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Pascal Heitzman

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Pascal is Currently Reading

Pascal Heitzman is currently reading

The Secret Public: How Music Moved Queer Culture From the Margins to the Mainstream

by Jon Savage

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Oct 07, 2025 07:45AM

Pascal Heitzman is currently reading

Burning Down the Haus: Punk Rock, Revolution, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall

by Tim Mohr

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(page 54 of 384)
"I like how the story is told through almost like a novel, it makes the information very digestible. It is shocking how brutal and bloody east Berlin was and just the horrors that existed. I find it super interesting how the economic system allowed for greater control of the ideology of the people. I really like how the story is told through peoples lives and how it follows singular people." — Sep 29, 2025 09:25AM

Sep 29, 2025 09:19AM

Pascal Heitzman rated a book really liked it

Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky, #1)

by Rebecca Roanhorse (Goodreads Author)

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Pascal Heitzman said: " Overall I rated Black sun because it had excellent world building and characters, good pros but I found the ending non-committal, so it lowered the score to a 3.5, but I rounded up. so 4 stars.

World building-Top-tier; it's descriptive, interesting, Overall I rated Black sun because it had excellent world building and characters, good pros but I found the ending non-committal, so it lowered the score to a 3.5, but I rounded up. so 4 stars.

World building-Top-tier; it's descriptive, interesting, and extremely well thought out. When I started reading, I wanted to stop and pick up my pencil to try and draw the world. Well, I'd really need something more than just a pencil because the colors, sounds, and smells bleed off the page. I want to live in this world and experience everything. For me, the nail in my coffin was the use of cacao for currency, super small but I love when authors switch around what people use for money. 5/5 World building.

Characters - Great characters; I don't dislike the writing of any of them. In fact, I like all of them, and even loved some. I really connected with Naranpa. Her storyline was my favorite to read; her struggles to try and make a better world were really compelling, as was her determination; she never gave up even when betrayed and broken. I found Naranpa's relationships with others, especially her brother fascinating. I liked all the other characters—Serapio, Xiala, Okoa, Iktan—they were all super interesting and compelling. Serapio and Xiala’s relationship was really well executed. I like their interactions and how their love is developed, bit by bit into something bigger.
4/5 Characters

Pros - The writing was very beautiful, the descriptions were incredible, and everything felt natural. Overall, 4/5.

Plot - Roanhorse was juggling a lot. She had several plot points that all needed to converge and be cohesive. For the most part, it made sense; however, there were a few glaring things that stood out. First, the introduction of the character Okoa. It was disconcerting to introduce a character’s POV halfway through the story. I understand the purpose of Okoa’s perspective: to present the faction of peaceful but still angry carrion crows, and actually really liked his chapters; however, in totality with the entire story it felt awkward. Lastly, and most prominently, the ending. I disliked the ending. It was anticlimactic and didn't complete character arcs or provide resolution. Sepiro's arc felt completely incomplete and lacking. Sadly, Seipiro's lackluster ending affected all the characters that connected to him, especially Xiala and Okoa's endings. The only resolution that I liked was Naranpa’s. I think that Roanhorse did a great job shifting her to a new place, and you can see an intention for her future. Something to note is that the ending really made this book feel less like a novel and more like a part one to the sequel. I'm sure the ending wouldn't bother me as much if I immediately read the next book; however, this should be able to stand as its own story, not just a prequel to what happens next.
Sadly, 3/5 plot.

Other notes - I enjoyed the queer representation and how it was just another part of the world, superb. I loved one specific writing thing that Roanhorse did: the last scene with Narnapa completely recontextualizes the first one. It was a small detail that was incredible, top-tier writing.

Conclusion - Black Sun gets 3.7 stars out of 5. The ending really left a bad taste in my mouth; it's really close to a truly great book, but it lands at very good. I would recommend it. ...more "

progress:

(page 454 of 454)
"I found the ending very anti-climatic. It tied up some of the plot paints but not the characters arcs/relationships. I disliked the ending with Naranpara, however I did like how it re-framed the scene at the beginning. All the other plot points seemed to be left behind, or postponed for the sequel. I think if I read the sequel it would work as a part one book, but as a stand alone the ending doesn't work very well." — Sep 08, 2025 10:30AM

Sep 25, 2025 09:25AM · see review