This was an interesting read, it opened up the Mayan/ Aztec civilization to me. The insight into how importabt rituals were to this society was fascinating.

Centre of it is Ahkin, a prince thrust into the role of emperor before he is ready due to the untimely death of his father. We see his struggles with insecurities and self doubt. As part of his ascension to the throne he is required to marry.
So enters Mayana, not only a princess but also a contender in a competition for the right to be Ahkin's empress, a competition that she needs to win at all costs, for the alternative is death.

What follows is a rich world of romance(slow burn) betrayals and tensions between old customs and new ideas. A unique magic system full of elemental and blood magic. The myths and lore is fascinating and really works to pull the story together. I am normally not a fan of a cliff-hanger ending, but this one was done well with a resolution I was happy with. Excited to see where Lani Forbes takes this story next. Reading the authors note at the end was particularly insightful, as she talks about her research into the South American civilisations this book was based on. I would recommend checking it out.

I haven’t read a lot of fantasy books based on ancient Aztec and Maya mythology and culture, so it’s a refreshing to see a new fantasy book that is inspired from Mesoamerican heritage. Funny thing about reading a fantasy book where it’s inspired by other mythology and culture that isn’t mine is; I ended up browsing through articles after articles—trying to learn more about Mesoamerican mythology and culture. I learn new things from this book alone, and that’s a good thing.

The Seventh Sun is really rich in culture and it’s always nice to see other people’s culture being represented in a book. Forbes really took her time to build an imaginative world that will capture her readers’ imagination and heart.

A kingdom that is influenced by Aztec and Maya geography, the Chicome Empire is divided to six cities with noble family that could perform different magic; water, healing, control over animal, wind, fire and sun summoner. I’m intrigued with how magic works in Chicome Kingdom, that people have to sacrifice their own blood to summon their magical power. I like the fact that there’s a limitation of magic here, because a powerful character could into a Gary Stu/Mary Sue character and we’ve had a lot of those characters in YA Fantasy book.

With religion and politic as the center point of the story, Forbes leads us deeper to Chicome custom and structure. These aspects are important if you want to build a good world building that’ll give your readers a better understanding of the world these characters live in, so, kudos for Forbes!

Whereas complex world building could be overwhelming to some people, The Seventh Sun will leave you craving for more adventure, for more places to explore. Prepare to be traveled back to Aztec and Maya civilizations while reading this book.

Despite how cliche and stereotypical the characters are, Forbes fixed it with cute romance in The Seventh Sun. If you’re type of people who thinks romance ruin a book, I think this book is not for you. But, if you’re like me, who likes to read about people falling in love, then you’re going to love this book!

Yes, this book is about Prince Ahkin choosing a wife so he could rule the empire together with his empress, but believe me, Ahkin’s and Mayana’s moments are so cute.

I was afraid that I wouldn’t finish this book on time, but here I am! YA Fantasy with complex world building tends to be really slow and lasts for more than 400 pages, so I appreciate how fast this book goes.

One second, I heard that Prince Ahkin’s father had passed away, and the next second, I watched Mayana traveled from Atl to Tollan, to prove herself worthy as an empress. So, if you’re looking for a short fantasy novel, The Seventh Sun is for you!

"A lifetime ago, she had gripped the handle of her knife as the only steady thing in a world shifting beneath her feet. Now, his hand would be that anchor."

Going to use the official description because I could describe without spoiling:
Thrust into leadership upon the death of his emperor father, young Prince Ahkin feels completely unready for his new position. Though his royal blood controls the power of the sun, he’s now responsible for the lives of all the Chicome people. And despite all Ahkin’s efforts, the sun is fading—and the end of the world may be at hand.
For Mayana, the only daughter of the Chicome family whose blood controls the power of water, the old emperor’s death may mean that she is next. Prince Ahkin must be married before he can ascend the throne, and Mayana is one of six noble daughters presented to him as a possible wife. Those who are not chosen will be sacrificed to the gods.
Only one girl can become Ahkin’s bride. Mayana and Ahkin feel an immediate connection, but the gods themselves may be against them. Both recognize that the ancient rites of blood that keep the gods appeased may be harming the Chicome more than they help. As a bloodred comet and the fading sun bring a growing sense of dread, only two young people may hope to change their world.
Rich in imagination and romance, and based on the legends and history of the Aztec and Maya people, The Seventh Sun brings to vivid life a world on the edge of an apocalyptic disaster.

