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Look to the Sun
The National People's Voice speaks for Sanmarian and all of Kael.
For fifteen years, they have ruled Kael in relative peace.
For fifteen years, they have quietly snuffed out dissent wherever they found it.
Rose Abernethy and Beo Mataya are two strangers drawn together by one thing Red Sunrise, a book no-one else seems to have read. A book only two types of people ever ask about -- collectors...and the NPV. A book both Rose and Beo feel was written just for them.
As winter falls in Sanmarian's cobbled streets and the fifteen years of seeming calm seethe into violent protests in the city square, Red Sunrise's secrets pull Rose and Beo into the twisted mysteries of Sanmarian's past and into the centre of a forgotten tragedy that inked itself into the city's very blood.
For fifteen years, they have ruled Kael in relative peace.
For fifteen years, they have quietly snuffed out dissent wherever they found it.
Rose Abernethy and Beo Mataya are two strangers drawn together by one thing Red Sunrise, a book no-one else seems to have read. A book only two types of people ever ask about -- collectors...and the NPV. A book both Rose and Beo feel was written just for them.
As winter falls in Sanmarian's cobbled streets and the fifteen years of seeming calm seethe into violent protests in the city square, Red Sunrise's secrets pull Rose and Beo into the twisted mysteries of Sanmarian's past and into the centre of a forgotten tragedy that inked itself into the city's very blood.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2016
3 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Emmie Mears
21 books154 followersEmmie Mears writes the books they always needed to read about characters they wish they could be. Emmie is multilingual, autistic, agender, and a bad pescetarian.
Emmie makes their home with two cats in Glasgow, Scotland and hopes to keep it that way.
Emmie is represented by Sara Megibow of kt literary.
Emmie makes their home with two cats in Glasgow, Scotland and hopes to keep it that way.
Emmie is represented by Sara Megibow of kt literary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 23, 2018
Though a "Look to the Sun" is not really fantasy in the usual sense it reads as a modern day fairy-tale. As with every fairy-tale this story has a dark undertone with real warnings and a heavy moral.
The author gives us a made up location in a made up time where technology is limited. But, it echoes of our recent past and, in many areas of the world, including the United States, of our present.
Basically the feel of the book is a picture of what it looks like when a sinister and fascist regime slowly seeps into society before it makes its ultimate grab for power. The parallel that comes to mind the most is what it must've been like at the beginning of the Holocaust.
The story is told from the perspective of two leads, Rose and Beo.
Rose is an independent woman that works for her aunts in their tea shop and grew up consuming the book her late father gave her which is a dystopian story of its own.
Beo is a photographer with a gift for capturing candid moments, many times the fascist presence inadvertently making its way into the frame.
When the two meet, they are pulled towards each other as the world falls down around them. When every person met is one to doubt, when every friend could be a traitor, when everything known previously is no longer safe, who can one turn to and what choices should be made?
Emmie Mears did an excellent job crafting this story together. The characters are strong and nuanced, the setting is vivid, and the slow insidious creep of "moral" evil tilts the world on its access bit by bit.
I've previously read Mears' "Ayala Storme" series and, aside from the high quality, the style is very different. Where the Storme books had elements of comedy with a master of sarcasm lead, Ayala, this story is not comedic in the slightest and there wasn't a sarcastic quip to be found. However, it's filled with heart and compelling, brave characters. Love and friendship vs fear and evil is at its core.
I admit that I predominantly read lesfic or stories with leads in an f/f relationship. This book is not that. However, it's a highly inclusive book with many "nontraditional" families and genders. Main supporting characters are f/f/f, m/m/f, m/m, and transgendered. Beo also would be considered pansexual because he dates both men and women regardless of their gender identification. As you can see, polyamory is also a main theme.
As if enough wasn't going on in the story, domestic violence plus love vs. control in a relationship are also explored.
For genre, it's a mix of dystopian political thriller and romance with some mystery and twists thrown in.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story despite the ominous feel throughout. It's very well done and definitely recommend.
4.4 stars
The author gives us a made up location in a made up time where technology is limited. But, it echoes of our recent past and, in many areas of the world, including the United States, of our present.
Basically the feel of the book is a picture of what it looks like when a sinister and fascist regime slowly seeps into society before it makes its ultimate grab for power. The parallel that comes to mind the most is what it must've been like at the beginning of the Holocaust.
The story is told from the perspective of two leads, Rose and Beo.
Rose is an independent woman that works for her aunts in their tea shop and grew up consuming the book her late father gave her which is a dystopian story of its own.
Beo is a photographer with a gift for capturing candid moments, many times the fascist presence inadvertently making its way into the frame.
When the two meet, they are pulled towards each other as the world falls down around them. When every person met is one to doubt, when every friend could be a traitor, when everything known previously is no longer safe, who can one turn to and what choices should be made?
Emmie Mears did an excellent job crafting this story together. The characters are strong and nuanced, the setting is vivid, and the slow insidious creep of "moral" evil tilts the world on its access bit by bit.
I've previously read Mears' "Ayala Storme" series and, aside from the high quality, the style is very different. Where the Storme books had elements of comedy with a master of sarcasm lead, Ayala, this story is not comedic in the slightest and there wasn't a sarcastic quip to be found. However, it's filled with heart and compelling, brave characters. Love and friendship vs fear and evil is at its core.
I admit that I predominantly read lesfic or stories with leads in an f/f relationship. This book is not that. However, it's a highly inclusive book with many "nontraditional" families and genders. Main supporting characters are f/f/f, m/m/f, m/m, and transgendered. Beo also would be considered pansexual because he dates both men and women regardless of their gender identification. As you can see, polyamory is also a main theme.
As if enough wasn't going on in the story, domestic violence plus love vs. control in a relationship are also explored.
For genre, it's a mix of dystopian political thriller and romance with some mystery and twists thrown in.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story despite the ominous feel throughout. It's very well done and definitely recommend.
4.4 stars
November 15, 2016
Advance note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I am also friends with Emmie on Twitter and FB.
Review: This book was written during the tumult of 2016, with the frightening cultural spectres of Brexit and the Trump candidacy as a backdrop. No one reading this book with that knowledge would not see the stories of Rose and Beo as anything but a cry against the fascism, bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia which oozes into every corner of our world. And seen as such, it is a remarkable tale, one of depth and beauty, with tight imagery throughout painting a picture of Sanmarian (the city in which the story takes place) which draws the reader in like a good fantasy novel. You want to go there, to visit this world that is a blend of the 1930s and modern day and any story which has taken you to a distant shore. You want to meet these people - Rose and Beo (especially) and see Beo's photographs and Rose's father's watch and Red Sunrise, the book within a book. You want to fight with them against the NPV (National People's Voice) and the hatred of anyone who is seen to be different.
But what Emmie does with this story elevates this above a generic story of the fight against evil. Reminiscent of The Man in the High Castle, Emmie paints a world like ours, and yet unlike, interwoven with social commentary and insight. Like The Man in the High Castle, and other speculative fiction books of the 1960's, Look to the Sun plays with gender and relationships and freedom in a way designed to open the reader's mind. Had I picked it up on a shelf of classic sci-fi from that era, I would not have known it did not belong with the rest (maybe they'll call Emmie if they ever get around to the next Dangerous Visions anthology). It is a deeply feminist and queer novel (though those words are never used), but most importantly, it is a good story, filled with characters worth knowing, imagery which fires up the mind, and a beautiful tale to tell.
If I had one criticism, it would be that the story's climax seemed a little rushed, as if the author needed to get the book out where it could be read (in that same way that many authors do, that need of a story clawing at the inside of their eyes), and I wanted to let it breathe and take more time.
There will be much that is written and created in Donald Trump's America crying out for a better world. Look to the Sun is a worthy first entrant into that world of art, and one which should be long remembered by those who read it.
Review: This book was written during the tumult of 2016, with the frightening cultural spectres of Brexit and the Trump candidacy as a backdrop. No one reading this book with that knowledge would not see the stories of Rose and Beo as anything but a cry against the fascism, bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia which oozes into every corner of our world. And seen as such, it is a remarkable tale, one of depth and beauty, with tight imagery throughout painting a picture of Sanmarian (the city in which the story takes place) which draws the reader in like a good fantasy novel. You want to go there, to visit this world that is a blend of the 1930s and modern day and any story which has taken you to a distant shore. You want to meet these people - Rose and Beo (especially) and see Beo's photographs and Rose's father's watch and Red Sunrise, the book within a book. You want to fight with them against the NPV (National People's Voice) and the hatred of anyone who is seen to be different.
But what Emmie does with this story elevates this above a generic story of the fight against evil. Reminiscent of The Man in the High Castle, Emmie paints a world like ours, and yet unlike, interwoven with social commentary and insight. Like The Man in the High Castle, and other speculative fiction books of the 1960's, Look to the Sun plays with gender and relationships and freedom in a way designed to open the reader's mind. Had I picked it up on a shelf of classic sci-fi from that era, I would not have known it did not belong with the rest (maybe they'll call Emmie if they ever get around to the next Dangerous Visions anthology). It is a deeply feminist and queer novel (though those words are never used), but most importantly, it is a good story, filled with characters worth knowing, imagery which fires up the mind, and a beautiful tale to tell.
If I had one criticism, it would be that the story's climax seemed a little rushed, as if the author needed to get the book out where it could be read (in that same way that many authors do, that need of a story clawing at the inside of their eyes), and I wanted to let it breathe and take more time.
There will be much that is written and created in Donald Trump's America crying out for a better world. Look to the Sun is a worthy first entrant into that world of art, and one which should be long remembered by those who read it.
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October 22, 2021Read an eARC from NetGalley
Content warning: fascism, suicide (depicted), domestic abuse, homophobia
The National People’s Voice have ruled over Kael for the last 15 years, and our story begins when things escalate in city-wide protests in Sanmarian, the capital. Beo and Rose are strangers drawn together by one novel that the fascist regime seems determined to destroy. Amidst incredible reveals, deep tragedies, tender moments of human connection, and more, this book does a phenomenal job of depicting survival despite insidious oppression.
A dystopian wonder that is difficult to read at times, but the hopeful ending is so, so, so earned.
Sanmarian is the most lived-in city I’ve read in a while. There’s a sense of history but also a sense of what day-to-day life is like. The disruption of the status can not be felt among the characters but in the city’s life as well. It’s masterfully crafted, and it’s clear that a lot of research went into the type of story Mears wanted to tell. I got a sense that a lot of came from Polish contemporary history, and the author’s note confirms it. Though things suck in Sanmarian throughout the narrative, it’s definitely a place that feels like it can easily be visited.
I loved Rose and Beo’s relationship so much. There’s a slow-burn but precise connection there that wonderfully threads throughout the plot. I can’t reveal too much about how it all comes together, but it really made my jaw drop. The intricacy of the fiction within the fiction really works here, and Mears pulls it off. Plus, we get so deep into their backstories that enriches the lived-in-ness of the world. I just think it’s really neat.
The plot itself, however, is, at times, difficult to read. The actions taken by the National People’s Voice feel so contemporary in a way that really gets under your skin. Mears crafts a dystopian set-up that feels like it’s happened in our world. There’s propaganda that feels familiar and actions taken against unwanted citizens which made me have to put the book down and collect myself. Despite this darkness, the characters shine bright and their hope and commitment to each other provides the light at the end of the tunnel.
Content warning: fascism, suicide (depicted), domestic abuse, homophobia
The National People’s Voice have ruled over Kael for the last 15 years, and our story begins when things escalate in city-wide protests in Sanmarian, the capital. Beo and Rose are strangers drawn together by one novel that the fascist regime seems determined to destroy. Amidst incredible reveals, deep tragedies, tender moments of human connection, and more, this book does a phenomenal job of depicting survival despite insidious oppression.
A dystopian wonder that is difficult to read at times, but the hopeful ending is so, so, so earned.
Sanmarian is the most lived-in city I’ve read in a while. There’s a sense of history but also a sense of what day-to-day life is like. The disruption of the status can not be felt among the characters but in the city’s life as well. It’s masterfully crafted, and it’s clear that a lot of research went into the type of story Mears wanted to tell. I got a sense that a lot of came from Polish contemporary history, and the author’s note confirms it. Though things suck in Sanmarian throughout the narrative, it’s definitely a place that feels like it can easily be visited.
I loved Rose and Beo’s relationship so much. There’s a slow-burn but precise connection there that wonderfully threads throughout the plot. I can’t reveal too much about how it all comes together, but it really made my jaw drop. The intricacy of the fiction within the fiction really works here, and Mears pulls it off. Plus, we get so deep into their backstories that enriches the lived-in-ness of the world. I just think it’s really neat.
The plot itself, however, is, at times, difficult to read. The actions taken by the National People’s Voice feel so contemporary in a way that really gets under your skin. Mears crafts a dystopian set-up that feels like it’s happened in our world. There’s propaganda that feels familiar and actions taken against unwanted citizens which made me have to put the book down and collect myself. Despite this darkness, the characters shine bright and their hope and commitment to each other provides the light at the end of the tunnel.
January 6, 2022
I'm not sure how to explain my feelings about this book
This story begins with Rose and Beomir. Rose has several copies of the book Red Sunrise as gifted by her father, who told her that if she believes the book is made for her, then it is. Meanwhile, the National People's Voice (NPV) claims to represent the people of the land, but Rose realizes that they do not speak for her.
An anti NPV protest headed by the Liberation Front occurs with Rose caught in the middle, leading to her losing her father's watch; Beo photographs her weeping. Rose notices him, then notices he has a tattoo of the art on the chapter headers of Red Sunrise, and vows to find him.
As they connect, they notice that current events are similar to what happens in the book. Copies of the book are almost nonexistent, and they find allies within Lib Front that slowly lead them to understand the significance of the story...
While the premise of the book is interesting and relevant to current day, something about the general vibe of the book is off. Several times I found myself hyper aware of the writing and plot, and found it to be too wordy or minor things too unrealistic, such as a woman getting into Rose's place with a 20 year old key. Not a single person changed the locks ever? Some motives were unclear, and the resolution and revelations of the story were kind of eh.
a good quote from the book :
This story begins with Rose and Beomir. Rose has several copies of the book Red Sunrise as gifted by her father, who told her that if she believes the book is made for her, then it is. Meanwhile, the National People's Voice (NPV) claims to represent the people of the land, but Rose realizes that they do not speak for her.
An anti NPV protest headed by the Liberation Front occurs with Rose caught in the middle, leading to her losing her father's watch; Beo photographs her weeping. Rose notices him, then notices he has a tattoo of the art on the chapter headers of Red Sunrise, and vows to find him.
As they connect, they notice that current events are similar to what happens in the book. Copies of the book are almost nonexistent, and they find allies within Lib Front that slowly lead them to understand the significance of the story...
While the premise of the book is interesting and relevant to current day, something about the general vibe of the book is off. Several times I found myself hyper aware of the writing and plot, and found it to be too wordy or minor things too unrealistic, such as a woman getting into Rose's place with a 20 year old key. Not a single person changed the locks ever? Some motives were unclear, and the resolution and revelations of the story were kind of eh.
a good quote from the book :
"Books are mere kindling for fires intended to burn people"
July 29, 2021
[Note: I received a free electronic ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review]
In LOOK TO THE SUN, a young woman (Rose) and a young man (Beo) find themselves caught up in a life-changing romance, a fascist takeover, and a counterrevolution, all in a dieselpunk secondary fantasy world.
But wait! There's more!
What kind of more? Queer characters, poly characters, trans characters. An almost Borgesian subplot featuring a novel the two main characters have read obsessively for over a decade and which their own lives seem to be echoing in curious ways. Abuse survivors. Book burnings. The power of friendship and love VS the evils of a Nazi-like party obsessed with gender purity, gender roles, and ethnic purity. Also spies and revolutionaries and so many secret passages.
About the only criticism I have of it is that once or twice the characters got a touch speechy in ways that seemed a little out of joint with the situation they were in and distracted me from reading (e.g. a character who has been starved and beaten gives a several-paragraph argument about why the fascists won't win), but that was a minor thing and at almost every single turn the characters felt authentic, believable, and--to be honest--like people I'd love to be friends with. Plus, this novel is very unapologetically political, so I feel like it's a feature, not a bug, for the political speechifying to be embedded in its characters' dialogue!
A couple of other notes:
This one starts off as a slow burn but quickly becomes impossible to put down. It's a wild ride, and one I enjoyed every minute of. I stayed up far too late reading it a couple of nights in a row, which is always a sign I'm heavily into it.
The novel does cover some dark themes, including executions, depictions of abuse, depictions of suicide, misogyny, transphobia, ethnic cleansing. If any of those are topics that will put you in a bad head space, steel yourself before you dive in. Overall, the bright spots outweigh the darkness.
I especially appreciated the way emotional and physical abuse was treated, with zero victim blaming and the other characters repeatedly reaching out to uplift and help those struggling through abusive relationships or their aftermaths.
Likewise, the normalization of characters in poly and queer relationships and of trans characters' bodies was lovely.
Overall, if you're in need of a bit of brightness to get you through some dark times, I would highly recommend. The characters and their growth will stay with you for a long time, I suspect.
In LOOK TO THE SUN, a young woman (Rose) and a young man (Beo) find themselves caught up in a life-changing romance, a fascist takeover, and a counterrevolution, all in a dieselpunk secondary fantasy world.
But wait! There's more!
What kind of more? Queer characters, poly characters, trans characters. An almost Borgesian subplot featuring a novel the two main characters have read obsessively for over a decade and which their own lives seem to be echoing in curious ways. Abuse survivors. Book burnings. The power of friendship and love VS the evils of a Nazi-like party obsessed with gender purity, gender roles, and ethnic purity. Also spies and revolutionaries and so many secret passages.
About the only criticism I have of it is that once or twice the characters got a touch speechy in ways that seemed a little out of joint with the situation they were in and distracted me from reading (e.g. a character who has been starved and beaten gives a several-paragraph argument about why the fascists won't win), but that was a minor thing and at almost every single turn the characters felt authentic, believable, and--to be honest--like people I'd love to be friends with. Plus, this novel is very unapologetically political, so I feel like it's a feature, not a bug, for the political speechifying to be embedded in its characters' dialogue!
A couple of other notes:
This one starts off as a slow burn but quickly becomes impossible to put down. It's a wild ride, and one I enjoyed every minute of. I stayed up far too late reading it a couple of nights in a row, which is always a sign I'm heavily into it.
The novel does cover some dark themes, including executions, depictions of abuse, depictions of suicide, misogyny, transphobia, ethnic cleansing. If any of those are topics that will put you in a bad head space, steel yourself before you dive in. Overall, the bright spots outweigh the darkness.
I especially appreciated the way emotional and physical abuse was treated, with zero victim blaming and the other characters repeatedly reaching out to uplift and help those struggling through abusive relationships or their aftermaths.
Likewise, the normalization of characters in poly and queer relationships and of trans characters' bodies was lovely.
Overall, if you're in need of a bit of brightness to get you through some dark times, I would highly recommend. The characters and their growth will stay with you for a long time, I suspect.
July 11, 2021
Thank you NetGalley for a free review copy of this book.
Firstly I wanted to explain my 3 star rating. I usually give 3 stars to a book when a book is good and has its merits but also has some let downs at the same time or is not really for me.
Look to the Sun follows two main characters, Rose and Beo from being brought together to being part of a revolution to take down the NVP (National Peoples Voice), the fascist ruling party of their country. This plot and the NVP definitely alluded to the rise of the Nazi party in the 1930s which I thought was a good plot idea and a good basis for an evil ruling party.
I think this book had a lot of potential to be a 5 star read. The writing was good and I liked how the world was described. It really felt like I was there. However I didn’t feel connected with any of the characters and I also thought a lot of the relationships between the characters felt a bit forced. It’s hard to root for a character when you don’t feel like they’re coming alive from the page. I’m not going to give away the ending of course, but I also found this to be disappointing, and a let down after a pretty good build up to the climax of the book.
I also think the NVP weren’t as threatening as they could have been. They were supposed to be fascists but I didn’t really get evil vibes from them. I feel like more could have been done to bring this point across.
I would recommend this book to those who like dystopian and taking down of a corrupt and extremist ruler/ruling party. It’s certainly not a bad book and while I did enjoy it a little bit I do feel as though it needed some improvements for me to really believe in the story.
Firstly I wanted to explain my 3 star rating. I usually give 3 stars to a book when a book is good and has its merits but also has some let downs at the same time or is not really for me.
Look to the Sun follows two main characters, Rose and Beo from being brought together to being part of a revolution to take down the NVP (National Peoples Voice), the fascist ruling party of their country. This plot and the NVP definitely alluded to the rise of the Nazi party in the 1930s which I thought was a good plot idea and a good basis for an evil ruling party.
I think this book had a lot of potential to be a 5 star read. The writing was good and I liked how the world was described. It really felt like I was there. However I didn’t feel connected with any of the characters and I also thought a lot of the relationships between the characters felt a bit forced. It’s hard to root for a character when you don’t feel like they’re coming alive from the page. I’m not going to give away the ending of course, but I also found this to be disappointing, and a let down after a pretty good build up to the climax of the book.
I also think the NVP weren’t as threatening as they could have been. They were supposed to be fascists but I didn’t really get evil vibes from them. I feel like more could have been done to bring this point across.
I would recommend this book to those who like dystopian and taking down of a corrupt and extremist ruler/ruling party. It’s certainly not a bad book and while I did enjoy it a little bit I do feel as though it needed some improvements for me to really believe in the story.
August 22, 2021
(ARC received in exchange for honest review at www.netgalley.com)
Emmie Mears’ ’Look to the Sun’ is more than just genre fiction - it’s a condemnation of fascism and bigotry, set against a fantasy backdrop. The city of Sanmarian is awash with protest over the National People’s Voice’s authoritarian regime, and amid the chaos Rose loses a precious memento that belonged to her father. When her despair is caught on camera by local photographer Beo, their fates become intertwined as they bond over their shared obsession with a novel the NVP despises. When the city burns and the revolution begins, Rose and Beo find themselves at the heart of a storm about to change everything…
Make no mistake, ‘Look to the Sun’ is political at its core. Mears doesn’t disguise the NVP as anything but an allusion to Naziism, or perhaps even the turbulence of the United States during the Trump Era. In making these parallels, she ties her story intrinsically to the emotions past atrocities evoke, lending power to her narrative and uniting her readership in revulsion as the NVP’s inhumanity becomes the crux of the book’s conflict. Mears confronts the horrors of Fascism head on, permeating her story with book burnings, executions, ethnic cleansing, abuse and depictions of suicide. However, she doesn’t revel in this darkness - she also dabbles with romance and the normalisation of queer culture, infusing the story with humanity that balances the barbarism on display with a message of hope. Mears’ political commentary never feels overbearing, working in tandem with her world-building and her characters to create a tension that propels her narrative to new heights.
All that being said, I’ve got some admissions to make. Whilst I can acknowledge the strength of Mears’ storytelling and message, her style of writing never quite worked for me, and in my experience with ’Look to the Sun’ I couldn’t shake the feeling that it all just felt a little prosaic and dreary. Specifically, her tendency towards lifeless prose actually took some of the impact out of the more emotional passages, stylistic choices that hindered immersion. I also had issues with the city itself, which felt rather bland by fantasy standards, perhaps because of the colour palette chosen or simply down to the humdrum technology on offer. I’m not entirely sure how much my own preferences colour these criticisms, to be truthful. However, I still feel a more lively style of writing would have been beneficial when tackling some of the more poignant plot points.
In conclusion, ‘Look to the Sun’ is a fantastic novel. It’s bizarre hybridisation of fantasy and political thriller serves as a stark reminder to be mindful of our past, lest it creep up on us once more. Though I never felt entirely comfortable with Mears’ writing, the merits of her story more than make up for any unfortunate literary quirks. I definitely recommend you pick this up when it releases October 28th - it’s absolutely worth it.
May 13, 2018
This was a very odd, albeit very lovely and thought-provoking book. The story has very clear allusions to the rise of the Nazis, but also taps into the fears and prejudices of the present; it serves as both a reminder of horrors past and a warning to not let them happen again. I can't quite say I enjoyed it, but that's partly due to personal tastes rather than any flaw in the book; I didn't like the writing style, but I appreciated it and think it very much suited the story Mears was telling. I loved the diverse cast, even if I found the characters themselves frustratingly bland and dull - despite the high passions meant to be running through the book I felt extremely detatched and weirdly indifferent to their joys and struggles alike - and I especially adored the normalised queerness and polyamory in this fictional county (even if those things were under threat from the Nazi stand-ins). I also loved the motif of the book-within-the-book that connected all of the major characters in ways I definitely didn't see coming. I'll be pondering this one for a while.
May 18, 2020
Incredible and riveting. I’ve always wanted a gripping speculative fiction that I could see people like me in. This is it.
February 12, 2022
This is not a science fiction or fantasy book, although I think I stumbled across it in a metaphorical pile of such. This is not a lighthearted rom-com, although it involves love stories with almost literal love-on-first-sight encounters. This is not an action-adventure novel, although it is set when a revolution might be brewing across a city. Lastly, this is not a real story, although parts of it feel too real and ugly.
Really, this is very similar in genre and feel to The Amberlough Dossier series by Lara Donnelly; much like that, I started reading it and felt wrapped up in a world that clearly cribs from a historical feel of our own world but with different countries, technology, cultures. The country of Kael is filled with multiparty marriages (in particular, three person marriages seem common, and are open to same-sex relations and trans identities), but the ruling party is the National People's Voices, who don't seem to mention anything but one man - one woman in their propaganda. And there seem to be signs that they're moving on to the next stage of their plan...
Rose is a naif in this world -- she pays little attention to the politics and spends her time working for her aunts' tea warehouse / cafe. She has an oft read book from childhood which almost nobody has heard of, but which has a particular resonance with her and with a few like-minded people. She does not know that, however, until she loses a tangible item connected to the book (due to a badly organized protest) and the item is found by others ...
A book about relationships, a book about love of literature and the arts, a book about allowing people to be who they are -- and an oppressive government that would take this all away. I think most people will enjoy it thematically and it's well written; some parts bother me (in particular, the NPV has been in power in this setting for 15 years before they overtly began to act out against some of these things, triggering the event of the books -- the parallels with similar groups in the real world fail, as those groups are eager indeed to rail against their targets, even if some dismiss it as catering to the base. There's no notion of secret plans.
And that's where the comparison to the Amberlough Dossier really comes into play. In that work, there are a lot of hidden agendas and people doing things for their own reasons -- this book is much simpler. There are loyal lieutenants with no plans of their own, and all the motivation comes down to a few key characters.
Really, this is very similar in genre and feel to The Amberlough Dossier series by Lara Donnelly; much like that, I started reading it and felt wrapped up in a world that clearly cribs from a historical feel of our own world but with different countries, technology, cultures. The country of Kael is filled with multiparty marriages (in particular, three person marriages seem common, and are open to same-sex relations and trans identities), but the ruling party is the National People's Voices, who don't seem to mention anything but one man - one woman in their propaganda. And there seem to be signs that they're moving on to the next stage of their plan...
Rose is a naif in this world -- she pays little attention to the politics and spends her time working for her aunts' tea warehouse / cafe. She has an oft read book from childhood which almost nobody has heard of, but which has a particular resonance with her and with a few like-minded people. She does not know that, however, until she loses a tangible item connected to the book (due to a badly organized protest) and the item is found by others ...
A book about relationships, a book about love of literature and the arts, a book about allowing people to be who they are -- and an oppressive government that would take this all away. I think most people will enjoy it thematically and it's well written; some parts bother me (in particular, the NPV has been in power in this setting for 15 years before they overtly began to act out against some of these things, triggering the event of the books -- the parallels with similar groups in the real world fail, as those groups are eager indeed to rail against their targets, even if some dismiss it as catering to the base. There's no notion of secret plans.
And that's where the comparison to the Amberlough Dossier really comes into play. In that work, there are a lot of hidden agendas and people doing things for their own reasons -- this book is much simpler. There are loyal lieutenants with no plans of their own, and all the motivation comes down to a few key characters.
April 30, 2022
3.5 Stars - Dystopian tale on totalitarism
Look to the Sun by Emmie Mears tells the story of Rose and Beo who live in Sanmarian, a city in a fictional country that reads as a a pre-WWII-society more or less. They become entangled in events that start with a fateful meeting and a budding romance that is stalled by them and their friends and family having to deal with the rather sudden changes in their city that the total takeover of power of the ruling fascist party brings to their lives.
There are many tales out there of totalitarian, oppressive regimes, and this one is focussed on relationships and gender, with the ruling party trying to abolish anything but straight, cis-gendered, monogamous relationships with traditional roles (the woman stays home and raises children, the man is the breadwinner).
The aspects I liked most about this cautionary tale was the writing, which was lovely, with a dreamlike, poetic quality to it. I was also a fan of Rose, Beo and most of the secondary characters which were well drawn and felt like real, complex personalities. There is some focus on abusive relationships and how the gaslighting and manipulation work to keep one partner bound to the other to the point that it becomes impossible to leave the relationship. This felt very true to me and opened my eyes a bit more regarding the psychological impact of such relationships.
I was not the hugest fan of the polyamorous storyline which felt a bit tacked on and did not really contribute much to the story. But it was nice to see representation for non-traditional ways of life - after all everybody should absolutely be free to do whatever suits them best. The bit that was lacking for me was everything about the fascist regime and the man at its centre. I did not feel that his psychological motivation was strong enough for him to do the things he did and generally speaking, the way this regime acted felt a bit to obviously villainous to me - I would have preferred a bit more complexity and exploration of the slippery slope that helps such parties to come into power.
Still, all in all, this was an engaging read that I can recommend to anyone who is looking for more LGBTQ+ representation in their reading.
I have received an advance review copy via NetGalley and voluntarily provide my honest opinion. Thank you very much!
October 3, 2021
Sanmarian has been ruled by the National People’s Voice (NPV) Party for fifteen years. The NPV has maintained an illusion of peace by quietly and discreetly eliminating dissent. That illusion is about to shatter. The NPV has been sowing their views and doctrines during their fifteen-year reign, and they are ready to reap. Sanmarian citizens start disappearing, businesses shutter overnight, violent protests break out. Two strangers, Rose Abernethy and Beo Mataya find each other through their love of the mysterious book that no one else seems to have read: Red Sunrise. They both feel this book was written solely for them, but they soon discover that what happens in the book mirrors what’s going on in their city.
