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A review by maritareads
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars
It’s always nice to finish a book and go ah, that was a good book! Set in pre-Colombian of the Americas, it is about a Crow God who travels to seek vengeance on the Sun Priest who destroyed his clan and a Teek who helps him to his destination.
I loved both Serapio and Xiala, they deserve everything good in the world. I say this while also adding that Serapio is the embodiment of that tweet that says “oh he murdered people? what do you want me to do about that. he looked good doing it”. I love that he’s the kind of protagonist-antagonist who is clear in his motives, his actions are not prettied up nor does the author show him to have self pity about it. Fantasy authors, this is how to write complex characters! I’ve only come across three of such characters this year.
Xiala is a bi babe! I don’t know if I wanna be her or with her. All her scenes with Serapio were precious and I wanted to stay with them forever. The angst! The longing! At one point I noted, “Is this not love? A love so devastating in its gentleness, and tragedy?”
While the book moved very quickly when we are with Serapio and Xiala, it seemed to crawl when we switch to Naranpa and Okoa’s povs. These two were as dry as a biscuit from a fast food place. A lot of the world building was confusing in my opinion but I don’t wholly blame the author because it seems she did that thing where she wrote to a specific audience and those that get it, get it. It’s what I ask from African authors. I’ll probably reread but I’m sorry their povs were so boring. Unfortunately we have to slog through them in the next one. I don’t understand how Roanhoarse can write two characters so beautifully and two others so blandly. I did not care about Naranpa’s feelings for Iktan though I liked how Roanhoarse weaved in non-binary characters in the tale seemlessly. Compared to Xiala, Naranpa better style up fast.
Last thing, I wish we could have more time with Xiala’s background but I guess this one was mostly Serapio and to an extent Naranpa focused, since they are the windows to most of the world building needed for now. I haven’t liked some books which seemed like a set up for a next one but I think what needed to be accomplished was accomplished in this one. I will eagerly await the next. If you liked this book you should read Gods of Jade and Shadow. Serapio and Xiala remind me strongly of Hun-Kamé and Casiopea, both fantasy tales with (wonderful) indigenous characters from the Americas.
It’s always nice to finish a book and go ah, that was a good book! Set in pre-Colombian of the Americas, it is about a Crow God who travels to seek vengeance on the Sun Priest who destroyed his clan and a Teek who helps him to his destination.
I loved both Serapio and Xiala, they deserve everything good in the world. I say this while also adding that Serapio is the embodiment of that tweet that says “oh he murdered people? what do you want me to do about that. he looked good doing it”. I love that he’s the kind of protagonist-antagonist who is clear in his motives, his actions are not prettied up nor does the author show him to have self pity about it. Fantasy authors, this is how to write complex characters! I’ve only come across three of such characters this year.
Xiala is a bi babe! I don’t know if I wanna be her or with her. All her scenes with Serapio were precious and I wanted to stay with them forever. The angst! The longing! At one point I noted, “Is this not love? A love so devastating in its gentleness, and tragedy?”
While the book moved very quickly when we are with Serapio and Xiala, it seemed to crawl when we switch to Naranpa and Okoa’s povs. These two were as dry as a biscuit from a fast food place. A lot of the world building was confusing in my opinion but I don’t wholly blame the author because it seems she did that thing where she wrote to a specific audience and those that get it, get it. It’s what I ask from African authors. I’ll probably reread but I’m sorry their povs were so boring. Unfortunately we have to slog through them in the next one. I don’t understand how Roanhoarse can write two characters so beautifully and two others so blandly. I did not care about Naranpa’s feelings for Iktan though I liked how Roanhoarse weaved in non-binary characters in the tale seemlessly. Compared to Xiala, Naranpa better style up fast.
Last thing, I wish we could have more time with Xiala’s background but I guess this one was mostly Serapio and to an extent Naranpa focused, since they are the windows to most of the world building needed for now. I haven’t liked some books which seemed like a set up for a next one but I think what needed to be accomplished was accomplished in this one. I will eagerly await the next. If you liked this book you should read Gods of Jade and Shadow. Serapio and Xiala remind me strongly of Hun-Kamé and Casiopea, both fantasy tales with (wonderful) indigenous characters from the Americas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Drug use
Minor: Transphobia, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault