This is even better than Black Sun, which I loved. The world description has been expanded, the additional characters explored in depth, the historical conflicts between clans explained. I understand so much more about this world and loved every minute through the end. If you haven’t read Black Sun, you must before you embark on Fevered Star. I am looking forward to the next installment,
I read this through a digital advance copy provided by NetGalley. I am so happy to be able to access their titles.

My thanks to Gallery/Saga Press, the fantabulous Rebecca Roanhorse and Netgalley.
I've been sitting on this review and just thinking about the story for days. Simply, days!
This is not a review. Anyone who reads my mumblings knows that I never review! I give thoughts or feelings.
My first thought is that this second book doesn't suffer from the dreaded "middle book syndrome!"
Heck! I loved this one as much as I did the first book.
There are many character's to love, hate or feel ambiguous about. I actually like that in a story!
This book moves along so quickly that "much like the first" I didn't want it to ever end!
But,..
Even though I know that I will have to wait at least a year for the final book, this one has a definitive ending. Everyone in their place! All set to go and knock me for a loop at the end of this trilogy!
Quite honestly? I just can't freaking wait!
This is probably one of the best fantasy books that I've read in the last 5 years. I've come across some good stuff, and this is right up there with the best!
Highly recommended!

Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse is the second book in the series Between Earth and Sky. The sequel to Black Sun, this novel will not disappoint fans of the first.

A wild fantasy series, complete with mysticism, magic, intrigue, romance, and family feuds. Fevered Star returns to The Merdian in the aftermath of events of the first novel. On the surface, it seems a classic case of good versus evil, light versus dark. But who is the good and who is the evil? With horrendous deeds on both sides, and a history of blood, war, and persecution, no one is blameless.

Will the sun rise over Tova again? Or will the darkness take hold and eclipse the sun eternally? Similar to the first book, this one does not give us a final ending. We see the resolution of some matters, but there is so much more of the story to be told.

I am dying to know if this is going to be a trilogy or a longer series. There’s certainly enough world-building and characters that I could see this extending for some time.

If you enjoy high fantasy and are looking for something new, and unique, I highly recommend starting with Black Sun, and then reading Fevered Star when it comes out later this year.

The second volume of Roanhorse's Between Earth and Sky series nicely escalates stakes, provides new insights and information and some truly creepy powers to several of its focus protagonists. As the allies and adversaries among the inhabitants of the Meridian aspire to advance their greater goals of political and spiritual power, they also deal with growth and trauma in their personal relationships. FEVERED STAR accomplishes raising the stakes and advancing the story, closing some story arcs while introducing new challenges. Highly recommended.

I received an early e-ARC copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

I'm not really sure what to think of this book because I felt like almost nothing happened. I thought it would pick up from the tragic ending that was in Black Sun, but the first 250 pages dulled as a set-up. The scenes on Powageh and Balam were almost unnecessary. I thought they would play out for a political conflict later on, but nothing really came out of it.

Naranpa definitely saved this book as she played a much bigger role for the entire plot. I now know the reasons behind her slow beginning in the first book. I really wished she had more chapters dedicated for her in this book. She was the only character that I cared for. Fevered Sun was her redemption.

Xiala took on a more different role, and I really loved her character development and journey. This book became more of her story, of figuring out her identity, reconciling her past, and finding her role for the battle to come. However, her role in the end felt forced and jumbled, as though it was added for no apparent reason. It came out of nowhere with little to no explanation.

The ending was very anti-climactic and rushed. There was no built-up that led to it, as though everything that happened was supposed to happen without meaning or reasoning behind it. The characterization between Serapio and Naranpa felt to me confusing during the final event, and I still felt confused of their decisions. I understand the direction that Ms. Roanhorse wanted for this series; however, it was easily served to us in a silver platter without actually leading us to our destination.

I admittedly had to go and look up a quick summary of what happened in the last book bc it’s been long enough since I read Black Sun that I’d forgotten a good chunk of the names. However, this is all things considered, a really good middle book of a trilogy. It keeps things moving, focuses and expands on some of the side bits that were hinted at last book, and actually manages to subvert a trope that it seems to be building to throughout the novel, all while setting the stage for some Big Shit to go down next book. Lots of amazing lesbians and bisexuals, too, which is always a huge plus. Definitely pick it up when it comes out.

This is a fantastic sequel to Roanhorse's BLACK SUN and picks up where the earlier book leaves off. It's loosely based on Central American mythology and continues to follow Serapio, Xiala, Naranpa, Balam and other characters from the first book through the aftermath of the bloodbath that ended the earlier story. Fascinating, multi-faceted characters, action-packed, and with plenty of plot twists makes this story a serious page turner that is hard to put down. The only quibble I have with it is that the end of the book is clearly not the end of the story and it will be hard to wait for the next installment in this series. Highly recommended both because of the writing and of the story.

I'd love to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a chance to dive into the sequel of a book that floored me last year.

If you like Game of Thones mixed with Pre-Columbian / Indigenous beliefs and religion, this is the book for you.

The last time we left our characters a lot was going on. As we pick up book two, a lot is STILL going on! A few things get ironed out / realized by characters that were unsure of their destiny and or purpose. Some characters trade alliances and some, well, they just want to wait out the winner.

My favorite character has to be Serapio. Sometimes a character that won't or can't buckle under the weight of so much emotional turmoil just makes me thoroughly pleased. Serapio in book one was a mortal boy / man who was groomed to be the host to the Crow God. Now that the Crow God is using him to fulfill the needs and desires of prophecies long fortold, Serapio still clings to things he remembers from his time prior. Especially his feelings for Xiala.

The other character that I have grown to enjoy and watch come into play is the reincarnation of the Sun God, Naranpa. She has become our little Jedi / fighter of good in the world. I love reading her rebirth and her chapters with her brother.

The reason I knock it down a star is that a lot of other readers / reviewers indicated it kind of slogged in the middle. It's true, it does. Nothing really happens in the middle and the characters being split across the world and waters is a bit of a drag for me. I am also a bit concerned about the plot and good / evil balance. We really don't know what else is going on with that and it wasn't really touched on much besides that good and evil need to take each other out. I'm trying to find out how all the other characters and their powers / beliefs fit into it.

I trust the author and I am still along for the ride. Hopefully by the end of this book everyone else will be too.

"Fevered Star" delves deeper into the characters that drove the non-stop action behind "Black Sun", but suffers from second book syndrome. Taking place a few hours after the catastrophic events of "Black Sun", "Fevered Star" features people who have lost their purpose. Once a destiny has been fulfilled, what else is left to do?

This book is moodier and moves much more slowly than its predecessor. Although the POV characters are the same, many additional side characters are introduced, so much so that I found myself referencing the handy list of who's who at the beginning of the book. Whereas the first book thundered toward an action-filled conclusion, "Fevered Star" skulked about. It's a journey story, featuring characters who move from one place to another, seeking allies, engaging in betrayals. Fans of court politics will enjoy it. I was underwhelmed, ultimately, because the entire thing felt listless in comparison to the first novel and instead was nearly entirely meant to set up the action of the third novel. Characters spent a LOT of time pondering how they felt about one another. Outside of a few moments of action, not much actually *happened*. I found myself checked out and frustrated through the second half of this book in particular as even more new characters were introduced and I was expected to care about how they felt toward one another.

Roanhorse's writing is as wondrous as ever, and I did enjoy several characters' stories, but the plot flat dragged. I'll read the third book - a lot of fun things were set up for it - but I was ultimately a little disappointed with the way Book Two shook out.

Oh wow, it felt good to be back in this world! If you enjoyed the first installment, Black Sun, I would highly recommend picking up this book as well.

This series is a fantasy based on pre-Columbian Americas, and borrows mythology and history from several different cultures in that time period. Fevered Star expands the world in terms of geography and history, and is a fast-paced and engaging read. I deeply enjoyed the character growth that takes place, and it was a difficult book to put down.

I will say that this volume does have a bit of "middle book in a trilogy" energy; a lot of things felt like set up for the final installment. Which is honestly fine because I'm excited for the last book, but still.

My thanks to both NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of the second book in this fantasy series.

Second books can be a problem in any genre, especially in a series. An author might spend half their life trying to craft the proposal and physically writing the first book in their magnum opus. After the sale is that long period while the first book is being prepared for publication, with no response from fans or readers, except for some vague comments from the editor saying "Faster, more intense". An author knows how the story starts, maybe how the story ends, its the getting there that can be a problem. This is a problem that Rebecca Roanhorse, in her second book in the Between the Earth and Sky Series, Fevered Star does not have at all. The book retains its fresh new ideas, interesting characters and moves them all along in a very enthralling story.

At the end of the first book, Black Sun, the city of Tova has undergone serious travails. The sun is at a permanent eclipse, powerful members of the ruling groups are dead, and the Gods themselves have decided to make the city their battlefield, through their avatars. Our cast has been scattered, and have formed new allegiances and alliances, some with other characters from the previous books, some with new characters, and some with enemies. Truths are slowly being revealed, magic is making a comeback, conspirators are gaining and losing ground, people die, and some return. I'm keeping this vague since I don't want to revel to much.

The story is very well told, with a good flow even with the numerous points of view from different characters. The author is very good at keeping the story moving and not losing the thread even with different characters given focus. The idea of Mayan influences for the story is such a fresh and different idea, and makes for a very different take on the standard fantasy story. There is a lot of moving and traveling which is good to get a sense of the scope of the story, plus it helps to keep the characters apart and gives the plot time to lock in on what is important.

Another very good entry into a series that has grown on me and I can't wait to see what happens, and for more adventures set in this world. The characters are all well developed and tell their parts of the story differently giving a larger scope to the story. Plus there is a good amount of representation, and a lot of twists that help readers to identify and stay intrigued. Highly recommended for fantasy fans, or for fans of very good, very diverse writing.

Picks up right where Black Sun ended. After the massacre at Sun Rock, ever shifting factions seek to control the city. With the Treaty broken, forces are gathering in Hokaia to control the Meridian.
Serapio lives.. His mission has been partly successful—the sun is frozen in the eclipse over Tovah—but he still needs to kill the Sun Priest. He is still caught between being a vessel for the Crow God Reborn and being a man. Nara reunites with her brother and tries to find a new path forward to save the city. Okoa needs to figure out which side he is on. Xiala is looking for Serapio, trying to remain his friend and protect his interests.
There is love, betrayal, magic, shifting loyalties, long journeys, and a bunch of people, each trying to do the right thing for their people. Of course there is conflict.
I thought this was a duology; so glad that It is a trilogy. Eagerly awaiting the third book.

I loved the writing and all the character dynamics. I liked some perspectives more than others, but I felt the same way at the beginning of Black Sun. Overall, I loved this just as much as the first one and I can't wait for the next.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc.

4.5

I got an arc for the first book, so I was thrilled to get one for this. It’s a great sequel. It follows where the last one left off. There was a nice glossary/character description at the beginning; it was helpful to get back into the world. I’m obsessed with Serapio like before. His development in this installment was *chefs kiss*. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see what comes next. Also, the drama with Xiala, I need to know more. I enjoyed getting more Iktan in Fevered Star, and I liked Nara’s growth. Without a doubt, I’ll be getting a copy for myself and rereading it once the audiobook is out.

I finished Black Sun yesterday and stayed up ALL NIGHT reading this (though, my infected tooth wouldn’t have let me sleep anyway). I’m running on an hour of rest and have a 12h day of work, but it’s so worth it. I normally don’t like books with pirates/sailing but this series has done it so well that I’m reconsidering my opinion on pirate/sailing books.

I love this series. Roanhorse’s writing is phenomenal and so unique. The world and the characters are amazing. The commentary on justice and the representation and just EVERYTHING about this is so good. I love the direction the story has taken, and I’m incredibly emotionally invested. The ending to this was so good and I’m absolutely obsessed!!

I’m planning to reread this again immediately because I feel like running through it in one sitting made me miss some details. Naranpa and Serapio and Xiala are so near and dear to my heart. This has already made it to my list of favorite series!!

There's been a lot of discussion of whether this novel suffers from second book syndrome. To me, second book syndrome comes from a weakness in plot, character, and pacing that result from a lack of advance planning. Fevered Star struggled with none of these things. In reality, this book represents a genre and tone shift that might not be for everyone, but to me is just as compelling and emotional as Black Sun. Black Sun was based in action and anticipation: Fevered Star introduces politics and consequences. In the hands of another author, the events of Black Sun could have been a trilogy in of themselves, culminating in Serapios prophesied destiny. Roanhoarse takes a crafty approach to revising this typical hero narrative, asking not how things can be brought to resolution, but how one person's "destiny" can be the first in a chain of dominoes leading to an even larger, ominous outcome.

Separating Xiala and Serapio was emotionally tough for me, but really gave the characters room to breathe independent of each other. We see Serapio's complicated relationship with Okoa and the Odohaa, and Xiala's wary friendship was Iktan as she searches for new direction. To be honest, her narrative felt the most aimless of the three, guided more by circumstance than by personal growth (compared to Naranapa's journey to confidence and agency, and Serapios unsteady descent into godhood). I loved Naranapa's story the most, particularly how she learned to connect with her brother and her Maw roots outside of her sheltered life in the tower. I also LOVED getting to see outside of Tova: we only really caught a glimpse of Teek and Hokaia near the end but I look forward to understanding more about their society and politics as the narrative draws to a head in the next and final novel.

Fevered Star is the middle novel of the trilogy and thus is neither a beginning nor an explosive conclusion. It features no great battle and rather is concerned with moving the pieces on the chessboard and setting them up for the conclusion. It is at root a fantasy novel, set in a world of many clans, living in an uneasy truce, of blood, of power, and of the magic of gods reborn.
Three main characters populate the story with a few other narratives as well. The main three though, Serapio, Xiala, and Naranpa, all are persons of extraordinary powers but who are so unlike others that they are almost always alone and apart. Serapio is the Crow God reborn. He is blind but can see through the eyes of crows and can turn into one or many. He can when angered take out while plazas filed with people. Worshipped as a deity, he knows the clans are using him for power and fail to even glimpse his human side. The firebird, Naranpa, has the wings if an angel and the power of fire. She is a priestess of the sun god, but is apart from the other priests, and was spared by Serapio. She belongs nowhere. Xiala is the major character we come to know best, an exiled Teek, a sea captain, a wanderer who can never go home and is bound by love to the Crow God Serapio, who she knows as a person.
While these three try to find their ways alone and burdened with power and magic, clans and matrons and lords plot and plot, each weaving plots within plots. War is coming and it may be the Crow God alone against all or the alliances may all fall. We are now set up and ready for the final novel in the trilogy.

second book syndrome? we do not know that bitch and we don’t associate with her here.

black sun was dark brilliance — a heady rush into this fantastical, magnificent, and immersive world of old gods and strange power whilst knowing something terrible was coming. and this one was more of a steady, forward march towards inevitable, difficult outcomes with clear eyes. the plot twists made me lose my mind. people can say all they want about this one, but i fucking loved it. sorry (not sorry) if you didn’t!

this was a surprise! arc physically delivered to me that almost caused me a heart attack. i did not expect to get an arc at all? i don’t even remember requesting one? but does that diminish my excitement at all? nope! i’m still on cloud 9 and forever grateful i got to read this book before it was published because wow did this book break my heart and shatter my mind (in all the best ways). beyond 5 stars if you haven’t guessed yet.

the combination of characters coupled with the fast-paced plot was the most satisfying thing to read. the way they clashed together to weave the deepening complexities and dynamics of the story met and exceeded my expectations. you yearn for certain characters to see each other again, yet the author knows when the perfect timing is and provides you with an unexpected pairing you never knew you needed. i love it when stories mix and mash different characters together, so you get to see where the edges of their personalities fit and how they work together as a team. and i am so fucking lucky i got it in this book.

even though the settings and character dynamics are new, the same dark tone is still present throughout the book and it still keeps me on my toes. even though xiala’s journey was my favorite to read about, i still adored the other povs. serapio’s journey was heartbreaking, groundbreaking, and dark. he taught me how closely connected reputation and fate were. how it’s human to want others to see you as human. naranpa’s journey was admirable, honest, and sad. she taught me grace in the aftermath of tragedy. how that’s when it’s most critical to ask for help and you must allow vulnerability to make you stronger. xiala’s journey was hysterical, shocking, and tragic. she taught me that there’s a difference between being a coward and being weak. how being at your lowest is the opportunity for greatest change. iktan’s journey was melancholic, devastating, and hilarious. xe taught me to keep going, despite everything. and how that is one of the purest forms of strength.

the plot was fucking brilliant. no matter how much i tried to predict plot twists and developments, this book laughed in my face and threw me into another plot line that left no room in my head to analyze — it told me to enjoy the ride and i did, from beginning to end. i have no complaints. truly none. and even if i did try to, i don’t want to. i had the best reading experience with this book. i can’t wait for others to be there with me.

thank you to the publishing company for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this phenomenal, intense book!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! I'll be honest I liked the first book more than I liked this one. It definitely has what I call book two syndrome, where a book is clearly setting up things for the possible finale by explaining a lot of info and spreading characters out before bringing them back together (think the second Lord of the Rings).

Unfortunately because of this, the middle is really slow.

This book picks upright after the first. Nara is alive thanks to magic and she realizes she's the embodiment of the sun god. Her brother gets brutally murdered protecting her because one of the clan matrons (Golden Eagle) is a little bitch and wants to gain control of the entire city so she's basically selling all the other clans out. So Nara leaves at the end of the book after fighting the Crow God so she can learn more about her god powers and the history of her battle with the crow god. I'm pretty certain the third book will end with some sort of balance between the sun and crow god as is balance of light and dark as would be common in most mythology and folklore.

The Crow God is all violence and he doesn't trust anyone and he's still upset that he can't find Xiala so he commits some murders and causes a bunch of chaos. But Nara leaves him in Tova, healed, because she thinks he can help protect the city against the coming lords (including relatives of the Jaguar prince who is practicing dreamwalking), the Teek and the Spearmaidens (and Golden Eagle). Nara expects the crow god to harden the matrons and to make them realize their old ways suck. Seems likr a big gamble and probably a terrible idea, Nara.

Meanwhile Carrion Crow is split in allegiance recognizing that the Crow God is mostly evil and violent but at the same time a bunch of their clan believe in him and crave his violence as retribution. Xiala is traveling with Golden Eagle with Itkan (Nara's friend). She is technically a Teek Princess and kind of fancies herself in love with the Crow God.

Most of this book is basically people traveling and we don't really get some of them together until the end. The whole wandering around trope has never been my favorite. But it is clear this book is building up to a lot of action (and everyone in one place) next. So I understand this wandering and setup is necessary, it's just slow. Also where book one does a good job of humanizing the crow god, in this book he isn't likable at all, I don't even feel bad for him because he's just making a lot of terrible and cruel decisions and then wondering why things are so hard and not going his way. So that impacts my ability to LOVE this book, but also probably necessary. The Crow God is losing his humanity as Nara is still keeping her's I'm sure this will play into the final battle, which as I suspect will likely end in some sort of balance between the two.

I am looking forward to book three, though.

"We are but fevered stars...Here a little while, bright with promise, before we burn away." -From Fevered Star

4 stars

This book is a big welcome back to all your favorite characters. It opened fantastically, pulling you back into the world. The pace fell for me again after that, but not as bad as it did for me in the first book. For all you out there that like political maneuvering- your book has arrived. I loved some of the character building and background we get, and the expansion on some of the relationships. For me, there was a part near the end that felt like the resolution was too "easy", and really didn't make sense; then the book seemed to rush to end. I was expecting a bit more conflict, a little more tension, but I leave the world loving most of the characters a little more. I look forward to seeing how this ends.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.