Look to the Sun is a dystopian novel about a fascist takeover, a revolution, a lovely slow-burn romance, and it’s not afraid to be clearly political. This book tackles gender roles, misogyny, domestic violence, and more, all with a cast of characters handled with care from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
You’ll love this book if you love: a secondary fantasy that doesn’t bog itself down too much with world-building, political dystopias, and books about books.
The note from the author following the book makes it clear. This is a novel about the horrors of fascism and how life goes on under its boot until it doesn’t, that there are no monsters, only human beings who choose to do monstrous things.
Rated 4/5 stars because the ending wasn’t as satisfying as it could’ve been; an epilogue likely would’ve remedied this. I really just wanted a little bit more time with the main characters.
(Thank you to NetGalley and BHC Press for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review)
Look to the Sun is a dystopian novel about a fascist takeover, a revolution, a lovely slow-burn romance, and it’s not afraid to be clearly political. This book tackles gender roles, misogyny, domestic violence, and more, all with a cast of characters handled with care from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
You’ll love this book if you love: a secondary fantasy that doesn’t bog itself down too much with world-building, political dystopias, and books about books.
The note from the author following the book makes it clear. This is a novel about the horrors of fascism and how life goes on under its boot until it doesn’t, that there are no monsters, only human beings who choose to do monstrous things.
Rated 4/5 stars because the ending wasn’t as satisfying as it could’ve been; an epilogue likely would’ve remedied this. I really just wanted a little bit more time with the main characters.
(Thank you to NetGalley and BHC Press for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review)
May 11, 2023
With a political party forcing their views on the people of Sanmarian, citizens are confused and chaos begins to rise. Main characters Rose and Beo find themselves trusting only each other in a world where no one should be trusted, thanks to a book that seemed forbidden or never seemed to have existed. The tension of romance was backed up with the intensity of classic fairy-tale fight against the hierarchy. With the help of many friends and lovers, Rose and Beo find themselves in a happily-ever-after, as they look to the sun.
In all honesty, this book was not bad at all. However, I don't think I'm as big a fan of fairy-tale, dystopian type novels as I thought I was. I've found that Mears is an amazing writer and builds suspension that kept me reading, but the story seemed fake to me. As the book is nonfiction, I would still want to believe it, as any other nonfiction novels. I believe nonfictions should make you believe a fantasy is a reality. I was left disappointed of this throughout Look to the Sun. I've found a preference of realistic fiction, so the perspective of this book truly depends on the preference of the reader. Aside from that, the story was amazing. Mears is a great author for the characters she creates and how their individual stories collide. For that, I'm grateful.
I wouldn't say I'm disappointed in reading this book, but I'm grateful to have found a personal preference of novels. I'd recommend this book to readers looking for a dystopian fantasy story that blends the collision of political chaos, multi-gender romances, and suspenseful mysteries.
In all honesty, this book was not bad at all. However, I don't think I'm as big a fan of fairy-tale, dystopian type novels as I thought I was. I've found that Mears is an amazing writer and builds suspension that kept me reading, but the story seemed fake to me. As the book is nonfiction, I would still want to believe it, as any other nonfiction novels. I believe nonfictions should make you believe a fantasy is a reality. I was left disappointed of this throughout Look to the Sun. I've found a preference of realistic fiction, so the perspective of this book truly depends on the preference of the reader. Aside from that, the story was amazing. Mears is a great author for the characters she creates and how their individual stories collide. For that, I'm grateful.
I wouldn't say I'm disappointed in reading this book, but I'm grateful to have found a personal preference of novels. I'd recommend this book to readers looking for a dystopian fantasy story that blends the collision of political chaos, multi-gender romances, and suspenseful mysteries.
July 2, 2024
I wish there was a 3.5 star button. This book was a good read, and was not what I expected it to be. I picked this up in a whim from my local library and thought it looked interesting. I didn’t read the synopsis l, but it was classified under fantasy and I was looking for a novel to take a break from the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series I am currently reading. The reason I give this three stars is not so much a fault of the writer as my own preference for writing style. I found the first 100 or so pages lacked quite a lot of dialogue from the main characters and the omniscient tone of the writing style is not, generally speaking, my favourite. The characters were not around to speak for themselves which made me feel a bit disconnected from them. Each of them was rather self-sacrificing in many ways which is not necessarily bad. But it does lean on the sacrificial heroic trope a bit too hard. However, I enjoyed the heroines, heroes, both, or neither, present in the story. The main arc of this story and the background political tension of the lives of LGBTQ2SIA+ peoples was a really refreshing take on a political thriller/dystopian novel. I did find the ending to be a bit lackluster. There was a lot of buildup for a fairly soft landing and it felt a bit awkward putting the book down as I finished it, still feeling like there was something missing. The authors political undertones, however, I thought were poignant and timely. Overall, this is not a book I regret reading, but it does deserve a prequel which has the potential to bolster this book.
September 12, 2021
In Look to the Sun we meet Beo and Rose, a young man and woman who live in the fictional dystopian setting of Sanmarian, whose relatively normal existence is thrown into chaos as the ruling party, the fascist NPV, becomes increasingly extreme. Both Beo and Rose have friends and family affected by new rules such as women no longer being able to own businesses, of anything other than heteronormative relationships being banned, and dissenters being whisked away without trace. As books burn and protests grow increasingly violent, Rose and Beo meet, brought together by a shared love of a book that no-one else seems to know much about. As the world around them is brought close to collapse, they must do all they can to not only survive, but also ensure that the revolution in which they find themselves doesn’t fail.
This book is wonderful! The language is rhythmic and beautiful, and I loved every word. I grew to care about each character, all of whom are fantastic, and loved the echos of the tale to the politics of both the past (1930s Germany) and far more recent times. I would certainly read more by this incredible author, and would recommend this book to anyone interested in politics or dystopian fiction.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.
This book is wonderful! The language is rhythmic and beautiful, and I loved every word. I grew to care about each character, all of whom are fantastic, and loved the echos of the tale to the politics of both the past (1930s Germany) and far more recent times. I would certainly read more by this incredible author, and would recommend this book to anyone interested in politics or dystopian fiction.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.
