Unfortunately, I found this story too be a tad too compact. The world building and nuances of the companion and earth walker dynamic is absolutely necessary, but the pacing of the series overall is a tad slow. I loved loved the House of Night series and unfortunately was expecting that level of excitement. This is totally on me, but this dense series, unfortunately, just isn’t working for me. This has no impact on my admiration of this duo or likelihood of picking up their future works.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Sun Warrior continues on immediately from where Moon Chosen left off; depositing the main characters into the middle of a huge forest fire. For myself, knowing that certain characters were integral to the story I was more concerned for the safety of the dogs.
In this book Mari and Nik continue working to build a new society where both of their tribesmen join together, learning to trust one another and live in harmony. Of course, the 'baddies' from the first book Thaddeus and Dead-Eye are also attempting to mould the world to their evil ideals, and make everyone's lives more difficult.

Beware that there is huge quantities of description and character building within the story (as the story is character driven) which means that it has a slow pace; if you only enjoy fast paced stories then you will struggle with this series., however, if you can find the patience to persevere then you will be rewarded. It is also necessary to have read the first book Moon Chosen to understand the events occurring within Sun Warrior.

P.C. Cast has done it again by giving us characters with believe-ability in an alternative world. She has a way of making you want to comfort and care for the characters as you read. Also, any story with dogs and felines this smart gets an A++ from me!
This was read as an ARC through netgalley.com.

P. C. Cast has a paranormal world where gods battle with each other through their representative humans. Our heroine is moon woman's representative and responsible for the healing and safety of her tribe; another tribe is at war with them. Dogs bond for life and communicate with their humans. Lots of struggle, prejudice overcome and romantic entanglements. Great read

I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline. It kept me on the edge on my seat. I couldn’t put it down. I just had to know what happened next. I knew it was going to be a real roller coaster ride based on how the first book ended. It was great to see the development of all the characters. Not only is Mari a Moon Woman, but she’s also a Sun Priestess too! That girl’s got talent. Sora too. Sora’s changed and matured so much, but she’s still got that wicked sense of humor. Nik really is the knight in shining armor. Antreas and Bast are interesting additions to the new Pack and I look forward to the journey they take the Pack on. It’s amazing to see the different peoples of the Pack work together harmoniously as compared to the remains of the Tribe and the Skin Stealers and their violence and hostility. This book left me with so many questions, I can’t wait to read the next installment.

Going to put this right out here. If you haven’t read Moon Chosen, then don’t read this review of Sun Warrior. I cannot review this book without giving away major spoilers for Moon Chosen.

Now saying that….I was very excited when St. Martin’s Press approached me to review Sun Warrior. I had enjoyed reading Moon Chosen and I was hoping that I would be able to read Sun Warrior. I was glad that St. Martin’s Press did approach me because I liked Sun Warrior. I do want to warn people, this book is very long. It is 551 pages. But it was worth the 4 days that it took me to read.

The character and world building were fantastic. The backstories to each character were rick. As was the descriptions of the world. Everything was multilayered and when one layer was peeled back, another one was there. I love reading books that I can get lost in. If I can picture a world, then the author is doing something right.

Usually, I do a summary of the main plot of the book. If I was to outline each one, this blog post would be super long. No kidding. So I won’t be doing it. All I’ll say is that this book will surprise you. I know I was very surprised at the plot twists incorporated into each storyline.



Mari came into her own in this book. She went from the shy girl in Moon Chosen to a woman who wasn’t going to let anything hold her back. She assumed the leadership role with an ease that did surprise me because of how she was in Moon Chosen.

Nik also came into his own in the book. I do think that losing his father and then bonding with Laru, the Alpha male, was a huge part of that. Having that bond with a Shepherd was what was missing from his life. He was able to take the strength of that bond with Laru and use it to help him in certain parts of the book. He was also a great co-leader with Mari….once he got the trust of the Earth Walkers.

Thaddeus scared me. I couldn’t put my finger on what drove him insane at the end of Moon Chosen. When it was revealed, I felt bad and then was a little disgusted. But my feeling bad for him went away when he refused help for Odysseus. Instead, he blamed Mari for what happened. When The Reaper started communicating with him, I wasn’t very surprised. I was surprised that he was willing to hurt his Clan, though. Very surprised.

If Thaddeus scared me, then The Reaper terrified me. I was not expecting the author to go in the direction she did with Dead Eye’s storyline. But once I got used to it, I actually liked it. The Reaper was not a good deity. He was the God of Death and he loved it. I do feel bad that Dead Eye got absorbed into The Reaper’s personality. I do think that Dead Eye was not a bad person. He was doing what he thought was best for his people. Then, bam, he gets taken over by The Reaper. I do hope that he will be able to fight his way out of The Reaper’s control and become himself again.

