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Saviors of the Sun

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"Ten Colors of Salvation, from the heavens they descend.
The Ten Saviors will rise, the darkness will end."

A normal exam day spirals into a gruesome catastrophe when an enigmatic colleague slaughters Miss Theresa Bernstein's students and plunges her and the remaining nine children into Viseya—a world plagued by near-immortal monsters led by the mass murderer himself, who plans to sacrifice them to fortify his status as a god.

Rescued by the last bastion of humanity thriving in this perilous otherworld, Theresa and her students learn that they are the heirs of the Ten Escyllian Relics: godly weapons left by the previous Ten Saviors one thousand years ago. Now the Earthlings are suddenly forced to discard their pasts and accept their new destiny as Saviors . . . no matter how implausible and dangerous it may become.

Now enemies—monsters, humans, and things in between and beyond—threaten them from all sides. Can Theresa and her students do what it takes to survive against the deadly perils of the mystically unknown, the infectious assaults of unimaginable horrors, and the gut-wrenching deceptions brought on by their ascension as the Saviors of the Sun?

An isekai adventure filled with culturally diverse characters, complex villains, deadly magic and emotionally epic battles, Saviors of the Sun is a phenomenal journey that will hook you until the last page.

508 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2022

6 people are currently reading
29 people want to read

About the author

J.L. Estilo

1 book13 followers

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5 stars
19 (46%)
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18 (43%)
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3 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for L.J. Kerry.
Author 6 books124 followers
January 13, 2022
I'd like to thank the author for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
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TW's: Violence, s**ual assault, cannibalism, PTSD, torture & murder
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4.5 ☆'s

WOW. I couldn't believe this was a debut, it was incredible. The imagery in this book was beautiful, although sometimes disgusting, and the pacing was almost perfect with not too much info dumping. I often forgot I was reading while devouring this book and it took me a while to get back to earth. I love how many different cultures were intertwined in this book, it's the first time reading a book that uses Filipino and learning cultures is something I adore.

All the characters were likeable, and relateable (apart from Creebo, he's weird). Each of the different POV's had their own unique voice so I knew exactly who I was reading at any different time. They went through a lot and I was scared for them, I felt just as confused as they did on more than one occasion but wow what a journey.

My only negatives were that the middle did drag for me, I found myself getting bored here and it took me a while to push through, but I'm glad it picked back up. And sometimes I felt like too much was happening (in the middle at least) to truly grasp a scenes importance.

Eitherway, I highly recommend people check out this awesome Sci-Fantasy adventure.
Profile Image for Jos.
761 reviews104 followers
September 14, 2024
September 13th: Updated RTC

•••

First of all, I would like to give a huge thank you to the author for sending me an e-arc of the book in exchange of a honest review. All thoughts are on my own.

So, it took me a long time to write this review because two things came up with me at a time, one of them being school chores and the second one is that I couldn't put into words everything that I have to say.

So, I will probably update this review in the future, preferably after I had time to re-read my favorite scenes and quotes of the book (doing that usually helps me to organize my ideas)

This is such an amazing idea, set in the Earth but in a futuristic set (not that futuristic like we see in sci-fi movies but definitely more advanced that 2022 Earth) we follow the story of Theresa and 9 of her students. Almost everyone of her students are from different countries.

Sounds pretty normal, then, another teacher kills almost all of the students except this 9 and Theresa, kidnaps them, takes them to another planet and tells them they're the saviors of the sun and that he's got to kill them.

The premise is amazing and the book keeps getting better, one thing I enjoyed is watching Theresa keeping such a strong faith in God and her religion even though everything around her tells her God is not that powerful. I always love a character that keep faithful to their personal beliefs but still does everything they can to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

Another thing I enjoyed is that not all the main characters are likeable, there are bullies and mean girls, a couple of them you could come to understand them but didn't actually have a likeable personality, and I enjoyed that, it's realistic, in every other boon that I read that has this number of main characters, the author always tries to make them have at least a likeable characteristic since the beginning, and here it wasn't like that, at least not for me.

I think this review is kinda messed up but I didn't want to not talk about the book here, probably when I'm a little more free with school I would update this review and make it make sense.
383 reviews10 followers
January 14, 2022
This book has an interesting mix of characters as 9 students and their teacher are tossed from their own world - a war torn modern setting - and into a a fantastical blend of magic and technology (raptor riding soldiers with guns anyone?) where they are hailed as saviors, feared as interlopers, and seen as a concerning new force in the world. Each will gain their own Relic and the attending powers and abilities that come with them.

And the person who brought them all here? He wants to solidify his status as a god by killing them all.

It's hard to summarize in one breath, but this weighty tome shows the world from different characters' perspectives and, as they are a diverse cast, different languages as well. Helpful footnotes translate the non-English commentary.

I enjoyed reading it and the viewpoint change happened at the start of chapters. There are more books planned in the series and I'm looking forward to them.

I read an early copy of the book and have chosen to review it.
Profile Image for Nurse Germz.
19 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2025
A Twisted vision of the world!

What if you woke up one day in a world drastically different from the one you knew? This isn't just about moving to a new city, but a truly unfamiliar place, where the very fabric of reality seems twisted.

An isekai adventure filled with culturally diverse characters, complex villains, deadly magic and emotionally epic battles involving lots of tentacles, Saviors of the Sun by J.L. Estilo takes Miss Theresa and her nine students in a phenomenal journey into Viseya, a world plagued by near-immortal monsters where they learn that they are the Ten Saviors and the heirs of the Ten Escyllian Relics.

Despite being caught in between discarding their past and accepting their new destiny, the Ten Saviors readily embrace the new path and navigate the transition.

This is book one of The Perfect World Series. Unfortunately, a perfect world does not exist. Our messy, unpredictable, uncertain world is all we have. What makes it interesting is the challenge just what this book is all about.
Profile Image for rory (jess' version).
556 reviews242 followers
April 26, 2025
the premise of the worldbuilding and the lore is strong, but what i liked most about this book are the varying cultures woven into the characters, as well as the beliefs, values, and religions represented—some of which clash with each other, further reflecting the realities of conflict between people with differing worldviews. i think this kind of representation is a refreshing take in a high fantasy novel.

my only issue with the book is that, despite the multi-pov format, i still couldn't find the main characters compelling on their own. i'm still looking for that “it” factor that would make them truly intriguing. for now, their characterization feels a bit surface-level to me, but i can overlook that since it's only the first book, and there’s more to come.

can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Jannie .
88 reviews5 followers
May 7, 2022
This was a fantasy book that kept you on the edge of your seat.

The author did great with the world building. The changes of some words can be a bit distracting but lead to the authenticity of the origins of each character. It is filled with violence, betrayal and cannibalism so if this is something that bothers you, this might not be the book for you.

Good start to a new world fantasy series to explore.

I have received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Kiandra Halstead.
53 reviews4 followers
May 11, 2022
This unique story had me pulled me in from the first page. Looking forward to rereading and finding out what hapens next.
Profile Image for Anya Josephs.
Author 10 books135 followers
February 18, 2022
Debuting as a self-published author is truly impressive. It’s a tough, tough process, with little reward and much strife along the way, and I can see how much love Estilo put into this book. “Savior of the Sun” is an ambitious portal fantasy with an interesting presence. It almost reminded me of a very grown-up episode of the “Magic School Bus” series, with a quirky teacher and her students transported into a new world–except this world isn’t just magical, it’s also incredibly dangerous.

I also really appreciated Estilo’s dedication to diversity. I don’t know much about Filipino culture, which I believe heavily influenced the book, but I enjoyed learning as I read!

I did find this a very challenging read. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but for me personally, I wasn’t sure the payoff was there in the end. Some of the choices that made this book tough to read (like the decision to keep most character dialogue in their original language instead of translating for readers) were very worthy ones. However, others confused me. Usually, portal fantasies start out here, in a world we’re familiar with, before transporting us to a new one, and I think we need that familiarity to understand an entirely new fantasy world in less time than we get to spend there in a second-world fantasy. In this book, however, we start out in a world that seems futuristic, as well as being in the familiar setting of a school. I was a little lost and that made it harder to transition to the fantasy world, which is very rich but not laid out with particular clarity.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC, and I wish him all the best of luck with this thoughtful and important book!

