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A review by mezzarella
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Black Sun separates itself from other novels in its genre through its bold reclassifying of what fantasy is supposed to look like. Instead of European castles or gritty cities, Roanhorse looks to pre-Columbian American cultures and civilizations for inspiration. From an outside perspective, each of the fantastical tribes are respectful of their source material and are portrayed with beauty, nuance, and depth.
I was drawn to a reimaging of what fantasy could be, and was rejuvenated by concepts which were foreign to me. I was a visitor in Roanhorse's world, and it was easy to be sucked in within it. Multiple main characters and a shifting perspective between the past and present provided a deep understanding of the world and what was occurring from many different perspectives. While action is not as frequent as other examples of the genre, it makes up for it in deep characterization and complex relationships which grow naturally throughout the story. The prose is beautiful. The story, although predictable, was enjoyable and engaging.
Roanhorse is Native American and an "Own Voices" author, but it is important to consider she there are tribes which she is not related to by blood represented in the novel. Additionally, her reviews have been mixed in indigenous circles, including reviews for Black Sun and earlier work highlighting Navajo cultures. It is important to mention that while Roanhorse is Native American by blood, she is not a citizen of the nationally recognized tribe she belongs to. Additionally, she has appropriated and represented herself as an Own Voices author for Navajo nations in novels such as The Trail of Lightning and Race to the Sun. To date, she still has not written a book about her own people or culture (Ohkay Owingeh of New Mexico). In addition to the already present controversies, Black Sun is rich with outsiders, rather than loved participants of the culture they reside in. This may also add to the tension between this particular "Own Voices" author and "Own Voices" reviewers.
Due to the mixed reviews of authentic representation written by Roanhorse's work, it feels odd to call Black Sun an Own Voices narrative. And although the book is thrilling and beautiful, the controversy mars this inclusive story with a problem which has long been ingrained in fantasy: cultural appropriation. Readers specifically looking for an authentic Own Voices fantasy may want to look through the TBR list a little more before choosing this one to read and learn from.
I was drawn to a reimaging of what fantasy could be, and was rejuvenated by concepts which were foreign to me. I was a visitor in Roanhorse's world, and it was easy to be sucked in within it. Multiple main characters and a shifting perspective between the past and present provided a deep understanding of the world and what was occurring from many different perspectives. While action is not as frequent as other examples of the genre, it makes up for it in deep characterization and complex relationships which grow naturally throughout the story. The prose is beautiful. The story, although predictable, was enjoyable and engaging.
Roanhorse is Native American and an "Own Voices" author, but it is important to consider she there are tribes which she is not related to by blood represented in the novel. Additionally, her reviews have been mixed in indigenous circles, including reviews for Black Sun and earlier work highlighting Navajo cultures. It is important to mention that while Roanhorse is Native American by blood, she is not a citizen of the nationally recognized tribe she belongs to. Additionally, she has appropriated and represented herself as an Own Voices author for Navajo nations in novels such as The Trail of Lightning and Race to the Sun. To date, she still has not written a book about her own people or culture (Ohkay Owingeh of New Mexico). In addition to the already present controversies, Black Sun is rich with outsiders, rather than loved participants of the culture they reside in. This may also add to the tension between this particular "Own Voices" author and "Own Voices" reviewers.
Due to the mixed reviews of authentic representation written by Roanhorse's work, it feels odd to call Black Sun an Own Voices narrative. And although the book is thrilling and beautiful, the controversy mars this inclusive story with a problem which has long been ingrained in fantasy: cultural appropriation. Readers specifically looking for an authentic Own Voices fantasy may want to look through the TBR list a little more before choosing this one to read and learn from.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Suicide, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, and Self harm
This story's most central main character is a man who as a boy was created and trained to be a holy figure for his nation. Child abuse: His mother sewed his eyes shut and prepared his body with marks in order for him to become a vessel for his god. .
Drug use: There is a stimulant mentioned in the book which is used to heighten magical talents and skills. This drug is used several times throughout the story.
Blood, Death, Genocide, Gore, Violence: One of the main character's purpose is to bring his people into political and religious power; this is done by slaughtering people at the capital. There is also a murder of an entire ship crew, done by a character to protect the ship's captain. . Suicide: One of the main character's goals needs suicide in order to be completed. This includes a blood ritual.
Self harm: See Suicide for details.