The end of Sun Warrior was intense. There was so much happening that I almost couldn’t keep it straight. Not all storylines were wrapped up. Actually, there were a couple of new ones that started right before the end. Sun Warrior also ended on a cliffhanger. I have made my feelings about cliffhangers very clear in other reviews. But this one, oh boy, it makes me want to read book 3!!

Sun Warrior might be long, but it is a fantastic read. Not a standalone book, you do need to read Moon Chosen to understand what is happening in this book. Packed with fantasy and action, I was glued to the book. I couldn’t put it down. The world building was unlike anything I have read before. The character building was as good.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Language and violence. There is also talk of past rape and there is scenes of animal abuse at the end of the book.

I would like to thank P.C. Cast, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to review Sun Warrior.

All opinions stated in this review of Sun Warrior are mine

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

The second instalment in the Tales of a New World series, Sun Warrior takes off immediately off of where Moon Chosen left off. With the forest on fire and many falling to its flames, good and evil rise to take over. The Skin Stealers plot their take over of the dying tribe of tree and the Earth Walkers plan their new lives as a freed people. Mari is thrust back into the responsibility of saving not only herself, but all of the Earth Walkers and a good piece of the Tribe of Trees as well. Nik, still devastated by the loss of his father, pushes on with the hope of a new beautiful life with Mari and their companions. But Thaddeus's evil is spreading, and that dream is becoming less and less likely.
I surprisingly loved this book, even more then Moon Chosen. The series seems to get its own two feet in this novel and really hits the ground running. All of the pieces that were being set up start to fall into place in Sun Warrior. I had found the constant narration from Dead Eye to be unappealing and it felt almost pointless, but in Sun Warrior it all comes together and leaves the reader fully engaged. My favourite part of the novel was actually the conclusion because it left me looking forward to the potential of the next novel in the series. Overall, I loved Sun warrior and give it the rating of FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS!!

Sun Warrior by P. C. Cast is book two in her Tales of a New World series. Not a standalone, so if you haven't read the first book, Moon Chosen, I definitely recommend.

Picking up right where Moon Chosen left off, Mari, an Earth Walker and a Moon Woman, and Nik, a Companion and from the Tribe of the Trees, are fleeing the fire that is destroying the forest and City in the Trees. Soon their journey leads them back to Earth Walker territory with Davis, Nik's cousin, and Antreas, a mercenary with a Lynx Companion named Bast. The group are reunited with Sora, another Moon Woman, and other characters whom we met in Book One.

While elsewhere the villains of the novel are making their play to obtain the power they crave. Dead Eye and the Skin Stealers, as well as, Thaddeus, a Hunter from the Tree Tribe, who wants to be the leader of the tribe. No matter what. Then lastly, Death.

P.C. Cast's Sun Warrior is an engrossing novel filled with detailed description, engaging characters, and a storyline that is building up for an epic third book.

Overall, Sun Warrior is a fascinating book which I recommend and heartily await book three.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

Sun Warrior picks up exactly where Moon Chosen left us hanging. This book was a great follow up and I can’t wait for book 3!

I loved this book so much. We are taken deeper into Mari’s world and some other unexpected guests along the way. I loved meeting the new companions and their canines and lynx. I loved seeing Sora finding herself and Danita too. Mari coming into her own skin. Love being rekindled and possibly some new love on the horizon.

P.C. Cast is a masterfully storyteller. She weaves a world of fantasy and intrigue that you never want to leave. It just keeps you coming back for more and more. I can’t wait to read what awaits the Pack. I know that whatever it is that they will conquer it, flawlessly, together.

I did receive an advanced digital ARC from NetGalley (thank you) but as I listened to book one and enjoyed the experience I waited to listen until I could get the audiobook on release day. So this book picks up exactly where the first one left off so spoilers for book one ahead.

Rating: 5 Stars

Things pick up right where we left off. Mari and Nik and their canines are fleeing in a boat from the angry Thaddeus and his followers who murdered Nik's father and blame Mari for that and the raging fire that fell down upon the tribe and is currently burning its way through the forest. They freed the slaved Earth Walker women and now much fight to save more people. The time for hiding is over, Mari is a moon woman, half companion, and fully herself. She will do whatever she can to help her clan but she will not hide who and what she is anymore and wants to make something new and better. Nik is right there with her in creating something new and while it won't be easy and they have many difficulties to face along the way as long as they believe in one another there is always hope.