See full review here: https://anyajosephs.wordpress.com/202...
1 review
May 10, 2022
Violently beautiful! Beautifully violent!
Omg! For a debut novel, this is one hell of a debut. I don't mind the violence because this book is so great!
The emotions, the action, and the twists that come along the way, they're amazing and I was always guessing every time.
I also love the writing and the author write vivid descriptions of the world where the characters where in. The diversity was great with non-English words translated via footnotes.
There are a lot of favorite characters but I really enjoyed reading Theresa's POV. It's obvious she's the central character and every chapter with her POV is truly beautiful, and mesmerizing. Her emotional and most of all, her spiritual struggles were truly gripping that I can feel them in my heart. She's a well-written character and I am really rooting for her especially her efforts to keep her nine students safe. I'm so excited to know her journey in the next book especially after that unexpected ending (WTF?).
I also enjoyed reading Creebo because he's funny and of course, Amora and the two felt just enjoyable as they are brutal to read. (Amora is crazy!). Alice is also an interesting read and really a solid character that have a world of her own while the rest of the Saviors were suffering in trauma and chaos.
There are so many things I'd like to say (gun firing knights on raptors, the Verteres, other characters) so I'll probably updated it after some time. But hats off to Mister Estilo for writing a well-written novel that is thrilling, action-packed and emotional at the same time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mon.
1 review
May 3, 2022
This book was mindblowing! The characters are relatable and the plot was very interesting and ation-packed because holy hell, the ending blew my mind! There are a lot of twist and turns and a lot you can learn from these Saviors or specifically Miss Theresa Bernstein and her nine students. I also love the play of culture and diversity, learning language and customs along the way.
I really love Theresa most of all as she is really the heart and soul of the book and her arc is really relatable, emotional, and truly gut-wrenching. She is a solid Filipino protagonist with the special kindness and desire to protect everyone she loves despite her faith being questioned by the presence of other gods that are apparently real.
Rholdan as the villain was also cunning and complex, always trying to be ahead. Alice was bitchy. Amora was also another strong female villain and I love their dynamics with Creebo. It was fun and entertaining. Aerenne is also cute and Santino was woah, a silent badass. Bryan and Kayla were also fun and the romance between them are cute to read.
Definite recommend. One of my best reads so far! Can't wait to read the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for James Andrew Enoch Masson.
7 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2022
TSOTS REVIEW
Huge shoutout to the Author for providing me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

TW: Violence, S****l assault, cannibalism, PTSD, Torture, Murder and intense Gore

So I honestly don’t know where to start with this book.
While I personally found it a little hard to sink my teeth into at the start, I’m so happy I stuck with this book. It’s so intriguing, with a nicely set out complex plot and so many new things to learn along the way. I mean…they have freaking DINOSAURS! The characters are hugely relatable and with a huge diverse cast.

There are some depictions of SA and other triggering content that I believe people should be aware about before diving into this INSANELY amazing book. The fact that it’s a debut literally blew my mind.

There was a little bit of a drag in the middle that took me a while to get through but I’m genuinely so glad I did. Cause woah that ending, was not expecting that!

I’m thankful to have worked closely with this Author during the ARC stage and hope his next books go as well as this one. So I award this Sci-Fantasy debut with 4 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Abigail Grądzielewska.
1 review1 follower
July 28, 2022
First of all I want to thank the author for the opportunity to read this great story.

Saviours of the Sun has so much to offer - diversity, interesting worldbuilding, immersive story and amazing, complex characters. Story could seem obvious and familiar at first, but got a handful of well placed twists - little lies, half-truths, mysteries and misunderstandings making us (the readers) discover the truth with main characters.

I've really enjoyed the story and I'm hoping to read the next one. My only concern was the pace - sometimes I couldn't keep up!
12 reviews
August 17, 2024

This book was a great read! I enjoyed how it felt fast paced and I was able to quickly read it! Excellent world building without dumping a ton of information. The war modern day setting to fantasy with technology was excellent! I enjoyed all the different cultures the author referenced in the book. I feel this is something I have not came across before! I enjoyed the different POVs and ended up loving the characters.
Profile Image for Pamela.
620 reviews31 followers
February 8, 2022
Wow, what an interesting book. I have read fantasy books before, but this one was different. The pages kept flowing. I couldn't stop reading it.
There are triggers to it, but don't let that deter you from the book.
Its a well written debut novel.
1 review
February 10, 2022
Great premise and characters! I love Theresa being the Filipino lead and of course the showcase of Filipino culture. The diversity is incredible, the writing vivid, and the story gripping. This really deserves a global audience. Waiting for Book 2!
45 reviews5 followers
April 30, 2022
I personally loved the novel. The characters really feel alive and I can really put myself in their shoes, The plot was also fantastic!
Profile Image for SnitchLeviosaaa.
1 review
June 15, 2025
Let me start the book review by saying I love the world-building!

