’A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun’

’In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.’

I definitely got some GAME OF THRONES’ vibes throughout--Love It!

BLACK SUN, epic fantasy and the first book that I have read by Rebecca Roanhorse, is Book One in the Earth and Sky trilogy, an ending that has this reader impatiently waiting for Book Two—Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Saga Press, for loaning me an eGalley of BLACK SUN in exchange for an honest review.

It’s a regular and important topic in fantasy and science fiction writing circles: there needs to be so many more stories that aren’t based on a Renaissance Faire approved version of Europe, specifically England. In her previous books, Roanhorse engaged with stories of the Navajo nation to craft a painfully gorgeous dystopian narrative that pulled me in and spat me out with its power and narrative genius.

Black Sun has a similar pull. Drawing on pre-Columbian elements from South America, Black Sun creates a city with a highly stratified social order and a prophecy of a religious leader who will come back to the city and bring the revenge of generations of pain from one element of that strata. The main characters are the man who is the Chosen One, and the high priestess of the highest order in the city itself. Most of the story centers on the journey that brings the man to the city, where he must prepare to fulfil the destiny that was given to him by his mother when he was very young.

I loved this story with everything about me, but it does bear mentioning that it lies somewhat heavily on the trope of disability creating additional powers. In the first chapter, the main character undergoes a ritual that blinds him, and then receives training from three different masters who teach him to use other senses to fight; he also has a psychic connection to crows that is both religiously based and enhanced by his lack of typical eyesight. When he takes a special powder, he can use the eyes of the crows to see.

For all that this is a book about social infighting and the struggle against a religious ruling class, it’s also a calm sort of story; I felt reassured and hopeful reading it. Maybe that says something about the trashfire that is 2020. I don’t know.

Regardless, I hope there’s a sequel in the works.

Perfect fantasy read for Native American Heritage Month!

Black Sun is a fantasy story with a full cast of indigenous people living in their own nation. There are various cities and clans who have their own traditions and gods. The story moves back and forward in time shifting through various characters. All chapters are identified by the "time until convergence". The convergence is when a total eclipse falls on the same day as winter solstice. This celestial event holds significance due to a prophecy:

A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun

We meet a woman who is a Sun Priest in the holy city of Tova. Xiala is another woman ,of Teek descent, who has an affinity with water. She pilots ships and can calm rough seas. Xiala is hired to transport a Serapio, a young man, to Tova. Serapio is covered with scars carved into his skin and was blinded as a child by his mother. Serapio has his destiny laid out before him since childhood.

This is the first in the series, meaning that there was a lot of world building. The author did a great job with this. It was interesting to envision a thriving society of indigenous people, unmarred by European colonization. The characters each had their own backstories . At first I had a bit of trouble remembering who was who but I got ahold of it soon enough. There is a lot of intrigue and plotting between the various clans and power plays within clans. It is the sort of epic tale where there is no clear good side and bad side.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

What to listen to while reading...
Ain't No Sunshine by IndianNation
Sunblind by Fleet Foxes
Look at this (Remix) by A Tribe Called Red
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by The Police
I'm Going Home by Buffy Sainte-Marie
Bleeding by Yo La Tengo
Wasted by Tomberlin
Black Sun by Death Cab for Cutie

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Black Sun was such a detailed and involved fantasy. Just as the synopsis says, it’s an epic adventure that explores power, history, and characters that are not what people assume they are. I think that’s what I liked most about this book. The characters were so well developed and fascinating. They were all people trying to live outside of what they’re ‘supposed’ to be.
The story follows several characters Xiala, Serapio, and Narampa. Xiala is Teek, which is a culture that has many stories surrounding them. This was clear in the way that others treated Xiala. She’s an excellent captain, but her crew still treats her as other because she is Teek. I really liked seeing Xiala and Serapio develop a friendship because while that was happening, we got to learn more about Xiala and the Teek. I just genuinely liked Xiala. She’s fierce and powerful. She doesn’t take anyone’s shit. Serapio was a fascinating character. For him, we got to go back and forth between the present (where he’s traveling with Xiala) and his past to see how he got to be traveling with Xiala. I think the mythology (I don’t know that his character’s story is actually based on real myths, but there’s definitely mythology about him in the story) surrounding him and his destiny was incredibly interesting. I thought it was really interesting to see him learn the things he needed to complete the destiny that his mother set in motion. Serapio is blind, but that doesn’t hinder him in any way. He can see through the eyes of crows, and his other senses are very well developed. I liked Serapio because he knew what his mission was and did his best to follow through. I like his relationship with Xiala and I feel like it developed very naturally. Finally, Narampa (or Nara). She’s the Sun Priest, but she’s also a girl from a not so good part of town. Many were surprised when she was named successor to the last Sun Priest. I liked Nara because she knew she was facing challenges, but she still really wanted to make positive changes to the world she is a part of. But she’s faced with many people that do not agree with her. Her challenges just grow greater as the story progresses. I’m very intrigued with her backstory and her criminal brother. I am eager to see how that will play out in the rest of the series. There is one more character I should mention, he isn’t introduced until something specific happens in the story, but I have a feeling he will play a larger role in the rest of the series. Okoa is the son of someone important. He returns from what is essentially college for warriors and is thrown into the politics of his clan. I wanted to know more about him, mostly where his story will go from here.
Overall, the first half of the book was a bit slower than the second half. The world was so intricate and fascinating. There was so much detail from the setting to the different parts of the world and the politics within each part. The ending absolutely slayed me and I’m dying to know what will happen now that things didn’t go the way Serapio planned or expected. I am definitely a huge fan of this book and highly recommend it for fantasy lovers. I do also want to mention that it’s a really diverse story. It’s inspired by pre-Colombian America’s, so it’s almost exclusively Indigenous peoples. It is also filled with casually queer people. Xiala is bisexual and there are several trans or nonbinary side characters. I am definitely eager for the next book.

A ship captain, a warrior, a holy priest and a god all descend on the city of Tova during rarest of times as the winter solstice meets the convergence. Who is friend, who is foe, who is good, who is evil, who is the hero, who is the villain, who will live, who will die, who will be triumphant and who will suffer from defeat ? These are the burning questions the reader will continuously ask themselves as they become absorbed pages of the world crafted in Rebecca Roanhorse's fantastic high fantasy Black Sun.

Now I must admit I am not the biggest fan of high fantasy, but this book had elements of dark fantasy such as moral ambiguity and dread so it was the perfect genre blend for me. Even though the novel is mostly character driven it was not incredibly slow. Black Sun moved at a really good pace even in the slower parts. Yet it was during those slow times that we got to know the players Serapio-(Tovan God), Xiala-(Siren/Ship captain), Naranpa-(Holy Priest) and Okoa-(Warrior) and their individual storylines. So that when the book reached its climax, I was attached to them all, Roanhorse had blurred the moral lines, each were righteous in their quest and I really did not know who to root for. Needless to say I will be patiently waiting for this series next installment, it was just that good.

This book starts with one of the most engaging opening scenes I've ever read. This is high fantasy exactly the way I like. It's character driven with political machinations, set in an interesting, non-medieval world with cool magical elements, and never lags at any point in the story. This is one of the strongest series starters I've read in a long time.

The word building in Black Sun is very intricate and vibrant, but I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story. The problem for me was that Black Sun follows three or more significant characters and jumps backwards, and forwards in their lives as well, which kept me from connecting with any of them or getting drawn into the overall story. As such, I gave up after several attempts to make it through the book. But this may have been more of the right story at the wrong time for me personally, I do have issues with flashbacks, and I have liked other books by this author.

Black Sun is a fascinating fantasy novel that examines religion, ritual, prophecy, and how all of those variables affect civilization and the balance of power between groups within that civilization.

"Just like their great ancestor, I have swallowed the shadow of the sun. They call me Grandfather Crow sometimes, although I am not so old."

