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Racing the Sun
A resurrected god; two princesses in love; and only three days till the lands turn to ash.
The rajkumari Rahat would sacrifice everything for her people who slaved ten years under the Praitosi Empire. Her brothers will step aside, and Rahat will take the throne to Delorran--with a prince of the Empire at her side. But when the woman she loves is found missing, Rahat must leave her home and search the wilds for her stolen soul.
The Ashen God is rising, his servants bringing darkness to the Summer Lands. Lost and forgotten faerie beasts are filling the jungles once more, and if the rajkumari cannot survive them, her lands will fall.
In a world teeming with magic and wonder, perils and danger, Rahat must face the unimaginable to win back her lover's soul and save them all.
The rajkumari Rahat would sacrifice everything for her people who slaved ten years under the Praitosi Empire. Her brothers will step aside, and Rahat will take the throne to Delorran--with a prince of the Empire at her side. But when the woman she loves is found missing, Rahat must leave her home and search the wilds for her stolen soul.
The Ashen God is rising, his servants bringing darkness to the Summer Lands. Lost and forgotten faerie beasts are filling the jungles once more, and if the rajkumari cannot survive them, her lands will fall.
In a world teeming with magic and wonder, perils and danger, Rahat must face the unimaginable to win back her lover's soul and save them all.
- GenresFantasyYoung AdultQueer
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2019
5 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Koop
2 books43 followersJ. R. Koop is Jasmine Rose. She resides in Adelaide with her wife and two cats and is constantly working on something new.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 1, 2019
I beta read this book because Jasmine asked me to, and even though we're friends it did not stop me from reading this book critically. And I absolutely loved it. I'm excited tho to read a finished version, to see how small things changed. This book has one of my favourite f/f relationships and I can't wait to read more about this world. (4.75)
May 15, 2019
I believe it was a great story, but I couldn’t connect with any characters (I don’t think I knew them enough for that) and had a lot of troubles getting into the story. That being said, it’s a debut work and it’s really great as it is! Would recommend if you love fantasy and want to read more books with a f/f relationship!
Want to read
March 27, 2019LOOK AT THAT COVER!! So proud of this lovely person for perusing her dream. Cannot wait to read!
August 26, 2019
I gave Racing the Sun by J.R. Koop a 4-star rating
This was an absolutely fantastic debut novel by Koop and I found myself falling head over heels in love with this book. The world-building was what stole it for me. Everything was so exotic and detailed enough so that I felt like I was standing with Rahat through everything she was going through.
The characters were all diverse, and I felt connected to a few of them. The relationship between Rahat and Iliyah I really enjoyed. It was sweet and warm, but I feel like I didn't see enough of their relationship beforehand to have an extra-strong connection with them. Qadira was one of my favourites and the person who I probably felt the most emotionally connected to. I loved her character and discovering more about her!
I found that at the beginning of the book, it was difficult to understand which character was who - I feel a glossary would have been really helpful. I found this the same with some of the terminology used in the book. Otherwise, it was a relatively balanced read!
The style of writing could sometime's be a bit confusing when we would switch from character perspectives. It was something I got used to after a while, but it took a lot to get my head around.
Overall, this book was amazing. I felt really immersed in the story. The characters felt real, the world-building and the creatures were the biggest highlights.
This was a beautiful story about fighting for love, and for fighting to love whoever it is you want to love.
This was an absolutely fantastic debut novel by Koop and I found myself falling head over heels in love with this book. The world-building was what stole it for me. Everything was so exotic and detailed enough so that I felt like I was standing with Rahat through everything she was going through.
The characters were all diverse, and I felt connected to a few of them. The relationship between Rahat and Iliyah I really enjoyed. It was sweet and warm, but I feel like I didn't see enough of their relationship beforehand to have an extra-strong connection with them. Qadira was one of my favourites and the person who I probably felt the most emotionally connected to. I loved her character and discovering more about her!
I found that at the beginning of the book, it was difficult to understand which character was who - I feel a glossary would have been really helpful. I found this the same with some of the terminology used in the book. Otherwise, it was a relatively balanced read!
The style of writing could sometime's be a bit confusing when we would switch from character perspectives. It was something I got used to after a while, but it took a lot to get my head around.