The development of the characters is just perfect and didn't feel rushed, but I did feel like this first book wasn't enough to know the characters, and I'm soo looking forward to knowing more about their background stories in the upcoming books in this series.

There were a lot of characters to know; this might be a "me" issue, as someone who can't process a lot🥲, but it took me a while, probably 1/3 of the book, to finally familiarize myself with each character (there were 10 major characters). But I'm glad I pushed through it because as I continued reading the book, I came to the realization that I had fallen in love with the characters, and the book wouldn't have been as exciting as it is if it weren't for them.

I like how some characters are not meant to be liked; it somewhat feels like the characters are flawed but in a good way, and it totally impacts the emotions that you are meant to feel while reading the whole book. There were times I forgot I was reading, but there were times when some chapters were dragging me; it was totally understandable, and those were very crucial in the character's development and world-building.

The ending was a total cliffhanger!!! I have so many unanswered questions that are yet to be answered in the next books! I think the concept of their powers was so cool, and I like how it revolved around multiverses. There were various ethnicities, languages, traditions, and cultures. I was surprised that there were footnotes at the bottom of some pages. (P.S. It's my first time reading a fantasy book that had footnotes in it.) I found it to be a big game changer! I wish every fantasy book had those.

Can we pause for a while and appreciate the art illustrations? I found it very amusing while reading the book; it also helped me a lot to visualize some concepts with regard to the characters and the settings. I could really tell that so much effort and attention were given to create this book.

Now on to each major character: (SPOILERS!)
Theresa can have my heart; I am so attached to her character. I swear she doesn't get enough credit for all the things she has done throughout the book. She's the definition of "When the world breaks you apart, you look back at it and fix what has broken you." I love and adore her relationship with the other students. I love how faith and belief are a crucial part of her character.

Jack, if his character was meant to annoy me, it did a great job, to the point that I didn't want to see his name printed on the other pages of the book. Other than the fact that I didn't get to have his background story, his actions in the earlier parts of the book were unreasonable and unnecessary. Surprisingly, as I was reading the book, I eventually found his character very funny and so unserious. I know his character would probably do something unreasonable and stupid in the next books, but I don't think it'll ever be enough for me to hate his character again.

I love Enhaeee!!! Protect her at all costs!!! Her character has so much potential, and I'm looking forward to reading her POV. I still can't believe the first book ended without her knowing Leon just died (I mean??? I'm already having a hard time with the emotional damage after he died... How was I supposed to move on from his death, knowing that Eunhae is left clueless about what happened to him? And I'm supposed to wait for the 2nd book to know what comes next? T-T).

Leon is one of the characters who got a POV. He is the "gentleman". I always looked forward to Leon and Eunhae's moments while reading the book; their interactions were always a break from all the world-building, character development, and conflict solving. I enjoyed the touch of romance despite the messed-up world they revolve around. Too bad he had to die at the end of the first book. Why did he have to die so soon? I KNEW THAT SOMETHING BAD WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN WHEN EUNHAE AND LEON SEPARATED WAYS, BUT I DIDN'T EXPECT HIM TO DIE. I shed tears for his death (my guess for the next book is that Eunhae will eventually discover that Leon is dead, and then there's another multiverse where another Leon exists... Now I can imagine the emotional damage). I just love his character so much. In fact, he’s my favorite character, and I’m never moving on from his death.

Aliselle Flair, also one of the characters who had their POV. I hated her character during the earlier chapters; she makes my blood boil every time her name appears on the paper. Other than the fact that she's annoying, I still think her chapters are very intriguing, and after finding out her sad backstory, I started to understand her hatred towards Theresa and why her character is acting that way, and I thought maybe she’s not that bad. I’m also looking forward to her character development and arc in the next books.

I think Creebo's character is genuinely kind; he is one of the characters who had a POV in the first book. To be honest, he would've been one of my favorites if only he weren't that creepy and weird. I think that one trait is blocking my judgment about the good things that his character offers in the book. I think the character dynamic between him and Amora is very interesting. I’m also looking forward to how his relic works.

Jethro is probably the 2nd most mysterious character in the book, next to Santino. I want to know more about his background story. His character is so cool; his ability and relic fit his personality. I really hope he gets his own POV in the next book, and I'm really looking forward to more Jethro screen time.

Rholdan reminded me so much of the Darkling's character from the Shadow and Bone series. He has a very complex character, and he is a villain with a purpose. I think the last few chapters of the first book showed a little background that somewhat told the readers that there was a deeper reason (that we are yet to discover) behind his goal of acquiring all the relics. His character showed realistic emotions, and that made me see him as less than a villain. I am also looking forward to knowing more about his background story and how the author will develop his character in the next books.

Santino is the most mysterious character that existed in book 1; his motto in life is probably “Actions speak louder than words” because literally he did not say a single word from the beginning until the end of the book… So far, only his actions speak for his character. What I know about his character is that he is Russian-Italian, he is intelligent—in fact, he is the smartest among the other grade 10 students—he is handsome, and he is good at everything based on how the other characters describe him. He is surprisingly good at fighting, and throughout the book, he does not show any emotion. I guess it does add more mystery to his character. His real goal is still a mystery, and I hope he gets lines in the next book.

Popoy truly embodies the resilient and compassionate Filipino spirit. If Theresa could have my heart, Popoy could have my limbs; he's the closest to Theresa out of all the students, and I really admire the friendship they share. So far, he's probably one of the characters who deeply appreciate Theresa's efforts. Given that he is one of the characters I trusted and I cared about, I was really surprised to find out that he lied about his real background, yet I just couldn't hate his character when the misunderstanding between him and Theresa sparked because I truly believe that he is a genuine person who deeply cares for others.

The lingering questions or unresolved storylines that I’d like to discover in the next book are the true identity of the False Prophet, because I’m really not convinced that it’s Santino. I want to know more about Rholdan’s backstory and his true intentions. I’m looking forward to Eunhae, Jethro, Jack and Santino’s POV and more of their background story. I think they still remain a mystery to me. I’d love to see more character arcs centered on redemption, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. In terms of world elements, I’m looking forward to learning more about the other realms, how the multiverse operates, and possibly diving into the origins of the Verteres, Eternal War, Escyllians, and the Relics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Z.K. Dorward.
Author 4 books10 followers
January 26, 2022
Trigger warning for cannibalism, violence, trauma, and PTSD.

When a friend started reading her ARC for this book and telling me about it, I knew I had to read it. Chosen ones fighting for the future of the world? Sign me up!

The characters are all unique and easily stand out from each other. They all had their own voice, beliefs, and general feeling to them. I loved both the protagonists and the antagonists. The protagonists had their strengths, weaknesses, and flaws. They had their beliefs that they stuck to and their own motivations. The protagonists were also trying to deal with trauma from things they had experienced in their past.
The antagonists were just trying to do what they saw fit. Everyone really had the same goal, just different ways of going about it. It reminded me of The Stormlight Archives in that sense.

The religion in this was also distinctive, from the Viseyan religion to the perceptions of Christianity.
The magic system was well-defined, and the author was aware of limitations, which is refreshing from an indie author. The abilities were well-defined with very little crossover.
The technology in the world was well thought out, yet felt very similar to our own. The incorporation of smartphones isn’t something I’ve seen done in a book with a vibe like this. Usually, there will be a communication device similar to a smartphone, but called something else. Using our own tech in a world like Viseya was incredible. It felt weird at first, but after a while, I really went with it.
Also, raptors as mounts? Heck yes.

There’s also so much diversity in this book. I think the only lacking was a bit of LGBT rep and this book would have been perfect.
Estilo was also open and receptive to some minor edits that I suggested.

My only real critiques are that the middle dragged a bit and some scenes could have been cut to make the story tighter and more concise. Cutting a bunch of passive voice and useless words such as really and very also would have made the writing stronger. But for a first novel, this was truly astounding and I can’t wait to read the next instalments.
Profile Image for Megumi.
76 reviews
October 2, 2022
This would be unfair as I stopped reading at 16% of the book. I feel bad about not liking this because I was excited reading a Filipino written fantasy book, but it just didn't live up to my expectation. It is too chaotic for my taste. The narrative sounds clumsy. I did like some of the allegories and the idea. I'm all for diversity, but the diversity I see in this book is too forced. Having too many languages was also distracting and felt unnecessary. The dialogue of Creebo in Japanese is too textbook-like.
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Maybe being Filipino myself, I may be criticizing too harshly, but I'm looking forward to reading Filipino literature that truly showcases the diversity and culture in the Philippines and proceeds on expanding the world showing other cultures as well.
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And for the author, I wish you all the best. Do not take this personally as my opinion is heavily based on personal reasons. Things that I wanted to see in a Filipino Fantasy book. It's so rare out there. In the future, I will pick this up again and hopefully, it'll make sense to me.

