BLACK SUN
Between Earth and Sky, Vol. 1BY REBECCA ROANHORSE | PUBLICATION: OCTOBER 13, 2020
SAGA PRESS | GENRE: EPIC FANTASY
RATING: ★★★★★
"Roanhorse has crafted a powerful series starter—one that feels both mythic and immediate."
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A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun
In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.
Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.
Crafted with unforgettable characters, Rebecca Roanhorse has created an epic adventure exploring the decadence of power amidst the weight of history and the struggle of individuals swimming against the confines of society and their broken pasts in the most original series debut of the decade. -Goodreads
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun
In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world.
Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.
Crafted with unforgettable characters, Rebecca Roanhorse has created an epic adventure exploring the decadence of power amidst the weight of history and the struggle of individuals swimming against the confines of society and their broken pasts in the most original series debut of the decade. -Goodreads
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BLACK SUN is so immersive, I came up fully soaked in awe!
The worldbuilding is vast and vivid. As the first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, it introduces readers to Meridian—a continent both strikingly unique and hauntingly familiar. From the textiles to cacao as currency, Roanhorse draws from Pre-Columbian Americas while weaving in hints of Polynesian culture. As someone whose heritage connects to the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, I found the echoes of seafaring, knife and pole fighting, and the sun-eating bird deeply resonant.
The plot is taut and fast-paced. From its propulsive opening to the cliffhanger ending, every scene builds emotional connection. Roanhorse’s grasp of political maneuvering is razor-sharp, evoking primal instincts of self-preservation and social justice. It’s a story that doesn’t just move—it provokes.
The ensemble cast is refreshingly inclusive—across race, gender, status, and ability. Social stigma has no place here. I was utterly enamored with the lead characters, each one fascinating and purposeful. They’re not just diverse—they’re dynamic, continually unfolding to reveal new facets of the world and its tensions. Romance, while abstract at times, is never unsatisfying. It’s tender, complex, and quietly heart-rending.
Every detail reveals deep research and thoughtful rumination. Roanhorse has crafted a powerful series starter—one that feels both mythic and immediate. And kudos to John Picacio for the stunning cover art I’m shamelessly coveting for my bookshelf.
This is a triumph, Ms. Rebecca. I see great outcomes for this series. Congratulations.
The worldbuilding is vast and vivid. As the first book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, it introduces readers to Meridian—a continent both strikingly unique and hauntingly familiar. From the textiles to cacao as currency, Roanhorse draws from Pre-Columbian Americas while weaving in hints of Polynesian culture. As someone whose heritage connects to the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, I found the echoes of seafaring, knife and pole fighting, and the sun-eating bird deeply resonant.
The plot is taut and fast-paced. From its propulsive opening to the cliffhanger ending, every scene builds emotional connection. Roanhorse’s grasp of political maneuvering is razor-sharp, evoking primal instincts of self-preservation and social justice. It’s a story that doesn’t just move—it provokes.
The ensemble cast is refreshingly inclusive—across race, gender, status, and ability. Social stigma has no place here. I was utterly enamored with the lead characters, each one fascinating and purposeful. They’re not just diverse—they’re dynamic, continually unfolding to reveal new facets of the world and its tensions. Romance, while abstract at times, is never unsatisfying. It’s tender, complex, and quietly heart-rending.
Every detail reveals deep research and thoughtful rumination. Roanhorse has crafted a powerful series starter—one that feels both mythic and immediate. And kudos to John Picacio for the stunning cover art I’m shamelessly coveting for my bookshelf.
This is a triumph, Ms. Rebecca. I see great outcomes for this series. Congratulations.
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About the Author:
Rebecca Roanhorse is a NYTimes bestselling and Nebula, Hugo and Locus Award-winning speculative fiction writer and the recipient of the 2018 Astounding (Campbell) Award for Best New Writer.
Her novel Trail of Lightning (Book 1 in the Sixth World Series) won the Locus Award for Best First Novel and was a Nebula, Hugo and World Fantasy Finalist. It was also selected as an Amazon, B&N, Library Journal, and NPR Best Books of 2018, among others. Storm of Locusts (Book 2 in the Sixth World Series) was a Locus Award Finalist and was longlisted for the Hugo Award. It also received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist, and was named an Amazon, Powell’s, and Audible Best of 2019. Her novel, Resistance Reborn, is part of Star Wars: Journey to The Rise of Skywalker and a USA Today and NYTimes bestseller. Her middle grade novel Race to the Sun for the Rick Riordan Present’s imprint was a NYTimes Bestseller and received a starred review from Kirkus.
She lives in Northern New Mexico with her husband, daughter, and pup. She drinks a lot of black coffee. Find more on Twitter at @RoanhorseBex.
*Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the uncorrected proof
in exchange for this unbiased review.
*This post is a part of the monthly linkups organized by
Lovely Audiobook! You can click here
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in exchange for this unbiased review.
*This post is a part of the monthly linkups organized by
Lovely Audiobook! You can click here
to check it out and be a part of it.
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