Well, well, well. My most anticipated fantasy read, right after 'Children Of Virtue and Vengeance'. And how dare it be so mind-blowingly fantastic, riveting, elegant and enthralling that it is now threatening the position 'Legacy of Orisha' series holds?
Oh good lord! The plot is just so original and demands rapt attention. I have become a very critical reader since the time I started reviewing and this story contains twists that come out of nowhere like 'Quicksilver' and slaps you right across your face so hard. But does that dimish the joy this book gives? NO!
There is just something so magical, dreamy and brilliant about the romance between Prince Akhin and Lady Mayana! The writing style makes the reader experience the entirety so evocatively and 12 hours have gone past and it still is so vivid in my head! Every single character in the book plays such an important role and the power each character holds in their own way is just too empowering and heart touching. The world-building is done with great splendour and it makes you want to explore more about it! There are a few chapters that just made me bite my nails and lips so hard that it is bleeding. I am also sure I have given myself a bald spot.

*start rant*
Do you know what breaks my heart about this book?
1. The fact that I have to wait, I don't know for how much longer, for the second book to come out. I know it's not a nice thing of me to expect the second one right now when the first one is still impending for its release in 4 more days.
2. I am not finding a physical copy in any online web stores so I can save up and gift this to myself on my birthday. And none of the stores in my region has an idea about this book. I am about to commit a crime because how dare they tell it to my face that they don't know about this book?
*end rant*

I can never be more thankful for being part of NetGalley because:
1. If it weren't for it I wouldn't have come across this book until it was racing up to take the spots on the best sellers list.
2. I have a new friend, thanks to this book! We call ourselves 'The Seventh Sisters'! YAY!
3. I wouldn't have experienced the immense joy this book gave me, even though there were moments so poignant and heart-wrenching!

This book was archived before I could download it and that twisted my heart. But thank you, Blackstone Publishing, for extending the archive date after I requested you!

The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes is unique in the fact that it focuses on South American cultures. It has a bit of Mayan, Aztec, and Egyptian cultures within it. I found that to be quite fascinating. This book starts off with a very dramatic bang. Ahkin’s father has died. Ahkin’s mother is off to kill herself per the tradition of their culture. His mother kills herself so that her son is able to marry and the new wife will be the next incarnation of the goddess. I mean what a way to start the beginning of a novel. Ahkin has to find a wife before he can inherit the title of emperor.

Wow! There are so many rules for finding a wife. They have to be of noble descendant of one fo the gods. These gods are continually worshiped for the sacrifices to keep the people alive. The woman must prove themselves worthy of the marriage. The women that are not picked are sacrificed as a ceremonial blessing for the emperor’s rule and marriage. Quite intense right?

Then we have Mayana who doesn’t believe in tradition and rituals. The beliefs she has about these traditions and rituals could get her killed if anyone found out. Mayana is an empath. She has a hard time with the sacrifices both human and animal. She doesn’t want to do them anymore and she questions why they are being done in the first place. All she truly feels is that she is letting her father down all the time because she has such a chard time with their way of life.

I really liked the magic system in this book. I thought it was fitting. In order for someone with magic (or power) to be able to use it, they have to first cut themselves and spill their blood. There is also a fine line because they can’t spill too much blood or they will die. I feel like this book covers a lot of ground. You have Ahkin looking for a wife. You have Mayana falling in love with Ahkin but being conflicted due to her beliefs. You have conspiracies and traditions. So much information is dumped on you. This book is very hard to put down. It goes by fairly quickly.

