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A review by rorikae
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
adventurous
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' by Rebecca Roanhorse is the start of an imaginative new fantasy series that explores the lives of four people as their paths draw closer to one fated day.
At the center of 'Black Sun' is the day of convergence, when the winter solstice coincides with a solar eclipse. We follow four characters whose lives all hinge around the events that will take place on the day of convergence. We follow the sun priestess, the son of a recently deceased community elder, a ship captain with a mystical voice, and a blind young man who can communicate with crows. As we move closer to the fated day, we uncover more about each character's past as their futures start to entwine.
Roanhorse does a great job of slowly but enticingly exploring each of her characters as we learn more about the mythology of her world and where those myths step into reality. The pacing is superb, except for one hiccup at the end. Roanhorse gives ample time with each character, though we do get less time with one that is introduced later in the story, as she slowly uncovers their backstories and how they are connected to the day of convergence. At the climax of the book, there is a moment of extremely fast paced action/events that happened so quickly, and in contrast to the rest of the story, that I found it disorienting. Perhaps this is precisely what Roanhorse wants us to feel.
I'm fascinated for where this story will go next though I don't have any concrete guesses on where the next books will take us. What I do know, is that I care for these characters and will happily follow them into their next set of adventures.
At the center of 'Black Sun' is the day of convergence, when the winter solstice coincides with a solar eclipse. We follow four characters whose lives all hinge around the events that will take place on the day of convergence. We follow the sun priestess, the son of a recently deceased community elder, a ship captain with a mystical voice, and a blind young man who can communicate with crows. As we move closer to the fated day, we uncover more about each character's past as their futures start to entwine.
Roanhorse does a great job of slowly but enticingly exploring each of her characters as we learn more about the mythology of her world and where those myths step into reality. The pacing is superb, except for one hiccup at the end. Roanhorse gives ample time with each character, though we do get less time with one that is introduced later in the story, as she slowly uncovers their backstories and how they are connected to the day of convergence. At the climax of the book, there is a moment of extremely fast paced action/events that happened so quickly, and in contrast to the rest of the story, that I found it disorienting. Perhaps this is precisely what Roanhorse wants us to feel.
I'm fascinated for where this story will go next though I don't have any concrete guesses on where the next books will take us. What I do know, is that I care for these characters and will happily follow them into their next set of adventures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content and Suicide