P.S. Read it on kindle. To future readers out there, you can read it on kindle unlimited.
1 review
March 13, 2022
The book is a blast. The complementation of the cultures and behaviour of the characters, the clear imagery used was awesome, and the complete package of a story - sci-fi, horror, suspense, religion, darkness, faith, sexual, ewness and a little bit of Marvel, I guess. A product of an experiment. And book as a first of the author is a plus factor. Kudos 🤟

Note: Halfway, the book gets boring, but once you're on the inclination you'll be motivated to finish it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
March 15, 2022
It's really insane, bloody, and fantastic! If you're looking for fast paced fantasy filled with very interesting wild events laid out in an artistic order like no other, then read this book and strap in for a wild ride until the end!
Profile Image for Yugie Caroline.
320 reviews7 followers
August 18, 2024
3.5 stars

I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to read this fantasy novel that is refreshingly diverse culturally, and is proud in its portrayal of Filipino characters.

In this book we are met by a myriad of complex characters, some you love to love, and others you love to hate. They each have their own strengths and follies, with their follies making them far more interesting because they are supposed to be the heroes but they have personalities that you cannot help but be irritated or disgusted by. Throughout the book you get to know them more, and somehow with each passing page your opinion of each of them changes, which is testimony to the continuous character development devoted to them.

The world-building in this book was quite impressive, and the magical system interestingly unique. The action sequences were likewise enthralling, and there was no holding back with the gore and descriptions of bodily dismemberment.

Plot-wise, this is where where the book fails to grab a solid 4 stars for me. A teacher and her 9 students are supposedly brought back to their real world - Escylla - and are told that their lives on Earth have been an elaborate fabrication (though the world they do have on Earth is not what we typically know it to be). They are actually the heirs to magical relics that when all work together are supposed to be able to successfully vanquish the plague of monsters wreaking horror on Escylla. Eventually each of the ten saviors are able to learn the powers of their relics, but still they cannot seem to fully reconcile who they have known themselves to be and who they are supposed to be. The story becomes a bit overstretched for me somewhere along the middle of the book, as it focuses on several villains at the same time, with each having their own unique agendas. By the end of the book, we are met with quite a surprising plot twist, with the notion of multiverses taking center stage. It's quite a cliffhanger ending, and you just know there truly is more to come.

Overall, this was an entertaining read, and I am grateful for having been given the ARC for this book by the author. I am thus leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Shan.
35 reviews
July 22, 2025
Initially, I thought this was going to be like "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" because of the plot summary involving a teacher and her students—but no, it's far from that. Theresa Bernstein, one of the key characters, is only seven years older than her students, yet she seriously acts like a mother to a bunch of hormone-driven teenagers. Plus, the book is extremely violent, filled with bloodlust and graphic details that unfold chapter by chapter. Basically, this book is not for the faint of heart.

What I liked while reading was the way the author played with pacing. Just when I thought the characters—and I—were having a moment of respite, I was caught off guard. Saviors of the Sun is such a rollercoaster ride that I never knew whether I was going up or down with each turn of the page. One moment, everything feels peaceful and quiet, and then suddenly, chaos erupts. Tentacled monsters on the left, humans with supernatural powers on the right—and let’s not forget the winged creatures soaring above. And that’s just the intro part of the story! The book also explores a multiverse (exactly my cup of tea!) and introduces a variety of cultures. Another favorite aspect of mine is when the characters speak their native language to express their thoughts—it adds a deeper, more immersive layer to the story.

I wanted to rate this book 5 stars, but I have to set aside my bias—especially since I appreciated the preferential treatment to my own country, and I 100% understood the Filipino language used. I'm holding back that one star because the book isn’t complete, and I’m not a fan of cliffhangers. And this one ends on a major cliffhanger, so I suggest having the next copy of the book ready before reading this!

