Sunsplitter

Beasts of the Void #2

by S.A. MacLean

Fi has toppled immortal beasts. Antal welcomes being conquered.

After helping the Lord Daeyari reclaim his territory, semi-reformed smuggler Fi dons a daunting new role: rebuilding a city alongside her monstrous partner, a haven free from bloody sacrifice. So when Antal’s father unexpectedly summons him home, Fi’s first instinct is to ready her claws.

Only, claws won’t be enough for this adversary.

Antal faces his first homecoming in five decades, dreading two truths. From his father’s seat on the governing council, he could undo everything Antal has built. And their last argument ended with Antal’s lover dead on the floor.

But a greater danger lurks: the appearance of a creature that even the daeyari fear, burning its way through the Planes. With Antal’s father leading the hunt, he and Fi must ally with a team of immortals who could turn fangs on them at any moment.

Or worse, strain their still-fresh love until it snaps.

From the author of Voidwalker comes the conclusion to the Beasts of the Void duology where spicy monster romance meets the epic fantasy of the Cosmere.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Adult, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Science Fiction, LGBT

608 pages, Paperback

Expected publication August 4, 2026

About the author

S. A. MacLean is the bestselling author of The Phoenix Keeper (cozy fantasy) and Voidwalker (monster romantasy). She also holds a PhD in environmental science. After over a decade of battling seagulls and teaching college students how to save the planet, she now writes fantasy books filled with strange creatures and plenty of kisses.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

sunsplitter asks what else there is to confront after successfully toppling the government and falling in love with a cannibal??? daddy issues

giggling so hard at the how we met being: “so i blew up his capitol building” “so there i was just chillin in her rafters, and also the snow bank, and also i was in my bathrobe” (paraphrasing)

antals father is just thranduil if he was a cannibal on the twilight plane (#hereforit)

these two have me so goofy i love them so much

thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing the advance review copy. full review to come

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[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️]

It’s funny that this is grumpy-sunshine, but she’s the badass even though he has the literal claws.

Review:

As the new partner of an immortal territory lord, Fi has a ‘public obligation’ to act ‘respectable’. Fi, with her rainbow hair, chaotic energy, and tendency to bite back whether human, leader, or immortal carnivore beast.

I love how both Antal and Fi have sharp edges, but soft insides that they will fight tooth and nail to protect for the other.

‘Once the butterflies settle? You have to wade through the mud again. You have to find ways to live together. Sometimes, that means bending a little to fit your partner better. Sometimes it means supporting the shit out of them while they do their own thing. You have to figure out which version will get you through this.’

I appreciated that, although there was a happy ending to book one, Antal and Fi must live with this change and try and shape it into something sustainable.

Antal finally feels some semblance of belonging and safety, yet misses the sense of home.
No human city can replace his plane, the comfort of twitching tails and his own language despite Fi learning (lots of bad words).

We also get some tender and harsh family moments - blood and found. Of course, Fi almost gets eaten by Antal’s father which makes it all the more complicated…

This one felt a lot more brash, hornier and contained waaay more cussing than book one. I didn’t love that as it often felt over the top and crass. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of chaotic energy, but this was slightly too in-your-face for me.

Fi’s arrogance did grate on me, but her thoughtfulness compared to book one developed into a double-edged gentle sword.

Like I said of book one, this is not the cosy romantasy that was The Phoenix Keeper, but I always appreciate the themes MacLean covers with girl boss characters.

Arc gifted by author and publisher - Street Team.

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[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge thanks to Orbit & NetGalley for a chance to review this arc!

I really appreciated the recap at the beginning as I had forgotten most of the ending for Voidwalker.

I know a lot of people love this series so I’m definitely an outlier here but I think it was just okay. It was a mainstream Fantasy with a basic plot, and while I know people wanted more sex scenes ; I think this one was overly saturated with them (I ended up skimming those scenes). Then again - outlier, I know.
None of the questions I had in Voidwalker were answered and some new ones emerged with that book. I think it was just meant to be uncomplicated and my over analytic brain was a bit underwhelmed.

I think the dynamic of the fmc being badass and the mmc being soft was interesting but I didn’t like the characters. Even though some scenes were added to show that the fmc was slightly progressing through thoughtfulness ; I still found her to be very brash, impulsive & selfish. I didn’t find her mature for a 33yo.

The dialogues/scenes were very repetitive & the pacing was significantly altered in consequence. I predicted everything that was going to happen and was a bit annoyed by how regular this story was. In my review of the first instalment I’d felt that the friendships were standoffish and I do have the same feeling here. I was glad to see women friendships but I still had the feeling that those friendships were shaky. I think the resolution ; for the grandeur of the problems - was way too easy. It’s okay to not fix everything in the last 5% sometimes… especially if those issues have been going on for centuries.

Overall, in my opinion ; this duology would be better fitted for a starter fantasy reader. Then again, 90% of what I read is Fantasy so I might just read too much of that type of story.

[Samantha (ladybug.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Spicy and so so fun! Some part of me will always prefer the time before the couple gets together for the tension and banter. But I really enjoyed the heartfelt, emotional themes SA Maclean explored through Fi and Antal’s relationship in this one. It felt a little long at times but it was still a really engaging read!

[Courtney]

I will not know peace until this book is in my hands

[BookishKB]

❤️‍🔥🖤 Sunsplitter 🖤❤️‍🔥

📖 Bookish Thoughts

One of my most anticipated reads this year!! My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

✨ What to Expect
• Monster Romance
• Cross-Dimensional
• Immortal Beings
• Found Family
• Political Intrigue
• Epic Fantasy Finale
_ _ _ _

📅 Pub Date: August 4, 2026
Thank you to Orbit Books, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[Stella Cross]

Needed book 2 yesterday. Literally cannot wait to continue this series, it's so good, go read Voidwalker if you haven't already. You can thank me later😏

[Floros Auclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunsplitter was already a highly anticipated 2026 read, but WOW did this exceed expectations far beyond what I could imagine.

I want to start off by thanking Orbit & S.A MacLean for this ARC, it was absolutely cherished.

Everything that occurs in Voidwalker, the romance, the angst, the witty banter, multiply it by ten for Sunsplitter.

To start with, we get to experience Antal’s POV, which is just as delicious as Fi’s inner monologue. Moreover, we get to see more of the inner-workings of Antal; his doubts, fears, and motives really shined and were so clearly thought out throughout this whole novel. I seriously adored seeing his growth, learning more about his past, and just how loving this oversized wet-cat was.

Getting to experience more of Daeyari culture was also a treat, and plays a large part in some of the doubts you see in not only Antal, but Fi as well.

Fi, my sweet, precious Fi who could stab me and I’d thank her for it. Throughout the novel, you could genuinely tell that Fi had grown from the actions and lessons learned from Voidwalker, and used them now. She made something beautiful with some of her shortcomings from the last novel and turned them into resources, which is so highly admirable.

Not a singular page felt out of place or boring to read about. I highly appreciated the conversations made about being enough for someone you don’t quite fit, but still wanting to make it work. It pulled at so many of my heartstrings.

I will so dearly miss reading about Fi & Antal, but will be eagerly waiting for more stories in this world to be created.

