Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

This fantasy novel is inspired by South American history and folklore and it follows the story of two young women, Reina and Eva, wanting to feel like they belong.

I have mixed feelings about this novel.

I loved certain aspects of the writing style and language. I thought that there were some great one-liners and quotes throughout the novel. In saying so, my main issue was that the writing style in general, was hard for me to connect to and focus on.

World-building and discovering new universes' is my favourite party for picking up a new fantasy novel. So, I absolutely LOVED the inclusion of South American folklore and the integration of Spanish in this novel (there's a glossary at the end of the novel for all the Spanish terms used). I love and support WOC and POC authors who include details about their culture and heritage in their work so I enjoyed these aspects of the novel.

I'm used to slow-paced storytelling since I read a lot of high fantasy novels so, I didn't mind the slow pace and extreme detail in the world-building and politics in the first sections of the novel. But, this slow pacing may be an issue for other readers.

I appreciated the themes in the novel as well. There are themes of prejudice and colonisation - both of which affect our main characters. In saying so, there are a lot of triggering topics which come up such as traumatic scenes of infanticide, childbirth and pregnancy as well as racism, slavery, and gore/violence.

I am relatively neutral about the characters, although Reina and Celeste both have a place in my heart.

Overall, I liked this novel and I love the world-building. In saying so, something about the writing style made it difficult for me to click with this novel.

This book had a lot of potential and the idea is great. However, the execution is unfortunately not good. The book could have benefitted a lot from additional editing. The author does seem promising, and I will be picking up future books from her.

The book used "She was so f*cking exhausted." as a descriptive statement. I do not mind swearwords in my books, but having them in a descriptive statement instead of someone actively thinking or speaking it, felt like unimaginative writing.

Furthermore, the magic system is suddenly explained in detail after one has reached 50% of the book. That is just not the place for it when we have been using this magic system in every single chapter.

This is a fantastic debut and there are many aspects I loved about it. The world building is great, the author has created a complex world with multiple races, history and magic. The characters were just as complex - with most having very different motivations and the conflict that created in the characters relationships was very well handled. I look forward to the next instalment!

I was excited to start this one, but while there were parts I really liked, unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations.

Starting with the positive side of things, the South American inspired setting is a nice change from most fantasy settings. The recent history of the countries is both interesting and relevant to the story. I liked the magic system but could have done with learning a few more details about it (why do they use liquid solutions? Are there any other elements that can be used in geomancy?). I love books that involve disputes between gods - I think this will be more relevant in the sequel but I still enjoyed that element here. The nozariel and the valco are great - would love more books with fantasy races that aren't just fae/elves/dwarves etc.

Now for the problems.

The side characters were more interesting than the two main characters! It didn't help that Reina and Eva, the two leads, had similar troubles to face making their chapters feel a little too similar, especially in the beginning.

The author uses a lot of unusual descriptions, which are made more noticeable by the fact that she uses them multiple times eg a lot of people have 'tamarind eyes'. It was a little distracting.

Some of the dialogue felt very stilted/unnatural, and sometimes the characters would reply to other dialogue with sentences that seemed completely out of left field? It was weird, and made conversations hard to follow.

The characters made some very stupid decisions, and there were some problems that could have been solved instantly if the people involved just talked to each other. This is a pet peeve of mine, it might not bother other people as much.

Despite all that I was able to mostly enjoy this one, and I will be reading the sequel. I think most of my problems stem from the fact that this is a debut novel, so hopefully the next one will be better!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I initially started this book off struggling to get into it. It is rare that I find a book challenges me but initially I was looking up a word every page - whether it was Spanish or a rarely used English word. It was a very slow burn - people who are fans of fast-paced fantasy may be put off by this because although it is Adult Fantasy, the writing style is very similar to what I would expect of literary or historical fiction. Lots of world building, lots of back story, lots of character building. In fact, I did not feel like the book really got going till halfway through and I thought to myself "this better be setting the scene for a series" because for a standalone novel it would not have felt worth it.

The story centres around the dual perspective of Reina and Eva, both young women who are minority races in their country. Reina is from a formerly enslaved race who are now banned from some areas and live a life of second class citizens/low ranking jobs in others. She makes a journey across country to meet her estranged grandmother who is a human witch, following her fathers death. Reina is desperate for familial connection and to be accepted into the household her grandmother serves and will do almost anything to achieve that. Eva is mixed race and expected to deny her non-human side, which is hard when she finds she has magical powers...

