Simply put, I'm sad it's over 👑🐦‍⬛🧜🏾‍♀️🐦‍🔥🐉🦅🪲🐆🐾🥷🏽

This was such an extraordinary series! It took me a while to fashion something cohesive, because along with the breakneck pace of Mirrored Heavens came every emotion, and though it was a bit overwhelming to feel both wired and drained at the same time, i would not trade this feeling for anything!

As an avid fantasy reader, these days an epic has to provide something exceptional to get me to appreciate its value beyond being a good time. And what Roanhorse did with the Between Earth and Sky series was nothing short of extraordinary, one that i'm sure i will be in awe of till the end of time!

Mirrored Heavens, the final opus in this trilogy, opened its first chapter with the Coyote Song prophecy, and the chills that gave me spoke to the myriad future moments where my body, mind and heart would be in motion because of Roanhorse's powerful and evocative narrative. And while I found the whole epic stunning overall, there were aspects of style and layers of engagement that gave this series another level of dynamism to me, beyond plot action and drama!

For instance, I'd really dialed into the epigraphs and felt that there was just something so vital and immersive in the way Roanhorse wrote epic ephemera. The location and dates, the author of the passage, and the overall vibe the clever bit of lyricism ushered in every chapter, fed me more than most books out in the world, if i'm being honest. And because there was a healthy dose of past and present in the way this story unfolded, those epigraphs were invaluable for bringing the energy and marking the location and passage of time, giving me stability and orientation like a steadfast compass. i don't think i've ever felt this strongly about epigraphs before, but Roanhorse made them indispensable to me, and i appreciated them immensely!

Of the 3 books, this one was definitely my favourite. The first two in the series very much adhered to foundation and expansion, and the vicious breaking of the unstable, to be remade with intention and courage beyond duty. But this book came with the fire, and had all the trappings and the energy of violent completion, emotional vulnerability, hope and tragic possibility that had the potential to shred hearts.

And mine was in my mouth from start to finish.

And yes I was decimated like i knew i would be.

I had favourites ofc, and i was a raw nerve from screaming internally and crying fat Chihiro tears as my heart broke and broke and broke. It's such an intense thing to despair over fiction when real life is also kicking my ass. But here we are, still alive and yearning, trauma bonds and all.

The god-touched in this epic were by all accounts the bright and bloody showstoppers. Xiala and Serapio and Nara and Balam, were all breathtaking to read at times. Vessels for their gods, and in constant, bright and dark conversation/song with Sun and Crow and Sea and Dream, these characters were woven with such deft and inspiring vigor, that their tenacity pretty much melted my brain with their transformative, hungry growing.

But it was the humble scion, Okoa, who affected me to the core. His plight was harder than most, because he was the only player on this board of vicious madness who was bereft of malice, and he ended up paying dearly for it. Human, all heart and heroic to the end, i understand WHY things went down the way they had, but I still wanted a different ending for Okoa and his Benundah. I'm still choking up, even as i'm writing this.

Despite my heartbreak, I was happy with the HEAs Roanhorse gave us. And because I'm fairly obsessed and invested down to my marrow, I'm clutching on to the nuggets of hope for continuation, because lbr, a Phoenix is supposed to rise from the ashes! And there's still ample love and magic and secrets, and most importantly, wives to wake up in the world of the Meridian!

And Tova scions will be scions! Because if this series has taught us anything, it's that those vicious apples don't fall far from those carnivorous trees. And those ending yips of the Coyote God gave me hopeful joy that Maw wants a spin at Tova rule, so that's going to be some cunning brutal work ahead and I am here for all of it!

This was a brilliant conclusion to an amazing series, and I'm looking forward to everything Roanhorse brings next to the genre, because I am certain it will be stunning and magnificent and diverse and utterly phenomenal and the best thing for my imagination that i could ever hope for!

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Mirrored Heavens.

Black Sun is one of my favourite books ever. While I enjoyed Fevered Star, I found it a bit of a filler book, like many other second books in a series. So, I was pretty anxious going into Mirrored Heavens; I wasn't sure if I would like it or not.

I continue to absolutely ADORE Rebecca Roanhorse's worldbuilding. There is a way she describes places and clothes and everything that just makes the story very vivid in my head.
I also love the characters, and I loved seeing more of their complexity in this book. A lot of moments really touched me and made me emotional.

I also found the plot surprised me multiple times. I like the twists and directions taken by Rebecca Roanhorse. I also found the ending to be satisfying. It's not what I was expecting, but it makes a lot of sense. I felt it was appropriate considering everything else that happens.

However, I didn't love the book for a few reasons. After the last book, I was expecting to jump into a lot of action. But, I found the first half of the book to be VERY slow and had a hard time moving through it. The second half moves a lot faster and gets very interesting, so that redeemed it for me.

I also feel there were too many ideas thrown into this book. I wish we had focused on depth instead of quantity of events. Also, some parts of the story felt just very convenient. I don't like when I can tell the author decided to have X happen because it'll be convenient for the plot later. I want the story to feel organic. Naranpa's storyline especially felt forced.

Still enjoyed the series though and would recommend it to many fans of Fantasy who are looking for something different.
Rebecca Roanhorse is an author I'm definitely hoping to read more from.

Mirrored Heavens brings the Between Earth and Sky trilogy to a close, and I am sorry to see this world disappear. Roanhorse provides a strong, action-packed finale to the series, wrapping up most of the storylines well. Her skill at world-building and character development is on display in this series, and I feel like she did justice to the characters she has created. Do I want more? Of course. But I am content with how this trilogy has closed and look forward to more fantasy of this caliber from Rebecca Roanhorse.

Many thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada, Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. A solid 4.5 stars!!

I have enjoyed a lot about the Between Earth and Sky trilogy: a diverse range of POVs, fascinating Central America-inspired world-building, and a lot of action. I was happy with the range of characters featured as POVs in this particular novel, and there was so much intrigue and betrayal and alliance-shifting that I was hooked from the first page.

Note that the second and third installments of this series do not work as stand-alones – each picks up right where the previous one left off with no reminders as to what’s going on.

This is not my favourite installment in this series. Others have critiqued the pacing in this one for involving too much build-up and not enough climactic action; I don’t feel that way necessarily, though some parts did feel a bit ‘side quest’ to me. I’m just not thrilled with how the trilogy concludes; in some ways, I’d be happier if I knew there was a 4th book coming.

Overall, though, definitely enjoyed this trilogy and will read more from Rebecca Roanhorse. I’d love it if she published a collection of shorter works set in this world.

Content warnings: war, violence, gun violence, injury detail, blood, gore, torture, murder, grief

Thank you S&S/Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review.

My main issue with this finale book was just the length. I should have learned from the second book that Roanhorse puts in way too much setup. I liked it in the first book because I anticipated the climax of the book and the all the characters meeting up but the other two books in the trilogy didn't do a good job of capturing my attention to care about the climax. And the climax that we spend sooo much time building up seems to fall flat in both this book and its predecessor. While I enjoyed the fight scenes (when we finally got them) and seeing these characters' stories wrap up, I feel like the pacing and length of the story made me lose interest.

Roanhorse is brilliant and this is the perfect way to close out her Between Earth and Sky series. From her world-building to her character development and arcs, to the dialogue and individual interiority of her main characters, everything was diligently done. With care, compassion, and attention to the smallest details of the plot, she crafted this ending with just the right amount of culling and took the time to wrap up storylines that required.

I loved Black Sun and so now I am happy to have completed this trilogy. If you enjoy the previous two books, you will very likely this one too.

I enjoyed spending more time with the characters in this lush world. Some of the relationship dynamics were a bit predictable and cliche, but I didn't mind going along for the ride. If you are interested in this series, then you must start back into the beginning with Black Sun.

Disclaimer I received this book from the publisher for review.

I was so happy to get this book because I love the series so much. I thought the author did a great job wrapping up the storylines for each of the characters.

Prepare for a wave of fast-paced action in this novel, as Xiala, Serapio, and Naranpa make their final stand, their destinies converging in the last installment of the Between Earth and Sky series.

Writing this review with a bittersweet feeling, I express my love for this world, its characters, and its magic system. Roanhorse's magnum opus and gift to the realm of fantastic literature finally reaches its conclusion, leaving me feeling like I've lost a dear friend. Despite remaining a member of the Naranpa hater club until my last gasping breath, I found myself still engaged with her point of view, a rarity in stories with multiple converging plotlines.

Having enjoyed Black Sun immensely, I was left wanting by Fevered Star. Prior to delving into Mirrored Heavens, I made sure to revisit both, appreciating the reminder of how starved I had been for a non-European based novel. Roanhorse, a gifted writer, effortlessly weaves mythology with fantasy elements, creating a series that will endure as a classic. Whether you're new to fantasy or a seasoned reader, this novel offers something for everyone.

A remarkable rebound from Fevered Star, I happily award this book 5 stars and hold out hope for an epilogue someday.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I considered not reading this third installment because even though I loved the first book, the second I found to be a little boring and really didn't inspire me to follow through with the last book. I was wrong and am glad I gave the series another chance. The action amps up again in this third book, pulling me back into the story. This is a series i want to reread, which I rarely do, because I think I may have missed some important details in Fevered Star.

I am happy to say that Mirrored Heavens was a great end to the Between Earth and Sky trilogy! I loved Black Sun so much and consider it one of my favourite reads of 2021, but I was immensely let down by the slow, dragging pace of Fevered Star (classic middle book syndrome I guess). While Mirrored Heavens never quite reaches the emotional heights of the first book for me, I think the pacing and character dynamics/arcs are much more exciting and well-realized.

I think what's keeping me from rating it 5 stars is largely due to the same issue I had with book 2 - too much time is spent with side characters. I love Xiala, Serapio, Iktan, and Naranpa, and truthfully I never really cared that deeply Okoa or Balam or any of the other POVS. Again, while I enjoy the faster pace of this story, I almost think it went too far in that direction, and I actually would have preferred slowing down to savor the reunions and interactions between our main characters. The ending, as well, was a little sudden.

Overall though, my bias and love for Black Sun trumps most of my criticisms, and even overshadows my disappointment towards Fevered Star. I think Mirrored Heavens is a satisfactory conclusion and a solid book altogether, so I would still recommend this trilogy for anyone looking for a unique fantasy with incredibly detailed, creative worldbuilding, and a core cast of flawed characters that you can't help but root for to the very end.

I enjoyed Mirrored Heavens more than Fevered Star, but there were a few parts that left me feeling like, “Is that it?”🤨

After consideration, I decided on 4.5 stars (rounded 5). As a fan of Xiala, I was mostly happy with how the story unfolded. However, I found some parts to be somewhat unsatisfactory and unresolved. If you're more interested in Naranpa and Iktan, you might be disappointed.

This trilogy has definitely earned its place among my favorite adult fantasy series, alongside The Poppy War trilogy and The Daevabad trilogy.

I had been desperately waiting for the reunions. And they were sweet and heartwarming. I much prefer it when the characters are together, or at least within the same vicinity, rather than miles apart.

Going into this book, I wasn't expecting a happily-ever-after for most characters. The very last few chapters had me on edge as Rebecca dragged it right to the last page. I was genuinely worried it would end abruptly and leave me hanging.

Xiala has been my favourite character since the first book. I am not particularly fond of Serapio, but that man knew how to cherish her. If Xiala is happy, then I am too. He became a damn poet. I was not expecting the romance to hit so hard. I'm not that into romance, but some quotes were truly delicious.

We also got more backstory that helped me understand the bigger picture, and I was thrilled to learn more about Teek and its women. I love it when everything falls into place, and I admire authors who can create intricate worlds and stories that make sense.

Now for my gripes, I found Okoa's and Naranpa's arcs anticlimactic. From the first book, I had the impression that Naranpa would play a more central role in the series overall, but she ended up being sidelined. The same goes for Okoa, and I wish we had seen more of his story in general. He felt more like a plot device.

Despite the series coming to an end, I can't help but hope for more. The ending was a bit open, leaving room for more …

Really solid conclusion to this trilogy. There were without question some 5⭐️ moments for me in this series. Xiala????????? Are you kidding me????? I liked how the series wrapped up overall and I was left on the edge of my seat for the majority of the book (as with most of this Roanhorse’s catalogue!).

My biggest drawback on this book in particular and the series as a whole is that the books are too short. While it leads to very fast paced moments, I felt like we glossed over what could have been epic moments and didn’t have the time to spend on some really key emotional beats.

God what a finale to this trilogy, I want to go right back to the beginning and read it all again like NOW. The world they built in these books is just stunning and the characters were complex and and interesting. I love these books so much.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

- An intense finale jam packed with emotionally turbulent moments from start to finish. Rebecca Roanhorse’s Between Earth and Sky trilogy is one of the better epic fantasy releases in recent times, and The Mirrored Heavens is the perfect capstone to what’s been a very good trilogy.

- So bare bones rundown of the story - Serapio as the Crow God Reborn rules Tova, which begins to suffer under the strain of a permanent twlight. Crops fail, winter has no end in sight and all the challenges associated with these problems plague the city. And thats when the priestess of the Coyote shows up, with a prophecy that will send him down an even darker path than the one he’s thread so far. This being epic fantasy, there’s scheming from various factions galore, there’s a big war threatening on the horizon, and all characters major and minor that we’ve met so far get swept up in the buildup towards that.

- For me this is easily the strongest book of the entire trilogy. The first two I read and enjoyed enough to continue the series, but they didn’t quite pop off in my mind the way this did. The characterization felt better done and more intense, with Serapio, Xiala, and Naranpa in particular being very interesting to read about. They’re not the only POVs, we have quite a few, we get the Jaguar Lord in this one for instance, his in particular also including some flashback scenes that really filled out events leading up to the start of the first book. The vast majority of this book is spent with these characters dealing with their individual challenges, facing choices that will have serious ramifications, and generally just gearing towards the grand finale.

- Rebecca Roanhorse makes a brave choice with how she plots this book, choosing to head off some events and taking others offpage that depending on your tastes will not work for you. I don’t want to get into detail with those choices because I feel like it would spoil the book, but needless to say her choices in that matter will almost definitely make this book very divisive. By the time that section of the book rolled around, I was really enjoying this already, so it’s not something that severely impacted my enjoyment. Could it have been better with slightly different, more standard choices? Probably, but this book would have also gotten even more bloated than it already is. Was I enjoying it just the way it was? Very much so.

- This is a world inspired by ancient Latin American culture, with a little sprinkling of something else, and it’s a few different mythos that I really enjoyed. Between the Native gods - Crow, Sun, Coyote and the Teek’s more primordial worshipping, the magic in this series can be dark, strange, terrible and wonderful all in one shot. Not just the magic, but anything involving the supernatural in these books has the taint of evil and fear to it, and it’s kind of reflected in the dark choices the characters have to make. Between this and the pervasive, slow burn feel of big sections of the book where the focus is on characterization and storybuilding, it gives the entire thing a feel that was just wonderful to marinate in and enjoy.

- All in all, a great book and a good finale to what’s been an all around good series. Rebecca Roanhorse definitely makes some subversive choices, and we have a very character driven story from start to finish with writing choices that are definitely going to be divisive. As fitting the finale and just the terrible nature of this world, its gods, their avatars and magic wielders, our characters one and all go through some wonderful but terrible arcs, and for me it was a great ride from start to finish. Highly recommended for fans of the series, and in general a series to check out if you’re tired of the usual European-inspired fare.

This is the final book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy and it was a pretty solid conclusion to the series! I loved this just as much as the previous two books and for the most part I was satisfied with how things wrapped up. I really loved this world and the characters. The only reason this wasn’t 5 stars is because there was one character who I felt had way more page time than they needed and there was another character who I actually felt needed a bigger role in this book. Overall I had such a great time reading this series and I’m so sad it’s over. I would 100% recommend.

In the conclusion of Rebecca Roanhorse’s epic Meso American trilogy war approaches Tova and Serapio must make a series of sacrifices in order to continue to rule. But, will he still be anything resembling human once the price is paid for Tova? Xiala is back on Teek ruling as a sovereign and trying to master her super cool mermaid powers (this is amazing) while Balam through his greed descends further into madness. Okoa must decide where his loyalties lie while Iktan’s heart takes xir North to seek out Naranpa who is training to master the powers of The Sun God.

I don’t think I can accurately describe to you how flawless this series is and the conclusion was absolutely perfect. In her acknowledgements for the first book in the series Black Sun Roanhorse talked about why she wanted to write this story to combat the myth that Pre-Colombian North and South American cultures weren’t complex and write an epic fantasy that wasn’t based in Medieval Europe. This point has stuck with me and makes me appreciate this trilogy that much more because she is 1,000% right, so much of the fantasy cannon is made up of very similar stories. And there are so many cultures that have amazing contributions to make to the genre. Rebecca Roanhorse is an absolute genius in storytelling and this world she has created is so magical and well rounded without relying on any of the Western inspired Fantasy tropes. I love dragons, but hell yeah I want to read about a giant Crow instead if given the option. As amazing as the story is as soon as I hit page 100 I started to get anxious, this is a trilogy, what am I going to do when this ends? I don’t know what I’m going to do now, but I’m so freaking glad I finished the book, wow, I am just blown away by Mirrored Heavens.

A very solid conclusion to a strong series. It’s been interesting seeing Rebecca roanhorse’s writing from the fast paced movie feel of trail of lightening to the strong/complex world building of this series. I really enjoyed the characters, the world and the pacing. I do find that because this is so plot focused the characters aren’t as developed but since the book is so interesting it didn’t bother me too much.
I’m also selfishly excited for more books in trail of lightening now that this series is done.

This was an absolutely stunning conclusion to a brilliant series. The world and its history is rich, well-developed, and well-explored - I wish I could spend more time in Meridian. The characters were also complex and equal parts detestable and lovable, which made all their struggles and triumphs all the more gripping. I loved the way certain characters/storyline paralleled or foiled each other. The twists and reveals were well-foreshadowed and effectively executed.

Overall, this was an incredible read. Rebecca Roanhorse remains one of my favourite authors, and Between Earth and Sky one of my favourite series.

thank you so much to netgalley, rebecca roanhorse, and simon & schuster canada for providing me with the arc for mirrored heavens
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this book is very fast paced which can be good and bad. in my opinion, there were no boring parts or things that dragged but the ending was wrapped up a little too quickly for my taste. other than that, i loved this book. i love the characters, i’m so glad we finally got to spend more time with xiala! i love her, iktan & serapio so much. everything rebecca roanhorse writes is absolutely well done, she is an amazing writer and this book was so hard for me to put down. i can’t wait to read more from her! every chapter flowed perfectly into the other especially as characters started reuniting. this book has been so highly anticipated for me and i’m so happy to have been able to read it early. thank you again netgalley!