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effingunicorns's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
I came into this tentative but committed, wanting to catch up on yet another trilogy concluding in the first half of the year because I thought the final book sounded awesome but immediately running up against a story that, clear cultural differences aside, does read like a pretty normal high fantasy. I don't inherently object to the sub-genre, but it's not one I'm used to these days, so I had to adjust. On top of that, one of the protagonists soon proves to be in a real tooth-gnasher of a situation, making decisions time and again that left me begging for just a glimmer of situational awareness, for just one moment of "no, sorry, I don't fucking trust you".
Fortunately, I persevered. Partially, of course, this was because I was still so hopeful about that third book. Partially, though, the more I read, the more it felt like the storyline I was struggling with was one that had to unfold somehow, and the more obvious it became just how limited those somehows were. And then things finally came to a head, that third storyline dripping with irony, and now I'm ready to start the second book this weekend in full sickos.jpg mode.
Fortunately, I persevered. Partially, of course, this was because I was still so hopeful about that third book. Partially, though, the more I read, the more it felt like the storyline I was struggling with was one that had to unfold somehow, and the more obvious it became just how limited those somehows were. And then things finally came to a head, that third storyline dripping with irony, and now I'm ready to start the second book this weekend in full sickos.jpg mode.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
acopytopy's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
(This is not a sci-fi book. If you see it tagged as that, don't believe it.)
This book has LGTBQ+ representation and a fantasy setting based off of non-European countries. I wanted to like it so badly, but unfortunately, I didn't.
Off the top of my head, I recall a scene near the beginning of the book that is told twice through 2 different perspectives in 2 subsequent chapters. Immediately, not a good sign.
The main issue with the plot is well summed-up by an editor's comment that was mentioned in the author's note: "It's okay, but not great." (Apparently, the author completely rewrote the book because of this comment. It feels mean to write this, but that was not enough.) The plot of this book felt aimless the second I opened it. Scenes and characters appear and disappear, constantly jumping through time and switching POVs. On a surface level, this seems to lend complexity, but in reality, it makes the characters harder to be invested in and the plot simpler by necessity.
I understand that this is the first book in a series, but there isn't nearly enough in this 1st book. I would've liked to see a satisfying conclusion to any of the character arcs... Or, you know, a satisfying conclusion.
At the end, the event that is mentioned at the beginning of every single chapter happens...
and everything happened nearly exactly the way it was said it would. Needless to say, I won't be continuing this series.
This book has LGTBQ+ representation and a fantasy setting based off of non-European countries. I wanted to like it so badly, but unfortunately, I didn't.
Off the top of my head, I recall a scene near the beginning of the book that is told twice through 2 different perspectives in 2 subsequent chapters. Immediately, not a good sign.
The main issue with the plot is well summed-up by an editor's comment that was mentioned in the author's note: "It's okay, but not great." (Apparently, the author completely rewrote the book because of this comment. It feels mean to write this, but that was not enough.) The plot of this book felt aimless the second I opened it. Scenes and characters appear and disappear, constantly jumping through time and switching POVs. On a surface level, this seems to lend complexity, but in reality, it makes the characters harder to be invested in and the plot simpler by necessity.
I understand that this is the first book in a series, but there isn't nearly enough in this 1st book. I would've liked to see a satisfying conclusion to any of the character arcs... Or, you know, a satisfying conclusion.
At the end, the event that is mentioned at the beginning of every single chapter happens...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
horrorandscience's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Bullying and Homophobia
haylzno's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
My biggest, and only, complaint is the length of the chapters ( I am a short chapter girly) and some of these felt waaayyy to long.
Other than that, WOWOWOWWOWOW
As I am writing this, I have already finished reading the sequel, Fevered Star, and I can tell you the story only gets better.
High/adult fantasy has always intimidated me a bit, but I found this to be very easy to read. The world, magic system, and characters are all amazing.
I can't wait for the third book!
Other than that, WOWOWOWWOWOW
As I am writing this, I have already finished reading the sequel, Fevered Star, and I can tell you the story only gets better.
High/adult fantasy has always intimidated me a bit, but I found this to be very easy to read. The world, magic system, and characters are all amazing.
I can't wait for the third book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder and War
sohva's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and War
maritareads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
4.5 stars
It’s always nice to finish a book and go ah, that was a good book! Set in pre-Colombian of the Americas, it is about a Crow God who travels to seek vengeance on the Sun Priest who destroyed his clan and a Teek who helps him to his destination.
I loved both Serapio and Xiala, they deserve everything good in the world. I say this while also adding that Serapio is the embodiment of that tweet that says “oh he murdered people? what do you want me to do about that. he looked good doing it”. I love that he’s the kind of protagonist-antagonist who is clear in his motives, his actions are not prettied up nor does the author show him to have self pity about it. Fantasy authors, this is how to write complex characters! I’ve only come across three of such characters this year.
Xiala is a bi babe! I don’t know if I wanna be her or with her. All her scenes with Serapio were precious and I wanted to stay with them forever. The angst! The longing! At one point I noted, “Is this not love? A love so devastating in its gentleness, and tragedy?”
While the book moved very quickly when we are with Serapio and Xiala, it seemed to crawl when we switch to Naranpa and Okoa’s povs. These two were as dry as a biscuit from a fast food place. A lot of the world building was confusing in my opinion but I don’t wholly blame the author because it seems she did that thing where she wrote to a specific audience and those that get it, get it. It’s what I ask from African authors. I’ll probably reread but I’m sorry their povs were so boring. Unfortunately we have to slog through them in the next one. I don’t understand how Roanhoarse can write two characters so beautifully and two others so blandly. I did not care about Naranpa’s feelings for Iktan though I liked how Roanhoarse weaved in non-binary characters in the tale seemlessly. Compared to Xiala, Naranpa better style up fast.
Last thing, I wish we could have more time with Xiala’s background but I guess this one was mostly Serapio and to an extent Naranpa focused, since they are the windows to most of the world building needed for now. I haven’t liked some books which seemed like a set up for a next one but I think what needed to be accomplished was accomplished in this one. I will eagerly await the next. If you liked this book you should read Gods of Jade and Shadow. Serapio and Xiala remind me strongly of Hun-Kamé and Casiopea, both fantasy tales with (wonderful) indigenous characters from the Americas.
It’s always nice to finish a book and go ah, that was a good book! Set in pre-Colombian of the Americas, it is about a Crow God who travels to seek vengeance on the Sun Priest who destroyed his clan and a Teek who helps him to his destination.
I loved both Serapio and Xiala, they deserve everything good in the world. I say this while also adding that Serapio is the embodiment of that tweet that says “oh he murdered people? what do you want me to do about that. he looked good doing it”. I love that he’s the kind of protagonist-antagonist who is clear in his motives, his actions are not prettied up nor does the author show him to have self pity about it. Fantasy authors, this is how to write complex characters! I’ve only come across three of such characters this year.
Xiala is a bi babe! I don’t know if I wanna be her or with her. All her scenes with Serapio were precious and I wanted to stay with them forever. The angst! The longing! At one point I noted, “Is this not love? A love so devastating in its gentleness, and tragedy?”
While the book moved very quickly when we are with Serapio and Xiala, it seemed to crawl when we switch to Naranpa and Okoa’s povs. These two were as dry as a biscuit from a fast food place. A lot of the world building was confusing in my opinion but I don’t wholly blame the author because it seems she did that thing where she wrote to a specific audience and those that get it, get it. It’s what I ask from African authors. I’ll probably reread but I’m sorry their povs were so boring. Unfortunately we have to slog through them in the next one. I don’t understand how Roanhoarse can write two characters so beautifully and two others so blandly. I did not care about Naranpa’s feelings for Iktan though I liked how Roanhoarse weaved in non-binary characters in the tale seemlessly. Compared to Xiala, Naranpa better style up fast.
Last thing, I wish we could have more time with Xiala’s background but I guess this one was mostly Serapio and to an extent Naranpa focused, since they are the windows to most of the world building needed for now. I haven’t liked some books which seemed like a set up for a next one but I think what needed to be accomplished was accomplished in this one. I will eagerly await the next. If you liked this book you should read Gods of Jade and Shadow. Serapio and Xiala remind me strongly of Hun-Kamé and Casiopea, both fantasy tales with (wonderful) indigenous characters from the Americas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Biphobia, Drug use, Homophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Transphobia
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Uno dei fantasy più intriganti ch'io abbia mai letto.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Suicide, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
cw: slight mentions of past instances of child sex slaverymelaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Thank you to LibroFm for the ALC of this book.
This is a fantasy of absolutely epic proportions. I loved every single bit of it. Xiala is one of my new favorite characters of all time. I was immediately hooked on her storyline and character development.
I also loved Serapio and his story. There is so much going on there, and he is such an interesting character.
The plot of this book really took me by surprise. There was so much going on, from political rivalries, to religious sects, to sirens and villains and cults and everything, but it all flowed together really well.
Roanhorse's writing is delightful and accessible. I absolutely love how well she incorporates so much world-building in without making it feel like exposition drops or overly explanatory writing.
Honestly this book was incredible and I can't wait for the sequel.
This is a fantasy of absolutely epic proportions. I loved every single bit of it. Xiala is one of my new favorite characters of all time. I was immediately hooked on her storyline and character development.
I also loved Serapio and his story. There is so much going on there, and he is such an interesting character.
The plot of this book really took me by surprise. There was so much going on, from political rivalries, to religious sects, to sirens and villains and cults and everything, but it all flowed together really well.
Roanhorse's writing is delightful and accessible. I absolutely love how well she incorporates so much world-building in without making it feel like exposition drops or overly explanatory writing.
Honestly this book was incredible and I can't wait for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Murder
oleanderdudek's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault