Fevered Star

by Rebecca Roanhorse

Return to The Meridian with New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse’s sequel to the most critically hailed epic fantasy of 2020 Black Sun—finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Lambda, and Locus awards.

There are no tides more treacherous than those of the heart. —Teek saying

The great city of Tova is shattered. The sun is held within the smothering grip of the Crow God’s eclipse, but a comet that marks the death of a ruler and heralds the rise of a new order is imminent.

The a land where magic has been codified and the worship of gods suppressed. How do you live when legends come to life, and the faith you had is rewarded?

As sea captain Xiala is swept up in the chaos and currents of change, she finds an unexpected ally in the former Priest of Knives. For the Clan Matriarchs of Tova, tense alliances form as far-flung enemies gather and the war in the heavens is reflected upon the earth.

And for Serapio and Naranpa, both now living avatars, the struggle for free will and personhood in the face of destiny rages. How will Serapio stay human when he is steeped in prophecy and surrounded by those who desire only his power? Is there a future for Naranpa in a transformed Tova without her total destruction?

Welcome back to the fantasy series of the decade in Fevered Star—book two of Between Earth and Sky.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Queer, Magic, LGBT, Science Fiction, Adult

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2023

About the author

Rebecca Roanhorse is a New York Times bestselling and Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Award-winning speculative fiction writer. She has published multiple award-winning short stories and novels, including two novels in The Sixth World Series, Star Wars: Resistance Reborn, Race to the Sun for the Rick Riordan imprint, and the epic fantasy trilogy Between Earth and Sky. She has also written for Marvel Comics and games and for television, including FX’s A Murder at the End of the World, and the Marvel series Echo for Disney+. She has had her own work optioned by Amazon Studios, Netflix, and AMC Studios.

Reviews

[Esta · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my pre-review, I wrote, "Not quite sure what a fevered star is...". After reading Fevered Star, I can confirm it's the perfect description: intense, dazzling, and it left me both starstruck and slightly singed around the edges.

Firstly, a huge shoutout to my beloved friend Ivana, who buddy-read this with me. Reading with you is always a joy, and sharing an epic series with an epic person is, well, epic.

Ultimately, Fevered Star didn’t suffer from middle book syndrome. While Black Sun laid the groundwork, Fevered Star took off and soared (like a giant crow). It introduced new characters and revealed deeper backstories, making me even more attached to the original cast. I'm wildly obsessed with Serapio (Crow God dude) and Xiala (exiled mermaid ship captain), and now I adore them even more. This book also made me grow to care for Nara, who I felt neutral towards in the first book. I relished learning more about her past and watching her character grow. Neutral no more!

Two characters really stood out to me, who weren't spotlighted in the first book, but definitely were here: Iktan and Denaochi. Iktan is utterly intriguing and every time xe was on the page I was riveted, and Ochi—what a cinnamon roll.

It’s hard to say more because it'd be too spoilery, also mere words don't do this series justice anyway so I will conclude with this:

I adore this world, this story, and these characters. It’s everything I never knew I needed in an epic fantasy (refreshing diversity, unique magic, giant corvids). I will accept no criticism of this series. It’s possibly now my favourite high fantasy series ever, overtaking icons like Tolkien and George R.R. Martin, and I haven’t even read the third book of this trilogy yet. So take from that what you will.

Obviously, I highly recommend this to anyone who loves an epic fantasy series, but with tonnes more diversity and political equality of the sexes/outside of the binary. I can't wait to BR Mirrored Heavens with Ivana, although it's bittersweet because I don't want the series to end.

1. Black Sun ★★★★★
2. Fevered Star ★★★★★
3. Mirrored Heavens
___

Not quite sure what a fevered star is but I'm here for it, as long as I get more mermaids and corvids.

🌟 BR with irl star, Ivana.

[EveStar91 · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We are but fevered stars,” he intoned, like an orator on a stage. “Here a little while, bright with promise, before we burn away”.

