I requested this book not realizing it was book 3 in a series! I spent June/July reading the first two books and while they were decent, I struggled through both books connecting with all the characters. Multiple POV, third person novels for some reason pull me out of my connections with characters. I obtained the audio on this and tried to do an immersion read on it as well, but this ended up being a DNF because I was just not connected to the plot of characters by book 3. I know this is a much loved and very cherished series, so I am not going to post anything negative on my social media, as I do not think that is fair. Additionally, I am not going to give a terrible star rating either, because books are so subjective to taste. The writing was decent, I just could not stay connected.

Mirrored Heavens picks up where Fevered Star leaves off, with our characters scattered and attempting to figure out how to survive in the changing world. I appreciate a lot of things about this book, especially how Roanhorse is able to create nuanced characters who aren't solidly "good" or "bad", but just people trying to make the best choices they can. Serapio in particular, you can feel his struggle as he attempts to find his destiny in a muddled world. The author does a great job in drawing all the pieces of the puzzle together and creating an ending that makes sense, not an easy feat by any means when she had created such a diverse series of characters and plot points.

I did find the ending a bit lacking, but I think that is a fault on my end since one of my favorite characters has an unsatisfying plot progression with an overly ambiguous ending. They deserved better, but I know that is incredibly biased on my part.

This book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Such a GREAT ending to an epic series.

I literally have no words at the craft of this novel, the twists and the turns and the deaths and the reunions. My heart is so heavy with so much love for these characters and the ending was just everything to me.

Rebecca Roanhorse built such an amazing world with such depth and history that it felt like reading nonfiction. The thing I love most about multi character novels/series is that when their paths cross, I’m literally so giddy and when we see old friends come back together? There’s nothing like it. I love this series down so bad.

YES!YEs!Yes!yes!!!!! One of my favorite series. Book was incredible. Please do yourself a favor and read this series.

Mirrored Heavens is the final book of Rebecca Roanhorse’s Between Earth and Sky trilogy, which began with Nebula and Hugo nominee Black Sun. Set in a fantastically unique world inspired by mesoamerican cultures, the series begins following three major POV characters; a sun priest in Tova called Naranpa who has climbed her way to the top; Serapio, a man who has been blinded and scarred in a religious ritual which leaves him shrouded in destiny; and the pansexual ship captain Xiala, a drunken disgrace to her people. With a continuation of the gorgeously exciting world, and fantastic character work, this book provided a strong conclusion, though weaker pacing meant it was one that failed to exceed my high expectations for the book.

While remaining incredibly vague to avoid spoilers for earlier books, this book delivered more of the same: fantasy at the more literary end of the spectrum executed fantastically. Roanhorse's ability to write strong and complex women is unrivalled within the genre in my experience. Her cultural and magical worldbuilding is also fascinating, and this book gives more insight into probably the most fascinating culture from the previous books. What really held this book back from being a perfect 10/10 to me personally was that one of the POVs I'd thought of as stronger in previous books felt to me largely stagnant and for the most part disconnected. This led to the pacing feeling jittery at times and, alongside what felt to me like a rushed ending that felt somewhat anticlimactic, led to this book feeling weaker than the previous novel to me. Overall Mirrored Heavens isn’t quite the ending I’d hoped for, nonetheless it remains another strong entry to a trilogy that is well worth reading.

“The war on earth may have yet to start as the gods claimed their vessels and set their stakes, but the war in heaven had already begun.
For what was earth but a mirror of heaven?
And what was she but a thing caught in between?”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

Rebecca Roanhorse's Mirrored Heavens is the stunning conclusion to Between Earth and Sky Trilogy, continuing to deliver on the complex world-building and character arcs that I have come to love. There were so many emotions that this book and series evoked in me, ranging from happiness, surprise, sadness, and joy. I was completely engrossed in the final journey of Xiala, Serapio, Naranpa, and all the major side characters. Ms. Roanhorse is master storyteller, continuing to build on the world of Meridian. In Mirrored Heavens, we see even more places, from Xiala’s home island of Teek, the partly ruined city of Tova, and the Northern Wastes where Naranpa has fled to harness the Sun God power. Throughout the series, she has woven an intricate tale, beautifully told against a back drop of a pre-Columbian setting. With Xiala, Serapio, and Naranpa, Ms. Roanhorse created the perfect trifecta of characters who reach their pinnacle in Mirrored Heavens. From the start of this novel, I was absolutely enthralled. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, along with the pain and heartbreak of the character’s arcs, and a conclusion that I could not love more. It is safe to say that I would not only recommend Mirrored Heavens, but the entire Between Earth and Sky Trilogy. It was sheer perfection.
The character arcs, completed in Mirrored Heavens, were amazing. Xiala has returned to Teek, trying to get back her magic of the sea. Teek is inhabited solely by women, and it was fascinating to learn how they have children, and how they carry on their lineage. Their magic is transformation in the sea, essentially becoming “mermaid-like,” which is the best way I can describe it. The other is their song. Their singing ability is devasting, with the power to kill those who hear it. The pace is set right at the start, when Teek is attacked, and many women are killed. In this instance, we see Xiala become more than a sea captain. She becomes a leader as she cleverly plots to free her people. I loved seeing her become the strong, fierce leader she was always meant to be. Xiala still longs for Serapio, the man she fell in love with, even though she knows he has become the Odo Sedoh. There is good in him, she knows it, and she will do what is necessary to reunite with him. Her longing is so palpable, as we can read here.

“Tova. It felt like a lifetime away, and Serapio equally distant. What she wouldn’t give to have him here. Perhaps it was a weakness, but she yearned for his unflappable presence, his otherworldly confidence, the protection of his crows and his magic.”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

Serapio is truly a study in contrasts. As the avatar of the Crow God, he does some truly horrific acts. However, we catch glimpses of the Serapio we met back in Black Sun. He, too, wants Xiala. She is the only woman he ever loved, and he knows she can see beyond him being Odo Sedoh. Ms. Roanhorse does a perfect job of communicating Serapio’s longing and pain to the reader. We also get glimpses into Serapio’s background and how and why he became the avatar of the Crow God. Through dreams from Balam, we see more of Serapio’s mother, Saaya. The interactions of these characters before Serapio was born was surprising and complex. Serapio was basically used even before he was born, and I felt so much compassion for him. He was powerless his entire life to do what he wanted. It was only Xiala who could see through to the man and comfort his loneliness.

“And that is part of your prophecy?”, he asked, voice cold as he struggled to contain his emotions: the doubts about his own leadership, his fears of war and what came after, the grief of losing Xiala, his mother, his clan, Okoa, And the deep loneliness that never left him.”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

At the end of Fevered Star, Naranpa had fled to the Northern Wastes. A desolate area where she found Kupshu, a wise woman who would become Naranpa’s teacher. Naranpa did not fully understand her power or how to access it. Although she was a Sun Priest her whole life, she was ill prepared to become the vessel of the Sun God. We don’t see as much of Naranpa as we do the others. Suffice to say that she Kupshu teaches her, and the destiny of the Sun and Crow God must be fulfilled.
The side cast of characters were equally wonderful. Balam’s role is quite important and very surprising. Tuun, whom he set upon the Teek, is one of those characters you just love to hate, right along with Balam. Okoa is back and he is completely loyal to Serapio. The women of Teek are strong and fight back against Tuun. Ms. Roahoarse includes LBGTQIA representation beautifully, especially on Teek. As an island of only women, they marry, have children and raise families. All of these characters are building to the pinnacle of a war against Tova.

“Some nights he would dream of Naranpa, their confrontation on Sun Rock, and things would be quite different…
It was mutually assured destruction, his and the Sun Priest’s, and although it was only a dream, he woke up shivering and drenched in sweat, wondering if he had somehow avoided his true fate, and if so, for how long?”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

The world building was once again a stand out feature in Mirrored Heavens. We finally get to see the Island of Teek, and it feels like a stunning island paradise. For the most part, the women live peacefully, with Xiala’s mother as queen. They work together, marry, and raise their daughters. It is really is a beautiful, but unusual place, with unique magic. The other notable addition is the Northern Wastes of Meridian where Naranpa fled. She lives in the village of Charna near a lake. The wasteland is aptly named, as it is desolate and rarely rains. The inhabitants, however, thrive and live in the land they call home. One notable feature is the graveyard, where is said the gods had died, and some believe it to be haunted. The other cities, Tova, Cuecola, and Hokaia remain much as they were in Fevered Sky.
The characters, the world building, the powers of gods are all woven together into this unique and beautiful epic fantasy. I felt the pacing of the book was excellent. I really enjoyed the flashbacks into Serapio’s life, and it was heartbreaking. Seeing the Teek Island and the Northern Wastes were also an excellent addition. It all comes to a head in Mirrored Heavens as the battle for Tova, the battle between the Sun God and Crow God comes to fruition. It is an amazing, brilliant conclusion to this epic fantasy series. I highly recommend Mirrored Heavens and the entire Between Earth and Sky Trilogy. I will surely miss this world and these characters, especially Xiala and Serapio.

