Book Review: "Fevered Star" by Rebecca Roanhorse
*Spoiler alert!*
Fevered Star is the second installment of the “Between
Earth and Sky” series—based on Pre-Colombian and Polynesian cultures—by indigenous
author Rebecca Roanhorse. This sequel does a decent job of picking up where the
last book ended, on one heck of a cliffhanger I might add.
The city of Tova is still engulfed in the chaos of the eclipse
caused by the Crow God’s return. Caught up in the very fluid political situation
are Xiala, the former Priest of Knives, and the Captain of the Shield for the
Carrion Crow Clan. They find their personal loyalties tested as political and
supernatural forces rise.
"‘We are but fevered stars,’" he intoned, like an orator on a stage. "‘Here a little while, bright with promise, before we burn away.’"
Serapio was supposed to die after the massacre at Sun Rock,
but Okoa was able to save his life. Naranpa is brought back from death by the
witch Zataya, under employ of her crime boss brother. Both have to contend with
the struggle for individuality as avatars of the Crow God and Sun God, respectively,
while factions seek to use their power for political advantage. Lurking in the shadows
is Lord Balam, a practitioner of shadow magic and a shrewd fellow hoping to
come out of all this on top.
I really enjoyed the continuing political intrigue from Black
Sun and the unexpected alliances that formed as a result of our characters
seeking order in the midst of chaos. Certain Tovan Clans view the growing power
of the Crow God and his following as a threat to the peace of the Meridian
continent and are on their way to Hokaia, in search of an alliance to take down
the Crow God. Hokaia being the hosting city for the military college of various
regional powers.
“A conflict between enemies may lose the battle, but a conflict between allies risks losing the war.”
Back in Tova, the Crow God’s power increasingly gathers closer
the remaining Clans in preparation for the first war in over three hundred
years.
Because this is a sequel, not too much happens plot-wise, as
the worldbuilding becomes more fleshed out. Not that the book is boring, but Fevered
Star feels more like setting up for the grand battle I am sure is coming in
the third book, The Mirrored Heavens.
I am anxious to see how all of our characters fare in the
end, because the lines between good and evil are very blurred, even if battle
lines have been clearly drawn out by the end of Fevered Star. I think
Naranpa and Serapio deserve to live their lives as they wish and not because
they are compelled by supernatural forces or political alliances. I hope that
all of them, from Xiala to Okoa, can find peace eventually and achieve a
balance between duty and life.
I won’t learn their fates until the expected publication of The
Mirrored Heavens in August, but until then I will content myself with the
fact that, either way, Roanhorse has crafted a beautiful fantasy epic that truly
stands on its own.
Happy reading!
--BookOwl
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