Fevered Star follows the protagonists Xiala, Serapio and Naranpa as they come to terms with the momentous events of the Black Sun, reconsider their religious beliefs and try to deal with the fevered pace of the current politics.

Rebecca Roanhorse continues to build a brilliant world with intricate cultural mores and political battles, deftly weaving together religion and magic. Both Serapio and Naranpa try to find their path in the new world while balancing their individual selves with their culture's expectations, but on opposing sides. Xiala on the other hand tries to reconcile herself with her particular brand of magic. There is slow but steady emotional growth through the book making them a bit more relatable to me though not as much as I'd hoped. Roanhorse's writing does a great job setting a tone that shows this growth through the fast paced plot. On the whole, a good middle-book and I'm looking forward to the finale!

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in an epic fantasy series with diverse cultural roots!

The sun still burned black over Tova, but now there was a new presence in the sky in the north. A bright star trailing a smoking tail. A portent of change that seemed all too prescient.

🌟🌟🌟1/4
[3/4 star for the premise and the whole book; Half a star for the characters; 3/4 star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the story and themes; Half a star for the writing - 3 1/4 stars on the whole.]

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

2nd Read: June '24

This was extraordinarily brilliant and i enjoyed this much more the second time through. complex, visceral, powerful and evocative. will forever be obsessed with serapio! loved everything about this reread! Thank you to my superstar Esta for making this series extremely rad! Proper RTC when i get my thoughts in order!

✨💖Buddy (Re)Read with mega babe Esta ! Thanks for making this journey a wild one, darling!💖✨

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1st Read: April '22

[Sarah]

BR w/ Mai & Zana

[m&gs · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first 18% or so was pretty slow for me and harder to get into than Black Sun but honestly after that it was pretty easy to breeze through. i had definitely struggled with the difference in povs in the previous book because they were so different but the povs were definitely all connected here or you could see how connected they would be. it was really clear to me by the first half how Fevered Star was going to be a setup for book 3, while the plots definitely were connected…they were also detached in a way that would’ve been impossible to conclude in just 300 pgs. i really had not enjoyed naranpa’s povs in Black Sun but they were a lot better in Fevered Star, i don’t really care for her in particular but i did not dread having to read about her. serapio’s povs for me personally had the weakest plot which what happens in the book does make sense but i really do wish we had gotten a little more out of them. the ending was fairly rushed for me, it was amusing in a sense, because while i did expect that it could definitely go down that route and it was highly possible…seeing it actually happen and the way it happened. i really loved xiala and serapio in Black Sun and that most definitely continued and increased in Fevered Star but how much i liked iktan certainly skyrocketed from book1-book2. xe was all around very fun and amusing and xir relationship with xiala was one of my favourite parts of this book. really excited for book3…however long that’ll be…and i can’t wait to see how everything will play out especially with how Fevered Star ended.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9/5

End of book one: War is coming

Book two: But not yet! First a break for storytelling and introduction of new characters!

I'm not complaining about the storytelling, I loved the history lesson with the spearmaiden, their war, the land of the gods and all of that, but part of what happens on this book should have been added to the first book and the other part should have been the introduction to the second, cause this brews an exciting final part but as a book itself was really anticlimatic.

Also, some characters should have stayed as fun moments of book one and not get deeper into their stories.

Naranpa seems to be as boring and empty as on the first book.

Loved the new powers, and I hope Iktan gets xir own POV on the next book.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first one a bit better, but this was a great follow-up. I was a bit lost at times cause there were so many different characters and stories happening. I am very intrigued and I'm definitely gonna read #3 when it comes out.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5? ⭐️

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself immediately picking this up after finishing Black Sun as I was so deeply engaged in the story and its characters. Fevered Star not only did not disappoint, but it kept me so engaged that I read it in a day, ignoring everything else I should have spent time doing, LOL.

