The Sun and The Void

Product Information

An enthralling new world of gods and monsters...This ambitious, thrilling series opener pulses with vitality and imagination.”— Shelf Awareness The writing was captivating and immersive. The characters were well fleshed out and interesting. I appreciated all the extras that were featured at the beginning and end of the book, which includes a map, a family outline, a glossary of terms, and explanation of the magic system. I think the glossary and magic system explanation would’ve helped more at the beginning of the book because I didn’t realize it was there until I reached the end, and I felt like it would’ve helped my reading experience significantly. Third and final criticism. Sometimes certain words or phrases are used that don't quite fit. There were many criticisms about the usage of "spicy sunlight" in the book. I actually don't mind this, but another description could've been stronger. Sometimes character will say "Mi mami" but then say "My mom" or "mother" later. There needs to be consistency. The biggest offender is the usage of "troubleshoot" which simply doesn't work for this setting. Keep your word choices to the proper setting.

The good news about a book seeming "debutish" is that once the author is able to move beyond their debut novel, their work (hopefully) will get better and better! I think this series has a lot of potential, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.After the death of her father, Reina has had to survive alone in a society unable to see past her ears and tail, which betray the fact that her mother was a nozariel and not quite human. Humans once enslaved nozariels, and though slavery is now outlawed, society is still deeply divided. When Reina’s estranged grandmother summons her to the Águila Manor, Reina leaves at once. Meanwhile, far away, Eva is singled out within her own family for her valco blood, deemed dangerous and warlike by humans. The Águilas are valcos as well, and Reina must prove herself useful to the family’s head, Don Enrique. Reina throws herself into her work, learning magic tied to the dark god Rahmagut from her grandmother and fighting the dangerous creatures conjured by Rahmagut’s powers alongside the beautiful Celeste and the vicious Javier. Reina experiences a new world of magic and devotion to a god other than Ches, who is revered for trapping Rahmagut in a void beyond the world. Rahmagut promises power for whomever completes an invocation on the few days when his constellation appears. Those days fast approaching, Don Enrique works with single-minded purpose to gain Rahmagut’s favor, though he is not the only one in his household who would think to summon a god. Simultaneously, Eva’s path brings her ever closer to the Águilas. The lush and varied landscape as well as the clear effects of colonialism and revolution are all inspired by Venezuela, creating a rich, complex world. Featuring morally gray characters and a plethora of relationships among women, both Sapphic and platonic, the book has an occasionally heavy hand in terms of characterization, but that doesn't detract from the overall scope of the plot. Set in a beautiful and engaging world with fascinating characters and even more fascinating magic,The Sun and the Void is an excellent addition to any fantasy reader's collection." ― Tara Sim, author of The City of Dusk

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one. I recommend this if you like: There's manatees. It was my favorite part. Them or Maior. I think her story is much more interesting than, for example, Eva’s. It’s a shame she’s just a side character. Actually, maybe sideline Eva entirely and make this Reina and Maior’s story?TSATV is a perfectly fine debut novel. The author is great with imagery and sensory details. She has a great grasp of the food and flora and fauna of this world. That is this novel's greatest strength.

She put a lot of thought into this world and the unique magic system and I can't wait to see how she expands on it in the next book. The frequent focus on food descriptions also became bothersome, as characters seemed to eat excessively, and the incessant details about their meals grew tiresome. Moreover, the dialogue felt unnatural, as if the characters were merely serving the plot rather than engaging in authentic conversations. In the first chapter, one of the main characters is almost killed while being chased, but I found myself completely apathetic towards her fate. The book tries to create a sense of urgency and emotional investment, but it fails to establish any reason for me to care about the characters in the first place. The book tells us about character relationships without adequately showing them, leaving me with nothing to empathize or connect with. Overall, there's nothing positive or praiseworthy to say about the writing. Reading the words became physically uncomfortable, as they strained my eyes and made it impossible to continue without frustration. Eva Kesare has an aptitude for magic but cannot use it openly because it is viewed with suspicion by everyone around her. She is viewed with suspicion and barely tolerated by her family due to her mixed heritage.Evocative and captivating. An enthralling tale of ancient gods, dangerous magic, family and love.”―​Sue Lynn Tan, author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

I had zero emotional connection with any of the characters. Eva and Reina, our main characters, were incapable of the barest amount of critical thinking, and they read as frustrating, immature, unsympathetic characters to me. If you've read the spoiler above, then you realize, and this is revealed in the book, that Celeste and Reina are cousins. Reina has a longing for Celeste and even kisses her prior to this, but neither she nor the readers are aware of it before then. After the reveal, Reina hopes for something, but then moves on. Again, no. A spellbinding sapphic fantasy...The lush worldbuilding and delightful blend of love, betrayal, and curses set the stage for a powerful and promising new series. This is a gem."— Publishers Weekly Huge thanks and love to the reviewers who take it very seriously and aren't just in it for the likes, though - I LOVE YOU ALL, even the critical ones.)Despite wrong words and phrases occasionally used, the book's prose is quite good. Emotional and atmospheric when it needs to be. Romero-Lacruz is a master at her characters' emotional development. We also have quite a lot of really detestable character such as Reina's grandmother, Celeste's uncle Javier (Celeste is Reina's friend and daughter and heir to the family she comes to live with) and Celeste's father. Each of these characters felt a bit one-dimensional, and really none of them have huge justification/rationale for their evil antics. They all have a 'reason' but I would have liked a little more insight into their thoughts and their views as I think some of the things they do really could have been fleshed out with a PoV from one of them. When Reina arrives at Aguila Manor, her heart stolen from her chest, she’s on the verge of death—until her estranged grandmother, a dark sorceress in the Don’s employ, intervenes. Indebted to a woman she never knew—and smitten with the upper-caste daughter of the house, Celeste—Reina will do to earn – and keep – the family’s favor. Even the bidding of the ancient god who speaks to her from the Manor’s foundations. Capricious gods, dangerous magic, and ancient vows straining under the weight of her characters’ desperate humanity, Gabriela Romero Lacruz has gifted us a classic epic fantasy with an original, inventive setting. A rich, enchanting read and an impressive debut.” ― Ava Reid, award-winning author of Juniper & Thorn