[Lou (fairytales.and.fantasy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

I’ve said it before but this series truly is an underrated GEM. Voidwalker (book 1) was my favourite new read of 2025 and Sunsplitter (book 2) is going to be up there for 2026 too.

Sunsplitter was everything i hoped it would be. We’ve got the same dynamics and witty banter between fierce, badass FMC Fi and wet-cat vibes MMC Antal that i fell in love with from Voidwalker, but we also got to see some softer, more thoughtful parts of Fi, and Antal finally found his claws (we love character development without the characters losing who they are👏🏻). There were plenty of emotions in this book, some difficult conversations, but also plenty of hope and visions of a brighter future for the world it’s set in.

(Side note: there were daddy issues aplenty in this book, and i went into it thinking i could fix Daddy Antlers. Turns out i was wrong, there is no fixing him and he deserves to lay in the bed he made 😅)

If you’ve not read this series yet, pleaseee consider giving it a go if you like the sound of it. It’s one of my absolute favourites and is so different compared to similar books in this genre, and i promise that if you loved Voidwalker, you’ll love Sunsplitter too 💖

Would i read it again? This is one of my favourite series, i will always be happy to be back in this incredible world that @authorsamaclean has created 🥰

Thankyou to the author/publisher for letting me ARC read this :)

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A promise for now, for eternity, for whatever lay ahead. Together.”

Sunsplitter was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 — if not 𝘵𝘩𝘦 most anticipated — and it certainly did not disappoint. I picked up Voidwalker in November of last year for a quick, fun read, not expecting more than a witty romance book. However, I was left in absolute awe of the story that unraveled before my eyes, feeling as if my brain had been rewired. This time, however, I went into Sunsplitter with expectations through the roof, and without a doubt, they were met.

Sunsplitter, to say the least, devoured me. My attention was snared from the second it arrived on my doorstep, and there was no stopping me from there. Hours upon hours I spent flipping through the pages, desperate to read more, and reluctant to let this series end.

Fi and Antal’s relationship was already incredible, and this book carried that same charm we know and love; it was feisty and fierce, soft and heartwarming, and I loved every second of it. The trials they faced together only made them stronger, and left me swooning and sappy in my room. There were tears, there were laughs, there were gasps — I ran through every emotion possible while reading this total emotional roller-coaster of a book.

Fi still had her badass energy, and Antal still had his loving wet cat energy, yet we got to dive even deeper into both of their lives and work out the finer nuances both characters carry. Adding Antal’s point of view did wonders for the story. His home life before Thomaskweld had only been briefly touched on in Voidwalker, but in Sunsplitter, you dive straight in. Not only did we meet new amazing (and slightly less amazing) characters, but the scars of Antal’s past added challenges and trials to his relationship with Fi, allowing not only for intense scenes that leave your heart pounding, but slower, tender scenes that leave you feeling mushy in the best way possible.

Of course, it’s not a review for this series without mentioning the chaotic spice scenes, which were somehow even better than Voidwalker? Don’t ask me, I don’t know how it’s possible either. All I know is that team tail is not ready for it.

S.A. MacLean weaves such a complex and breathtaking world, the depth of the characters she creates and their connection to it never fails to leave me mesmerized. Getting a closer look into the daeyari’s lives and their traditions is definitely a highlight to the master craft of this world. And that’s not even mentioning the entire language she created for this series. (Hello?! That’s insane!!)

Sunsplitter is the kind of book to consume all your thoughts while reading it, all you can think about is getting to sit down and read it. And once you’re finished, all you can think about is rereading it and desperately wanting more story… Which is exactly how I feel as I’m writing this. There isn’t a thing I would change about this. The characters were absolute perfection, the energy was incredible, and Fi and Antal’s relationship was still delectably unhinged. If you’re on the fence about picking this duology up, do it!! Your life will be changed, trust me.

The Beasts of the Void duology has had a very special place in my heart since picking it up, and Sunsplitter has only made it all the more special to me. It was fierce, it was vulnerable, and deliciously steamy. Fi and Antal are near and dear to me, and although I’m sad to be letting them go, I’m estatic with how this series ended and I’m excited to see where their paths may lead them in the years to come.

Sunsplitter was the triumphant finale in the Beats of the Void duology, with the same witty, feisty characters we know and love, it’s a sequel you won’t want to miss.

Thank you, S.A. MacLean for sending me an early copy!!

[Paige Ottaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

That 🔥 scene alone was worth 5 stars. This was absolutely incredible, I am so sad to leave these two characters. Voidwalker was one of my top reads of 2025 and Sunsplitter is no exception. This book was made for me, the romance is so unique and incredibly well written that I felt every single moment. I wasn’t sure where the plot would go after book one but i was not disappointed one bit, this was even more high stakes than Voidwalker and included more of what I love; betrayal and a whole lot of feminine rage. My favourite thing about these characters is how gentle and soft Antel is despite being seen as a monster and how fierce and vicious Fi is despite being seen as an insignificant human. Fi is so relatable, I love everything about her and I only wish this was a 10 book series so I could continue to fall into this world. Consider my heart slightly broken and full all at the same time ❤️

[chloe]

I need this book!

[Nadja · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️|3.5🌶️

I genuinely need someone to study what Sarah put into this duology because there is actually no logical explanation for how obsessed I am with these two. Like this series started as me casually picking up Voidwalker last August because it was the Illumicrates sub pick and I thought I was getting a fun little monster romance with some witty banter and maybe a couple scenes where I’d kick my feet a bit. You know. Cute. Casual. Harmless. Instead this woman grabbed me by the spine, rearranged my organs, shoved me into emotional traffic, and now I’m sitting here after Sunsplitter feeling like I just survived a religious experience centered around a wet cat monster man and his terrifyingly competent human girlfriend. And the worst part? I’d do it all again immediately.

Sunsplitter was one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 and somehow it STILL surpassed every expectation I had. Which honestly feels disrespectful because my expectations were already astronomically high after Voidwalker. Sequels scare me because usually there’s at least one thing that loses a bit of the magic from book one. Maybe the pacing feels off, maybe the romance doesn’t hit the same, maybe the characters stop feeling like themselves. NOT HERE. This book took everything that made Voidwalker special and then said okay but what if we made it even more emotionally devastating, hornier, messier, sweeter, more chaotic, and psychologically damaging? and apparently that worked perfectly because I spent this entire book oscillating between giggling like an idiot, clutching my chest in agony, and staring at the ceiling whispering oh my god every twelve pages.

And what genuinely amazes me is HOW Sarah balances all of this. Because Sunsplitter is objectively insane in the best way possible. It’s violent, emotional, funny, tender, deeply romantic, politically charged, chaotic, and unhinged all at once. One second I’m reading about trauma, abuse, generational damage, and dismantling oppressive systems and the next I’m kicking my feet because Antal said something soft to Fi while his tail wrapped around her waist and suddenly I’ve forgotten my own name. The tonal balancing act here should not work as well as it does and yet somehow every single piece fits together perfectly.