November 1, 2021
Rose have read Red Sunrise since she was a child. To her, the book is everything. Few others have read it, and no one else shares her feelings - until she meets Beo in a love-at-first-sight monent, picked from a storybook. The two realise the dangers connected to the book as the fascist-party National Peoples Voice come looking for it. They are suddenly tangled in a web of secrets and problems that neither had forseen, and the way out is not simple.
This is a political fiction where Mears puts focus on acceptance, courage and hope in times of a rule undermining certain society groups. There is a big focus on the LGBTQ-society, which in this world is very big, but still frowned upon by the leadership.
I really liked this aspect of the book, and as a straight person I felt that it was so special to get a glimpse of the struggles and feelings that the characters meet. I feel that I have learned a lot and I really enjoyed the book, but I think that it will be even better for anyone from the community as they might recognise themselves in the characters in different way than I do.
A well written book, with interesting characters, a good storyline, and vibrant view on society problems. I definitely recommend it!
This is a political fiction where Mears puts focus on acceptance, courage and hope in times of a rule undermining certain society groups. There is a big focus on the LGBTQ-society, which in this world is very big, but still frowned upon by the leadership.
I really liked this aspect of the book, and as a straight person I felt that it was so special to get a glimpse of the struggles and feelings that the characters meet. I feel that I have learned a lot and I really enjoyed the book, but I think that it will be even better for anyone from the community as they might recognise themselves in the characters in different way than I do.
A well written book, with interesting characters, a good storyline, and vibrant view on society problems. I definitely recommend it!
December 26, 2021
How can a novel about a dystopian fascist society be so lyrical and beautiful? Look to the Sun does, for me, what Carlos Ruiz Zafón's The Shadow of the Wind never quite managed: it intertwines a mysterious book within the narrative but also gives the emotional payback I would've wanted from SotW. Like Zafón does for Barcelona, Mears lovingly paints a picture of the secondary-world city of Sanmarian. The city came to life for me, as did the characters.
I loved the normalised polyamory and queerness (under threat from the fascist government); the slow slide into fascism, the complicitness of ordinary people; and yet also, above all, the resistance and the striving for a better city and world, the bravery and love of the main characters. Despite the grim topics, Look to the Sun is a gloriously hopeful novel, its characters choosing activism and resistance in the face of a terrible regime.
I loved the normalised polyamory and queerness (under threat from the fascist government); the slow slide into fascism, the complicitness of ordinary people; and yet also, above all, the resistance and the striving for a better city and world, the bravery and love of the main characters. Despite the grim topics, Look to the Sun is a gloriously hopeful novel, its characters choosing activism and resistance in the face of a terrible regime.
April 24, 2025
Un libro sobre un futuro distópico bastante origina.
La política es bastante fuerte, bastante presente en la historia, ya que la trama gira en torno a ella.
Vieron cuando presentan a un personaje e instantáneamente se enamoran? Bueno, asi me pasó con Beo. AMO LAS SONRISAS y cuando me describió la sonrisa de Beo UGH lo queria para mi solita. Hablando de eso, que sean tan permisivos y tan avanzados en la sociedad me dan esperanzas, pero como que tambien era parte del conflicto porque los que estaban al poder eran medio de mente cerrada.
La protagonista era re sosa, como que solo aportaba a la historia gracias al padre y porque, bueno, es uno de los intereses románticos de Beo.
No soy fan del insta love pero creo que acá lo llevaron bastante bien.
La política es bastante fuerte, bastante presente en la historia, ya que la trama gira en torno a ella.
Vieron cuando presentan a un personaje e instantáneamente se enamoran? Bueno, asi me pasó con Beo. AMO LAS SONRISAS y cuando me describió la sonrisa de Beo UGH lo queria para mi solita. Hablando de eso, que sean tan permisivos y tan avanzados en la sociedad me dan esperanzas, pero como que tambien era parte del conflicto porque los que estaban al poder eran medio de mente cerrada.
La protagonista era re sosa, como que solo aportaba a la historia gracias al padre y porque, bueno, es uno de los intereses románticos de Beo.
No soy fan del insta love pero creo que acá lo llevaron bastante bien.
August 13, 2021
This is one of those books that it's me and not the book. There was a lot for me to love about this book, but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. This book has queerness and polyamory that is normalized into this world. It also focuses on modern day fears and prejudices and has a lot of allusions to the rise of the Nazis. The writing is beautiful and the world is well built. I'm not sure why I just couldn't get into this and it might just be the wrong time for me to read this and I'm planning on rereading it again in the future.
I would like to thank Indigo for providing me with an ARC.
I would like to thank Indigo for providing me with an ARC.
November 11, 2021
Sanmarian is so real you can almost taste it. It has a dreamlike quality that stands in contrast with the events of the book and has such an impact as a result. There were a few emotional moments where my stomach legitimately dropped out.
I really enjoyed this. Mears has a very distinct voice with many different influences, and it creates a unique pattern that is perfect to listen to (I read the audiobook).
Looking forward to their next work!
I really enjoyed this. Mears has a very distinct voice with many different influences, and it creates a unique pattern that is perfect to listen to (I read the audiobook).
Looking forward to their next work!
December 28, 2021
The ending and the author’s note that followed changed my perspective on this book. I felt that much of the book was too wrapped up in small details (looking at you, clamshell descriptions), but the ending was quite fast-paced. While reading some of the things the NPV did I thought, “How can anyone do this to or think this about human beings?” When in reality, the US and the surrounding world has done far worse. It’s certainly fiction but not truly fictional.
February 18, 2018
Haunted. Sweet. Terrifying. Hopeful.
August 9, 2021
I haven't finished the book yet, but so far I am loving it! The layout and cover are great and easy to read which I really appreciate as I'm reading it online!
Read
March 29, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Homomisia
Domestic abuse
Suicide, on-page
Homomisia
Domestic abuse
Suicide, on-page
December 18, 2021
Rose have read Red Sunrise since she was a child. To her, the book is everything. Few others have read it, and no one else shares her feelings - until she meets Beo in a love-at-first-sight monent, picked from a storybook. The two realise the dangers connected to the book as the fascist-party National Peoples Voice come looking for it. They are suddenly tangled in a web of secrets and problems that neither had forseen, and the way out is not simple.
