This was a good first book. I enjoyed the story and plot. I felt the pacing was a bit slow at times which caused me to zone out every now and then. I enjoyed the action and romance. Loved the inclusion of a non-binary character and a bisexual character. This was a good start.

Serapio was definitely my favorite character of them all. He was such a sweet innocent boy given a hard task. I loved how genuine he was, but also how ruthless he could become. It made me swoon over him. I loved how swift he was and how he processed things before reacting.

Xiala was freaking amazing. A bisexual female captain with a sassiness to her and a mouth that has no filter. Yes please. She made me laugh the most. I adored her to pieces.

The romance between Serapio and Xiala was both unexpected and swoon worthy. I lived for it and personally wanted more between them.

Naranpa was a bit boring until she had to protect herself towards the end. I hated the way people treated her, especially Abah -- I wanted to knock that woman silly. Okoa was extremely interesting to me. I liked how he moves silently without a big show compared to other characters. I wouldn't be upset about a romance between Naranpa and Okoa.

The whole battle between the Sun priest and the Crow god was interesting to me. I do want to learn more about the other groups involved, especially concerning Naranpa's brother.

Overall I am excited for the sequel and have high hopes for it!

Black Sun cemented Rebecca Roanhorse as one of my top favorite fantasy authors, despite being only the second book of hers I’ve read. Even though it’s been eight months since I read it, many of the scenes and characters still feel incredibly vivid to me. I could rave about the characters, world-building, plot, themes, and more, but really the entire package is phenomenal and, unlike much epic fantasy, felt like something I hadn’t read before. So here are just a few of the things I loved:

- the time jumps between past and present are masterfully handled, allowing us to come to know the characters and their histories more deeply over time
- the characters are queer!! unapologetically so, but it’s not a plot point
- Roanhorse doesn’t shy away from explicit gore and violence but it doesn’t become gratuitous
- it’s not all that often you find fantasy book with a disabled protagonist whose disability isn’t completely rectified by their magic. and I daresay he’s my favorite character, though truly it’s hard to choose

The sequel, Fevered Star, is without a doubt one of my most highly anticipated releases of 2022.

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

Black Sun is an epic fantasy with beautiful storytelling. The story had some great qualities, including the fantastical world building and the diversity of the characters. The setting was fabulous, and I would love to learn more about this world and see it continued, but for me, the book fell a little short in the development of the characters. Nothing really engaged me and made me want to read more about them.

Overall, this book was entertaining and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Fantasy.

Black Sun is a refreshing take on fantasy. It explores mythologies that are less often touched upon. Rather than medieval Europe, its a story shaped by the influences of the tribes of Central and South America. The world is rich and well defined, and the characters that move within it are loveable, hateable, and relatable. If you’re looking for fantasy series with a new perspective, but still offering all the enjoyment of a world apart this book might scratch that itch, and leave you wanting more.

#NetGalley

Despite the big buzz, numerous accolades, and my accidentally dillydallying until the paperback came out, I managed to go into this one knowing almost nothing about it except "epic fantasy with a sort of pre-Columbian setting." I usually dig a little deeper before picking up a 450-page series opener, but I'm glad I didn't — walking nearly blindly into this world perfectly matched the casually immersive writing that turns this tale into an experience instead of just a story. I'm not going to tell you much about the world-building. Jump in and experience it. (I will say, however, that I found it immediately immersive, but not immediately engaging. It took me a while after the shocking opener and brief tour of our main characters before I was sold on continuing the experience. I'm obviously glad I did.)

The basic story itself is about a convergence: of cultures, of prophesies, of political machinations, of collective trauma, of celestial bodies, of insecurities and prejudices, and of a diverse cast of principal characters. Serapio is a sheltered young man, raised and trained to the dark destiny of a dark god. Naranpa is a former guttersnipe now idealistic priest, raised to the highest position of Sun Priest. Xiala is a magical Teek, far from home and generally unwelcomed elsewhere, with hopes now raised to that of independent ship's captain. The narrative counts down to the convergence of the winter solstice and a solar eclipse while we watch — uneasy, fascinated, devastated, hopeful, enthralled — the convergence of plans all but irrevocably set into motion and people set toward destruction.

It's a skillfully written, gorgeously described, powerfully imagined series opener with layers of integrated diversity (of cultures, genders, religions, ethnicities, sexualities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, etc.) and an intense, epic fantasy story.

<b>Topics, tropes and themes:</b> sophisticated pre-Columbian societies, family, purpose, bigotry, superstition, magic, political intrigue, generational trauma, prophecy, chosen one trope
<b>Content notes:</b> ritual mutilation and scarification, sudden gruesome slaughter, blood magic, strong language, sacrificial suicide, drinking in excess, substance use for magic/altered state, bigotry, death by drowning, near death experience, banishment, reference to forced prostitution (back story), poverty (backstory),

My thanks to #NetGalley and #GalleryBooks #SagaPress for a digital ARC.

This book is a compelling, detailed, vivid read. I was drawn in by the expertly crafted characters, mythology, and worldbuilding. Every single character left me wanting to read more. I especially loved Xiala.

The story rewarded attention to detail, and made me eager for the next installment. The book is epic in scope, and deserves to capture many readers.

Ok, so this review is suuuuuuuper delayed. I actually got approved for a wish for it, which I was super excited about because of how much I’ve loved Roanhorse’s Sixth World series and how awesome the premise of this was. But then I didn’t read it. And then it was released, and the signed hardcover I’d preordered (which was super delayed) finally showed up. And I still didn’t read it. I think I just haven’t been in the mood for fantasy lately, so it took me way longer to pick up than it should have. But it was there when I was finally ready for it, and I’m happy to report that it was an excellent read!

Roanhorse is such a phenomenal writer. I don’t know how she does it, but I could tell while I was reading this book that it was incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it, and I’m dying to know what happens in the next book! Beyond that, though, I’m kind of stumped about what else to say about this book? It was never slow, but it did take me a while to get invested in to the point where I couldn’t put it down. And it’s definitely a brutal book, though it never felt like the violence was gratuitous or too much. Idk. It was just really refreshing reading a fantasy for the first time in so long, especially one that isn’t centered on medieval Europe, and I loved seeing how all of these moving parts that have been in the works for decades finally came together, and how the two main plotlines interacted and built towards each other and the conclusion of the story. There’s been a lot of hype around this book, and I definitely think Black Sun lived up to it. Hopefully the wait for book two isn’t too long! Though if Roanhorse took a break to work on another Sixth World book, I wouldn’t complain!

Black Sun was my first Rebecca Roanhorse novel, and it certainly won’t be my last. In a market full of copycat, Eurocentric fantasy stories, this one was a breath of fresh air, and I loved immersing myself in this intricate universe.

Against the backdrop of a world inspired by Pre-Columbian indigenous civilizations in the Americas, a prophecy begins to unfold as the winter solstice and a solar eclipse approach. Xiala is released from prison by an influential lord and given a job—to transport a strange cargo to the holy city of Tova before the solstice. The cargo is none other than Serapio, a blind and scarred man with a mysterious past who has known his destiny since childhood, and must live it out no matter what happens. Their voyage across the sea is rife with chaos and unrest. Elsewhere, we follow Naranpa, a sun priest grappling to keep her power, and Okoa, an accused murderer.

I first want to point out that the worldbuilding is some of the most unique and intriguing I’ve read about in the recent past. There seems to be a misconception that indigenous societies before colonization were not advanced, and Roanhorse effectively tells you to shut the hell up with that offensive perception by presenting the culturally rich and elaborate cities that populate this novel. There’s also a lot of compelling mythology here surrounding prophecy, gods, and sea creatures.

Everything is described in glorious detail—to the point where you feel as if you’re seeing the colors and feeling the textures of this world, as if the sea spray is hitting you in the face and you’re witnessing the red sky before a storm with your own eyes—without the writing ever weighing the story down. Roanhorse’s prose and the cleverly concealed mysteries of the plot kept me turning the pages and devouring everything. For me, this story broke out of the box of what I believed epic fantasy could be, and that’s why I encourage everyone to read it.

The characters are truly what carry the story and got me invested in it, especially Xiala and Serapio. As they are torn between duty, obligation, desire, and one another, they bring heart to the novel. Xiala was a particular standout for me, as I haven’t stopped thinking about her chaotic bisexual Sinbad/siren vibes since finishing the book. She’s incredibly funny, sarcastic, and immediately likable, but she’s also dealing with her demons and her self-destructive tendencies. She’s commanding, takes no shit, and makes an unforgettable impression. Serapio is also a compelling character; he reaches into the gray areas between good and evil as the secrets surrounding him are slowly revealed. The chemistry between these two is also electric, and I can’t wait to see more from them in future installments.

I generally wasn’t as interested in Naranpa and Okoa’s chapters as I was in Xiala and Serapio’s, but I’m looking forward to seeing how their stories continues to develop. They both have tons of potential to contribute to the future narrative!

The final quarter of this book drove me out of my mind, and the ending left me shocked, with several more questions than answers. I’m waiting eagerly for the next installment, and I can tell the story will be elevated to even higher stakes. This is a world I want to escape into, again and again, and I will also be seeking out some more of this author’s remarkably creative works.

I enjoyed every moment of this richly detailed fantasy, from the characters to the worldbuilding to the epic sweep and slow, relentless rising tension. I wish the ending stood alone more than it does (it reads more like the end of a chapter halfway through the story than the end of a novel), but that's about my only complaint and I'm definitely looking forward to other novels in this world.

I have written and re-written this review countless times since I finished Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. I think it is because that you loved is sometimes a lot harder than reviewing one with a number of faults. I keep wanting to get the review perfect, to convince potential readers to pick this up. Because I did love this SO MUCH for so many reasons.

