Pascal Heitzman’s Reviews > Black Sun > Status Update

I found the ending very anti-climatic. It tied up some of the plot paints but not the characters arcs/relationships. I disliked the ending with Naranpara, however I did like how it re-framed the scene at the beginning. All the other plot points seemed to be left behind, or postponed for the sequel. I think if I read the sequel it would work as a part one book, but as a stand alone the ending doesn't work very well.

I really liked the interaction between Naranpa and her brother, it was really interesting to see the contrast between their lives and how they still (kinda) care about each other anyway. The world building is awesome: how Roanhorse builds communities and then conflicts between them. I especially like the scene where Xiala sees the water striders and sees them as alien, something that is taken as common place in Tova.

I like Xialas perspective, and her relationship with Serapio. It's seems very sweet and I like how the book shows how time and therefore their relationship is progressing. I am also enjoying what's going on in the City of Tova and the politics. I like Okoas perspective because it shows the Crow Clan and their practices in a less cultisty light while not stripping them of their power and responsibility.

There’s another perspective; naranpa. I am enjoying her parts because the politics mirrors the world and it’s a great way to understand the class imbalances and power dynamics in the city in an concise manner. I also really enjoy the discriptions, because they give a clear view of what the person is wearing. It’s all really cool “looking” and it seems really well researched and thought out.

I found the first chapter quite nauseating, the discription of the mother cutting serapios skin and how it was portrayed as normal was very unsettling. I am enjoying Xiala’s perspective and am interested in how the fantastical elements will progress