This is a political fiction where Mears puts focus on acceptance, courage and hope in times of a rule undermining certain society groups. There is a big focus on the LGBTQ-society, which in this world is very big, but still frowned upon by the leadership.
I really liked this aspect of the book, and as a straight person I felt that it was so special to get a glimpse of the struggles and feelings that the characters meet. I feel that I have learned a lot and I really enjoyed the book, but I think that it will be even better for anyone from the community as they might recognise themselves in the characters in different ways than I do.
A well written book, with interesting characters, a good storyline, and vibrant view on society problems. A recommended read!
This is a political fiction where Mears puts focus on acceptance, courage and hope in times of a rule undermining certain society groups. There is a big focus on the LGBTQ-society, which in this world is very big, but still frowned upon by the leadership.
I really liked this aspect of the book, and as a straight person I felt that it was so special to get a glimpse of the struggles and feelings that the characters meet. I feel that I have learned a lot and I really enjoyed the book, but I think that it will be even better for anyone from the community as they might recognise themselves in the characters in different ways than I do.
A well written book, with interesting characters, a good storyline, and vibrant view on society problems. A recommended read!
November 17, 2021
This book is beautiful.
It took me quite a bit longer to read than I expected. I even received an advanced readers copy, yet it took me nearly a month to finish.
There are at least two reasons. Both deal with the turmoil of this month in the current political sphere. This book is a frightening possible future as it deals with the rise of fascism. That made it a hard subject to want to delve into. The general overthinking about the world caused me to not do much of anything I usually do, reading included.
But it is beautiful. Each of Emmie's books is perfect and wonderful unto itself, but they do seem to successively get better. Bolder. Deeper.
The characters have wounds (psychological, emotional, and even physical), they have depth. It is refreshing, even astounding to read about people like me (queer in more than one way). And to read about them in a way that is not directly about them or about their queerness. Because in this world, it is normal; not dwelt upon.
I think I should very much like to live in this Sanmarian (fascism notwithstanding.)
It took me quite a bit longer to read than I expected. I even received an advanced readers copy, yet it took me nearly a month to finish.
There are at least two reasons. Both deal with the turmoil of this month in the current political sphere. This book is a frightening possible future as it deals with the rise of fascism. That made it a hard subject to want to delve into. The general overthinking about the world caused me to not do much of anything I usually do, reading included.
But it is beautiful. Each of Emmie's books is perfect and wonderful unto itself, but they do seem to successively get better. Bolder. Deeper.
The characters have wounds (psychological, emotional, and even physical), they have depth. It is refreshing, even astounding to read about people like me (queer in more than one way). And to read about them in a way that is not directly about them or about their queerness. Because in this world, it is normal; not dwelt upon.
I think I should very much like to live in this Sanmarian (fascism notwithstanding.)
December 16, 2016
Oddly prescient, I started reading this in the aftermath of the US election and had to stop and read something that was less terrifying. As a bookworm (my stats this year don't include all the unpublished manuscripts I've read, they easily double my count), I adored the idea of the book within the book being the key. I rather wished that came into the ending a bit more than it did.
I also loved the queer representation here. It's awesome to imagine a world where poly, queer families can be a norm. On that alone, this had me smiling.
With such a complex, vivid, and chilling world building, I suspect my expectations on the ending were VERY high. To me, it pulled the punch. I felt like it could have gone a bit darker, or more complex, than what it did.
Still. Worth the read for the uncanny mirror it holds up to American society. It obviously wasn't intended as a warning against the fascism that is perilously near the surface, but it couldn't have been better timed for it. Be like Rose and Beo. Resist, believe, and never give up what you know to be true.
I also loved the queer representation here. It's awesome to imagine a world where poly, queer families can be a norm. On that alone, this had me smiling.
With such a complex, vivid, and chilling world building, I suspect my expectations on the ending were VERY high. To me, it pulled the punch. I felt like it could have gone a bit darker, or more complex, than what it did.
Still. Worth the read for the uncanny mirror it holds up to American society. It obviously wasn't intended as a warning against the fascism that is perilously near the surface, but it couldn't have been better timed for it. Be like Rose and Beo. Resist, believe, and never give up what you know to be true.
July 7, 2024
A city on the brink of civil war is a lousy place to start falling in love, but it turns out to be a perfect place to set a love story. In Look to the Sun, by Emmie Mears, a series of chance events in the first pages leads Beo to Rose. They share a love-at-first-sight look that comes straight out of a romance. The difference for these lovers is that a menacing, anti-LGBT+ and anti-polyamory fascist government is intent on turning the city of Sanmarian into a place where men are men, women are housewives, and there is no place whatsoever for anyone who refuses to conform. So while a civil war maybe isn’t a great place for finding the love of one’s life, it’s absolutely a great place to find the strength to fight for everyone’s right to love who they love...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
November 18, 2016
Dont miss this
Set in the city of Sanmarian. Rose looses her father's treasured watch and is heartbroken. Beo captures her heartbreak when he takes her photograph. Together they begin their fight against the NPV (National Peoples Voice) a fight against fascism, bigotry, homophobia and anyone who is different.
Emmie is very clever at drawing you into their world, as Rose and Beo's lives unravel around them as they discover their families are more interwoven then they could ever imagined.
This book has everything love, relationships, heartbreak and the fight against evil. Don't miss it
Set in the city of Sanmarian. Rose looses her father's treasured watch and is heartbroken. Beo captures her heartbreak when he takes her photograph. Together they begin their fight against the NPV (National Peoples Voice) a fight against fascism, bigotry, homophobia and anyone who is different.
Emmie is very clever at drawing you into their world, as Rose and Beo's lives unravel around them as they discover their families are more interwoven then they could ever imagined.
This book has everything love, relationships, heartbreak and the fight against evil. Don't miss it
March 2, 2022
Notes: I don’t know how I found this book as the cover just looked very familiar to me. I ended up really liking the story as I was amazed at how well the gender representation in it was with other lgbt+ rep too. There is a really dark plot since the story does take place in a society that is very politically divisive, so adding trigger warnings for lots of things. I’m not going to forget this anytime soon.
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