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camrich's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’m usually not much of a high fantasy reader, but I had heard so many great things about this book that I had to give it a shot. Overall I thought it was great! It took me a little bit to get into all of the world building, but the characters (especially Serapio and XIALA!!) had me hooked from the start. I actually grew to love learning about all of the cultures and the tensions between them as the book progressed, especially the political state of Tova and tensions between the clans/the clans and the priesthood/within the priesthood. Another thing I loved was all of the representation, especially regarding trans & non-binary identities and visual disability.
Now for a bit of the negative points of this book for me. The main one was that the book spent all its time building up to this major event only for it to actually happen across 2, maybe 3 pages; I was obviously disappointed. That being said, I did think that it was cool to read about the effects of this event from the different character perspectives which softened the blow a bit. Another was how underdeveloped one of the main character’s story was, especially in comparison to another character who got lots of page time but had very little development (*cough* Narampa *cough* ) I was actually really interested in expanding on Okoa and the mystery behind his mother’s death/murder but unfortunately it seemed like that plot point was abandoned (hoping the author further develops that in the second book!).
Overall a solid start to the trilogy, will definitely be picking up Fevered Star and Mirrored Heavens to see how everything plays out!
Now for a bit of the negative points of this book for me. The main one was that the book spent all its time building up to this major event only for it to actually happen across 2, maybe 3 pages; I was obviously disappointed. That being said, I did think that it was cool to read about the effects of this event from the different character perspectives which softened the blow a bit. Another was how underdeveloped one of the main character’s story was, especially in comparison to another character who got lots of page time but had very little development (
Overall a solid start to the trilogy, will definitely be picking up Fevered Star and Mirrored Heavens to see how everything plays out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Genocide, Sexual content, and Alcohol
ivereads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I am beyond words, I recently got back into reading after having over a 8-10 year slump, and I read this over the course of just 6 days. (That is insanely impressive for my slump) The storyline is phenomenal and I am absolutely in love with everything the author did. Rebecca Roanhorse did her mfing research and made the whole world building amazing. I am autistic so I have some biases for loving this stuff because it's a personal special interest. But she did a great job of bringing Indigenous history into a fantastical world full of magic and I beg that the second book is just as good and thoughtful. (Going to read that next) If you don't mind the talk of occasional violence and you love culture rich and diverse casts in a fantastical setting, i one million times over recommend this. Thanking and bowing to my friend who recommended me this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Torture, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Grief, and War
readsandsuch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Loved the world building and characters. Although the plot was sometimes a bit of a slog, everyone had interesting story lines. I liked Okoa a lot and wished he had more of an active role. Xiala and Serapio’s romance was rather flat and felt like they were just smooshed together because they’re both outcasts. Individually they were stellar and had my favorite chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Rape and War
ellyrium's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Loved this as a non-European fantasy setting! Includes queer (sapphic, NB) and disabled (blind) characters
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
read_with_riley's review
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol
hottamolly's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Holy crap this was so good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and War
readersbutterfly's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is a read that I will want to devour again and again. It is fantasy separated from its traditionally colorblind ways, with remarkable world building and character creation. It is fun, daring, gory, sexy, queer, and brown! I enjoyed my trip thoroughly!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gore, Sexual content, Suicide, War, and Injury/Injury detail
rnorthie's review
5.0
Did not know this was a series at first and nearly lost it at the end!
Such good characters, setting, magic system and political system. Couldn’t put it down for the last 200 pages. Really great start to the year of reading. Loved that it was less of a western fantasy too, I think it added such good elements to the story.
Such good characters, setting, magic system and political system. Couldn’t put it down for the last 200 pages. Really great start to the year of reading. Loved that it was less of a western fantasy too, I think it added such good elements to the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked the 4 character POVs we get, and was rooting for them all, even though some of them were opposed to each other. I felt a bit sad for a couple of them. But I don't think I really loved any of them. They felt like full characters, but I don't think they really changed much from beginning to end. The pacing was a little bit odd. The ending is pretty abrupt; this is definitely 1st in a trilogy, so don't expect any resolution. I do give props to the world building here, it was very interesting setting (a fantasy world inspired by Pre-Columbus Americas). For me personally, I was into the book when reading it, but often forgot about it when not reading. I will definitely pick up the sequel at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism