As much as I absolutely loved the first book, I just can’t say the same for its sequel. The tension that is so prevalent through Black Sun fizzles out within the first few chapters. The plot seems to scramble, trying to spread out and extend as much as it can to avoid its main central conflict of Serapio and Naranpa. Though I inclined to believe that Xiala is somehow supposed to be main character. Which makes me think that this trilogy probably could have been written in one book of all the subplots weren’t taking up most of the chapters.

Xiala was easily my favorite character in Black Sun, but her development here was left to be desired. 

I love the world and characters Roanhorse as created here, but their style of writing is not my favorite. The prose feels way too modern for a fantasy book, and (like Black Sun) reads like a Netflix show to me. Which isn’t a terrible thing, but I found myself eye-rolling at some of the clichéd bits and timing of the humor and dialogue.

I’m interested in seeing how this story ends and I’ll read the third novel. But Black Sun in itself does something great that Fevered Star just doesn’t carry. At this point I’m just more eager to get to where they clash, as they tend to shy away from doing that here as their confrontation felt anti-climactic. 

It did not sit with me well, but I don’t discredit those that still love this ambitious story!