Overall, though, it’s a fantastic read. It pulled me out of a book slump and got me back to reading sci-fi and fantasy—a genre I’ve wholeheartedly missed. I’m looking forward to the next book, as this first installment opens the door to a whole new world and endless possibilities.
Profile Image for Ellie English.
101 reviews9 followers
February 2, 2022
🚨ARC REVIEW 🚨

HOLY FORKS...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Saviors of the Sun by J.L. Estilo [ @thejoshuaestilo]

What a way to end my January reading month with this EPIC ARC.
Honestly, I am beyond blown away by this book!

If you loved…

📚Books 📚
Percy Jackson/Rick Riordan, Harry Potter, Mortal Instruments, Narnia, Hunger Games.

🎥Films 🎥
Monster Hunter, Resident Evil, Matrix

😍 You will devour this!! 😍

💞Quick Summary💞
A teacher and her 9 students are kidnapped and taken to another planet, where they are told that they are the "chosen ones" and saviours!
[TW: Cannibalism, Violence, War, Death, Blood, Gore]

💗All the good stuff! (NGL, this only had good stuff!)💗

🌍The worlds, kingdoms, and colonies described in this book are amazing! I feel with some fantasy books, you are constantly learning the rules in order to keep up - but the execution within SOTS was perfect.

I was on edge, swiping (my e-reader) frantically wanting to know what was happening next. And not once was I able to guess what would happen next!!

👸🏼Characters/Character development! 👸🏼
Again - I'm so impressed!

💞All the characters are so diverse in terms of culture and ethnicity. It was so refreshing to read!

💞All the characters storylines were followed through, we got to see the all of them grow and blossom in this, through a shifting POV.

💞Language Diversity! J.L Estilo used many different languages representative of the characters and the worlds within this book! French, Filipino, Japanese, English + a couple more* I think. (footnotes were used at the bottom to translate).

The 1st book of 7 - I pledge allegiance to Esycllus.

Fantasy lovers, this is it! 😍

I am clearly still buzzing after reading this book,

So take care bookies, stay safe and EAT THIS BOOK!!

🌻💗 Ellie 💗🌻

[Ps. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. ]
2 reviews
August 23, 2024
I want to express my gratitude to the author for offering me an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, this book has gotten me in shock. I love the world building, even though it’s like five hundred pages as an ebook. The voices of the characters were distinguished as it was written in third person, and I still knew who was talking. Characterization was on point too, I especially love Ms. Theresa’s point of view, she really sticks to her belief and it’s mind boggling how I devoured this book, always seemingly wanting more each page. I love isekais and the author is really powered through the magic in this book. Fast paced but the action was there!

This is the best book I have read this 2024, and I’m excited for its sequel.

Review just took a while though.
2 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2022
Torn from their familiar private school and tossed into an alternate dimension, a teacher and her class find themselves in a desperate war-torn world. They must search within themselves to find a deeper power, and they must decide whether to use that power for good or evil.

Rich in world-building and colorful characters, Estilo's "Saviors of the Sun" captured my attention from the start. I love the parallels among people from completely different places and experiences, the ability for people to connect with each other under the strangest circumstances. The pacing is good, and the chapters are short. It is a very enjoyable read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2 reviews
September 12, 2022
#SaviorsOfTheSun
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The book is well-paced and has a certain rhythm to the story lines. Skillful writing, realistic as well as unique characters and a plot full of twists and turns puts SAVIORS OF THE SUN as one of my best Books I’ve Read list. The author JL ESTILO takes some liberties in logic and there are a couple of “he did not just go there” moments, but his writing style
Profile Image for Lester Hal.
1 review1 follower
May 19, 2022
A wonderful read with diverse characters, beautiful world building, great action sequences, and twisted plot that will keep you guessing each time. One of my best reads this year.
Profile Image for Em.
18 reviews2 followers
July 21, 2025
I devoured this fantasy novel in no time, thanks to the author's captivating storytelling! As a local author, I'm even more proud to support their work.

Be prepared for a vast array of intriguing characters - I found myself easily imagining their roles in the story. The fight scenes were vivid and thrilling! While some lines felt a bit cheesy, they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.
Profile Image for Chelsea.
191 reviews10 followers
April 16, 2022
The storytelling and narration were okay, especially since it takes you with the characters and you come to love them, want to pull them by the ear and cry with them. The perilous danger was a really nice touch of emotional damage too. A perfect read.🙂


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