“People misunderstand. Love is the most powerful force in the world. It can change minds, change hearts, reshape the heavens and earth. That is why people condemn it, say a woman is stronger without it, but that’s their own fear talking. If you are lucky enough to find love, Xiala, you hold on to it with all you have. It’s a rare thing.”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens
Overall Thoughts

Mirrored Heavens, the brilliant final book in Between Earth and Sky, is exactly how to wrap up a series-phenomenally. It concludes the epic fantasy that began in Black Sun and Fevered Star. It picks up right where it left off, and was a gripping, page turning story from the start. The character arcs were complete and done so well. Ms. Roanhorse is a master at her craft, writing intense characters, and amazing world building. We see Xiala come to her full potential as leader of the Teek, overcoming so many obstacles, all the while, she longs for the man she loves, Serapio. We get to see into Serapio’s past, through Balam, as he dreams of Saaya, Serapio’s mother. It was heartbreaking that Serapio’s life was never his own, even before he was born. This was an excellent addition to his story, to understand Serapio, his loneliness, and longing for the only woman he loves, Xiala. Naranpa is not present as much, but she no less plays a crucial role in the story Ms. Roahorse has woven. With plots against the Odo Sedoh growing, and Meridian heading towards war, Mirrored Heavens brings forth an extremely satisfying conclusion to all that came before. All the strands were woven together perfectly. I loved that we see Teek and the Northern Waste, places we only read about, but did not see, and learn of the uniqueness of the Teek women and their magic. The fantasy aspect is, as mentioned previously, unique it its pre-Columbian focus. The pace was even and exciting, and there were many surprises, and twists and turns I could never have predicted. Serapio, Xiala, and Naranpa have come full circle and I was more than satisfied with how their stories concluded. I will miss this world, its beauty, and especially Xiala and Serapio. Rebecca Roanhorse is truly an amazing and brilliant storyteller. I highly recommend Mirrored Heavens and Between Earth and Sky Series.

So hard to review this one.
Overall, superficially, 4 stars is pretty on point.

What makes this hard is that Book 1 was so otherworldly. Offering so much promise and freshness to the Fantasy genre. Book 1's characters and setting that they were toiling in... were outstanding and beyond measure. The characters, their fit inside this unique and intriguing world, along with something vibrant and different yet palpable... offered so much.

It isn't so much that Books 2 and 3 were 'bad,' just that they couldn't capture lightning in a bottle 2 or 3 times. It is like the True Detectives issue.. where the first installment was so far ahead of the curve that the subsequent editions could not keep pace. Enough to compel us through the arcs and evolutions, but leaving so much potential on the drawing board. So much that could have come from this formidable start. Other reviews speak to the Book 2 trilogy 'bridge' issues.. and the Book 3 letdowns and misses... and yet, with all of that, such a transformative saga. Such a worthwhile read and fulfilling experience.

Roanhorse is masterful.
We should be so grateful for what, and who, she created. So vibrant and so tactile. and, the arena within which they toiled so artistic and palpable. I see why reviewers speak to a plot that is missing. A plot that, for all of the 600 pages, miscalculates the pacing and the resolutions. I can also understand how some readers feel like the author sidestepped things, bordering on the idea that she did not fully do justice to tying things up.

I am not so sure. .. So much speculative narration. So much deep and complex interplay between characters and their arcs. So much tangible and emotive moments and powerful experiences.. there was so much to be appreciative of. So much of the ride joyous. And fraught with anticipation. and edge-of-the-seat leaning into whatever was around the corners.Yes, the end was missing some of the ample attention that the buildup and the complex political scheming received. and, yes, certain characters missed the final polishing and revisions needed to truly hold up.
And yet, Roanhorse had begun by burning so bright.. that the rest of the journey could not expect to fully keep up. No matter what she was able to create.

Feels like the series warrants the full 4 stars.
This one?? a great, and needed, step through the last chapter. Glad to have witnessed it.

(Thank you, Netgalley, for the copy and joyous reading opportunity.)

I took my time reading the final book in Roanhorse's Between Earth and Sky trilogy, not wanting the adventure to end. Now, I've got a huge book hangover. Rebecca Roanhorse is among the Indigenous authors reshaping American science fiction and fantasy, drawing inspiration from pre-Colombian mythology and culture. This series has become a favorite of mine in recent years.

In Mirrored Heavens, Serapio faces challenges to his rule over Tova as the avatar of the crow god, with threats looming and a constant eclipse shrouding his kingdom. The tension builds as clan matrons plot against him, and Lord Balam prepares a formidable force for his downfall. A prophecy from the coyote god offers hope but comes with a heavy price: "in winning, he would lose everything."

Meanwhile, Xiala must harness her powers and defend Teek from an invasion by Lord Tuun, who aims to use the women of the island in Balam's war against Serapio. The story progresses with a perfect blend of suspense and momentum, leading to a thrilling climax. I’m so pleased that all the complexity of characters, the queer inclusion and all intrigue from the previous books are still there.

As Roanhorse wraps up her epic tale, the characters grapple with tough choices, with Serapio balancing between victimhood and strategy, while others, like the courageous Xiala and the villainous Balam, also face sacrifices in their pursuit of goals.

Roanhorse delivers a conclusion that is intricate, suspenseful, and deeply satisfying, cementing the trilogy as a modern classic in the fantasy genre.

"Mirrored Heavens" is a thrilling conclusion to Rebecca Roanhorse's epic fantasy series. The storytelling is rich and immersive, with well-developed characters and intricate world-building. Xiala, Serapio, and the other characters continue to captivate as their stories intertwine in unexpected ways.

While the ending felt a bit rushed and left me wanting more, the journey itself was satisfying. The matriarchal society, gods, and magical creatures make for a fascinating backdrop. Overall, it's a fitting end to a beloved series, even if it leaves some questions unanswered. Highly highly recommended for fans of the series!

If you like plotting, if you like scheming, if you like chaos, and if you like your characters with a little side of human sacrifice, welcome to the Between Earth and Sky trilogy. It's a bloody shit show and I mean that so lovingly.

For those of you who aren't familiar, this series starts of with Black Sun, which hits the ground running with a scene that will makes your eyes water and speeds along at a relentless pace toward something called The Convergence. And then Fevered Star and Mirrored Heavens are the aftermath of The Convergence, the absolute chaos and insanity and political scheming as everyone tries to pick up the remnants of their lives and take advantage of what happened.

This series has it all: cults, backstabbing, daddy issues, mommy issues, love triangles, magic, racist coworkers, found family, family that should have remained hidden, and mermaids.

Anyway, clap for me because I finished a trilogy! Go me!

Thank you so much SAGA for the #gifted copy!

This was an excellent end to the series! It was filled with a lot of political maneuvering, so just be ready for that. Thank god for the list of characters!! I loved Xiala and Serapio’s character growth, and the amount of excellent secondary characters was really awesome. A super solid trilogy that I recommend to all fantasy lovers!!

🌈Queer rep: Bi female main character in FF and MF relationships. Female main character in a F/NB relationship. Secondary nonbinary characters (using xe and they pronouns), queer female characters, and FF relationship. Society that recognizes a third neutral gender.

This series by far my favorite series of all time! It’s Game of Thrones-y, it’s action peaked, there’s magic systems, and God pantheons. I’m so sad this series is over! The growth of all the characters since the first book is shocking and fulfilling. I could not put this book down! Rebecca Roanhorse is an absolute genius and she completed this series beautifully. She is GOAT! 100%!!

I am obsessed I love Serapio no matter how many war crimes he commits. I will forever adore him and Xiala. It was also a lot of fun to see Saaya’s backstory and see how all the story interweave. It was fun to see Xiala come into her own and figure out her abilities and see how all the gods plot around each other through the different factions. It was also fun to see the human vessels fight off the gods and influence their actions. I am thoroughly obsessed with the series and am I’m kind of sad to see it end but i will be rereading it soon.

This is an amazing end to this trilogy set in a pre-Columbian world. From the beginning of this series, I have loved the world and the characters. Roanhorse pulls details from a variety of pre-Columbian societies and weaves them into a fully-realized world featuring political machinations, a focus on celestial events, tangled character dynamics that are explosive. What a unique and amazing fantasy trilogy. I would LOVE for more books to exist in this world, and was so satisfied with the ending of the trilogy (even though I never wanted it to end at all!)

Wow! What an amazing conclusion to the Between Earth and Sky trilogy. Roanhorse’s writing is gritty and grounded. It gets into your teeth and stays there with you even after the last page. The characters are diverse, unique and alive. With the story told through multiple points of view, readers will get insight to the story and all sides of the war. There is plenty of character development and each movement along the plot is purposeful. Like Roanhorse’s other books, Mirrored Heavens is equally gory and violent. Given this is book three, I think readers come to expect it from the series, and readers of other books by the author will find this is a part of Roanhorse’s style. Like the movement in the story, this too seems purposeful and not done for shock value. As a reader, I appreciate that. The story is told through a series of flashbacks, giving reader more insight into the story and events. Overall, the series is masterful and the finale is certainly no exception.

I read every book in the series back to back, and my goodness what a great series it turned out to be! This will be a top 10 series for me for the rest of my life.

This book breaks you and puts you back together in the best of ways. It was a great conclusion to the trilogy with enough left unanswered for there to be a possibility for more.

4.5 stars, rounded up
——————

What an emotional conclusion to such a stunning series.

I love the way Rebecca Roanhorse writes and this is no exception. The story is well constructed, the use of multi-POV is well handled and the action is spot on. This book had such a defined overlaying plot arc, but also well developed character arcs and growth. As we follow multiple characters on either side of the war and outside the war, we get this well rounded story of the spoils of war and the reality of it. Roanhorse really highlights the reality of conflict and the idea that not everything needs or deserves a wrapped up, happily ever after. We see death and lose, too. The first 30-40% of the book moved a little bit slow and was hard to engage but I’m happy I push through because what a book. I wish the ending had been spaced out a little better because the ending did fell a bit rushed. I like that the storyline were wrapped up and concluded, but wish we got more from Nara’s story in the end.

I love the individual characters here. Each has this unique voice and motive that separates them from one another. It was easy to pick up who I was reading, which is so vital to a book with so many POVs. They’re not the same characters we get in the other books, obviously changed by the events they’ve been through. I think some of that was for the better, but some felt out of character. I think in the end, we see our characters grow into the people they need to be, people shaped by their experiences and stories, despite what the reader overall wanted from them. It makes the story more real.

I wish this series wasn’t ending because I enjoy it so much, but I’m happy with this conclusion and wrapping up of the story.

CONTENT WARNING: suicide, murder, blood, gore, mention of massacre of children, self-harm (to access sorcery), blood, hallucinations, grief, violence, prejudice, gore

I remember when I picked up the first book in this series, and how it blew my mind. This is the long-anticipated finale to the series, and it didn’t disappoint at all. In fact, I found myself deliberately slowing down my reading pace because of how much I was enjoying the story, and also because I didn’t want to let go of the world and the characters too quickly.

This fantasy series is set in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and the way that Roanhorse incorporates the mythology, history, and lifestyle of the times really pushes this series from great to outstanding. The author has clearly done plenty of research on the world she bases her story in, lending it a realistic feeling, while still giving readers a unique perspective that is rarely, if ever, presented in fantasy novels.

“‘But it is earth that mirrors the heavens, not the inverse. What are humans in the face of a god reborn?’”

Since each of our characters is in a different location and working towards a different aim, we get POV chapters from the MCs—Naranpa, Xiala, Iktan, Serapio, Okoa, and Balam. Obviously, some are characters that I liked more than others, but each of them is so beautifully rendered that they felt like people I could run into at any moment. Each of them are morally gray in their own way, and at varying levels along a spectrum, with some only mildly morally gray, and some have gone a little farther down the line so that they’re closer to the villain side.

There is so much action in this story. It’s a long book, but the pacing was perfect. The story never drags, and kept a steady pace. I think this was because there was always something going on—a plot, a scheme, unexpected alliances, backstabbing, and getting to the bottom of a mystery. I loved how the different plot threads were all working towards a meeting point, yet the author left enough time at the end to wrap things up without rushing the story. Overall, this was a perfect ending to the trilogy. I loved the story, and how everything played out. As I mentioned earlier, I couldn’t push myself to read this one quickly like I usually read, because my favorite characters had started to feel like friends and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. But now that I am finished with the series, I’ll definitely be checking out Roanhorse’s other books.

Beautiful tale of magic and heartache: a war of gods made manifest and the whims of destiny. A fitting ending to the complex political saga that began the trilogy.

I was enchanted with the villains become heroes and vice versa, and with the compelling imagery. The characters were flawed and rich and their desires leapt from the page. I think you’ll love to fantasy, the dark deeds, and the morally gray characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

A fitting finish to a great trilogy! I don’t need to say anything more than that. The first two were all consuming but also slow burn(?) and to have finished this story, this wild ride, was exactly what I needed. I am so grateful to have been gifted this advanced copy of Mirrored Heavens - it did not go unwanted 🫶🏼