Fi and Antal genuinely might be one of my favorite fictional couples ever written because they FEEL like partners. Actual equals. Actual soulmates. Not in that cheesy we’re destined because the plot says so way but in a very real these two people actively choose each other over and over again even when it’s hard way. And MY GOD do they go through it in this book. These two cannot catch a BREAK. Every time I thought maybe they’d get five minutes of peace Sarah was lurking around the corner with a baseball bat ready to emotionally assault me again. But the thing I love most is that they face everything TOGETHER. There’s no frustrating miscommunication trope where they suddenly stop acting like functioning adults for the sake of drama. They TALK. They’re honest about their insecurities. They share the ugly parts of themselves. They allow themselves to lean on each other instead of trying to play martyr all the time. They carry each other’s burdens together and it made me feel genuinely unwell in the best way possible.

The intimacy between them feels so raw and earned because it isn’t just about romance. It’s trust. It’s understanding. It’s knowing exactly where the other person hurts and loving them carefully anyway. And the fact they’re both constantly trying to be better for each other??? DISGUSTING. FOUL. Had me rolling around my bed like I suffered from a mysterious illness. They are feisty and vicious and chaotic together but also unbelievably soft. Like they’ll be threatening violence one second and then immediately having the most vulnerable conversation imaginable the next. I love them so much it’s actually embarrassing.

And the parallels between this book and Voidwalker??? EXQUISITE. In the first book, Antal was the one caring for Fi while she struggled through her trauma and fears, and in Sunsplitter we get that flipped. This time Fi gets to hold HIM together. This time SHE gets to be the safe place. And I think that’s one of the reasons this sequel worked so well emotionally because it deepened their relationship instead of just repeating the same dynamics. Antal’s struggles mirror Fi’s from the previous book in such a clever and heartbreaking way, and watching Fi refuse to let him drown alone absolutely destroyed me.

Also I NEED everyone to understand how much I adore the way these books handle gender dynamics because it’s SO refreshing. Antal is the terrifying immortal monster with claws and antlers and an entire species reputation built around fear and violence…yet he is genuinely one of the softest, gentlest, most emotionally open men I’ve ever read. Meanwhile Fi—tiny human Fi—is the actual threat. SHE is the one radiating pure “I will kill for you” energy at all times. She is all rage and determination and survival instinct packed into one tiny terrifying woman and I loved every second of it. She doesn’t need claws or fangs to hold her own against immortals because her weapon is apparently sheer audacity and an inability to quit. She really looked at every horrifying situation in this book and said “unfortunately for you I’m clinically insane about my boyfriend.”

And she steps UP in this one. Like holy shit. I already loved her in Voidwalker but Sunsplitter elevated her into all-time favorite FMC territory for me. This girl goes through absolute hell and still keeps fighting. Not because she’s unrealistically fearless but because she HAS to. Because giving up isn’t an option for her. Because she loves too deeply to stop trying. And the lengths she’s willing to go to for Antal genuinely made me emotional. There is literally nothing Fi would not do to protect that relationship. Nothing. She would burn down entire civilizations if necessary and honestly? I’d help her.

Antal though…Jesus Christ where do I even BEGIN with Antal. This man has permanently altered my brain chemistry. Every single thing about him makes me feral. The tenderness. The vulnerability. The quiet goodness in him despite everything he’s suffered through. The fact that the world constantly expects him to become a monster and he consciously chooses kindness anyway. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? That is my favorite kind of character every single time. A man capable of terrifying violence who actively chooses gentleness instead. And it hurts even more because you SEE how much pain he carries. You see how deeply his upbringing scarred him. You see how much fear and guilt and self-loathing he’s constantly wrestling with. Yet even then, he still wants to protect people. He still wants to create change. He still wants to love openly and honestly.

If Antal has no defenders I am DEAD.

And adding his POV was genuinely one of the best decisions Sarah could’ve made because WOW. The narration differences between Fi and Antal were done so perfectly. Their inner voices felt distinct without being obnoxiously overdone. Antal’s POV especially added so much emotional depth because you really get to see how deeply he feels EVERYTHING. He’s so loving and so afraid all at once. And getting deeper insight into his family and upbringing? Absolutely brutal. His home life was only briefly touched on in Voidwalker but Sunsplitter throws you directly into the dysfunction and says “good luck emotionally recovering from this” and unfortunately I did not.

Because WOW those family dynamics were complicated. I went into this fully prepared to despise every member of Antal’s family with my entire soul, especially Avroz, and instead Sarah had me sitting there experiencing the emotional equivalent of being hit by a truck repeatedly. Nothing is black and white in this story. Nobody fits neatly into good or bad. Even the characters who do terrible things still feel painfully human underneath it all. You understand WHY Antal still has complicated feelings toward them despite everything because the story makes YOU feel those same contradictions too. There’s anger and resentment and grief and love all tangled together in this horrible messy knot and it felt so REAL.

Avroz especially fascinated me because every single scene with him had me stressed out of my MIND. That man is so shrouded in mystery and manipulation and unpredictability that I genuinely never knew what he was going to do next. One second I wanted to strangle him and the next I was sitting there like… unfortunately I understand why Antal still cares. Which made me feel personally attacked honestly. Sarah is so talented at writing morally complex characters without trying to excuse the harm they cause. She allows them to be layered and contradictory and painful.

And the found family elements in this book??? ACTUAL TEARS. These relationships start off fractured and messy and damaged. Trust has to be rebuilt slowly over time. People have to actively choose each other again. And watching those connections slowly heal was one of the most emotionally satisfying parts of the entire story. The reconciliation in this book felt earned because it WAS earned.

Now let’s discuss the spice because HELLO????? Sarah somehow made it even better this time around. Antal officially converted me into a tail woman. I have accepted my new reality. The tail stuff? The biting? The switching?? The antler grabbing??? I was LOSING MY MIND. Though I do still feel robbed that the antlers apparently aren’t super sensitive because I had dreams, Sarah. I HAD DREAMS. But honestly the intimacy scenes worked so well because they never felt disconnected from the emotional core of the story. The smut enhanced the relationship instead of distracting from it. Every scene felt intimate in a way that made me want to scream into a pillow.

ALSO. Antal’s loving wet cat energy continues to be one of the greatest things ever put to page. This terrifying immortal man is literally just a sad exhausted creature who wants affection and safety and love and I would commit crimes for him without hesitation.

Now unfortunately I must air one grievance that devastated me on a deeply personal level and that is THE HAIR. THE HAIR!!!! Listen I KNOW this is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I KNOW there are larger themes happening here. But I loved that Antal was the ONLY one with short hair. I loved how visually distinct it made him from the rest of the daeyari. I loved that it reflected his disconnect from them and the emotional reasoning behind him keeping it short because the strands covered the carvings beneath his antlers tied to his father. So the SECOND this book kept repeatedly mentioning how his hair was too short to braid I immediately knew where this was going and I still sat there hoping I was wrong. And then he grew it out and I just sat there like…sir. Respectfully. Why. ESPECIALLY after everything that happened. You’re telling me NOW is when you decide to embrace flowing majestic immortal hair??? Absolutely not. I reject this personally. In MY head he still has the short messy hair from book one and most of this book because that image is permanently imprinted on my soul.

But genuinely, beneath all the chaos and violence and horny monster nonsense, what makes this series so special is how deeply hopeful it is. These books are about healing. About learning to live with your scars instead of letting them consume you. About choosing kindness even after cruelty. About building a better future even when the world tries to convince you it’s impossible. About love not magically fixing trauma but making survival easier. There’s such a strong theme of togetherness throughout this entire story and by the end it genuinely felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket despite everything these characters endured.

Which is honestly insane to say about a monster romance featuring claws, violence, immortal politics, biting, and enough emotional trauma to qualify everyone for lifelong therapy.

I am genuinely devastated this duology is over because I am NOT ready to leave these characters behind. Not even close. But I desperately hope Sarah continues expanding this universe because there’s still so much left to explore. I need Veshri’s story immediately. I need more about the new immortal species introduced here. I need every crumb of lore possible. At this point I’d probably read an entire 700-page book about these characters grocery shopping. That’s where I’m at emotionally.

Anyway. Sunsplitter destroyed me emotionally, healed me spiritually, converted me into a tail woman, and permanently raised my standards for monster romance. Five stars. Infinity stars. Antal the man that you are.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute PERFECTION 🥹😩👌
Thank you to Gollancz and S.A. Maclean for sending me an eARC of Sunsplitter to read and review.
I have been waiting for the conclusion to this duology for so long since I discovered the incredible Voidwalker last year and I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.

Sunsplitter was absolutely incredible, I loved it. Fionamara is at her absolute baddest, Antal is head over heels for her and peak wet cat energy and the storyline was FIRE. It was great to see the two of them navigating 'Daddy Antlers' (IYKYK lololol) aka Avroz and all the Daeyari politics on the Twilit Plane.

There are new obstacles and new enemies for Fi and Antal to face, and I really feel like in Sunsplitter we get to see them explore their strengths and weaknesses a bit more and figure out more of their relationship dynamic. Antal learns to trust Fi more and support her choices, understanding that he can't always try and protect her, and Fi realises that there is another part of Antal that misses and craves company from his own kind, but that this doesn't lessen his love or commitment to her. Ugh I just love them, they were made for each other.

Don't get me wrong, there are some moments when I was literally like 'OH SH*T WTF SARAH?!' Like I was screaming at the book or yelling expletives out loud to which my husband was also like WTF. The world building was once again incredible, there are new planes, new lore and new creatures, but it's all supported by the building Sarah starts in Voidwalker. I adored the addition of Syvr and Ixli- they were both brilliant and I loved how the friendship rekindled between them and Antal, and how they forged new ties with Fi.

The banter, as always, was ELITE and I was genuinely barking with laughter at several points. Mostly because Fi is absolutely incredible. Aisinay is of course, a Queen and I'm so desperate for my own badass voidhorse it's not even funny.

An absolutely incredible conclusion to the duology, I'm going to miss Fi and Antal, I have a feeling I'll be rereading very soon because I bloody love them!! I cannot wait to see what Sarah writes next!

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIX STARS.

It’s twice now that Sarah has left me speechless. The first time was after finishing Voidwalker, which exceeded any expectations I had. I expected to enjoy Sunsplitter, but would’ve been fine if it hadn’t been as revolutionary. It’s rare to find a sequel that lives up to the previous installment, but this one not only does that, but surpasses it. I don’t know how Sarah did it, but she did, and I am in awe of Sarah’s skills as a writer.

Sarah’s mind is unmatched. Sunsplitter was a chaotic and unhinged feast in the best way possible. I don’t know how Sarah can tell such a sweet, touching message on overcoming one’s past and reforming an unjust system, but also make it so wonderfully wild and complex.

We pick up right where we left off from Voidwalker with Antal’s dad summoning him home. The novel is fast-paced and it doesn’t take long until Antal reunites with his family, and oh boy, queue the mummy and daddy issues. I went into Sunsplitter fully prepared to hate Antal’s family with every fiber of my being, but the family dynamics ended up being so much more complex than I thought. Not everything was black and white like I thought. Maclean knows how to create these multifaceted characters with all these different, complicated layers to them that it’s hard to categorise them into just good and bad. Antal might have one of the most dysfunctional, flawed families ever, but it’s also so realistic and surprisingly heartfelt at times. I found myself tearing up several times, especially with the scenes involving Yme.

And wow, Avroz was exactly the kind of complicated character I thought he was going to be. It made me feel a lot of complicated things towards Avroz, especially since I have daddy issues myself, LMFAO. I empathised with so much of what Antal was going through with his daddy issues. Avroz is just so shrouded in mystery, cunning, and is so unpredictable. Even I had trouble trying to discern Avroz’s true thoughts. No spoilers, but it was intense but oddly thrilling at the same time, not knowing what he’s scheming.

But Sunsplitter also explores family in a different way – the ones you choose and the ones that accept you for who you are. Oh my god, it was the purest found family ever. Sarah’s background starting out as a cozy fantasy author really shows in all the heartwarming scenes between Antal and his friends. What makes it so satisfying is the build up to this found family since a lot of it starts off broken and messy. Mending that rift and rekindling that friendship and time apart from one another actually had me in tears because it was so incredibly moving. It’s that slow transformation, that slow build up of trust being formed again, that makes it so beautiful. By the end, what they share is a true, unwavering bond, filled with an absence of judgment and so much empathy. Antal deserves that so much!!

I just love overall the themes of togetherness, reconciliation, and making peace with your past. Everything was so incredibly uplifting it felt like a warm hug. It’s strange saying that for a monster romance, but it really is true. This duology really goes beyond that, though I’m sure the extra spice in this one will appease a lot of fans. It’s smutty yet never takes away from the heart and raw storytelling. These characters just feel so human – more human than so many other lust-filled romantasies. It feels authentically written but never overly mushy or sappy. It’s sweet but also spicy, honestly a win-win for people who love a good well written book and those who prefer it spicy.

And nobody told me how angsty this book was going to be, too?? My heart BROKE for both Fi and Antal in this one. I’m telling my kids Fi and Antal invested true love because their love was TESTED in this one. But I always love how candid they always are about their own insecurities to each other as well as how they’re always trying to be better for each other. It’s so freaking cute. The way they share their burdens together? Can’t get anymore wholesome than that. I love the parallels from book 1 and how Antal’s troubles mirror Fi’s own from the previous installment. It’s so sweet that this time Fi gets to take care of Antal. It’s really them against the world.

I already liked Fi in the first book, but she stepped up big time in this one, like, holy shit. I genuinely believe there is nothing Fi won't do to keep her and Antal’s relationship together. She really proves that she does not need claws and fangs to get things done and holds her own against the other immortal creatures. She is exactly the girl she thinks she is. Just so competent and would do ANYTHING for Antal, no matter how desperate or unhinged. She goes through so much terrible shit in this one, but she’s incredibly tough and resilient, a survivor through and through. It’s no wonder Antal fell in love with her.

Antal’s development, too!! I wasn’t sure how else Antal was going to develop since he already got so much development in book one, but wow. He just gets better. There is nothing I don’t love about this man. I love him more and more each time. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s Antal. He just radiates so much goodness in him it makes me scream that he has to have all the worst things happen to him in return. But still choosing to be good? Still choosing to be different and not conform to the scary daeyari reputation that’s expected of him? And, on top of that, wanting to change the system for the better? One of the best characters ever written.

