In a world inspired by the culture, legends, and religions of Central and South America, Roanhorse (Storm of Locusts, 2019) weaves together the stories and destinies of a complex cast of characters. Serapio, scarred by his mother at the age of twelve as tribute to and vessel for the Crow God, voyages toward a legendary homeland. The ship's captain, Xiala, is one of the few who are not immediately afraid of Serapio, perhaps due to her own secrets and the magic her people control through song. Naranpa, oracle and Sunpriest in the land they approach, dreams of reforming a calcified institution and serving her people. All must deal with political intrigue and physical danger, and the upcoming chaos of the convergence, and what all of this means for the holy city of Tova and the centuries-long peace, is truly unpredictable. A must read for fans of N.K. Jemisin's epic fantasy and those who love George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series but want more diverse worlds.

A powerful priest, an outcast seafarer, and a man born to be the vessel of a god come together in the first of Roanhorse's Between Earth and Sky trilogy. The winter solstice is coming, and the elite members of the sacred Sky Made clans in the city of Tova are preparing for a great celebration, led by Naranpa, the newly appointed Sun Priest. But unrest is brewing in Carrion Crow, one of the clans. Years ago, a previous Sun Priest feared heresy among the people of Carrion Crow and ordered his mighty Watchers to attack them, a terrible act that stripped the clan of its power for generations. Now, a secretive group of cultists within Carrion Crow believe that their god is coming back to seek vengeance against the Sun Priest, but Naranpa's enemies are much closer than any resurrected god. Meanwhile, a young sailor named Xiala has been outcast from her home and spends much of her time drowning her sorrows in alcohol in the city of Cuecola. Xiala is Teek, a heritage that brings with it some mysterious magical abilities and deep knowledge of seafaring but often attracts suspicion and fear. A strange nobleman hires Xiala to sail a ship from Cuecola to Tova. Her cargo? A single passenger, Serapio, a strange young man with an affinity for crows and a score to settle with the Sun Priest. Roanhorse's fantasy world based on pre-Columbian cultures is rich, detailed, and expertly constructed. Between the political complications in Tova, Serapio's struggle with a great destiny he never asked for, and Xiala's discovery of abilities she never knew she had, the pages turn themselves. A beautifully crafted setting with complex character dynamics and layers of political intrigue? Perfection. Mark your calendars, this is the next big thing. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The winter solstice is a time for celebration in the city of Tova. This year also brings a solar eclipse, an event foretold to unbalance the world. While the priests continue to prepare for the solstice, a ship begins its route to Tova. The ship's captain, a Teek named Xiala, is forced to attempt this dangerous voyage because of her heritage, as Teeks are rumored to be able to calm the seas and warp minds. That is not all a Teek can do, but even Xiala knows that her cargo, a young, blind man named Serapio, holds power beyond hers. Serapio understands his destiny, one he has prepared for since childhood, and neither the seas, nor the squabbling priests, nor the factions in Tova will stop him. Inspired by pre-Columbian societies, filled with lush details and intriguing personalities, this new series launch moves back and forth between Serapio's past and present circumstances, intertwining the lives of characters who will bring meaning to his purpose. VERDICT Roanhorse (Trail of Lightning) introduces an epic fantasy with vivid worldbuilding and exciting prose. Readers will be attracted to the story, in which there is no real right vs. wrong. Only inevitable change will draw out the heroes of this imaginative tale. [See Prepub Alert, 4/20/20.]--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

The opening of Hugo- and Nebula Award--winner Roanhorse's Between Earth and Sky series draws inspiration from the indigenous cultures of North and Central America to deliver a razor-sharp examination of politics, generational trauma, and the path to redemption. Sun Priest Naranpa, the highest religious authority in the holy city of Tova, faces prejudice for her low birth despite her high rank, and her radical desire for her priests to be more accessible to Tova's people makes her an object of resentment. Meanwhile, in the Obregi Mountains, a young boy named Serapio, raised to become the vessel of the god Grandfather Crow and take revenge for the Night of Knives, a massacre committed against his people, sets out to fulfill his destiny. Sea captain Xiala, a Treek who commands powerful sea-born magic, may be her own worst enemy of many, but she proves a welcome friend to Serapio as he voyages across the sea to avenge his people by ending the Sun Priest's reign. All three formidable characters are on a collision course that keeps the pages flying. Roanhorse (the Sixth World series) strikes a perfect balance between powerful worldbuilding and rich thematic exploration as the protagonists struggle against their fates. Fantasy fans will be wowed. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary. (Oct.)