I was given a free advanced e-book copy of this book by Blackstone Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Imagine a world where every ceremony or right of passage was celebrated with a blood sacrifice to gods, to honor their sacrifices that built your world. Your society is built on an extremely detailed and ridged set of codes that dictate how and when sacrifices must be made. And now, you find yourself in the middle of one such ceremony, where a new emperor must choose a new wife from between six daughters, but the ones who aren't chosen become sacrifices to honor the new union. Mayana, daughter of Alt, with the power of water in her blood is one of the six chosen to be presented to the new Emperor Ankin. She must stand out and capture the new emperor's heart, or die. Ahkin is still grieving the sudden loss of his parents and along with establishing himself as worthy of leading his people, he must also choose a wife and sentence innocent lives to the death. Through these trials, Mayana and Ahkin are able to form a deep connection and uncover a dangerous plot that may destroy the world as they know it.
The mesoamerican influences in this book are extravagant. From the awe-inspiring stepped temples to the traditional garb, crowns and accessories the characters would proudly and lovingly display during ceremonies, it really felt like you took a step into a time long before any European influences. The garb was described with such detail that you could tell the author was passionate about what she thought was important to these characters and these ceremonies. I loved the element of the obsidian dangers, they were so symbolic, not only of rank and ability but the dedication it took to perform their God-given abilities. The importance of blood ran so deep in so many cultures, but the tie to blood in this world was intriguing. Imagine being told you have the blood of a god inside your veins, and you can use that blood to perform with or manipulate different elements, the only thing is you have to actually draw that blood, and the bigger the act the more blood is required. While you are not a god, your life force is what you use to prove your dedication.
The characters in this book blew me out of the water. There were six princesses, all from different villages, all with different god-like powers. Their personalities could not have been more different. We had Fire, Air, Healing, Water, Plants, and Animals all represented by the different villages, with the Sun ruling over all. Mayana was descended from the water god, so with her blood she could control water, using it to help fight off drought, manage floods and rains and she could swim. Ahkin was descended from the sun god, it was his duty as emperor to raise the sun every day. Some of the princesses got a little stereotypical, such as the healing princess was very caring and meek, the animal princess was fierce and cruel, the fire princess was quick to temper. We didn't get to spend as much time with the different princesses as I wanted to, so I really hope they continue to be part of the story!
I was so excited to see how the trials for Ahkin to choose his bride would play out, and believe me I was not disappointed! I swooned, I was anxious, and I was straight up ready to jump in this book and smack some people around. The romance was a treat, when you only have two weeks to pick your future wife, things are sure to move a little (a lot) quickly. I did enjoy the interactions between all the different princesses, I tried to think how I would act in this situation, it is like the deadliest version of "The Bachelor" with fewer group dates and more assassination attempts. I don't think I could help wanting to find someone to be a friend during that terrifying experience.
That ending though. The last 85% I was certain I knew where things were gonna go and everyone was gonna get what they had coming to them, good or bad, but boy. was. i. wrong. This came out of nowhere! I couldn't believe the last 5% of this book, I was just manically reading as fast as I could to find out what would happen! Lani Forbes has managed to make my stomach leap but my heart sink, all in a single chapter.

I didn't want to stop reading this book, it's that simple. Once I opened it I was immediately hooked and kept reading until the book ended. This is a very vivid world filled with plot twists, badass princesses, and penty of plot twists.

My one real complaint about this book is just how instalovey the romance is. I know the context is a short timeframe, but for the characters to already be in love after something like 1-2 weeks? No thanks, wasn't really believing it. That being said, I am definitely supportive of the romance and hope it continues to develop, just maybe at a more believable pace.

The rest of the book is really good. I liked the attention given to mesoamerica, how the practices of the Mayan and Aztec people were looked at through a non-judgemental eye by the author and were instead shown with respect through a historical viewpoint. The plot was interesting and the emphasis on religion and the value of one's beliefs was a great aspect of this book.

I'm really looking forward to book two, partially because this book ended on a cliffhanger but mostly because I want everything that felt dialed down to be amped up in the next book. I want more of an intense plot, more revolutionary thinking, etc. I think the author can do a lot with this world and I'm excited to see what's next!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes. I've voluntarily read and reviewed this copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Seventh Sun is a story about Mayana, one of the six noble daughters presented to Prince Ahkin as a future wife. Mayana has to win the Prince's heart or be sacrificed. As Mayana and Ahkin's connection grows, Mayana's secret might ruin her chance at survival.