Overall, after the initial 30 percent that sets up for the rest of the story, I felt this was worth the perseverance. It was lush and rich and set in Venezualan culture which I know little about, so it felt original. I did feel I got more out of it because I have visited South America and know a smattering of written Spanish, it may be othering to other readers to have to keep looking up words, but I felt it added a little bit to the charm. Once the story line picked up, it was quite gripping. I loved that all the characters were fully fleshed out and morally grey, I found myself wanting to slap them sometimes and then rooting for them in the next chapter. The subtext of the effect of colonialism was very present and the question of whether you can ever really go back or whether assimilating is the answer.

It does get pretty dark at times and lives are treated as disposable in a large chunk of the book. The fact that some lives meant more to some characters than others has stayed with me as an overall impression and I think the trigger warnings are deserved. I think it was needed though to illustrate just how ruthless some people are. I certainly wouldn't recommend this to readers under 16, not just because of the deaths but because thematically I don't think it would effect some younger readers as much.

There are FF and MM relationships in this book but they are part of the story-line and to explain characters motives and move the story along, rather than a major plot point. I would put this firmly in the adult fantasy category, don't be reading this looking for an epic love story. I liked this though, it felt more natural.

Overall, by the end I did really enjoy this and the extensive world building ended up being really worthwhile. I will be looking forward to the sequel.

Trigger warnings:

Implied rape
Domestic violence
Infanticide
Childbirth
Death
Maiming
Violence
Slavery
Pregnancy

4/5

Always excited to pick up sapphic high fantasy, especially with morally a grey MC. The Sun and the Void is a Venezuelan inspired fantasy and the world building is lush and developed. Interesting magic, lore, and monsters. There are some absolutely fantastic parts and the end is pretty explosive. The characters and dialogue felt a little flat to me and I never connected with any of them. However I did like that each of the protagonists and main side characters have complex motivations and Reina especially is in a very desperate situation, The story itself is engaging, although parts of the middle the pacing seemed a bit off, but builds up to a very satisfying end. Overall this was an enjoyable read and I would recommend to anyone who is more of a plot based reader looking for some non western fantasy worlds.

So I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when coming into this book! There was a lot of world-building and I had to learn fast.
I found the first half of the book a bit of an uphill struggle but I’m so glad I persevered!
The second half of the book everything comes together and I was so glad to be able to immerse myself fully in the story!
I love Reina’s tenacity and stubbornness and came to love the POV switch between her and Eva!
A beautiful story!
Key aspects: Magic system, LGBT characters

Thank you to Daphne Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC for me to review!

This was just really not what I was expecting, and unfortunately not up my alley. I don't generally like books where characters have animal qualities (*cough* tails) and then when the concept of an artificial heart made of an orb and crystal powered by a magical elixir came into play...it lost me.

I liked that this was a story that explored what it was like to be mixed race, and the conflict between old and new ways that happens when an area is colonised. This just sadly wasn't my favourite way of executing this. There's definitely an audience out there for this though - perhaps for fans of The Lunar Chronicles?

The Sun and the Void! This book is a sapphic fantasy inspired by South American folklore and is the first book in a series called ‘The Warring Gods’ by Gabriela Romero-Lacruz. It follows the two main characters, Reina and Eva, as they try to find their place in this world of myth and magic.

I actually enjoyed reading this! Firstly, isn’t the cover gorgeous? How stunning! The author had really good world building and a unique magic system that was so interesting to learn about. The book had elements of politics, racism and discrimination in it so it definitely dealt with some heavy topics. I loved learning about the social hierarchy of this world, and loved the influence of the folklore. I’ve never actually read anything based on South American folklore so this was really fun! I was instantly interested in Eva, and quickly became invested in hers and Regina’s storylines. The first 2/3 of the book really engaging and had me hooked. I did feel a little lost in the middle but I think it was rectified in the end. I think the character I found most interesting was Javier, and I actually can’t wait to read the next instalment in the series to find out more! I would definitely recommend this book if you want to read a rich fantasy with a sapphic romance, and are in the mood for world building and a unique magic system with interesting characters!

3.75/5⭐️’s

Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest and fair review!

#TheSunandtheVoid #netgalley #arc #gabrielaromerolacruz #thewarringgods #rahmagut #bookstagram #booktok #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookreview #fantasy #southamerican

The Sun and the Void is a powerful and enthralling debut full of struggle and hope, summonable gods, and fearsome danger, set in a lavishly rich and fully immersive world.

Gabriela Romero Lacruz has created a world so rich and full of life, where the characters leap out of the page and make you fall in love with them. The magic system is as remarkably intricate and precise as the words on the page, which keep you mesmerised and constantly gasping for more.

While the pace of this novel is on the slower end of what I normally enjoy, the plot weaves such a fascinating story that I was completely immersed and fully gripped, constantly wanting more from this world and these characters. The first 50% felt like it took a while to get to, not that I minded as I just felt compelled to keep reading. The final half of the novel passed in a blur as I was enraptured by intrigue to find out what climatic outcome we were hurtling towards.

The Sun and the Void is a gut-wrenching but gorgeous exploration of family, ambition, and belonging that sits beside you, holding your heart in its hands long after you read the final page.

I can't wait to have a physical copy in my hands.

Gabriela Romero Lacruz's "The Sun and the Void" is a mesmerizing symphony of light and darkness, where words cascade like shimmering stardust across the pages. With poetic prowess, Lacruz weaves a tapestry of emotions, blending hues of joy and sorrow, creating a celestial dance of raw beauty. Her prose is a celestial brushstroke, painting vivid landscapes of imagination that transport readers to ethereal realms. This cosmic journey delves into the depths of the human spirit, exploring the interplay between hope and despair, guiding readers on an introspective odyssey through the vast expanse of the soul.

Gabriela Romero Lacruz's "The Sun and the Void" is a mesmerizing symphony of light and darkness, where words cascade like shimmering stardust across the pages. With poetic prowess, Lacruz weaves a tapestry of emotions, blending hues of joy and sorrow, creating a celestial dance of raw beauty. Her prose is a celestial brushstroke, painting vivid landscapes of imagination that transport readers to ethereal realms. This cosmic journey delves into the depths of the human spirit, exploring the interplay between hope and despair, guiding readers on an introspective odyssey through the vast expanse of the soul.

#CelestialProse #EtherealJourney #EmotionalTapestries #CosmicExploration #IntrospectiveOdyssey #HighlyRecommended

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Sun and the Void has been one of the two debuts and one of the very few books I've been looking forward in 2023. It's a wonderfully crafted beacon for all lovers of sapphic fantasy.

We have two main characters (as the title and summary hint!). The book starts with Reina and her journey to her grandmother. I liked Reina from the beginning, and I liked her throughout the book despite her lack of good judgment at times. I felt for her and her need to belong somewhere, her want to do and be enough to be accepted. What really spoke to me was that she wasn't even aiming to be loved; she just wanted to be accepted into a family, to be appreciated for her abilities and her loyalty. And when we are desperate for it, then our good judgment is not that good anymore...But when she realizes it, she's quick to change course, adapt and charge forward. A force to be reckoned with!

Our other main character is Eva, a woman who has been sheltered from some things and exposed to other things. She embodied the whole "being rich doesn't always mean you have options, freedom and love". She's also resourceful and clever and soooo determined. I loved that about her. No matter how bad a situation is, no matter how out of her depth she is, she's determined to make it through and reach her goal...which was freedom to do what she wants and be who she is.

The book also tackles colonialism, oppression, and discrimination against LGBT people. I felt that it was well done, and the commentary didn't feel like commentary but a part seamlessly woven into the story.

Even though it's wordy and my work got ridiculously intense while I read the book, I enjoyed it immensely and it was the reprieve of my whole day. My one peeve is that the word "paralyzed" was in the text a few times. Can we please stop using ableistic language? A sincere plea to all writers and editors...

The plot as well as the entire cast ensemble were intriguing and drove the story forward. I just enjoyed every chapter very much!

A delightful sapphic fantasy about colonialism and taking back the power you deserve! Can't wait for the sequel!

I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to preview this book in exchange for an honest review.