This series is just one of my absolute favorites for the heart and emotional depth it has. I highly recommend reading the bonus stories in between Voidwalker and Sunsplitter to enhance the experience! Seriously, you won’t regret it!

If Sarah ever does a spin off with more characters set in this world, I’d 100% be locked TF in. Amazing, amazing, amazing. 6 stars. I also need so much fan art after this!! Huge thank you to Sarah for having me a part of her street team. This is a duology you won’t want to miss!

[Heather Pacella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Sunsplitter picks up one year after the ending of Voidwalker; Fi and Antal, living in the capital city of Thomaskweld, are finally beginning to see all their hard work pay off: the economy is strong, there is no longer any lurking daeyari threat, and the citizens of the territory are slowly but surely warming up to Antal . But their peaceful existence is shattered when Antal’s father appears, revealing that there is a danger bigger than all of them lurking in the Winter Plane.

Aedari, creatures that consume both humans and daeyari, have been spotted trying to find the Twilit Plane, burning through Fi and Antal’s home territory in the process. Antal, protector of his people, has no choice but to team up with his relentlessly cruel father to keep them all safe. But as the hunt begins, Fi and Antal find themselves pushed to their limits to protect their homelands - with even their relationship at risk. As they chase the aedari through the Planeverse, there’s only one question on their mind - can they be stopped before it’s too late?

Sunsplitter is the conclusion to the Beasts of the Void duology by S.A. MacLean. My thoughts on various aspects of the book are given below.

*World-building/Plot: Sunsplitter expands beyond the Season-Locked Planes introduced in the first book, with quite a bit of time spent in Antal’s home territory of the Twilit Plane. The workings of the daeyari world were incredibly interesting, and I thought the central plot of having to hunt the aedari upped the stakes and kept me on the edge of my seat. These additions to the world felt organically done and seamlessly integrated into what was established in Voidwalker, which was already one of the more inventive settings in fantasy publishing. I would definitely not complain if the author decided to publish additional books in the Planeverse!

*Character Development: Though Voidwalker was exclusively from Fi’s perspective, in Sunsplitter we alternate between her and Antal’s POVs. I am always leery when romantasy books make this decision, because oftentimes the MMC’s inner workings end up being quite flat; all their thoughts and decisions revolve around their singular obsession with the FMC, which I always find boring. However, it was a fantastic choice here (and I’m not just saying that because Antal is one of my favorite MMCs of all time!). His journey of overcoming the emotional trauma inflicted by his family and his complicated feelings toward missing daeyari culture while still hating their ways was so well done. And of course, how all of this impacts his relationship with Fi, as they are forced to navigate coming from (literally) two completely different worlds. While Antal loves his life with Fi in the Winter Plane, it will never be home, and there are some things that she will never understand or be able to experience. Similarly, though Fi is able to share all of her life with Antal, it is impossible for her to do the same and spend time freely with him in the Twilit Plane. Though there is still plenty of spice (with plenty of “tail stuff” as promised in the dedication), I really appreciated the additional maturity added to their relationship as they overcame these issues together.

There was also an expanded cast of daeyari characters in this book, including Antals’ immediate family and his closest friends. They were all really well done and also contributed to making the book really enjoyable.

*Pacing/Writing Style: Even though this sequel was as long as the first book, the action and packing never lagged, and the pages flew by as I was reading. Much like in Voidwalker, S.A. Maclean did a beautiful job here - in addition to crafting a world that could be easily imagined, the author has a real talent for emotionally evocative writing, which added so much to the story here.

Voidwalker was one of my favorite reads of 2025; since that book felt like a self-contained story, I was a bit nervous for the sequel, worried that any potential plot would stretch too thin and fail to compare to the near-perfect first book. However, S.A. MacLean has achieved something rare here - Sunsplitter manages to be even better! The world was richer, the emotional depth was fantastic, and I absolutely loved getting to learn so much more about Antal. I would highly recommend this sequel to anyone who enjoyed the first book, as well as any readers unfamiliar with the duology who are looking for a compelling story set in an incredibly unique fantasy universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Antal slept that night holding Fionamara like he might never touch her again.”

This was… whow. I absolutely loved Voidwalker when it came out last year, but I might have loved Sunsplitter even more. I had to restrain myself from devouring it in one go, as the pages seem to turn by themselves as the story flies.
It was (of course) a delight to return into this queernormative world and to read again about my fav’ Bi. But also to meet new characters and their very own (diverse) personalities.
You thought that daeyaris were scary in Voidwalker? Be ready, you’re about to discover the Twilight plane —ie the apex predator’s den— but also meet even more deathly creatures… The world truly expands in this sequel, and I loved how it gets vertiginous for the characters, Fi especially. But another great things is about politics. For once (we don’t see that enough in Fantasy, IMO), we get deeper into the solutions Fi and Antal build on in book 1, and see what works and what doesn’t.
But Sunsplitter is also about beliefs, traditions, and character’s growth (I can’t say more about that, but WHAT A VOID GROWTH IT WAS!!! And for both Fi and Antal), and exploring the established relationship. Here too, I loved that the author decided to tell about the “next steps” (think… meet the parents… who are unsupportive and Daddy antler is… well… worse than what Antal already told Fi… seriously if you thought there were Daddy issues in Voidwalker, Sunsplitter takes that to another level) instead of relying on arguments or only external events. I loved how Fi questions her value here, how she finds herself both too much and not enough (as I said, so much character development). Fi and Antal come out from this duology completely changed (so am I, as a reader) and in so many ways.
Be prepared to pass from laughter to tears —and goosebumps— from one pagee to another. Seriously, the book gave me all the feels, from laughing out loud while reading (oh Fi, you’re so perfect), to crying (I won’t admit how many times). Also be ready for surprises in the plot, as the book took me in places I absolutely didn’t suspect at all. And… be prepared to feel scorched because if you thought there was some spice in Voidwalker, that sequel takes also that to another level (and I was so here for more antlers and tail play… among other things)


Where Voidwalker explored (among other things) the confrontation to the cautionary tales, Sunsplitter touches the sacred (and, kind of, the religious). The story does that in a great way, keeping the respect for some beliefs, but also warning against the “false liberators” (and also quite scoffs at colonialism, just saying).

To summarize, no matter if you like monster smut, political fantasy, deep world building, or character growth; no matter if you’re here for the romance or for the underlying message(s); no matter if you’re here for Aisiniay being the best Void Horse ever (she is, no discussion)... with Beast of the Void, you can have it all. And it all starts with hilarious chapter titles.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m quite sad now that it’s over. But I’m eager to do a reread as soon as possible… and to discover what this author has for us in the future. But, in the meanwhile, I do hope everyone will read this one.

Seriously, read it.

Thank you to Gollancz and the author for the free access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

[Caiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when your beloveds father plans a hunt for a mythical enemy, and decides to drag said beloved along with him? Join in of course!

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧

Plot
This story sorta picks up where Voidwalker lets off - the two of them are living the dream, sorting out the Winter Plane and having lots of hooky. That is until Antal receives a summons from his father: a simple invitation to dinner that sparks off a long chain of events.

I really enjoyed Voidwalker, so of course jumped at the chance to get my paws on this ahead of release. It started a teeny bit on the slow side for me, as the author sets the scene with Antal's parents, and I worried briefly I wasn't going to enjoy it. AND THEN. Things escalate. A lot.