I've read The Seventh Sun in one sitting. It's absolutely captivating. The world-building is super rich and the magic system is interesting with an unique spin. The stakes are high. The characters are real and all of them are fleshed out really well. Mayana and Ahkin's connection is written beautifully and gives you all the flutters. The various noble daughters are all very interesting in their own right. To top that, it has a great spin on mythology.

The Seventh Sun had me on the edge of my seat, brimming with curiosity to discover how it would end. And wow.... the ending was incredibly well-written, surprising and leaves room for a great sequel. Get your hands on a copy if you can!

I'm speechless. This book was incredible. I was hooked from the first page and didn't want to put it down. I loved it so much I read it in a 48hr period 🙈

SO. The seventh sun is set in a fantasy world based on MesoAmerican culture. The world is beautifully developed and the magic system not only makes sense but is fantastically fleshed out.

I felt like I was missing the book not reading it. It takes a brilliant author to make you forget you're even reading and drag you straight into their world but Lani did this seemingly effortlessly ❤

Our protagonists are both strong wonderful characters in their own ways and act as dualities to each other 👥 you get a great sense for who they are with their internal dialogues and at no point did I feel overwhelmed or bored or confused 💪

The plot line takes a common YA fantasy trope of a competition to win a place as royalty/safety/love but the way it's written makes it completely unique, believable and an absolute pleasure to read 😍

Honestly, 5 stars is not enough for this book. I love, love LOVE this book so much and cannot wait to hear more about Mayana and Ahkin (our protagonists) story ❤

Review will be live on instagram, twitter, tumblr and facebook by 8th Feb.

**Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Thoughts:
The story takes place in the Chicome Empire, which is inspired by ancient Aztec, Maya, and Inca civilizations and cultures. It has a rich and vivid setting, kind of reminded me of the Aladdin movie. The story happens in the midst of the churning of a new apocalypse. After having endured six apocalypse, the Chicome Empire is about to endure the seventh one. Every day the sun is setting early than the last, until there threatens to be no more light left. Hence, the novel takes place over the course of two weeks. It’s a fast-paced novel with action at every turn of the page and intensity for the readers as the clock ticks down.
The characters were really well fleshed out. Mayana was such a pure soul, it was impossible not to love her. I also appreciated how much depth was given into the personalities of the other 5 girls. Each one is so distinct, and despite the competition and the high stakes present, you want them all to live. Some people might consider the romance a little bit unrealistic, considering that it builds up very quickly, but I personally think the author executed it very well.
Lani Forbes succeeds in concocting an exciting plot to keep you on your toes and an ending that leaves you aching for more. I'm looking forward to reading the second book!

Read if you liked:
The Selection, Spin the Dawn, The Heroes of Olympus

The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes was great! I loved the main characters of Prince Ahkin and Mayana and their individual journey!

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure why I read this book. I think I saw the words Maya and Aztec and was on board.

The first few chapters were not my thing. I pushed reading this book all the way from October (it is January). But since my ARCs just kept piling up, I thought "just read it and you'll be done with it".
I was pleasantly surprised, though. The story really picks up later on and there's a lot of cool things happening. Mayana, our main character, is basically a water-bender, while Ahkin, the prince, is a descendant of the god of the sun and can bend light. Sounds dope, doesn't it?

I described the plot as "The Selection AU set in Aztec/Maya mythology (because I can't tell which one this is, sue me) with gods", which is pretty fitting. So, if you liked The Selection, or all it's look-alikes, you're going to enjoy this!
I didn't like The Selection.
But! This book was good nonetheless!

The only big thing I had trouble with, was how the plot developed in like a week or two. These two were in love the second they got to be alone and without even really knowing each other. It felt a lot like insta love, and considering how they knew each other for like ten days, Five of which they spent apart, the finale was just... not my thing.
I also believed this to be a standalone, only to be left with a cliffhanger, did not appreciate that. But if you know that's coming, it was a pretty good read.


@Blackstone Publishing: Thanks for the ARC!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Well...wow. I really, really enjoyed this book. Like I mean, really enjoyed.

The writing is very good and the author keeps your interest throughout the entire thing. It was one of those books where I was constantly thinking about it when I didn't have time to read.

When I first read the synopsis and saw that it sort of sounded like the YA series The Selection with girls competing to win the Prince's hand, I wasn't too sure about reading it. While I enjoyed The Selection series, I really didn't want another book that reminded me of The Bachelor. This book did not remind me at all of that.

The book follows Mayana, a nobleman daughter who is sent to compete with other girls. It also switches to the Prince's POV, which was nice to see things in his perspective. The ending definitely has me wanting more. Mayana and Prince Ahken's story is not over yet!

I would definitely recommend this book and I will be picking up a hard copy for preorder.

“Well, I believe that if you ignore the heart for too long, when it finally does grab your attention, it often screams and demands that you listen.”
•
•
The setting of this story is extremely interesting. The Sun has been destroyed Six times by calamities, like floods and storms. Every time a Sun is destroyed a God sacrifices himself to create a new one and the descendants of these Gods are nobles with great powers. Ahkin is the son of the emperor and when his father suddenly dies he has the task to rise the Sun every day. But he has so many responsibilities that risk to submerge him; indeed the Sun is setting earlier and earlier every day and Priests suspect his blood is not strong enough to accomplish his mission.. not to mention he has to choose a wife. According to tradition he can choose between six beautiful nobles and the ones that are not chosen will be sacrificed. One of them is Mayana, who needs to seduce the prince, without letting him know she hates animal and human sacrifices. Indeed in their culture they are essential to please the Gods, but she is sure they would never demand so much blood in return for their own sacrifices, which had been made out of love.

Aztecan end Egyptian cultures has influenced this book and the result is an innovative setting with a very capturing story. In particular I loved how Mayana is not affected by traditions and rituals and she wants to choose for herself what it’s right. Even nowdays sometimes religion is used to control people and make them do things that a good God would never demand! Unfortunately I struggled getting involved in the romance, indeed instalove is definitely not my favorite trope, even if I must admit it has been treated quite well by the author. Indeed Mayana recognizes that Ahkin’s affection is mainly lead by the fact that he is idealizing her and not seeing the real her. Nonetheless I am really curious to see how the two guys will face all the difficulties to save themselves and their world in the following book.

The Seventh Sun follows two equally lost souls, conflicted in a world where one minuscule transgression might mean perpetual damnation. Inspired by ancient Aztec, Maya, and Inca civilisations and cultures, the novel is situated in the Chicome Empire, a land that has been devastated by six individual apocalypses; by water, storm, fire, famine, sickness, and beasts. It is because of this that the Chicome people endeavour to uphold the sacred sacraments of the creator goddess, either through blood or sacrifice. This fresh perspective on religion was refreshing, adding a new dimension to Forbes’ world-building, however, I did find the followers unsettling to the say the least—almost reminding me of the Ku Klux Klan because of the pathological devotement instilled into the society from birth.

In the opening chapter, the reader is introduced to the plagued notion that Chicome might be on the threshold of another apocalypse, as the sun sets earlier with each passing day. This imposes a short timeframe for which the novel spans, with the events of the storyline occurring within a mere two weeks. Due to this, I found that some negatives did eventuate from this, namely the unrealistic relationship between the main characters that progressed from like to love in a matter of days. However, there were positives, for instance, the time pressure subjected a certain amount of weight to each respective action of the characters and provoked a sense of distress for the welfare of the Chicome Empire.

Although, because of this brief timeline, I felt a portion of the chapters were unnecessary and rather out of place. Case in point, the battle that transpired against the Miquitz (who were kidnapping outskirt villagers for their own sacrifices) appeared as a foolish ploy for Prince Ahkin to validate his worth as a soldier. Moreover, the battle ensued far too hastily, with little show for war room strategies and tactics upon the field, both of which are significant factors of war.

Moving on to the primary protagonists, the plot reflected the perspectives of Mayana of Atl and Prince Ahkin of Chicome, both of whom followed expected tropes of the genre. Mayana represented the cliche nice girl, someone who is delicate, beautiful, and sympathetic to all, with an innocence to be unparalleled. She is someone who can do no wrong. Whilst Mayana is somewhat weak-minded, she does show a significant amount of resolve in refusing the ritual sacrifices of animals, something that I can respect in her character. However, I find this to be the only thing I can really connect with her on and have difficulties not showing disappoint towards the typical company Mayana keeps.