Overall, this book was amazing. I felt really immersed in the story. The characters felt real, the world-building and the creatures were the biggest highlights.
This was a beautiful story about fighting for love, and for fighting to love whoever it is you want to love.
July 30, 2019
A beautiful debut. This lesbian high fantasy novel is rich with detail, action and emotion. I especially enjoyed the setting, the city of Ajrapur, the jungle and the temple of the fire god - as well as the various original creatures we encountered throughout Rahat's journey. Fighting for love might just be the most universal theme in literature, so Rahat's desperate hope to save her beloved Iliyah did capture me. Still, I feel I haven't seen enough of them in the beginning to be fully invested in their relationship and the stakes of Rahat's quest. Qadira, on the other hand, might be my favorite character of the book because we learn about what she has lost and how her deepest desires are built from her past. As for the writing, I loved the beautiful descriptions and all the action scenes were extremely well-written too! The ending fell just a little flat - it felt like defeating the final enemy was accomplished too quickly and easily. All in all, I really enjoyed this extraordinary debut and am looking forward to reading more about Abrecan in the future!
July 23, 2019
Sadly, this book wasn't really for me. The plotline was okay, but the characters were rather bland, and I simply couldn't connect with them. The writing style didn't capture me as well.
June 3, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I do however think that a glossary in the back would have been very useful.
October 30, 2019
so, i am biased because my name is in the book and i‘ve been obsessed with abercan for as long as i‘ve known it, which is why i have no shame giving this book 4.75 points.
i absolutely adore the mythology and worldbuilding, i think it’s simply extraordinary. the imagination behind each city, culture and creature amazes me every time and i‘m overjoyed to have a little peace of it belong to me now!
i really took to ilyah. i think the priestess aspect is so interesting, just like her magic, which i would love to know more about.
i liked rahat as a fierce and stubborn character willing to risk it all for love and kingdom, and her family were a very interesting detail throughout the plot; especially her father who studied ancient lore sort of in secret? a badass. i stan.
then there‘s her brothers who are both such interesting characters in their own right. i‘d be very interested to see their stories progress as well.
i don’t even have to mention qadira, because shes my queen and on light wings is just an awesome plus.
i did the miss beginning of their lovestory though, i wanted to get fully invested in it, because i felt a little like i missed out on half of it. and i would have loved a little more background information as to why the empresses and emperor made that very significant and incredible last desicion.
other than that i absolutely loved this book, and can‘t wait for more books about abercan!
i absolutely adore the mythology and worldbuilding, i think it’s simply extraordinary. the imagination behind each city, culture and creature amazes me every time and i‘m overjoyed to have a little peace of it belong to me now!
i really took to ilyah. i think the priestess aspect is so interesting, just like her magic, which i would love to know more about.
i liked rahat as a fierce and stubborn character willing to risk it all for love and kingdom, and her family were a very interesting detail throughout the plot; especially her father who studied ancient lore sort of in secret? a badass. i stan.
then there‘s her brothers who are both such interesting characters in their own right. i‘d be very interested to see their stories progress as well.
i don’t even have to mention qadira, because shes my queen and on light wings is just an awesome plus.
i did the miss beginning of their lovestory though, i wanted to get fully invested in it, because i felt a little like i missed out on half of it. and i would have loved a little more background information as to why the empresses and emperor made that very significant and incredible last desicion.
other than that i absolutely loved this book, and can‘t wait for more books about abercan!
August 13, 2019
3.5!
My lovely friend wrote this book! I’m so happy for her and the success of her debut novel! I’m even mentioned in the acknowledgements (it’s my deadname but I came out after the release so it’s fine 😂)!
Even though we’re friends I’m gonna give an honest review bc honesty is my Brand™. Romance is definitely not my thing. I only ever like it (sometimes) when I read a novel entirely about romance. So I really struggled connecting to this book bc what drives the mc and the story is the romance between two characters and trying to get them back. But knowing how much of Jasmine is in this book, especially the queer aspect, I absolutely felt more for the characters and the romance between them and the struggle they have with being queer (which means I’m biased but whatever). There are certain scenes in particular about the struggle of being in the closet and coming out that really stuck out to me and made my heart warm with love.
