The pacing in this was super duper off. I don't need to own a special edition. It's got so much hype, it could have cut down a lot of pages and made the characters voices more distinct. There was far too much journeying, and for the lack of plot movement I also didn't get the payoff in character development. The time spent in one place without description/development didn't make sense. The ending was good, but by that point I was reading it just to finish. Might continue but this book took me a lot of work

Thankyou to Netgalley and Daphne Press for a free e-arc in exchange of an honest review.

I adored this book! Here are some reasons why:
•Morally grey characters
•Sapphic romance, but not between POV characters (quite rare in books I've read till now)
•Interesting worldbuilding
•Magical races that are not the standard fey/vampires/werewolves
•Complicated history (revolution not always leads to better future)
•Remains of colonial leadership and how it affected the world
•Intriguing magic system
•Plot twists!

Cannot wait for the sequel!

Thankyou to Netgalley and Daphne Press for a free e-arc in exchange of an honest review.

I have DNF'd at 7%- for now the world building is too dense for me and im really struggling with all the different names (im dyslexic) will give it another try if they bring out an audio book to help me tandem read

Firstly I'd like to thank NetGalley for an eArc of The Sun and the Void in return for an honest review.

Secondly, I'm sad I can't give this book as glowing a review as I thought I would.

I was so enraptured by the ideas in this book. I saw that stunning cover, read that synopsis and just thought, wow, I need this book.

So when I dove in and the initial action scene with Reina was over, lapsing into meandering world building and characters I couldn't differentiate for their lack of differing personalities... I struggled!

The book itself has some really great ideas, but the pacing was not good. I don't think anything really happened for a good third of the book, and without standout characters to keep me at least invested through that slower pace, I'd pretty much lost interest by then. I just didn't really feel anything for our characters, which made slogging through really hard.

I just felt like there was a lack of depth to the characters, and as though they're yet to grow at all, which I appreciate there is still time for. But they were both so easily led and just... weak, in my opinion.

Some of the thoughts and ideas are really interesting, but they got lost in their lack of distinctive qualities. Again, I use the term meandering, because that's just how all the elements of this book felt to me, personally. I came out of it feeling like I still don't have a decent understanding of the world that was built.

This will get a generous 3 stars from me, because I appreciate that in it's essence, this could be a pretty great read for many people. I just unfortunately wasn't one of them.

3.5 stars
Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of this book, it was one I was really looking forward to.
The world building was very good and interesting,
I appreciated the glossary however it felt like a lot to take in with it being right at the start.
I found the first half of the book quite slow, I had to put it down for a bit and try again.
I’m glad I persevered as the second half was much better.
The characters were all interesting but I think the only person I actually liked was Maior.
I wasn’t really rooting for anyone.
The twist was also frustrating as I felt it was very obvious and something I just assumed from the start.
It was good enough that I will be reading the second book,

This book!!! It took me a little while to get into it and get used to the world but once I did, I just couldn’t put it down.

The Sun and the Void follows Reina and Eva in their desperate search for belonging and acceptance, all while becoming pawns in a much bigger plot and becoming the tools of two warring gods.

The world building in this was incredible and so different to books that I’ve read previously. It was great to see new and interesting species into the mix instead of your standard fae/vampire/shapeshifter etc. that is commonly used in most other fantasy books. I also loved all the inspiration it got from South American folklore and culture, it was so interesting to read about.

I didn’t realise that I loved the morally grey main characters trope so much until I read this book. It’s so refreshing to see main characters that aren’t all perfect and good and selfless but instead see characters that have more of an inner struggle between their actions and what is deemed “good”.

I think my only issues with this book is the naivety of the characters regarding one of the plot twists (which I won’t explain because I don’t want to spoil the book), which I expected right when they started talking about summoning gods.

I also found some of the romance to be quite quick and unbelievable. Especially the last two romances that happen (again don’t want to spoil anything).

Other than that, if you’re looking for something new and different with morally grey characters, found families, sapphic romance all with a backdrop of summoning gods and magic - this is the book for you.

This book has so much going for it: an intriguing backstory of warring gods, compelling female characters who have been mistreated by the systems in which they live, and a really unique and interesting backstory.