Firstly, she is surrounded by mostly vague side characters, such as Yoli, someone who is alleged to appear badass, but because of limited development and scant information provided, it’s tough to regard her as anything more than a blank canvas. Secondly, the other princesses selected for the chance at empress from their respective regions portray stereotypical behaviours, where there is one that exists solely to despise Mayana, attempting by any means to destroy Mayana’s social upstanding. Then, there is the compliant, feeble one, the one that Mayana coddles and protects, and yet inevitably hurts in her pursuit of empress. Despite this, I found each individual princess fascinating for their unique ability to employ elemental magic through the drawing of blood — taking the use of magic to a whole other level.

Otherwise, in analysing Prince Ahkin, his temperament indicated that of a usual fictional prince, with his prowess asserted at any given chance. However, there was one deviation, where Ahkin was actually shown to be unsure, to be indecisive and fear failure, a trait that is rarely acknowledged. This made Akin very much understandable as everyone throughout their lifetime worries that they are not enough or that their ability is not enough. In other respects, I would have preferred to see more of Prince Ahkin in the political field and the politics both within Chicome and outside its borders as I felt the novel lacked in this area. Moreover, I felt Ahkin advisors were not well suited or rather inconsequential in the Prince’s decisions, having let Ahkin trust the word of Miquitz soldiers, which displays an obvious absence of expertise on part of the council members. Apart from this, there also should have been a justification for the evident fear of servants whom surrounded Ahkin, as they always stumbled, mumbled, and stuttered in their speech, sweating even at the presence of their Prince. To me, this kind of dread should not be condoned, as it indicates the servants are used to some degree of hostile treatment and thus are anxious around their perpetrators. In summary, although, Prince Ahkin’s personal development is one of my more favoured aspects of the book, with appealing prospects for future novels in Ahkin’s religious, personal and political stances.

Overall, I would have loved more description within the writing, but this was balanced by the compelling attention to detail in the world-building. With the politics, the gods, the magic system, and the societal structure all instrumental in the orchestration of the plot. So if you are one for world-building, then this is the story for you. In conclusion, in spite of the flaws in this novel, I found myself up all night reading The Seventh Sun, with each chapter leaving me wanting to know more.

- Review to be published January 15th 2020

Their blood is the power that protects their people.
Mayana, a demigod with the gift of water, is our compassionate and empathetic main character of The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes. I took to Mayana quickly because of those two qualities that are so apparent. Living in a society that doesn’t blink at sacrificing life for meals and festivals, she is continuously fighting an internal battle – to please the Gods’ sacred rituals, or remain true to her own ideals.

As the only daughter of their royal family, Mayana must court Prince Ahkin of Chicome. The Prince is responsible for raising the sun in the sky with his blood every morning. No big deal, right?

The chosen princess will live, the others will die.
It’s no surprise that the impending deaths of her fellow princesses weighs heavy on Mayana’s mind. Caught up in the charms of Prince Ahkin, Mayana battles with how to save the other women courting him. The codex requires their deaths to bless the Prince’s reign and honor the Gods.

Sun Rise - The Seventh Sun Lani ForbesI was immediately drawn to this story after reading the synopsis because of my true interest in Aztec history. History portrays them with large temples, animal and human sacrifices, and worship of the sun. The Aztec belief system has been painted cold and murderous. It’s a steep challenge for Lani Forbes to unwind our preconceived ideas about this culture. Forbes took an appropriate amount of creative license with the facts, added in some relatable perspectives, and out came an impressive story.

This series is sure to be an exciting adventure.
I can’t wait for the next one!

This one reminded me of the Selection series (which I loathed) except without as much lazy writing and with some actual world building. Unfortunately it still fell flat for me in several areas.

I didn’t love the setup... author creates obvious moral issue, puts all characters except one on the wrong side in order to endear the main character to the audience. It was too black and white and frankly a bit pedantic. The god system was incredibly derivative as well.

