I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse Series: Between Earth and Sky #1
on October 13 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 464
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Rebecca Roanhorse does it again in this lush and thrilling tale of magic, adventure, betrayal and redemption.
All the glowing reviews you’ve been reading got it right: Black Sun is a wonderful start to a new epic fantasy series based on a Pre-Columbian Americas world, and Rebecca Roanhorse proves once again what a talented and versatile writer she is. This is a fairly complex story with several interwoven points of view, but it actually turned out to be a quick read, since it was very hard to put down once I started.
Black Sun follows four main characters who are all on converging paths. Serapio is only a young boy when his mother prepares him for his future as a god by scarring and blinding him. Now ten years later and only twenty days before a celestial event called the Convergence, Serapio joins a ship headed for Tova, the home he left long ago.
Xiala is Teek, a group of people who are mostly ridiculed and feared, but she’s given a chance for future wealth when a man named Lord Balan hires her to transport Serapio to Tova. The catch? She and her crew have only twenty days to make the dangerous sea journey.
Naranpa (or “Nara” as she is sometimes called) is the Sun Priest and part of the priesthood of the Sky Made people, four clans who live in cliffs and ride giant beasts. But her status is called into question when a jealous rival betrays her.
And finally, Okoa is a Carrion Crow and is away from home training at the war college, when word of his mother’s death reaches him. He returns home for the funeral, only to be approached by a group of cultists who are trying to raise an army to start a war against the priesthood, retaliation for a long ago attack against them called the Night of Knives.
All four characters are destined to meet—in one way or another—in Tova, just as a rare eclipse of the sun is about to take place.
Roanhorse’s world is simply stunning. Filled with myth and religion, this is a colorful world with so many unexpected fantasy elements. I just want to mention a few of my favorites, but there is oh so much more to discover between the pages of this book. I especially loved the world of the Sky Made, where each clan is represented by a giant beast (crows, eagles, serpents and water striders). Crows play a big part in the story as well. Not only are some of the characters trained to ride on the backs of giant crows, but Serapio’s life is linked to a type of crow magic. Even crow feathers are used in masks and other types of clothing to show a person’s elevated status in society.
And then there is Xiala, who was probably my favorite character of the bunch. Xiala communes with the sea and the creatures beneath it, and she has her own special type of magic that can control ocean wind and waves. It’s one reason she’s such a good sailor and ship’s Captain: she intimately understands the ocean and can almost guarantee smooth sailing whenever she is on board by singing her magical “Song.” But Xiala also has a secret that the reader discovers during her journey to Tova, and it’s pretty mindblowing!
Roanhorse’s characters are wonderfully drawn and developed, and I appreciated the fact that their paths don’t always go where you expect them to go. I’ve already talked a bit about Xiala, but I loved Serapio just as much, probably because the two of them spend so much time together on the ship bound for Tova. The rest of the ship’s crew are nervous about Serapio’s odd looks and behaviors, but Xiala takes a chance and gets to know him, and their developing relationship was such a delight to read. We also get some flashback chapters that explain what happened to Serapio as a child and how he came to be blind. I loved these chapters, where the boy is visited over the course of ten years by three tutors who will prepare him for his destiny.
At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about Nara, but I grew to love her as well. Both she and Xiala have similar lives, since they both have to overcome prejudice and betrayal, but they are both strong women who manage to rise above these injustices. There are a lot of side characters as well, who all add to the story and have interesting interactions with the main characters. Even better, many of the characters end up being connected in unexpected ways, which you’ll discover as you read, and I love these moments when disconnected events suddenly take on a completely different meaning.
Roanhorse starts each chapter with a short quote from various journals, teachings or sayings, which adds a nice extra layer to the worldbuilding and gives the reader more insight into this fascinating culture. For example, Serapio’s mother Saaya was obsessed with crows as a young girl and spent hours observing their behavior. Some of these observations show up as journal entries, and it simply reinforced the richness and depth of this world.
And if you love action sequences, you won’t be disappointed. Black Sun is a fast paced story with plenty of danger, bloodshed, backstabbing and more. There are layers of political intrigue, religious fanaticism, the possibility of war and even romance. Roanhorse knows just when to inject emotion into her story, and there were several heartbreaking moments that I still haven’t recovered from! And as for diversity, I loved the fact that there are at least two non binary characters (Roanhorse uses the pronouns “xe” and “xer” for both), and Xiala appears to be pansexual. I guess what I’m trying to say is that Black Sun is a wonderfully well-rounded story, perfectly paced and full to the brim with interesting ideas and characters.