First, I loved that this adult fantasy reads unlike anything I’ve read before, with such a fascinating and complex magic system. There is a lot going on in this book, and you’re essentially thrown right into its midst, which may throw some readers off, but I think is kind of cool.

I also really liked the major characters this book follows, who are each struggling in their own ways to respond to situations where moral compromise is a necessity, rather than a choice. I was rooting for them and sometimes disturbed by them and I think that fits the book.

I will say the pacing in this book was somewhat slow, and I found the second half far more entertaining and compelling than the first. I would have loved to see some of that action sped up, all while still learning more about the magic. I’m intrigued and excited to read more!

1.5 Stars

This was one of my most anticipated releases, so safe to say I am very disappointed with how little I liked it.
Before I get into my review tho I just want to put the disclaimer that this is a South American inspired story and me not being from there or having heritage from there it might be that I overlooked elements that would've made me enjoy the book more, had I understood them.

Anyways: let's start with the characters and tbh there's not much to say. The characters, both POV characters and side characters were utterly flat and had no fleshed out motivations or aims. The author *tried* to give them motivations but they felt more tacked on that organically coming from the characters themselves (idk how else to put it).
Part of that might be because we didn't really spend time with the characters or seeing them interacting a whole lot with each other. We were mostly told instead of shown how they feel for each other, rather than spending time seeing them interact. Since most of the motivations in some way were connected to their relationships or feelings for other characters that just made all of them feel very wooden and uninteresting to follow.
The characters pretty much only interact when the scenes are important for the plot. For example we are told that Reina moons over Celeste and that she cares deeply for her but we don't spend any time actually watching that relationship unfold and the feelings grow, so all interactions between them feel like just going through the motions and the characters actions in regards to each other feel more like they're just there for plot and trope sake.

Similarly, we are given some information in regards to the broader world but it just doesn't feel lived in. Even as someone who reads a lot of fantasy i couldn't get a good grasp on how the magic feels within that world. Even if the system itself was pretty basic (which is not a criticism, idc if a magic system is simpler as long as it fits the story and the world). This is also a world where in pretty recent history (around 2 decades ago) there was a revolution and an overthrowing of a colonial government. Yet none of that played any role for the plot or even was felt in the way the characters moved through the world. Sure some characters were pretty racist. while others suffered oppression but it didn't feel like there was any depth to the exploration of those themes, the racism and bigotry was just there because and to show which characters are bad and which are good or something. At least that is what it felt like to me.
I also tend to not love (intended) allegory based on actually different fantasy races but I recognize that that's just a trope and tool of fantasy. ALtho what I will say is that there was a lot of x race has these personality traits and if that's not something that's subverted, even in the case of fantasy races, that just makes me uncomfortable.
Aside from that tho, with the setup of the world I had hoped that we might get some exploration of the pre-colonial systems of the world but that was very much lacking aside from "in pre colonial times all races living on this continent, lived separately from each other and had no contact".

Lastly the religion: basically there were 2 religions in this story that both felt like pseudo-christianity to me. That is not a bad thing in and of itself, as that is something a lot of fantasy books do. We have the colonial religion that is centering basically fantasy Virgin Mary (which makes sense with the influences, since iirc she is very important in South American branches of christianity).
The second religion however is where my gripe is. Now, I will admit i don't in depth know a lot about pre-colonial indigenous religions. I know that a lot of them where syncretised with christianity as well as the religions brought over by enslaved peoples from Africa, but that's it. However the way there were two entities, one Good, and one Evil that had to be locked away, just felt very christian to me. Both in the fight good vs evil and also in the way it felt very monotheistic and not that that's something bad in and of itself or that the inspiration for that religion should have been non-christian (pretty much my rambling is, idk what the exact influences are but they feel christian to me). It was just that the way that religion was presented and utilized felt very lazy to me. Good vs evil? Been there Seen that. The evil guy can't create new things? Also nothing new. But that would've all been fine if there was something done with that religion in story. But it was just there to provide the prophecy. No exploration how Nozariel and Valco might worship differently, why do they even have the same religion if they lived separately pre-colonisation etc.

My last issue I won't even mention bc that's spoilers, just saying that the central trope of the story also wasn't done well.