The pacing on this ends up being absolutely spot on. That slightly slower start pairs beautifully with the pace throughout the rest of the book, most of which is at an entirely appropriate breakneck speed.

The world building around Antal's culture, and then the snippets we get of the new baddie, is also excellent. We get the pleasure of experiencing all this through her eyes and I thoroughly enjoyed this. Fi is dragged into Daeyari culture head first with both mummy and daddy Antal and this is an absolute whirlwind.

Then there are the absolute bangers that come out of nowhere. The plot twists and extra 'bits' I just did not see coming all added so much to this story. Perfection.

Characters
FMC
Fi is her normal wonderful self. She's sassy and won't take sh*t from anyone, even if they are a nearly 1,000 year old Daeyari. She really holds the fort in this story, grabbing Antal by the antlers and ensuring he stays metaphorically upright throughout the book. She remains steadfast in her beliefs no matter what was thrown at her, standing up for Antal and herself and ensuring that she remains his advocate even when faced with his own parents.

MMC
There's nothing like being in front of your parents to turn a grown man back into a child. I really liked his character development in this story, from handling (or not-handling) his parents, to trying to keep up with Fi and doing all he can to keep her safe (not that he needs to, she's got this handled thanks).

The Rest
The Daeyari family is greatly expanded, not just with Antal's parents, but also with his friends. They were all perfect editions to the story and I really enjoyed learning more about them all. Antal's parents are delightfully awful, especially his conniving father, but I did like the nuances even in the two of them.
His friends are another excellent addition - both of them love Antal dearly and the found family vibes are on point.

The Chemistry
Holy mackerel. You go girl ;)

The Good
Everything.

The Bad & The Ugly
Nada, nothing.

The Wrap Up
Daddy issues.

Massive thank you to S.A. MacLean for letting me get my paws on this ahead of release.

✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
Others in the Series
Voidwalker

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[Stina Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly anticipated read that somehow exceeded every single expectation and then some. Sunsplitter devoured attention from the very first page and absolutely refused to let go until the final one. This book had no right to be this good and yet here we are.
Everything that made Voidwalker so special, the romance, the angst, the witty banter, is turned up to ten here and it is glorious. Fi and Antal return with the same fierce, feisty, deeply tender energy that made this duo so irresistible, but Sunsplitter digs deeper into both of them in the best possible way. Getting Antal's point of view is an absolute gift and it changes everything. His doubts, fears and history get real space to breathe, and watching him open up while still being the most lovable oversized wet cat imaginable is such a joy. Fi takes everything she learned in Voidwalker and grows from it in ways that feel genuinely earned and so deeply admirable. These two characters are just perfection and seeing them evolve even further had the heart absolutely full.
The Daeyari culture gets so much more room to unfold here and it is one of the greatest highlights of the whole book. The world building is breathtaking, the depth of the characters and their connection to it never stops being impressive, and the fact that an entire language was created for this series is simply unhinged in the most wonderful way possible.
The relationship between Fi and Antal remains delectably chaotic and completely addictive. Fierce and soft, swoony and heart pounding, the trials they face together only make them stronger and more compelling to read. There were tears, laughs and gasps throughout and the emotional range this book pulled out was staggering. And the spice somehow managed to be even better than Voidwalker, which should not be mathematically possible but here we are again.
Not a single page felt out of place. The conversations about wanting to be enough for someone even when the fit is not perfect hit so hard and pulled at every single heartstring.
A triumphant and breathtaking finale to the Beasts of the Void duology. Fi and Antal are so near and dear and letting them go is genuinely painful, but this ending was absolutely everything it needed to be and more. The Beasts of the Void duology has earned a very permanent and very special place in the heart. If this series is still sitting on the fence, get off the fence immediately because life is simply better with Fi and Antal in it.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness that was such a wild ride of an emotional rollercoaster!

I thought Voidwalker wrapped up nicely as a stand alone but THANK YOU SWEET BABY JESUS S.A. MacLean is so generous and we get more of Fi and Antal! Sunsplitter is more action packed, more emotional, more anxiety inducing and sexier beyond belief (tail is the word). Mysterious fires are popping up all over the Season Locked Planes and Antal's father has finally called him home for a visit after 50 years. Fi and Antal's relationship is teetering with Fi struggling to be enough for him and Antal missing the feeling of other Daeyari. Not to mention they are trying to keep improving their township and showing humans that not all Daeyari are the same and they can live together prosperously. Not a lot going on at all!

I adored Fi's ferociousness in Voidwalker and it only grows in Sunsplitter. She's my hero honestly lol. She still has those vulnerable soft spots she shows only to Antal but for the most part she is vicious in her protection of him and their friends. Antal is very much the soft wet cat Fi always describes him as but he really grows here and seeing him with his friends and how much of himself he had hidden away for so long really got to me. He's just the type you want to squish to your chest and never let go. It was in the back of my mind multiple times throughout this book that MacLean was really going to rip out my heart by breaking these two up but I will say as my only spoiler that she does not, thankfully. BUT be prepared to feel that anxiety for quite a lot while reading this, I was in agony! I really loved the secondary characters of Syvr and Ixli too! Syvr was such a sassy good time and once Ixli let go of her prejudice and got to know Fi it was like she became a real girl's girl. The way Avros treated her was so low, I felt so bad for her!

The plot is wild and crazy in Sunsplitter and without giving too much away just be prepared to want to murder a few people on behalf of Antal and Fi. I was literally scowling while reading a lot of the scenes with Avros, such an ass! But S.A. MacLean does end up gifting us one of the best Happily Ever After's I've read in a while and I will forever be a huge fan of this series and a supporter of hers. Thank you so much to Orbit Books for gifting me this eARC!

[S.A. MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, it's me! The author!

I'm so excited to bring you the conclusion to the Beasts of the Void duology. I consider VOIDWALKER to be very much Fi's book, focusing on her home on the Winter Plane, her journey to forgive herself, her path to reconciliation with Boden and Astrid.

SUNSPLITTER is Antal's book. Fi is still our prominent heroine of course, still eager to face down immortal beasts she definitely shouldn't be yelling at. But we'll see much more of Antal's home on the Twilit Plane, and the strain of his relationships with the family and friends he left behind.

In book 2, you can expect:
- Our beloved bi4bi ship trying to figure out how to function as a couple
- So many daddy issues
- (Help, I called the antagonist Daddy Antlers on Instagram, now all the readers think he's hot and they can fix him)
- 33yo angry mongoose FMC determined to prove she doesn't need fangs to be intimidating
- Carnivorous immortal who is lowkey afraid of her (but he's into it)
- More sassy Void horse saving the day when we need her most
- Found family that makes me cry a little
- "I'll have you know that I'm God's favorite"
- Way more tail action

And of course please take care of yourself as you read.

Content warnings:

This novel is intended for adult audiences. It includes multiple scenes of explicit sex between consenting adults, including bite play, argument sex, wrist bondage, anal sex, double penetration, and pegging.

The non-human, immortal race in this world are obligate carnivores, with humans as their primary food source, including on-page description of a human being killed then eaten. Graphic violence includes bite wounds, burn wounds, dismemberment, and beheading.