There’s so much rich Aztec culture that could’ve been explored here too but it fell to the wayside. I found myself comparing it to Gods of Jade and Shadow which was far superior in this regard.

Finally, it ended too abruptly and in a way that doesn’t make me interested in continuing the series.

You don't really ever see YA novels based on Aztec/Mayan myths and I didn't realize how disappointed I was by that until I finished this book. This is a great YA love story and light read, it was an easy 1 day binge for me. I highly recommend this to those readers who liked The Selection series (or similar) and want a new setting for their YA love stories.

Outstanding - my pick for one of the top YA books of next year.

I don't think that I have ever read a YA book that centred on the Aztec culture, something that fascinated me so much as a child, and I adored this.

There have been so many stories over the last year or so revolving around arranged marriages, or winning princes hearts ect. that I must admit, I entered this book a little jaded. However Lani has woven this magical world with such finesse that it drew me in and I couldn't put it down.

Rich culture interwoven with demi gods, friendship, romance, betrayal, secrets, plots, war and tested loyalties. This has everything I love and more.

Word to the wise though, this story will suck you in and you will be left as desperate as I am for the sequel. I cannot wait to follow these characters on the next step of their journey.

With a little bit of The Selection, a dash of The Wrath and the Dawn, and a whole lot of incredible Mexican/Aztec/Mayan influence, this is definitely not a story you want to miss out on. Mayana and Ahkin live in a world driven by sacrifice and ritual, constantly working to appease the gods and ensure the wellbeing of their people. As members of the noble families, their blood has the power to call forth different elements. And together they're going to bring change to their land.

Ahkin wakes up to find his father dead, his mother sacrificing herself to join him, as custom dictates she must. He is suddenly the emperor, with the weight of his people on his shoulders, and he must find a wife in two weeks before he can fully be granted his power. Mayana is the daughter of a lower noble house who doesn't believe in the sacrifices. She does not think the gods have ordered they kill to make them happy. and she knew this heretical belief could get her killed, but she can no longer hide it as she is forced to go to the palace to take part in the challenge to win the prince's hand. The consequence of losing is death, as the noble daughter not chosen will be sacrificed to ensure a happy and prosperous rule for the prince and the girl who is chosen.

Mayan must keep her secret and expects to not stand a chance with the prince. But he is drawn to her from the moment she is introduced, and the two of them start falling for one another. Mayana hopes to change things for their people, finding proof that the gods do not ask for sacrifices, as well as stumbling upon a conspiracy to kill the new emperor. She must do whatever she can to keep him safe and convince him to understand her argument against the sacrifices.

This book is amazing and the ending leaves you needing the next book as soon as possible. I definitely recommend getting your hands on a copy as soon as it releases, because you do not want to miss out on this epic story!

I think when I requested this book, the only bit I knew about it was "The sun of the Chicome people has been destroyed six times.". Because when I opened this book and started reading it, I was delightfully surprised. And hooked.

This actually feels like a more mature, and darker, version of the Falling Kingdoms series. We have multiple POVs and the main characters overlap and connect in various ways.
As you all know that I’m a sucker for well written characters, this book was a joy to read for me. Each of the characters is well rounded, we get to know where they are coming from, where they might be heading towards and what’s the justification behind their actions. We really get to know all of them very intimately and I loved that. And it was the way every one of them was different that I found compelling - some are driven for the sake of family, some just want to survive and others are bound by duty - but they all converge in unexpected ways and I thoroughly enjoyed the various dynamics that formed in the process.
I'm not sure I have favorites yet but more importantly there wasn't a single POV I disliked. I loved how the plot played out, the betrayals, the reveals, the mystery that still lies heavy over everything. Again, I hate to make the comparison because plot-wise and theme-wise they aren’t the same, but this is exactly what I wanted when I picked up the Falling Kingdoms series.

I found the world building in this book to be very well written, giving us enough information at the right times so we know what’s happening, but also maintaining an air of mystery throughout which is definitely what’s gonna make me read the next one.

In the end, I want to conclude by saying that if you are a YA fantasy fan and love the idea of aztec/maya culture, you'll love this one.