Overall I just have to say this was a book with wooden characters, plot that didn't feel organic and all wrapped up in one big trope that nothing interesting was done with.

"The Sun and the Void" by Gabriela Romero Lacruz is a debut novel that showcases the author's talent for creating immersive imagery and sensory details, particularly in the depiction of the world's food, flora, and fauna. The novel's greatest strength lies in its vivid and beautifully crafted descriptions, which transport readers to a lush and enchanting setting.

The author's grasp of sensory elements and the world's natural beauty elevates the reading experience and adds depth to the story. However, the novel does encounter some pitfalls, including the repetition of certain descriptions, such as "spicy sunlight," "marcescent leaves," and "enamel-blue sky." These repetitive descriptors can stand out and may have benefited from either variation or exclusion to avoid feeling overly redundant.

One of the significant challenges encountered in the book is the slow pace of the beginning. The story is divided into two parts, with the true "inciting incident" not occurring until 33% into the book. This extended worldbuilding and character-building phase might test the patience of some readers who seek more immediate plot development.

Additionally, the perspective shifts between the two main characters, Reina and Eva, felt somewhat imbalanced. The reader spends more substantial portions of the story with Reina, leading to a perception that she is the protagonist, while Eva's perspective sometimes feels sidelined in comparison.

Another aspect that may have left readers wanting is the magic system. While the promise of celestial magic is present, the actual magic practiced by mortals appears more mineral-based than celestial, which could be viewed as a promise not fully fulfilled.

Despite these criticisms, the novel's climax is regarded as well-executed and earned, making up for the somewhat slower build-up. Overall, "The Sun and the Void" shows great potential for the author, and while there are areas that could benefit from improvement, it remains a commendable debut work. With some adjustments to pacing and perspective balance, Gabriela Romero Lacruz has the potential to create even more engaging and captivating stories in the future.

I wasn't sure how is feel about this book, but I really enjoyed it. The world building is great and I loved the lgbtqia+ rep.

I thought it could have been a little shorter, but I will be buying the next book and look forward to more from this author.

While the Venezuelan inspired worldbuilding and the sapphic relationship are very intriguing, the execution fell flat for me and the book was longer than needed. Not bad for a debut, but not really for me.

I thought this title was very catching and the description was rather interesting so I absolutely had to read it.

Having some unique humanesque species with some greatly fleshed out histories as well as supernatural creepy predators crossed with some political and dark magical plotting with some pieces of romance, both straight and lgbtq+ interspersed made this a rather intriguing tale.

I thought it interesting how there was some Spanish phrases interspersed in this really making it seem like in addition to the general descriptions of it being a hot, dry climate.that there was a Mediterranean vibe which really suited the story.

The big thing about the magic in this book revolving around different types of rock was also very well thought out. It was a nice twist on crystal magic for sure.

There is definitely a lot that can happen to make for a good sequel and I definitely would like to read it when it comes out.

Thank you to Daphne Press and NetGalley for a gifted arc copy of this, I now also own the beautiful Illumicrate special edition that arrived last week.

The Sun & The Void is a powerful tale with insane world-building and amazing characters.

Told in dual povs, you really get to know our main characters. We watch them grow, see what drives them and watch them embark on their own journeys. I really liked Reina and Eva and at times just felt incredibly sorry for them and everything they go through.

It definitely took me a bit longer than normal to get into this one but I think it was just a case of figuring out who was who and where they fitted into the story. Once I managed to get past that I found myself flying through the story.

If you love high fantasy with in depth world-building then I really do recommend picking this one up!

A fresh new story on the Fantasy scene! Taking inspiration from Venezuelan folk lore this features Gods, noblewoman and servant working together and a sapphic relationship. What more could you want truly?

The sun and the void is a brilliant fantasy novel with epic world building and strong lead characters.
This book ticks off a lot of boxes, gods, monsters, magic with a sweep of folklore.
The characters are perfectly entwined midway through the story and I really enjoyed how it all came together.
Gabriela writes Beautifully and I look forward to reading more from her!

