Strength in Ambiguity

A fast-paced fantasy set in a world inspired by Indigenous American cultures, Black Sun is Rebecca

(Image via Goodreads)

Roanhorse’s strongest work to date.

Weaving a story told through multiple points of view, Roanhorse imbues each of her protagonists with motivations informed by power imbalances that will likely resonate with readers. While each main character belongs to a differing faction, they all navigate factions that are in conflict and struggle with roles ascribed by their ethnicities.

Most members of our book club appreciated the ambiguity of character archetypes and motivations. Without a clear hero or villain, readers were given space for interpretation that provided a compelling realism. In particular, it was interesting to see Serapio — a murderous cultist bent on revenge — cast in a heroic role. However, this portrayal also left some members of our book club uneasy.

Black Sun is a novel in conversation with history — both real and imagined. The constructed history within the narrative is complex and multifaceted, depicting the legacy of colonialism through the eyes of both the vulnerable and the victors. The intergenerational trauma of colonialism is an important theme that serves as a central point of motivation. Through carefully constructed plot arcs, the reader learns about the emotional commitment to both uphold and tear down the legacy of colonialism. For example, the people historically wronged by colonialism are rightfully aggrieved and we understand their anger. However, the fact that their quest for revenge pushes them to reproduce cycles of hate and commit acts as heinous as those committed against them is not ignored or downplayed.

This realism is carried through in the political intrigue of the story. There are great houses struggling to gain power over their peers and a church that is both mediating this conflict and also working to gain power for itself. Often the power of religious institutions is left unexamined in fantasy, as the nobility fight amongst themselves and heroic characters cut through it all to find a resolution. Early on, it seems like Narampa, the head priestess born of a lower order, is that chosen, golden hero. Her much more complicated story arc is thoughtfully written to good effect, as she must trust in a system of power and people who are deeply threatened by her attempts for reform.

One of Roanhorse's great strengths
as a writer is her nuanced depiction
of hierarchical relationships in a society.
(Photo by Olav Rokne) 

It is also very interesting how uncomfortable most of the characters are with how their ethnicity/culture is perceived. For the most part, they don't fit with the assumptions people have about them.

Like many modern fantasy novels, trying to understand some of the labels and terminology can be a struggle, and the first chapters take a bit of work to get through (with the exception of the prologue, which was exceptionally strong). But after this initial hurdle, the worldbuilding fell away as it should, serving to ground an engaging and well-told story.

There was some disagreement about the way the story ended. At least one book club member felt that the finale was one of the strongest she had read in this genre, with the protagonist’s problem clearly resolved and relatively minor loose ends left to the readers’ imagination. Others felt that the ending was perhaps too vague and relied too heavily on the need for a sequel. Of course, if the strength of the first installment in this series is any indication, reading the sequel will be no chore.