I’ve read some fantasy novels that are inspired by the author’s own culture or a culture they’ve studied (or did not study lmao) and racing the sun is hands down one of the most detailed ones? I’m truly amazed with how much was put into this book. I’m really excited for what’s to come and other series she’ll release
My lovely friend wrote this book! I’m so happy for her and the success of her debut novel! I’m even mentioned in the acknowledgements (it’s my deadname but I came out after the release so it’s fine 😂)!
Even though we’re friends I’m gonna give an honest review bc honesty is my Brand™. Romance is definitely not my thing. I only ever like it (sometimes) when I read a novel entirely about romance. So I really struggled connecting to this book bc what drives the mc and the story is the romance between two characters and trying to get them back. But knowing how much of Jasmine is in this book, especially the queer aspect, I absolutely felt more for the characters and the romance between them and the struggle they have with being queer (which means I’m biased but whatever). There are certain scenes in particular about the struggle of being in the closet and coming out that really stuck out to me and made my heart warm with love.
I’ve read some fantasy novels that are inspired by the author’s own culture or a culture they’ve studied (or did not study lmao) and racing the sun is hands down one of the most detailed ones? I’m truly amazed with how much was put into this book. I’m really excited for what’s to come and other series she’ll release
June 21, 2020
Boy, oh boy...
I had been wanting to read this book since before it was published. The premise was so fascinating - the epic fantasy inspired by I believe Indian culture, lesbian romance plus beautiful cover made me want to read it ASAP.
Unfortunately, it was very hard for me to get into the story as all the names and titles were super confusing. It would be very helpful to have who's who section.
The style is very dramatic with some unfortunate usage of phrases and words. Some of them does not make much sense (it was like reading a mediocre typical ya fantasy). I had to really push through and power read it to finish the book.
Also because I was so confused by what is happening and why I didn't enjoy the plot that much or feel connected with the characters.
All the mythology, creatures and gods, is fascinating and I would love to read more fantasy inspired by non-European myths and lore.
I had been wanting to read this book since before it was published. The premise was so fascinating - the epic fantasy inspired by I believe Indian culture, lesbian romance plus beautiful cover made me want to read it ASAP.
Unfortunately, it was very hard for me to get into the story as all the names and titles were super confusing. It would be very helpful to have who's who section.
The style is very dramatic with some unfortunate usage of phrases and words. Some of them does not make much sense (it was like reading a mediocre typical ya fantasy). I had to really push through and power read it to finish the book.
Also because I was so confused by what is happening and why I didn't enjoy the plot that much or feel connected with the characters.
All the mythology, creatures and gods, is fascinating and I would love to read more fantasy inspired by non-European myths and lore.
May 3, 2019
What a lovely book! From the very first page, the reader is treated to a sumptuous fantasy world brimming with magic and mystical creatures, with loveable characters and strong themes of family, friendship and the journey towards acceptance. Having heard the author perform pieces of this book at spoken word events in the past, it was especially rewarding to see how those early drafts of key chapters have come together in the finished book.
That being said, I did struggle a bit getting into the writing style. There were passages that felt a little less fine-tuned than others, but it didn't detract too much from the overall quality of the story.
This was an outstanding debut (bonus points for positive queer rep!) - would recommend.
That being said, I did struggle a bit getting into the writing style. There were passages that felt a little less fine-tuned than others, but it didn't detract too much from the overall quality of the story.
This was an outstanding debut (bonus points for positive queer rep!) - would recommend.
June 8, 2019
I was very excited to get to know Abrecan better and think it is a great debut. It is a wonderful world and I was rooting for them all the way. Hazel and Qadira were wonderful as well and I really want to know more about what happened to Qadira in between On Light Wings and Racing the Sun... and afterwards. :)
May 13, 2021
I loved the world building, I loved the fantasy setting that didn't just sound like anyone's idea if medieval Europe with dragons thrown in, I loved the love story, I loved the relationships and the complex characters, and I just loved reading it.
March 27, 2019
So so so so proud! This book is absolutely amazing and everyone needs to read it ASAP.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews