Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Available October 6, 2020

Black Sun is an absorbing new novel set in a magical world inspired by ancient civilizations. Told from multiple points of view, we are thrown into the world of a future god, a ship's captain, and a man intent on seeing their paths cross.

Ever since his birth, Serapio was raised to believe he would one day ascend to become a god. Enduring painful rituals and life of intense training, Serapio begins the next phase of his journey with the help of the strong and fierce Xiala, a Teek sailing captain. Using her unique gifts, she is tasked with providing him safe passage to Tova, a Holy City, in time for the winter solstice. Along the way, we learn of the complex societies that make up a beautiful and richly developed world.

Roanhorse has created an incredible world for her characters. The descriptions of the Sky Made clans and the Sun Priest and their religions was beautiful. The attention to detail on the expansive world filled with incredible cities, diverse people with extraordinary gifts, and the ability to live in harmony with the animals that were closest to their clans. Full of political intrigue, spectacular world building and complex characters, Black Sun sets a new standard for fantasy.

This book is amazing! Absolutely amazing. It's the start of a new series so it ends a pretty hefty cliff hanger but it's worth it. Roanhorse's writing is so detailed and rich that you can picture every home built into the cliffs, the ship on the sea, and the crowded city streets. The beginning of this story is really rough but it shapes so much of Serapio's character and explains the deeply held beliefs of his mother.  The weaving together of this complex society with their different clans and beliefs was masterful. I was just as invested in learning more about the clans and their beliefs as I was about the political machinations going on behind the scenes. Xiala was an equally intriguing character. Her people, the Teek, have a beautiful story of their creation that I can't wait to hear more about in future books. Xiala has a special ability that allows her to guide the ship safely and swiftly across the sea that causes her crews to be both highly suspicious and in awe of her.  Both Serapio and Xiala are outsiders-she has been banished from her homeland and he has lived his whole life with little interaction from others outside of his tutors. Both are feared for their differences and ostracized for it. Another interesting and important character is Okoa, the son of a high ranking clan matron. Choosing to live his life at the military training school instead of fulfilling more political duties puts him at odds with his family and when his mother dies, the guilt is nearly overwhelming.

The politics that weave these three characters together are intense. Strict protocols that guide religious officials combined with the impending winter solstice create for a tense and urgent atmosphere. There are some great discussions about the different social classes and what is and isn't allowed within them. The darker side of the priesthood comes to light through discussions of poverty, the denial of education, and how placing people in debt creates a cycle that will always leave people in forced subjugation and vulnerability.

This book is a lot. There is a ton of action, lots of characters, and a whole world to learn and I loved every single page. There were even a few parts that I knew what way over my heard and I didn't care because I was so invested in keeping my favorite characters alive. It's an incredible ride from start to finish and I can't wait to read more books set in this glorious world.

If you want to add this incredible book to your collection, you can find ordering information here:

Thank you to Netgalley and Saga Press for the opportunity to read and review this title.  All opinions and mistakes are my own.

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