilding was strong and the characters interesting buuut could have been developed more for some of them (I'm a very character driven kind of reader). I don't feel like I've gotten to know Narampa (please forgive spelling mistakes I only listened to the audio of this and am writing from memory of what I read in reviews a while ago) enough and Serapio is basically the basic recipe of characters I love and yet I'm not completely heads over heels for him. I absolutely love Xiala though!!

Excited and intrigued for the next book, because I honestly thought it was ended abruptly at a weird moment BUT I can roll with the abrupt cliffhanger depending on what the next boom has to offer.

calidareads's review

i'll come back to this eventually, just not in the mood

jeanreadstherealgoodbooks's review

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

mateyy's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense 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

This is a reread this time around and it still hits just as hard as it did the first time. Fast paced, well-timed, and with characters I love and care deeply about—this is a standout amongst the fantasy I read. Rebecca Roanhorse’s strength is that she can balance telling a story with some heavy and complicated topics and makes it accessible without dumbing it down. Can’t wait to finish out the trilogy! 

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

biobabe's review

5.0

4.5

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