Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5
The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero-Lacruz is a beautifully written debut novel, and the first in ‘The Warring Gods’ series. This fantasy story is inspired by South American folklore and follows two main characters as they navigate a world divided by religion, politics and magic. Reina receives an invitation to meet her sorcerer grandmother who she has not met before, and is immersed into the world of the Águilas. Eva has never felt accepted into her family, shamed for her heritage and inclination towards magic. Two outcasts come together seeking the favor of Rahmagut, the god of the void. This book features a remarkably lush fantasy world that I was immediately immersed in. The worldbuilding in this novel is very well done and goes into the complexities of the magic system, the religious beliefs and the different races. I enjoyed the moral ambiguity of the characters, and even found myself liking the antagonists. The plot starts out slow and the worldbuilding takes a bit to get through but once the dual-POVs of the main characters intersect, the pace picks up. The ending left me eagerly awaiting the next novel, which I will be reading as soon as it’s available. Overall, The Sun and the Void is a unique epic fantasy steeped with rich South American folklore and culture. Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the advance reader copy.