It's the year after the Convergence that changed everything. All alliances are either fractured or extremely tenuous, new leaders are emerging, attempts at new alliances are being found, and the details of a far-reaching plot - and subplots - to seize control of Tova and the entire Crescent Sea is revealed. At the heart, the Sun Priest, believed to be dead, has survived, though changed and in fact realizing magical powers not unlike those so well-honed by the newly arrived and revealed to all Crow God. It's a period of chaos because even the best laid rebellion plans have been cast asunder.

I loved it.

I've already purchased and downloaded the final book of the trilogy. Pace of reading will have to slow though as work will take much of my attention all week.

[Emilie Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edit: After a reread I really question whether I've ever read this book before. I remembered almost none of the things that happened. I definitely wasn't paying attention when I read this the first time. Maybe it's because a lot of time went in between reading book 1 and 2 so I'd forgotten a lot of things and didn'tt really know what was going on. Luckily this even better than I remember. A solid 4,5 stars!

Original review:
I can understand why people feel like this is kind of a filler and in many ways I felt that way as well but I really didn't mind, I was just so damn excited to be back in the world and among these people. And a lot still happened while we got to know even more about the world which makes this book absolutely worth reading. Rebecca Roanhorse has me completely at this point. I love the world and lore, she's created. I don't necessarily find the characters all that interesting but I'm still very interested to hear what happens to them. Iktan is probably the best character in this entire series and every time xe was on the page, I was so intrigued (And I'm just saying I've been on that Iktan/Nara-ship since the beginning). This was a quick and absolutely great read!

[Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what a sequel. i tend to be wary of some sequels because i find they’re not as great as the first book. but in this case i wanted it to be better than the first and it didn’t disappoint at all. i’d figured out some plot points earlier on when reading this book but also towards the end of the first book but i was still constantly being surprised by the little plot points which are looking to be more important than the author is letting on at the moment. i’m so excited for the third book, especially with the ending we get. roanhorse has created such a diverse cast of characters who are all interesting in their own ways that also means that i honestly don’t know how each of their storylines could look like at the end and at this point i’m just content to just wait and see rather than make any predictions for myself. this book made me come to like naranpa more than i did in the first book. i’m actually really intrigued to see how her arc plays out in the next book. i really hope two of my favourite characters have some sort of a happy ending they really deserve them but i’m trying to not get my hopes up too high just in case.

[Kimbot the Destroyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything is set up for a conclusion, characters all appear to be in place for their final arcs.

[Joëlle (Imnotareader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that series so much ! And I’m so excited for having discover that it will be a trilogy ❤️

[iamgaarden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy sequel. I'm yearning for book 3 which is... entirely too far away.

[Lucy Wragg · Rating 3 out of 5]

still very good - think i’m just harsh bc i loved the first so much and this is slightly less dark?

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Once again it took me over halfway to get invested in the story, which is crazy because it's book two and we already know the characters. There is a lot of personal development of the characters and it tends to happen in isolation with secondary mildly boring people. It just makes the plot drag on for me, however, the way it ends and the way threads continue to tangle and unravel makes me want to see what happens next.
The writing is easy to follow and goes fast, but everytime I put this book down I was in no hurry to pick it back up again

[Dini - dinipandareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becky and I have finally continued our buddy read of this series and I'm glad not too much time has passed between our reads of books 1 and 2. A couple of days have passed since I finished reading this and the more I think about it, the more I realise that I enjoyed it a little less than I said I initially did. That's not to say this was a bad book and I'm still rating it 3.5-4 stars (rounded up!) but compared to the intensity, action and excitement that book 1 roused in me, this one fell quite flat. The story in this book was very much a filler and "setting the scene" for book 3 and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, I expected more.

One thing that Roanhorse never fails to do is reel me in. As the story picks up immediately where book 1 ends—with the world shrouded in a darkness that leaves everyone feeling uneasy and restless, I found myself falling easily back into this world, the character's lives and their stories. I loved that we got more world-building. We learned in greater detail the history of Tova and the Meridian, and how this world as we know it today came to be formed. There was a new type of magic that was introduced that I found cool, especially after it was thought to be a lost art due to its banishment following the Treaty. In this book, we're also treated to some old perspectives from Xiala, Naranpa, Okoa and (partially) Serapio, and we also learn more about certain characters such as a certain assassin priest... 👀 I loved Iktan. For me, xe was probably the most interesting of characters to follow and even though I'm still trying to figure out xir true motives and end goal, I'm glad that we got to know more about xir in this book as xe is quite an interesting character! Naranpa's character got the most focus in Fevered Star and I understand why, I'm admittedly bummed that Serapio, Okoa and Xiala did not get as much of the focus, although Xiala was more present than the former two. I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of Xiala—who is still as sassy, snarky and sharp—and if the cover is any indication, I have a feeling she will be the main focus of the finale. I'm both scared and excited for it!

Turning to the things that didn't entirely work for me the biggest issue I had was with the pacing. The first half of the book is fleshed out with a lot of character exploration and I loved that but it made the pace feel slower and like the story was building up to something greater. However, while the second half was full of shocking events and revelations, it was almost too much in too little time and it very much felt like the payoff of the big build-up didn't come through in the way the author intended (possibly?). With one big thing happening after the other, with little time to absorb and process it all properly, it made the story feel imbalanced. The ending in particular was slightly disappointing because I most definitely expected more from it but it just kind of... Ended and that was it. 😂 But knowing that I don't have to wait to continue with the final book softens that blow significantly (if I had to wait I'd probably be well peeved about it)!

Despite this disappointment, I'm keen to finish the series. I'm invested in these characters and what happens to them but, as always, Roanhorse leaves me with so many more questions than when I started! 😂 I'm hoping they will be satisfyingly answered in the conclusion to her trilogy and that the final big build-up that she has brought to us will ultimately pay off in the end.

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roanhorse does not disappoint and delivers on an epic sequel to an extremely promising series. The way the story is set up right now, the third book is bound to be an absolute banger, and I do not use these words lightly. There were a couple of instances in which I was a bit confused because of the many names/clans/etc, even though it has only been 2/3 months since I read the first book, but the story tends to make clear and remind you of what you’ve learned before. (I specifically forgot the names of the people that tried to kill one of the protagonists so when another protagonist interacted with their kin I was confused at first at how they were still alive, but then a third character explained away my confusion and all was right in the world. Not for you, dear reader, I suspect, and I’m sorry about my vagueness. Just know: this is a very competent sequels in all the important ways for a story of such epic proportions.)

Anyway, I’m really, really invested in the story now. There’s a lot of bleak-ness going on but there are also a couple of story-lines thst were just opened. As new and exciting as they are I have high hopes that they will bring some form of salvation to this world. Because, quite frankly, it is populated by many terrible and dangerous characters that I do not trust. I can’t wait for the third book.

I also want to mention that a couple (about 10-15?) of years ago I decided that I needed to have a go-to answer as to what superpower I would chose for myself. And guess what? Roanhorse has excellent taste because Serapio has inherited the ability to transform into a flok of crows. Personally, I‘ve always opted for a flok of giant eagles (lotr-person-behaviour), but crows are an equally cool choice. Touché, Roanhorse, well played.

[Line Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 of the series Between Earth and Sky, book one being Black Sun that I absolutely enjoyed and is still as of today one of my favourite book ever.

I really enjoyed the plot in this one, the politics were on point. So many betrayals and secret schemings that you only discovered later on. Everyone had a secret and is so great that you get to discover part of the characters in other people's chapters. I can't really describe it well, but I was so impressed by the writing.

If you haven't heard about Black Sun yet, it takes place in a truly unique magical world inspired by the pre-Colombian Americas, which is so cool and something I had not yet seen in a book. This book is also full of diversity, we have queer main characters as well as a third gender (called bayeki) who use xe/xir pronouns.

I loved seeing the development of those beloved characters and meet some new ones as well. How the authors switches between chapters and characters is really amazing, it makes it sometimes a tiny bit hard to follow for me but that is what made it so interesting.

I'm glad I learned a bit more about the Teek (which is an all female society living on secret islands, if this doesn't sound amazing to you, I don't know what to do), even if there is still so much mystery around them! I need an entire book focused on Xiala and her life with the Teek, like a prequel would be so great.

I'm not even sure there will be another book in this series (I think so though) but I really hope so because I need more!!

If you haven't picked up this series yet, I definitely recommend it.

[Ashleigh (ash_and_books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: suicide (on page), self harm (blood magic & torture), graphic blood & gore, body horror, death of parents (past), murder, torture, war themes, death, animal death, corpse depictions, grief/loss, mention of cannibalism, massacres/mass murder, domestic abuse (past), death of family members, physical assault, sexual assault/rape of a minor (past), misogyny/sexism, child abuse (past)

Rep: BIPOC cast, bi+ MC, disabled MC, enby SCs (xe/xir), trans-woman SC, queer SCs, sapphic SCs

"No truth can stay hidden forever."

Know that this is not the last book in the series. I went into this thinking it was and only found out it wasn't about 200 pages in. The overall reading experience of this was much easier for me than with Black Sun. Maybe because I was used to the world dynamics or because of my own reading motivation who can say.

Fevered Star really blurred the lines of good and bad more than Black Sun. Everyone is morally grey. I root for certain characters and their actions aren't good at all. Even though Black Sun had more of a cliffhanger ending, not knowing what will become of these characters any time soon has me more on edge.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in the trilogy which did end on something of a cliffhanger. The second book picks up immediately after that, I did enjoy this as well although it does very much feel like the middle book in a trilogy that it is. It is a quick read but a lot of it seems to be moving characters into positions for the finale, in particular Xiala's plotline seemed to be a sequence of contrivances to get her to to travel to a location which will presumably play a significant role in the third book. Some of the other plotlines are more successful, two of the characters spend the book moving towards an inevitable confrontation but when it arrives the resolution isn't the obvious one and does something more interesting than just a big fight. The setting continues to be one of the strongest elements of the series and here we do get to see more of the Mesoamerican-inspired world.

[Marte]

Update on February 6th, 2025:

DNF @ 37%

Gave it another go and I just don't care... and from what I've seen there seems to be a general consensus that the series peaked in Black Sun. So, I would still recommend that first book even though it ends on a massive cliffhanger, but personally I won't finish the trilogy.

Update on October 22th, 2024:

DNF @ 15%

Graduate school is kicking my ass and my brain can't handle fantasy right now... will pick up again as soon as possible 😭

[João Calafate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars!

I absolutely adored Black Sun, and the sequel, Fevered Star, continued to impress me. Though it suffers from middle-book syndrome and not a lot happens, the plot had enough political intrigue to keep me hooked, the already rich world was expanded upon, and the characters shone bright (some literally). Give me a book told in multiple grand and epic povs and I will be entertained forevermore. I need to read the third book now. Please.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book - second in the series left in another cliffhanger at the end. I’m not sure if I’m deducting a star because it’s the middle book, where you feel unsatisfied by the development & want to know what happens asap but it was still enjoyable - 4.4

More thoughts - I appreciated the development of Naranpa & the world of The Merdian. Different species, different landscapes. I’m rasing my rating - 4.7

[gracebookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Henry Paxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it just wasn’t addicted to it like I was with Black Sun
Also the last 100 pages rock the most

[virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

dare i say i may have liked it better than the original?

[Katerina T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Don't sink your ship just to prove you can swim."

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as propulsive as the first book, but it was a good follow up to move the story forward. Lots of magic and growing power in this one which was cool

[Cynthia Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving reading this trilogy!