Before I get into specifics, let me just say this was incredibly well-written. The world-building is rich and I would actually love a Silmarillion type lore building book that goes deep into the religions and gods and forming of these cultural and political divisions. We can feel the history behind the various divisions and prejudices. The writing itself flows and is balanced between information and action without being dense.

The plot is SO intriguing and the shifting narratives and timelines work well to keep tension and interest while also providing context clues. The ending did feel a bit rushed, which says a lot considering the novel is over 450 pages. Considering there looks to be a sequel, I really, REALLY wish this one had taken it’s time to reach the end OR had ended a bit earlier so we could have time to delve into the resolution.

Now, with that out of the way, what truly meant a lot to me was the aspect of representation. Latine (yes, I will use the gender neutral Latine. No, I will not get into a discussion about this) names and vibes are strongly present. From the gods and religion, to the climate, to city names and customs. It felt so good to read names and words I could natively pronounce and even repeat to my grandmother (if she were still alive). Then, there was the nonbinary character which almost made me cry the first time I saw xir pronouns. I don’t remember ever seeing myself represented in a fantasy book that didn’t make my identity as the main point/objective/etc. It was great seeing a new world with a pre-columbian base and a nonbinary system that treated both as normal and matter of fact so that it remained a fantasy novel.

Would I recommend Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse? Absolutely! For folks that love fantasy and want something refreshing. For folks that are latine. For folks that are nonbinary. It is just so great.

3.5 rounded up. This is probably a book best read in print, not audio, because of the huge cast of characters, flashbacks, and first-in-a-series world building. The writing was good and the mythology/magic was really interesting and woven throughout without massive info-dumps. Unfortunately, I just didn’t care enough about most of the characters to need to continue the series, but that is absolutely just me, not the book, so YMMV.

From the best seller & award winning author Rebecca Roanhorse comes a new fantasy trilogy based on the mythology of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Black Sun is a beautifully woven story. I can wait to read more.

Set in the Meridian is the city of Tova where priests are preparing for the solstice. As they do, a Teek captain transports a blind man to the proceedings. Trials and plots ensue as this world starts to crumble.

This was an absolutely brilliant read. Set in a world of magic and a multitude of religious/political viewpoints, readers follow a few characters before their stories converge. This world is so unique that readers feel instantly transported to it as they read.

Each character has a distinct personality as we read each of their stories. Xiala is a Teek- women with Songs that helps them sail. She is tasked with bringing a blind Obregi man to Tova. Xiala is a mild drunkard that just wants to sail. Serapio, our blind man, has been tasked since childhood to avenge his clan. He is resigned to complete his purpose, but meeting Xiala changes his outlook. Not to mention the priests we meet. Iktan, the quiet Knife that protects the Sun Priest, as well as Naranpa, our Sun Priest trying to rise above the preconceived notions others have about her past.

It is also commendable that Rebecca included representation for many non-represented people. We briefly meet a transgender person, along with pretty major nonbinary characters. I thought that their inclusion was thoughtful and helped the world be more believable.

Overall this story will fill your heart and rip it to pieces while keeping you on the edge of your seat. I cannot wait for the next novel!

I didn't finish it but I must review it. I was told it is an LGTBQ+ book and I don't read things subject matter.

This was entirely too phenomenal. This is going to do so much good. I’m finding it hard to write the words that I want to say, but read this book!

I had the opportunity to listen to Rebecca Roanhorse speak about her book prior to publishing. I was enthralled from the beginning. This is one of my top 2020 books and still need to read something better to beat it. It is truly just amazing.

I'm not sure there are enough wonderful things to say about this good. Once I was into it, I was INTO IT and there was no getting out. I gobbled the whole thing up in about a day. The world-building is incredible, the characters are all compelling, and there is a perfect amount of gore and sinisterness sprinkled with a little bit of humor, The world Roanhorse has created in this book just blows my mind, and my only complaint is that we have NO DATE for Book 2!

I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I was fascinated by the description. And I ended up foregoing every responsibility to finish the book once I started it. It grabbed my interest and just...never let go. The characters felt virtually complete, which can be unusual in a first book to a series, and they felt *human* - not all good, and not all bad.
The story itself was incredible, and the remaining books will be "insta-buy" status for me. In a time many really don't think about, the details and life Roanhorse brought to life truly gave me the desire to learn more about it. I realize this is fantasy, but the mark of a great author, for me, is one that can make me CRAVE to learn more about the time/setting they are writing about. Overall, a FABULOUS book, and one that I fully and wholeheartedly recommend.

I had a lot of hopes for this novel. I absolutely love the premise, and it started out really strong. But I felt like it lacked in worldbuilding and the ending was too abrupt. Will still be reading the sequel though.

Video review: https://youtu.be/-tl_ny5MKqw

Rebecca Roanhorse does it again. This is a brilliant story that grabs you right from the beginning with the mother and son scene. Wow. It is an epic fantasy story and is engaging throughout. The start of a series from this brilliant writer. I am looking forward to more!
#BlackSun #Netgalley #GalleryBooks #GallerySaga