Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky, #1) in Into the Forest

Aug 21, 2021 Jalilah rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-and-science-fiction, first-nation-native-american, 2022-into-the-forest-challenge, magical-sea-creatures

This year I've surprised myself by enjoying books of genres I don't normally like! I normally hate epic fantasy where the setting is in a made up universe. When I started Black Sun I was not sure if I was even going to continue reading it, but I ended up loving it!
Set in an alternate world resembling pre-Colombian America, this compelling and entertaining novel follows the lives of 3 characters; Xiala, a bad ass lady captain who can turn into a mermaid ( my favourite by far!), Serapino a blind ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 Lois Young rated it it was amazing

Whoa. I did NOT expect this story to end the way it did, but I want to read Book 2 NOW!!!

Great characters, amazing world-building and excellent plot points. The magic and the sorcery balances this fantasy between fantasy and magic realism (I'll explain more in my review).

All 4 protagonists are complex people who find themselves being responsible for a group of people, and their choices affect those around them and everything they care about. As 'The Day of Convergence' approaches, each of the pr Whoa. I did NOT expect this story to end the way it did, but I want to read Book 2 NOW!!!

Great characters, amazing world-building and excellent plot points. The magic and the sorcery balances this fantasy between fantasy and magic realism (I'll explain more in my review).

All 4 protagonists are complex people who find themselves being responsible for a group of people, and their choices affect those around them and everything they care about. As 'The Day of Convergence' approaches, each of the protagonists develop into the individuals their roles demand of them to the point where not even the secondary characters can divert them from their path. Without getting into too many spoilers, two of the protagonists were predestined to be part of 'The Day of Convergence,' but an argument can be made that they could have chosen to resist that fate at any given time before that day. In fact, the choices of the other two protagonists should be noted as well because they all have no choice but to live with the decisions they make leading up to the winter solstice. History and folklore aside, the use of foreshadowing and of characterization enhances the story to the point where readers known what is going to happen and why, and that there was no way to prevent the events from happening. By the time everything is revealed, the protagonists have made their decisions, and what is going to happen, happens. This leaves the reader(s) stunned, yet anticipating what will happen next during the aftermath of those events. It’s a shocking and an impressive move by the author.

"Black Sun" is proof that Rebecca Roanhorse can weave her talent and her heritage into powerful stories over and over again. If you need a reason to read one of her books, or if you want to read a fantasy series that will take your expectations to another level, then you really should read this book. It has everything from magic and prophecies to political power struggle based on a moment in human history, in which it all could have happened, but its setting is a fantasy world.

Go read this book!!!

For my complete review, go here: https://mistyaquavenatus.com/2020/09/... ...more

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Mar 19, 2022 Katy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Such a good premise and a promising story, just doesn't quite do it for me. ...more

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Nov 14, 2022 Tbirdplanstoread rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-hard-back, z-2022-read, broken-binding

Wow....just wow. Definitely want to finish this series....

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Sep 19, 2024 Katie Lawrence rated it liked it

Shelves: book-club

Between a 3 and a 4 I think. It took me a long time to get sucked into this book. The beginning had so many time and character jumps, so much lore to delve into, that it felt kind of overwhelming. I forced myself to keep reading for book club and I’m glad I did. Once I got sucked in I was totally captivated, particularly by Serapio and Xiala. The magic was really interesting to me too, as was the commentary on religion, science, oppression of old ways. Ends on quite a cliff hanger, but I’m not s ...more

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