Drawing from South American myth and folklore and creating a rich world of monsters, gods, ancient magic, warring families and humans caught in the crosshairs, Gabriela Romero Lacruz has made her debut with a blistering escape of non stop action. The story primarily follows two young women— Reina, an outcast searching for belonging who finds herself dependent on dangerous magic, and the family who guards it, for survival, and Eva, an unwanted daughter trying her best to suppress the dark powers flowing in her veins. And when the two find each other… Well, you’ll just have to read it!

Rife with family politics and scheming, alongside some truly epic magical beings and monsters, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole story. The world building was truly gripping and it’s great to see an adult Latinx fantasy make its debut with such strong series potential. I love reading fantasy that draws from non-Western myth and folklore and found that part of TSATV really interesting. The pacing was a bit slow at time but as I could really tell this was building up to a series, I can look past the places where it lagged. I loved all the sensory and atmospheric details— from the food to the jungles and imagery of clothing and character descriptions, Romero Lacruz is very talented forming a rich and tangible world for the reader to sink into. The magical system was super interesting and I loved how you got the sense of things slowly building up to the climax (which definitely paid off, in my opinion!)

My one gripe would be that I was the two MCs had a bit more agency. It felt like a lot of the plot was happening *to them* instead of them pushing forward the narrative. Perhaps if we would’ve seen Regina’s decision to find her grandmother at the start of the book, this would’ve helped me get a better grasp of her motivations. I also would have loved a bit more sapphic elements, but I can see where that is to come. Overall, this is a great book for anyone who enjoys a slow-build, atmospheric fantasy based on non-Western myth and folklore. An excellent debut and I’m excited to see where the story goes!

I was so intrigued by this premise.
- South American Folklore
- Magic from the Gods
- f/f romantic pinning
- Anti-colonialism politics

I was enjoying the start with the lush descriptions of the setting and nature. I liked meeting our characters, and starting to see the geomancia magic system.

I struggled with the pacing, this book is slow through the majority of the plot. Neither of the main characters have agency in their lives and it makes for a passive style that did not work for me. The info-dumping and telling through dialogue doesn't help in the pacing either.

Don't go into to this expecting any romance. The romantic pinning and developing of the relationships is important to the character development but it's not a "romance sub-plot" like I feel is being advertised sometimes.

I enjoyed how things came together at the end but wish that some of the revelations about the magic system and the Gods had come earlier so we could have gone further into the details. Still so attached to the premise of this, it could have been so good, but it did not work for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Daphne Press for providing an ARC copy to review.

"The Sun and the Void" by Gabriela Romero Lacruz is a sweeping epic fantasy set in a lush world inspired by South American history and folklore.
While the novel offers an intriguing departure from the typical European Middle Ages-inspired fantasy, it falls short in some areas. The characterization feels shallow and naive, lacking depth and realism. The protagonists, Reina and Eva, come across as representatives of inexperienced youth rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The slow start further hampers the narrative, with the plot taking its time to gain momentum, making it a somewhat frustrating read.
Nevertheless, the world-building stands out as a highlight, presenting an original and captivating backdrop for the story. However, the underlying themes are predictable and fail to deliver the expected impact.
Overall, "The Sun and the Void" is a decent fantasy novel, but it falls a bit short of its potential.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in return for an honest review.

This Venezuelan sapphic magical book left me wanting more. Something was missing. This book is full of trigger and content warnings so please ensure to check these out before reading this book

This book started off strong but I struggled to get to the 50% mark. It felt slow and lacklustre but once I was past this point it did pick up.

Overall I liked it/didn’t hate it. An average sapphic romance magic book

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advance copy.

I should preface this that I am only just starting to ready fantasy fiction so am by no means an expert.

The cover for this book is so aesthetically pleasing and drew me in. I was also excited by the setting of the story.

The first 25% of the book as we are getting know Reina and Eva I was quite confused. I struggle to picture characters and was struggling to work out what all the different types of forms they were. Also the names all being Dona or Don confused me. I found the glossary around this point which helped me picture them all moving forward.

I enjoyed the dual point of view throughout from Reina and from Eva. I definitely preferred Eva's point of you as I felt her character was more likeable.

The author does a great job of describing the action scenes especially the fights with the tinieblas.

Although the chapters are very long the story did pick up pace and I was intrigued to see where it went. I really liked how all the threads that had been weaved throughout came together at the end.

Overall it was a slow start but a beautifully written, enjoyable book.