Much has already been said about Rebecca Roanhorse's characters in Black Sun, which are phenomenal, so I will only add to the discussion by saying how much I enjoyed the differences that she created between the various cultural groups of this fictional world. I also liked how she built the hierarchies within the cities, especially Tova.

"It is said that thousands of years ago our world was once populated with gods. They are our ancestors. But there was a great war, the God War, and many were killed. Those who were not killed in the war began to die anyway."

This spring, I took a course from Oxford University about ritual and religion in prehistory and it not only changed the way I view the role of religion within the creation of civilization, it also changed my analysis of books that contain religious themes, like this one. Matters of faith and spirit aside, there are compelling reasons to believe that religion started as a method of maintaining power and control within groups in prehistory.

Roanhorse's work shows these connections clearly. There's hints of a bloody night filled with warriors who set out to exterminate a particularly warlike cult for, what they say is, the good of all the other groups. The priestly-class carefully constructs rituals and remembrances to not only mark the passing of time and powerful individuals but also to demonstrate their enduring power over the groups they claim to represent.

The mysterious figure, Serapio, is manipulated from birth to fulfill a role that no one tells him about because of a specific prophecy of the Carrion Crows. The Sun Priestess Naranpa has difficulties holding her office because of the poverty of her birth family will always make her an outsider among the more privileged classes who traditionally gave their sons and daughters to the priests.

There are more examples of power struggles throughout the story and I don't want to ruin anyone's enjoyment of discovering them. Those were a few that came readily to mind.

So, in addition to being an immersive fantasy read, Black Sun is also semi-educational about the potential development of religion in prehistory.

All that being said, and as much as I loved the character and plot development, I didn't like the ending. No spoilers here though.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance reader copy of this book.

An epic fantasy set in a wonderfully built world, blending the mythologies of pre-Columbian indigenous peoples with glorious storytelling. Set on a continent called Meridian with Tova being the holy city and capital and home to the Sun priest and the four Sky-made Clans. The priests are preparing for the celebrations of the Winter Solstice which coincide with a solar eclipse this year. There is a prophecy that during the convergence a dark god will return and act vengeance on the people of Meridian. This sets the stage for a fascinating journey as the prophecy comes to fruition. The Sun Priest - Naranpa is trying to re-establish the priesthood to its former glory of being a service to the people of the land as opposed to mere figureheads. In the city of Cuecola a nobleman contracts a ship and a ship's captain to transport a young blind man to Tova before the convergence. The ship's captain is a Teek woman who is able to sing the water to her will and the young man has been prepared to be the vessel of the coming god.
The story is filled with adventure and intrigue and will keep the pages turning rapidly. This the first in a trilogy and the next book will be anxiously awaited.
There is no other story quite like this one making it a refreshing new tale without all the tropes and trappings of the usual European style fairytales and folklore.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is one of the best books I have read in a very long time!

I was slow to start reading this--I think the prologue threw me off a bit, so take that into consideration, especially if you're sensitive to scenes of violence toward children. That said, it's the sort of stand-out story I've come to expect from Rebecca Roanhorse, a richly imagined world (secondary world, in this case, with elements reminiscent of the Americas before Columbus) and complex characters who often work at cross-purposes to each other without losing their essential humanity. And the way the story looks at the uses and misuses of power makes it particularly pertinent this year. I'm delighted to see that it's the first of a series, because I want to know more about this world and its people.

Black Sun is unique, in my experience. Many fantasy books begin with the premise of a powerful mage and a scoundrel embarking on a quest, but if you hear that description and imagine tall trees and knights in armor, you are missing out. Set in a universe inspired by pre-Columbian America, Black Sun follows sailor Xiala and possibly reincarnated crow god Serapio on their way to the city of Tova. Within the city, the high priestess attempts to keep the peace between wealthy factions and the poor of the city. Exciting, creative, deep, and thankfully the first instalment of a planned series, I recommend Black Sun for all fantasy fans and people who like an immersive, fulfilling story.

***4 STARS***
***Review goes live on Lair Of Books Blog on 11/10/2020 at 12pm EST***

THE 411...

Set in a world inspired by the Pre-Colombian Americas, we follow the Sky Made Clans who are prepping for Winter Solstice. This Winter Solstice happens to coincide with a solar eclipse which is considered a rare celestial event. For the Sun Priest, this is an opportunity to try and restore the faith by upholding traditions in Tova. This is no easy task with brewing animosity stemming from the Night of Knives, a night where the Priesthood slaughtered many people from the Carrion Crows Clan. This has never been forgotten and many believe there to be rebel groups waiting for their time to seek retribution.  Naranpa, our controversially appointed Sun Priest seeks to bridge the gap between the Priesthood and the clans. Naranpa who comes from very humble beginnings and has since turned her back on family, is very disconnected from the clans. She will find that she is a target despite not having bloodied her hands. Finding someone she can trust will seem nearly impossible in her present circle and in her past.

We also follow  the perspective of Xiala, a Pansexual Teek Captain who has faced exile and is recruited by a nobleman to transport a blind passenger by the name of Serapio. This is to be done within a very short and what sounds like an unreasonable amount of time. Xiala was specifically sought out for her Teek abilities which are similar to that of a siren. As a daughter of the Sea, Xiala is able to ask her mother for help with navigating treacherous weather and rough sails. Serapio is mysterious and observant with a single objective...to arrive in Cuecola in time for the Solstice. The bearer of a prophecy, Serapio is able to inhabit the bodies of crows who serve as his eyes. His own were stitched shut by his mother who gave him instructions and set him on the path to fulfill the prophecy. Much isn't divulged about the prophecy until we reach the end of this journey. All of these characters paths converge in what is a solid foundation for an epic story.

WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS...

This is my very first read from Rebecca Roanhorse but I can clearly see why this author is beloved. This is high fantasy that delivers on inclusivity, political intrigue, rich culture and multi-layered world building topped off with an adventure at sea. I have NEVER read anything from the Fantasy genre that I can say is as beautifully queer and features what for the most part is a matriarchal society. Naranpa, Xiala, and Serapio are all multi-faceted characters that each display at one time or another a level of moral ambiguity. There are no heroes in this story however if you love a good tale of uprisings and a settling of scores, then this is absolutely one worth giving a go. This world practically jumps off the page both during the travel at sea and on land...sometimes even in air. Roanhorse has gifted us these giant crows that train to fly with a specific clan, a deep respect between humans and these birds is evident. I was left craving more story from the Carrion Crow Clan and some of the key characters we meet in the second act. The pacing of the story is the only thing that docked it a star on my end since there were times I found myself wanting to be with another POV than the present chapter. All in all, a solid foundation for this high stakes Fantasy that I personally look forward to continuing on with!

CW: Suicide, death of a parent, child abuse, violence, extreme body part modification, gore, ritualized body mutilation

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Rebecca Roanhorse came into the larger fantasy spotlight with the Sixth World books, Trail of Lightning and Storm of Locusts, a pair of futuristic dystopian fantasy novels with deep ties to her Dine’ heritage. Now, Roanhorse is back, and this time with second-world fantasy, Black Sun, an expansive pre-colonial interpretation of Indigenous American mythology and history. With magic and love at every corner of this book, it is a profoundly Native story, given as a gift to the rest of us. In line with Roanhorse’s heritage, I strove to find games based on and written by Indigenous people.

The first game, which is still in development, but heading to Kickstarter soon, is Coyote and Crow, a game set in an alternate future where Columbus never landed on Guanahani. Second, for those who love intricate, intimate games with conflict resolution based on spirituality and Native understandings and not combat, Ehdrighor (Allen Turner) is the perfect vehicle for long campaigns. To tell the stories of the characters of Black Sun, we need loneliness, individual separations, and deep understandings of destiny. Beth LaPensee is a prolific writer, and her game, Survivance, is about storytelling and survival. It’s the perfect reflection game after you finish a book like Black Sun, which gives you everything you want and leaves you gasping for more.

The start of a new series by Astounding, Hugo, Locus, Nebula, Sturgeon, and World Fantasy Award-winning author Rebecca Roanhorse, Black Sun is the powerful beginning of the Between Earth and Sky series. Inspired by a pre-Colombian culture, released the day after Indigenous People's Day, this novel is so masterfully constructed that I'm tempted to compare Roanhorse to Nora Jemisin and George R. R. Martin. A tale of repression, opposition, revolution, of cruelty and love, Black Sun is a dark, epic fantasy that is at the top of my list for Hugo and Locus nominees for 2020.

Giving us the stories of Xiala, a Teek boat captain possessed of magic, a mysterious blind man named Serapio that she is transporting to the city of Tova, Lord Okoa, a young man who is brother to the new head of the Carrion Crow clan, and a Sun priest named Narapa, we see the culmination of a celestial prophecy of the Sky Made clans that centers on a remarkable day, the Day of Convergence, a legendary lunar eclipse that coincides with the winter solstice. Described as an unbalancing of the world, one of these characters will unleash a cataclysmic event on the Day of Convergence.

Roanhorse has given us a fascinating world with distinct cultures, deeply enmeshed prejudices, gentle figures who wish to swim against the currents of clan enmity, rebels who foresee a revolution, and the gruesome creation of avatars. The complex relationship between Xiala and Serapio, poignant and incredibly sensuous, is one of the most memorable aspects of this book. Serapio's disability was handled so masterfully in this novel. Indigenous two-spirit persons are also woven into the Tovan culture in a wonderful way, as is fluid sexuality. All in all this novel is just so rich. I want to start reading and listening to it all over again, a sure sign of how much I loved it.

The audiobook, narrated by Cara Gee, Nicole Lewis, Kaipo Schwab and Shaun Taylor-Corbett took a little bit of time to get used to (each voice actor narrates one of the principal characters) but is a very fine production.

I received a digital audio and ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 and I really wanted to like this more. I am rounding up to 3 stars for my rating though, just because I am suuuuper excited about a fantasy world based on Pre-Columbian America, which has queer and disability rep. Hello to writers & publishers: more of that please!

The good first: much like Maggie Hoskie in her Sixth World series, Roanhorse has written a main character that I immediately took a liking to - a bisexual sailor Xiala, who's just trying to scrape by and gets roped into a much larger venture than she's prepared for. Her heritage is Teek - a seafaring people with special powers that make them mistrusted by most others. (I won't spoil the powers but it's a fun reveal.)

Xiala is paired up with Serapio, a young man who was blinded when he was young and has been training for a big destiny that's almost upon him. Roanhorse handles his disability sensitively, and Serapio is a fascinating character. Although he grows up among family, he's estranged from them and has an affinity for crows instead of people - including the people who are trying to prepare him for this big moment they won't tell him much about. I liked watching his relationship with Xiala develop, even though I think it moves a bit fast toward the end.

Generally speaking, the world-building is also a strength. The world Roanhorse creates is so unique! But the flip side / down side is that there's so much going on that I still had a lot of questions about each of the lands presented, and their ruling systems.

But I have to admit, I was not much drawn in by the other storylines - particularly two other major ones, of the Sun Priest Nara (though I DID like Nara's dynamic with third gender Iktan) and the Carrion Crow clan young hero. Admittedly I had some personal life stuff going on in October while I read this, but at times it was hard to pick this back up.

So I did not quite connect with this book emotionally the way I wanted. To the extent that I'm not even sure if I'll carry on with the series, even though the book ends on a HELL of a cliffhanger. I'm keeping my mind open...

Black Sun tells the story of 4 people from the Meridian, a continent where the holy city of Tova stands as the center of it all, and where clans and outsiders unite. But it's not all in harmony. Forbidden magic threatens the veil of peace that has been built up by the Priests, and there are many ways it could all come down. I hate to give anything away, and I urge you to dive in yourself. This world is beautifully built, and inspired by pre-Columbian Americas.

While I feel that I truly don't know how to talk about this book because it was more of an experience than a simple read, I have nothing but a *strong* recommendation for this book. The world, the characters, and the story are so complexly built, and all I want to do is spend more time in this world. Rebecca Roanhoarse has crafted a story for the ages.

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This book features diverse gender and sexuality representation, which I feel was really well done.
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Vague spoils.....******* did nothing wrong.

Provided by the publisher, Saga Press, in exchange for an honest review.

In Black Sun, Rebecca Roanhorse gives us a world that is both alive and wholly unique to any other fantasy world to date. The characters are nuanced and full of color. And the story is so incredibly addicting as we incrementally move towards a fated morning and an epic conclusion.

First thing first, Roanhorse's story is inspired by the pre-Columbian Americas. Inspired by. That was the first thing that caught my attention and sparked my desire to read the book. We've all read epic fantasies set in analogs of western Europe. Don't get me wrong, I still love those stories and settings but they are done so often. In recent years, we have had many more fantasy novels written with various influences, Middle Eastern, Asian, and others. What I have never seen before, until now, is one that explores elements of the indigenous cultures that live across America pre-conquest. And Roanhorse does this with a studied expertise.

Black Sun is told primarily through four different POVs. Xiala is a Teek, one who can use her Song magic to sway the hearts of men, women, and the sea. She is tasked with transporting a blind, hopefully harmless passenger, Serapio, across the sea in record time in order to reach the holy city of Tova by Convergence. Those are two of the main POVs. The other two are the Sun Priest, Naranpa, who is already in the holy city dealing with inner-clan feuding and Okoa, a young warrior returning to Tova to bury his recently deceased mother. It is fascinating to watch how Roanhorse brings all of these stories together in a brutal, but satisfying way.

Roanhorse's story shines most in its characters. The four I mentioned, along with dozens of other, are so well-crafted, each with distinction, drive, and purpose. There are very few action scenes, but there is so much delicious drama in the dialogue. The world is well-realized and the story is far from done. I can't wait to read more in the Between Earth and Sky series in the years to come.

Black Sun is a slow burn. The world building is outstanding; however, it is quite difficult for the reader to fully connect with the characters. The novel picks up considerably in the last third. Well written and full of potential.

Epic fantasy fans – rejoice! Get ready to shout from your rooftops and jump for joy.

Because Rebecca Roanhorse has given us a gift. A magical and wondrous gift. “Black Sun,” the first book in the “Between Earth and Sky” trilogy, is FANTASTIC.

“A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun”

On the continent of Meridian lies the holy city of Tova, home to the Watchers and the Sky Made clans, where celebrations for the winter solstice are drawing near. This year, however, the timing of the solstice runs concurrently with a solar eclipse, which will disrupt the delicate balance of the world, according to the warnings of the Sun Priest, Naranpa.

In the city of Cuecola, a ship captained by Xiala, a magical Teek who can sing the wills of both water and men into submission, departs for Tova. Her ship’s cargo? Serapio, a blind man who, like Xiala, is shrouded in tales of superstition. Xiala has but one task – provide Serapio safe and timely passage to Tova by the winter solstice. No delays. No detours. And no questions asked.

For a minute, I considered keeping this review short and sweet. I thought that I would write no more than a few raving sentences about how much I adored “Black Sun” and then simply tell everyone to read it, read it, read it. But I then realized what a disservice that would be to Roanhorse and the novel. She, and the book, certainly deserve more than a few fan-girlish, delirious sentences.

For “Black Sun” is superb. It is the most epic of epic fantasy. And it deserves every ounce of its fervent hype.

The story has something for everyone. It’s filled with sea adventure, culture, history, political intrigue, and romance. (A bit of a RUSHED romance, but that's a minor quibble.) There are gods and celestial prophecies. Magic of the earth, sea, sky, and blood. Characters that are diverse in gender and sexual orientation.

And the world-building is phenomenal. Set in a land inspired by the pre-Columbian cultures of the Americas, Roanhorse has crafted a lush and exotic fantastical world. The architecture, food, scents, clothing, climate, and landscapes of the Meridian cities are all vividly created, fully enveloping the senses. I am in awe of the breadth of Roanhorse’s imagination.

There is little, if any, info-dumping, too. The intricacies of the world are organically revealed as the novel progresses, without its complexity ever feeling overwhelming or intimidating. Roanhorse’s writing is also accessible and clear, which is helpful and aids the reader’s understanding of Meridian’s inner workings.

But the world-building isn’t the only reason why “Black Sun” is so effective. Roanhorse has put considerable time and effort into sculpting her characters, creating memorable protagonists who tug at our emotions. The story is told through the multiple points of view of Xiala, Serapio, Naranpa (the Sun Priest), and Okoa (of clan Carrion Crow) – and all four characters are extremely likeable and sympathetic.

Scratch that. To clarify, they are likeable and sympathetic ENOUGH, at least, to allow us to be fully invested in each of them as individuals.

Overall, Xiala and Okoa are the most endearing, even though they are the two characters that left me a bit wanting. Their backstories are a little vague -- (perhaps, intentionally so?) -- and I wanted to know more. I have a hunch, though, that their personal histories will be fleshed out a little further in the second book. Or that is my hope.

Naranpa is the least appealing of the four leads, as she is often a bit uptight and inflexible. But as the novel evolves, so does our appreciation of her plight and character growth.

And Serapio is, by far, the most complicated and nuanced of the foursome. Is he a hero? Or a villain? We do not know. And like Xiala, I struggled with my own feelings towards him and at times questioned the empathy he stirred within my heart. The dark path he is set upon is not of his own choosing, to be sure. Yet what of his free will?!?! Is it not ultimately his choice whether to follow the path?

Yes – “Black Sun” provides some good food for thought.

Regarding pace, I feel I should mention that the first half of the novel moves noticeably slower than the second. The latter half is more intense, with swift and frequent action, all of which leads to a riveting conclusion. The three separate narrative threads (I say three, not four, because Xiala and Serapio’s narrative arcs are so tightly intertwined) come together ingeniously by novel’s end, and the stage is beautifully set for the second installment.

And I honestly do not know what I will do with myself while I impatiently await the next book in the trilogy.

Oh, I will read other novels. Lots and lots of other novels. That is a given.

But I strongly suspect they will be starkly eclipsed by the brilliance of “Black Sun.”


My sincerest appreciation to Saga Press and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy. All opinions included herein are my own.

*This review has been posted on Bantering Books (my blog), Goodreads, Edelweiss+, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (my personal page, Bantering Books' page, and Between Friends Book Club) , Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

“Ancient prejudices died hard, even in a city united.”

This was my first Rebecca Roanhorse book, but it definitely won’t be my last. Black Sun is a novel of a resurrected god, destiny, relationships, schemes and politics with a cast of queer characters that I loved. This was probably one of the most unique fantasy books I have read. The world building is fantastic and the world itself is fascinating. I was invested in the story the entire time I was reading. The flashback chapters were extremely well timed in learning about Serapio’s character and how he interacts with people and the world around him.

One of my favorite aspects of Black Sun was the excerpts at the start of each chapter- parts of research, common sayings, even children’s rhymes. I think this is such a fun part of world building and an excellent way to introduce different parts of a fantasy world to the reader.

This cast of queer characters includes Xiala a bi/pan siren-esque sea captain who discovers some interesting powers, Naranpa the Sun Priest who is also bi/pan, and trans side characters- including a couple that use neopronouns (xe/xir)! Which I have never seen in a book before.

I have absolutely no clue how I’m going to wait for the next book after that ending, but in the meantime I’ll be checking out Rebecca Roanhorse’s backlist.