There are brief depictions of hospitals, family grieving, and death from accident or illness, including a mention of a character who died off page from cancer.

This book centers, as a prominent storyline, the abuse of a child by a parent. This abuse in primarily in the form of emotional manipulation and verbal abuse, with two brief instances of physical violence (one past, one present).

[Hannah (The Book Snek) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely stunning conclusion to the Beasts of the Void duology!

First things first, I went into this on the back of a Voidwalker reread, including the six bonus chapters the author released on their website. I felt this was crucial, given the level of effort it took to craft such a unique universe and magic system for a diverse cast of characters. Personally, it felt like a must, and it was a brilliant way to refresh my memory on all the context.

With all that said, let's talk about Sunsplitter.

The plot itself kept me completely hooked, moving at a steady medium to fast pace that never let up. There were even a couple of twists that genuinely made my jaw drop whilst I was reading in public, which is always the sign of a good story imo!

What I loved most about the character side of things was the continuation of Fi and Antal's love tug-of-war. The way these two challenge each other is so refreshing. Navigating the hurdles of their worlds colliding had me laughing, raging, gasping, and it even brought a little tear to my eye in places. And the banter. MMH *chefs kiss*

This instalment has strong themes of home and family, and what those concepts mean to Fi and Antal under their unique circumstances. The family ties, both blood and chosen, are grey and messy, and they are just fascinating to explore through both of their perspectives. Watching them grow separately and with each other, to the absolute betterment of their relationship, was beautiful. The legwork put into the first book to carefully craft these characters just made the payoff so much more satisfying. I really didn't want to say goodbye to them and desperately wanted another 600 pages of their story.

I personally feel there's potential for so much more from this universe that I'd love the author to explore. I mean, who doesn't want to portal hop through a near infinite universe full of beasts?! But for now, this was an absolute pleasure to read, and it is a story made to be read and read again.

[Caitlin G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final rating 4.5/5 Stars.

SUNSPLITTER is the spicy action-packed follow-up to VOIDWALKER, and it manages to deftly balance romance, action, and character in one fantastic finale. What I especially appreciated about this sequel was that it managed to find conflict between the couple of Fi and Antal (human and monstrous daeyari respectively) that felt natural and earned and not forced to create drama. Antal may have found the love of his life in Fi, but he's grappling with the fact that he has been isolated from his own people for decades, and he may have to continue that isolation to protect the human-friendly community he and Fi are building. There's a real exploration of how being cut off from your own culture is a devastating loss of connection - even if you have mixed feelings about the individual people in that culture. Fi in return struggles to figure out if she's "enough" for Antal - if she can fill the void that lost connection creates.

This conflict felt like a natural rough patch in a relationship, especially one where family members don't approve of the match. And eventually, they do call each other out and work through their issues, becoming even stronger for it. If I had one area where I had a complaint, it's that I wish Antal had had a little more initiative towards the end of the book, instead of letting old patterns continue to rule.

Aside from the romance, there's an engaging action-packed plot with a splash of politics as a dangerous foe threatens not just Antal's territory, but daeyari rule everywhere. I was fully invested in this new enemy, though I could have stood to learn a little more about them than we did. Either way, this new threat gives us the excuse to peek behind the curtain at the council that rules how daeyari live and govern on their home turf, and I welcomed the addition of new characters from Antal's past. They provide their own complications as Antal tries to figure out who - if any - of his former friends and relatives he can trust.

I'll also just give a quick mention to the fact that this is a spicier book than VOIDWALKER. While there was definitely spice in the first book, the author here leans full-tilt into the "monster smut" aspect of the book. There is plenty of non-spice plot in here too, but if those kinds of scenes aren't your cup of tea, you might be better off with another book.

SUNSPLITTER was a fantastic sequel to a book I really enjoyed. VOIDWALKER was one of my favorite reads of 2025 and I have a feeling SUNSPLITTER is going to end the year with the same glowing honor.

Note: I was provided a free ARC by the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

[moonwebbed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great sequel to Voidwalker! I went in a touch apprehensive to read this as I wasn't sure I'd have as much fun with the main couple already established in the first book but I still wanted to check this out as I enjoyed the unique setting and loved the characters so much. Fortunately, this managed to knock it out of the park and struck a very satisfying balance between the main plot and solid character development. I ended up staying up well into the night to finish the last ~30% because I just couldn't put it down.

While Voidwalker primarily focused on Fi's emotional/character journey, this book was much more centered on Antal's. We got hints about his past in the first book, but he really got to shine here and watching him and Fi work through the difficulties of an interspecies relationship was just as engaging as watching them fall for each other was in book one. I appreciated that the relationship problems they faced and how they handled them felt realistic and not just thrown in to create unnecessary drama. Anyone who has had a partner with either cultural differences or shitty parents will probably really resonate with them in this book.

I also thoroughly enjoyed all of the new characters we got to meet! While I did find myself wishing we got to see just a bit more of some of the side characters from book one, I think having them more present wouldn't have really made sense for this story. For anyone else who felt the same, I highly recommend checking out the bonus chapters on the author's website if you want to see more of Antal and Fi just hanging out around Thomasweld set between books one and two. They aren't required reading by any means, but there are a couple of nods to them in Sunsplitter that were fun to spot.

Overall, I'm so glad I decided to continue this series. Sunsplitter was just as much fun as Voidwalker!
Thank you so much to Orbit and Netgalley who provide an ARC of this book. I absolutely adored this and have already pre-ordered a physical copy to add to my shelves!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

One word: satisfied.

As I said in my review of Voidwalker, it was incredibly easy to fall in love with Fi and Antal. My favorite aspect of this series is the strength of their relationship. They face challenges together rather than being torn apart by them. I often struggle with the common romantasy trope of couples constantly breaking up and getting back together instead of uniting against external conflicts, so this was a refreshing change.

The worldbuilding was another highlight. It felt unique and immersive, yet everything was explained clearly and remained easy to follow.

I also enjoyed that this installment focused more heavily on Antal. We spent much of the first book getting to know Fi, so it was rewarding to dive deeper into his character. I loved the contrast between his fearsome nature as a predator and the sensitivity that lies beneath the surface.

Fi continues to be one of my favorite types of protagonists. She’s fierce and determined without crossing into self-destructive territory. Too often strong female characters are written as stubborn for the sake of creating conflict, but Fi has depth and emotional intelligence that make her choices feel authentic.

This book strikes a great balance between action, emotional moments, relationship development, and spice.

And the spice? Just the right amount. It was well written, enhanced the romance, and left me rooting for Fi and Antal even more.

I also appreciated that this story was told as a duology. Too many series become weighed down by unnecessary filler, but this one felt purposeful from beginning to end. The story had depth, delivered on its promises, and concluded in a satisfying way.

I enjoyed this series so much that I’ve grown attached to the entire cast. I would happily read a novella or spin-off just to spend more time in this world.

[Raquel Garces · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, we're going to *attempt* to not spoil too much.

We catch up with Fi and Antal a year after the chaos that was Voidwalker. Things are going great, the human people of Thomaskweld are accepting Antal and are getting comfortable with him around.

And then, because life just can't stay easy: chaos.