“The Sun and the Void” is a novel that encapsulates many tropes that fascinate me. It is a fantasy that mixes Venezuelan folklore with Colombia-inspired landscapes, unique creatures, ancient gods, dark magic, and a sapphic love story. What more could you want?

The plot follows the story of Reina, a young marginalized woman who receives a mysterious invitation from her unknown grandmother, an event that could be her salvation. However, the journey turns out to be dangerous and turns into a nightmare when it is attacked by scary creatures. Just when her life is on the edge of the precipice, her grandmother, a witch with powerful dark arts, steps in to save her. But the magic that grandma uses is considered forbidden by some. Meanwhile, Eva, a young woman marginalized because of her mixed origins, hides a secret: she is attracted to magic. Despite being aware that the use of magic is liable to death, Eve embarks on a dangerous path that becomes more and more strange every day, turning it into something she never imagined.

This is the author’s first novel and it is noticeable. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing, but there are several things that could have been cut or handled differently and that, in my opinion, have excessively slowed down the pace of the book. It deals with important issues such as colonialism, cultural appropriation and the rich culture of South America, presenting them from two interesting points of view but which, unfortunately, have not completely convinced me. I couldn’t develop an attachment to the characters or get attached to their journey and story.

Amazing read right here

With an incredible world building and magic system inspired by Venezuelan folklore and tradition, heroes based on South American liberators, in a postcolonial land with unique races facing hardships and discrimination easily found in the real world. The characters are so deep they feel just like real people, just looking for their place in the world, and they would attach themselves to your heart, and stay there for a long time.
This story has heavy themes; it explores family and blood, ambition, faith and power. It explores colonialism, revolution and cultural appropriation. And some parts can be hard to read, I would recommend checking the trigger warnings.

This book is a slow read. It is not a short book, and you would like to read slowly to savor the beautiful prose. Appreciate all the characters'thoughts and actions and build the beautiful picture of this world in your head. And the pace is also slow. So don't come to this book thinking you'll devour it in a few hours. It will take time but it is worth it. Or at least it was for me. Some books are for binge and others are meant to be read slowly.

I enjoyed the main characters' growth and development. They have different backgrounds but similar situations as outcasts in their surroundings. We read quite a bit more pages from Reina's pov than Eva's, as Reina's more difficult and longer way to get where she had to be in the story. They are both very interesting and strong characters. They make mistakes in their desire to belong. They are easily taken advantage of and manipulated and, while reading, one could think these manipulations are very obvious and ridiculous that they don't realise it, but the people thinking this would be those that have never been manipulated in the same way.

I will be waiting patiently impatient for the next book in this series to come out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading the sun and the void, I would highly recommend

The sun and the void has the most beautiful cover, that is what drew me to this book first.
Overall this book was hard for me to get into. There was a lot of gory details at the start of this book.
I found it hard to connect with the names and keep up with all the different names of people and places, I believe this is due to my lack of knowledge and cultural understanding so no fault to the book, was just difficult for myself.
Thank you NetGalley and Gabriela Romero Lacruz for providing me with this arc.

This fantasy, inspired by Venezuelan folklore, has such incredibly deep, lush world building. It's obvious that the author has spent a long time building up this fantasy world, creating a complex history and political climate that provides commentary on colonialism, racism, and class dynamics. The story is layered, with two interwoven points of view that bring completely different perspectives to the story. Plus, the prose is simply beautiful, with gorgeously vivid descriptions and some memorable turns of phrases that come together to form a truly stunning debut.

Thank you to Daphne Press for the e-ARC which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

RTC

In a lush world inspired by the history and folklore of South America, a sweeping epic fantasy of colonialism, ancient magic, and two young women's quest for belonging unfolds.

Altogether this book wasn't for me in terms of writing style or pace, but I think others would really enjoy this sprawling, intelligent fantasy. Whilst the start of this book explains a lot of lore and information the further you go the more the world spreads and it was lovely to spend time with a book as vast as a Tolkien or George R R Martin novel. The fantastical elements are like nothing I have read before but I suspect Sarah J Maas and Alex Aster fans would enjoy. Overall, a slow-paced sprawling fantasy that I would recommend for somebody either trying out the genre or somebody who knows tropes and enjoys modern romantic reads.