First and foremost I loved the characters. Each one was different and unique and I really enjoyed the different voices they had to offer the story. We saw things from many different sides, creating a larger whole. The Earth Walkers, the Tribe of the Trees, and the Skin Stealers. Each group only has a small bit of knowledge of the other never fully understanding or knowing them. They each have made assumptions on them with that limited knowledge and never bothered to learn more. It's hard to change ingrained ways. Its even harder to admit your ways were wrong. I love how related everything is. How coming together, like Mari and Nik, and sharing different experiences and information how similar they are.

We get to spend time with way more companions as well which I adored because come on dogs and an amazing lynx what could go wrong there? I admit freely to growling while listening at times when something happened and it was felt by one of the animals, maybe it's the audiobook or maybe I'm strange but yep I growled. I'm going to go with being really into the story. Bast may be my favorite new addition. Getting to know the lynx was fun as her personality is very different than the pups we are used to but so is her dynamic with her companion. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed getting to see the different types of people in this world as it continues to grow. I'm especially excited to meet the next group that should be in the next book!

The story and plot both keep things moving along as there is always something happening. I was invested in the characters both good and bad and seeing what would happen and how things would meet up or relate as it continued on. I my feelings for some shifted through the book on both sides, characters I didn't care for I started to enjoy and root for while some I did like started to lose their affection. I love how everything is fluid as with nature and personalities when confronted with new experiences. It's not a constant action packed extravaganza but that isn't the type of story it needed to be. There is a lot happening behind the scenes, plotting, planning, and emotional conflict, discoveries, and more to keep the story moving along as it grows. Plus as with everything I have read by Cast I love her humor. She finds a way to infuse some hilarious moments throughout. I would randomly find myself bursting out with a fit of laughter at some parts and then having to go back because I couldn't hear the next part I was too loud.

"Hey, I'm muddling an enormous amount of poppy tea to drug a bunch of people. Partially to alleviate their pain and partially to shut them up."

I really enjoyed this book. I even enjoyed it more than the first one as I was familiar with the world and I fell right back in. My only problem with having finished it within a week is that I don't know when the next book will come out and I am beyond excited to learn more. As with the first book we left off right at the end of a pretty HUGE thing that had us eager to find out what would happen next. We again leave with so much anticipation for more it's almost painful to have to sit and wait for the next installment, but wait I shall because I am hooked! As a side note as much as I loved the audiobook I also enjoyed following along with the end of chapter sketches in the physical/digital book too!

Sun Warrior (Tales of a New World #2)
by P.C. Cast
I have been drooling over this title for months. It was a treat i was trying to figure out how to afford. I have read the prior book Moon Chosen on the preview site and was left with the need to see the conclusion or continuation of this dynamic apocalyptic dystopian story. Post apocalyptic survival has changed not only the face of the world but divided people in such a way they do not see anything but their differences. The nuclear fall out from the end of the world has caused so much dramatic and inevitable change to the world that survival has changed mankind. We are faced with disease and great abilities that are beyond human comprehension. The diversified world has mankind looking at divisions rather than similarities. Mari and Nik, in the prior book found that their Tribe and Clan are not that different. Not only can they find similarities, find love, and truth in their personal connections, in their personal tragedies, they find that they are beneficial to each other. Those benefits outweigh the cost of their separation. In Sun Warrior, these two characters are challenged to their core. Mari and Nik are tested to their limits, and they are the only ones that may be able to form a new world from the ashes of their old world. It is through their love, understanding, traditions, and acceptance that they can find a new path that will save both their people and maybe the world in its entirety. This book is only the next stepping stone on an adventure that will change lives, not only of the characters but the readers as well. This is a great young adult book, that shows that everyone has talents, and those things that separate people are only in our mind not even skin deep. P. C. Cast has challenged the youth of today to look at the divisions in our own society and question if they even matter. In today’s world it is great to hear a voice like this, and to know that i have a story that shows differences in a way that no one can label themselves one side or the other, but find champions in those who find acceptance, love and compassion.

Sun Warrior picks up right where it left off in book one. The Companions, the Earth Walkers and the Skin Stealers have all experienced changes in different ways. The references to some of the previous events are helpful to refresh the memory, but this is not a standalone.

Mari is getting stronger in her new found abilities and now that she can show her true self, she is a lot more confident. She stands up for herself against the oppositions without losing sight of her compassion. First and foremost, she is the Moon Woman and the healer.

Nik is still grieving, but his growing bond with Mari and Laru, his companion give him strength. His tribe is in terrible disarray and he would like to see better changes from the old ways. Unfortunately, there are those who take advantage of the situation to stir up trouble for their own gain.

Together, Mari and Nik make a decision and for the first time they start something which nobody would have ever envisaged. It's only a start though, with a long way to go. Antreas and his lynx, Bast make a valuable contribution to the story. The background information about the make up of their "chain" is rather interesting. Sora, too has grown for the better.

Dead Eye's "experiment" is paying off. For his gain and the tribe's detriment. His own new experience brings about some drastic and dangerous changes. Thaddeus is greedier, more cruel and intent on creating discord. He wants power!

This installment starts at a good pace and slows down towards the middle. When it picks up again, it becomes a compulsive page turner. It's a great concept and the characters are very well portrayed. I found it to be more gruesome than the first installment, but still fascinating. It's full of suspense with more death and destruction. It seems to be going in the right direction and ends with the promise of more exciting times. I would recommend to fans of fantasy, paranormal and romance.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

Sun Warrior by P.C. Cast is the second book in the fantasy Tales of a New World series. In the first book of the series readers were introduced to Mari who had been raised by her mother who was an Earth Walker. Calling on the power of the moon her mother could heal the clan and needed to name a replacement for her position. Mari should have been the one chosen but Mari had to hide half of herself her whole life because her father was not of the Earth Walkers. When an attack happened Mari decided to stop hiding the other half of herself after she was chosen by a canine from her father’s clan.

Nik was a Companion from the clan that Mari’s father had come from and was out with other members from his tribe searching for the lost pup when he saw Mari call on the power of the sun. Nik found out who Mari might be from his father who was friends with Mari’s father and was determined to track her down. Unfortunately what brought the two together was Nik needing Mari’s help.

The second book picks up directly where the first had left off with Nik and Mari needing to try to save both of their tribes and bring them together. The Earth Walkers and Companions have a long history of mistrust though leaving them to not trust one another but Nik and Mari need to convince their people that it is in their best interest to learn to trust and put the past behind them. Thaddeus is still out there wanting his revenge upon Mari as he believes she has stolen power from him and he will do anything even if it means destroying everything.

My biggest complaint at the end of the first book of this series was the pacing was just so incredibly slow. The world that P.C. Cast had created seemed interesting even though the story had started off a tad confusing waiting to find out how Nik and Mari’s stories would connect in that beginning but once it all worked out I thought it would be one I would enjoy following. Unfortunately with this second book things did not pick up at all and if anything it seemed to slow down that much more. Honestly looking back on this one it seems about 80-90% character building with very very little action. Now that the tribes have merged the book was mostly making that happen and creating relationships within. By the time the bad side chapters sneak into the read it sometimes seemed almost comical as it would flip right back to the why can’t we get along good guy side of the story.

In the end my rating has dropped with this second book to 2.5 stars. I suppose it might suffer from what I like to think of as middle book syndrome but I just don’t see these needing to be anywhere near the 600 or so pages that they are as it just drags down the pacing so terribly much. On the bright side I suppose there is the positive note of bringing the different people together as we need that we need to just get along lesson in the real world.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Fiery endings and smoky beginnings. This story starts off fast where the previous story ended and keeps the reader holding their breathe until the very end.

In this new world there are Tribes, Clans and Skinwalkers. Tribes & Clans have gotten back in touch with their roots and believe in the healing power of Sun (Tribes), Moon (Clans) and nature but they are still prejudice against each other. Tribes also have the added protection of a bond with canines. The exception to everything though is Mari. She is Earthwalker (Clan), Tribe and bonded to a canine. The only thing the Clan and the Tribe agree on is that they all must stay away from the Skinwalkers. The Skinwalkers still believe in their God who has allowed them to suffer in a poisonous city filled with hate, depravity, and disease. Their Champion is gaining more and more strength and plans on taking over the City in the Trees but before that can happen he inadvertently brings Death to life and all his plans magnify.

This story is action packed, terrifying, loving, exhilarating and will touch your heart, your anger and your senses all at once.

This series is filled with so much relevance to what is going on in our world today. The old ways no longer work. A new way of life, filled with peace, love an acceptance is being sought by so many but the hatred of the few may destroy what the new Pack wants to build.

I loved it so much, more than the first book, more than HON and so many other books! It’s for sure one of my new favorites!!!

4,5 stars

Note to the reader this is not a stand-alone and must be read after Moon Chosen as it's the continuation of Marian Nick's story

Let’s establish something right away: PC Cast knows her job and its intricacies extremely well.
She's once more made me live an extraordinary adventure right alongside Mari, Nick and a collection of fascinating side characters. Some of them truly deserve their own books!

What's even more surprising she made me like Sora! In Moon Chosen I could not stand that superficial brat. I found her vain and egotistical. Then by the end of the book my opinion changed as the girl showed her insecurities. With Sun Warrior I’m now a huge fan of Sora. I like her sarcasm I like mischievous Sora. I like her down to earth and take no crap attitude.
She is less “perfect” than Mari and that’s why she feels more “real”.

Now back to the story and what captivated my attention all along.

We begin right after Mary and Nick’s escape from The Farm.
Nick’s father died at the hands of Thaddeus and Laru chose to follow Nick instead of dying.
In short: we begin right in the middle of an action scene.
Everything is burning around our heroes and Nick will try to save The Tribe of the Trees while Mari will lead some escaped Earth Walker women and Companions back to safety in Earth Walker territory. Of course she won’t be able to stay away from Nick and will go back to help him.
This part is packed with action, dangers, betrayals and new encounters. It’s only the beginning!
It really sets the tone of the story as on one hand you will have the “old” Tribe of the Trees now led by a vengeful and crazy Thaddeus (I fiercely hate Thaddeus! even more than Dead Eye). On the other hand it’s a new beginning for Mari, Nick and an assorted melee of Earth Walkers, Companions and even a Lynx man.

I loved that PC Cast built a story opposing distrust and hate to acceptance and love.
“I don’t know what happens, but trust has to start somewhere, and I’m saying it should start here and now,”
Accept the other in his/her difference, build a new world more open and filled with trust this is the core message of the second instalment.
That’s Mari and Nick’s dream. They want to build a new future around a new Pack.
“The Clan was broken when my mother died. I agree with Davis. I want more than to just rebuild a Clan that I had to hide my true self from. I want a Clan where we can be ourselves, in our best and truest forms.”

If PC Cast series happen in a dystopian world it’s undertone is very contemporary even historical.
What happens to The Tribe of the Trees and to the people of the city reminded me of what happened after the First World War with Hitler seizing the power and manipulating ordinary citizens to follow him in his madness. It’s when a people is at its lowest, decimated by a natural or economic disaster that ordinary people are the easiest to manipulate. The hate Thaddeus carried could take roots in the Tribe.


Prepare to be surprised in this sequel because:
-You will experience extreme emotions for the characters. Be it hate and disgust towards Taddheus and “Dead Eye”, pity for Dove, admiration for Mari and Sora… You may be subject to abrupt mood changes.

-Know that some scenes are nearly Game of Throne worthy. I had a really hard time to read some scenes with the dog (I’m a dog lover and dog owner so it was really, really painful to read). The Skin Stealer cure is also quite disgusting and its aftermaths heart breaking for some creatures. What “Dead Eye” inflicted to some was horrible and Thaddeus does not fare better. It’s sale season Ladies and Gents we get two villains for the price of one😉

-The new side characters are just awesome! Davis revealed unexpected side of his personality, it was fun to witness the “how to seduce Earth Walker women 101” lesson Sora gave to Antreas and I would say the animals are “character worthy” especially with a proud Bast and playful Rigel. Not to forget the “ever happy” Cammy. PC Cast did an excellent job portraying the canine companions, their play and attitudes. If you own a dog I dare you not to laugh out loud some time or sport a goofy grin while reading some scenes.

-As already said you will change your mind about some characters. I named Sora but I think my mood and opinion about Dove is changing too.

-PC Cast has of course some tricks and plot twists keep everything interesting moving the story to a new unexpected path. The world of The Clans, the Tribes and the others is changing forever.

I just have two minor complaints here:
-First Nick is very supportive of Mari and they obviously love each other but I wanted even more of their romance. It takes a backseat to the story but I can understand it was hard to avoid making this choice when you have so much characters, twists and turns.
-Second complaint: I had not my fill of Nick. I mean he was present and had some action scenes and all but the first book centered around two main destinies: Nick and what happened to him in the Tribe etc. and Mari. In this second book he is somewhat eclipsed by Mari, Thaddeus and Dead Eye’s stories.

So this is a letter to PC Cast: could you please give Nick a more prominent role in the third book? Pretty please with a cherry on top?

Recommend it? Hell yes! But only after you’ve read the first book.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series but I found this book really solidified the series for me. Thanks so much to Netgalley for the ARC and allowing me a chance to review this book for an author and series I truly enjoy.
At a few points the book felt like it was a drawn out but other than that this book was perfection. I love the world PC Cast created in this series and the characters. All the characters are further developed in this story. Mari is a powerful woman and comes into the role of leadership during all the chaos and madness that is happening. Nik took a little longer for me to warm up to but wow I am sold now.Thaddeus is a scary dude and is definitely a true villain.
This book continues the story and I also loved learning more about the skin stealers and how they relate to it all.