Antal's father shows up saying there's a pseudo-god in his territory, an aedari, and he needs to find it and kill it to get his ''Sunsplitter'' bands and take his place in the Daey Calva so he (Avroz, the father) can go on a ''pilgrimage'' and Antal stops being a disappointment.

In return, Avroz will support Antal's new way of running the territory and support him when he brings it to the Daey Calva floor.

Fi hates this from the start because it was Avroz who banished Antal to the Winter Plane in the first place after slaughtering his lover in front of him.

Avroz tries to kill Fi on more than one occasion, and gets a sassy clap back every time.

More chaos.

Fi fights for her place in the world, her place by Antal's side, and for her life, against multiple immortal beings, more than once.

She meets Antal's ex lover, Ixli, who is Avroz's right hand and another former friend, Syvr who is Avroz's spymaster.

She masters how to truly Voidwalk and weave Void ether and....play with certain toys? She learns that not all daeyari are bad and can be trusted outside of Antal and some are just as bad as she expected.

The heartbreak, the spice (I had to fan myself after a few scenes) the character growth and, in Avroz's case, decay, and the side characters were just wonderful.

It is the perfect second book following Voidwalker.

In short;
1. Avroz is a major ****
2. Fi is an absolute warrior bad ass
3. Antal is mostly useless but still adorable
4. Fi tops like a boss
5. The side characters are hilarious and I need them in my life

10/10 loved this so much

[Jowls & Java - Bulldog Book Reviewers · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
2.5🌶️
📗eARC
Themes/Tropes: Immortal x Mortal, monster romance, complicated father relationships, Strong FMC x Soft MMC

Firstly, a huge thank you to NetGalley, S.A. MacLean, and Orbit Books for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Voidwalker was one of my absolute favorite reads of 2025 and I’ve read it several times. I love the Shard world, its creatures, and magic that Maclean has created. Antal and Fi are such memorable and well written characters, each compelling in their own ways. SO, when I had the opportunity to join the Sunsplitter Street Team and get an ARC of Sunsplitter, I jumped on it!

This book picks up about a year after Antal and Fi conquered Verne and have begun recreating Thomaskweld in their new, mortal friendly way. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this book is all the things. It tackles the complicated past of our soft, yet wet cat-oriented, daeyari and his life and relationships from the Twilit plane. The complicated history of Antal’s father’s ambitions for Antal and the ruthless way his father has pursued those ambitions.

This story is a beautiful lesson in how the life we build for ourselves and the family we make for ourselves is what can make us authentically happy. That the external world’s expectations of us, whether from friends, family or historical ideals, are not what matter in the end.

I was worried that the finale to this duology may not have lived up to the joy that was Voidwalker, but I’m glad to announce that it beat my expectations. I could read about Fi and Antal for another 9000 books. I’d read a spinoff story on Syvr too. They are a VERY interesting character. Loved them. And Ixli too.

Definitely do yourself a favor and read this series. It is so well done. The perfect combination of humor, action, romance, and emotion. I am excited to see what S.A. MacLean does next.

[Kristine Gift · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book for review.

Now this, my friends, is how you do a sequel with an established relationship. After Voidwalker, I was not certain where a second book would go, since the first had a very satisfying and complete ending. But Sunsplitter is a fantastic sequel, with a broader cast of characters, novel problems, and a lovely exploration of what happens after the happy ending for our couple, Fi and Antal.

Sunsplitter is full of messy family drama, messy relationship drama, messy friend drama, and satisfying resolutions to all of it. And then somewhere in there is a solid plot, wherein Fi, Antal and our new cast must defend the Winter Plane (and others) from another dangerous, immortal beast. I was fully engrossed in all of it, every drama and every step forward in the plot. I definitely guessed a lot of the Big Reveal, but that didn't bother me at all because there were so many other things going on that I cared about equally as much.

Having read Voidwalker and Sunsplitter back to back, I can also say that the writing in Sunsplitter is an improvement on its predecessor. Words are used far, far less repetitively, and I felt that the plotting was more coherent and the pacing was spot on. This is definitely a stronger work, and it makes me a little sad that this is the end of a duology. I hope Maclean writes more in this universe, because the world is so fun, the magic so interesting, and I think she nailed her style for this universe in this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book (and the duology as a binge read, which saved me from a looming reading slump!) and will absolutely be picking up a copy when it comes out, because that cover is lovely, and my copy of Voidwalker needs its buddy on the shelf!

[Desperado · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

I received a copy of Voidwalker last May & loved it so much that it became my favorite read of 2025, so suffice it to say, I was practically foaming at the mouth to get my hands on "Sunsplitter" and it lived up to all my hopes and expectations!

The focus this time for our unlikely duo was interpersonal relationships. It's been a year since the end of "Voidwalker" and Fi and Antal are locked in, settling comfortably into their new relationship and their relationship with the citizens in the city they're tasked with governing.....and then crap hits the fan in the form of the daeyari's version of The Boogie Man. There's a whole lot of found family wonderfulness along with Fionamara being her usual reckless "ride or die" self and Antal being prickly sweet and sensitive as usual. I loved pretty much everything about the last book in this duology and would've easily been 5 stars if not for one issue I had: Antal and his relationship with his father. To be honest, I hated it. I LOATHED it. I mean yes, Antal is a cute little cream puff of a hero compared to Fionamara's vicious alley cat but at the end of the day, he's also a carnivorous immortal 200+ year old creature with claws and fangs who EATS people. He's not some whimpering little boy but that's what his dynamic with his father turned him into, it's like the author infantilized him. It just went on for far too long for me before he eventually developed a backbone which is why this book is 4.5 stars for me.

I loved this duology and extremely hopeful that this won't be the last I see of two of my favorite main characters ever.

[Kaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so excited to have returned to this world! Voidwalker was a top read for me last year, and I couldn’t wait for Fi and Antal’s next adventure. The story Sarah weaves is so unique, blending elements of love, friendship, and family trauma. The fantasy elements are truly fantastical. I’ve still never read a book quite like this.

Fi is so fierce and loyal. She’s definitely a bit of a terror, but I loved her softer moments when she’s being playful and joking. I really loved her and Antal’s relationship. It was built on trust and communication, making it so easy to root for their happy ending. I never doubted their love for each other.

Syvr was my favorite new character!

While the story has a great overarching plot, I especially loved the amount of action happening throughout the book. I had a general sense of how the story might play out, but I was constantly surprised by how we got there. It was the perfect mix of plot and character focused storytelling.

The writing style is somewhat unique. The sentence structure can be a bit odd at times, making it a little distracting at first. However, once I got into the swing of the story, I didn’t notice it as much.

If there’s one thing I felt some frustration with, it’s Antal. I loved him with Fi, but he was very meek and his character leaned into the “wet cat” trope a little too far. I really wanted to see him stand up and grow a spine. We see his confidence grow in the end, but I would’ve liked to see his development progress throughout the book.

I’m a little sad our time in this world is over, as I’d love to continue traveling the Planeverse. I’ll definitely be picking up this duology again and again.

Favorite quotes:
“We’re fighting,” he protested in a rasp. “Fight harder,” Fi ordered.
“I’m role-playing you wet mop!”

4.75 stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ ARC received from NetGalley.