Epic fantasy lovers won’t want to miss this series opener, and even if you are the type of reader who is intimidated by epic fantasy, Black Sun is one of the most accessible ones I’ve read, and I suggest you give it a try. Roanhorse leaves things on a bit of a cliffhanger, but it only made me more excited to read the next book in this fresh, imaginative series.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
Wow wow wow wow! Just added this to my wishlist because your review makes it sounds like an incredible story that I want to definitely read. I love how it’s based on a Pre-Columbian Americas world and how crows play a big part.
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…ARC Review: Brides of Rome by Debra May MacLeod
Knowing how you love history, I think this might be one you’d enjoy!
Oh, exciting! I recently picked up my pre-order for this and I am glad you enjoyed it. I cannot wait to get to it. (I am making myself finish a few of my current reads before I start anything new)
Hannah recently posted…Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Hope you enjoy, Hannah!
Um, wow. Roanhorse is such a writing force- this sounds incredible.
She really is, and she deserves all the awards she’s received:-)
Great review, thank you!
While I know that a tight plot and good characterization make a superb novel, I’m certain that here – as in her previous two novels I read – the world-building will prove exceptional, because Roanhorse has this amazing skill of weaving fiction with established myths and lore that gives her books a special flavor indeed… 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…THE CONCRETE BLONDE (Harry Bosch #3), by Michael Connelly
Yes, the culture was just stunning, and not something I’ve read a lot of before. Unique and interesting!
Amazing review Tammy. I haven’t seen a whole lot on this one so I’m glad to see you enjoyed it so much. The world building in this sounds outstanding.
It really was. She deserves all the praise she gets:-)
Wow, what a great review! So glad to see such positivity for this one, I’m hoping to jump into it soon. I think I’m most excited for the setting!
I loved the setting and world building so much. Lots of possibilities for the rest of the series!
Terrific review! I’ve been holding off on starting this, not sure if it would appeal to me, but I know I really do need to get to it. Just haven’t been in the mood for epic fantasy, but I know I do need to read this eventually!
I was a little unsure as well. I don’t always get along with epic fantasy. But I recommend it!
I had a feeling this would be a “Tammy” book also – it was so great, wasn’t it!!!? 😀
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…#SpooktasticReads The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry
It was! And I’m really impressed by how different it felt from her other series. Like I said, she’s so versatile!
I love the idea that this is so accessible. I’m kind of a novice with epic fantasy. And how great you gave it 5 stars!
I’m not the biggest epic fantasy fan either, there really needs to be a great hook or really good characters. I feel like this has both.
This one certainly seems like one I might like. I think I placed it on my TBR. Love the cover.
Isn’t the cover gorgeous? Sooo pretty…
I really enjoy when an author is able to give us something new, when they awaken that sense of wonder and excitement to explore their world and characters. I’m looking forward to trying this one.
It does feel new in many ways. Hope you get the chance to read it!
Ok so I mainly skimmed this, to avoid spoilers (just in case), but I’m so glad yo see you loved it! Her Sixth World series is fantastic so I’m looking forward to reading this so much!
I hope you love it, Paige!
I love how unique her worlds sound. Ever since her first book I’ve been meaning to read her stuff, and this just makes me even more intrigued!
Greg recently posted…Top Ten Tues
She’s such a strong world builder!
This sounds so good! I really need to get myself a copy! I love it when different PoV characters end up coming together
Me too, when it’s done well. Sometimes it’s a bit of a mess, but she did a good job:-)
Yes!!! Great review, Tammy.
Thanks Paul:-)
Great review! I’m pretty sure Rebecca Roanhorse is a genius. 🙂
She definitely is:-)
I really enjoyed Trail of Lightning and Storm of Locusts so I was already excited for Black Sun but, you review made me even more excited! It just sounds sooo good! 😀
Maryam recently posted…Book Review: The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle | #SpooktasticReads
Hope you get to read it soon:-)
Yay, 5 stars!! I will need to squeeze this one into my TBR. 🙂
Definitely, it’s so good!
Xiala was my favorite character too. 🙂
I will definitely read this, especially after your great review and Mogsy’s too.
Lynn 😀
Oooh, action, yessss. I’m so excited for this one! Of course, I’m excited for a lot haha, I really need to catch up on my reading. 🙂 Glad you loved this!