Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse

 In the follow-up to the stunning Black Sun, Fevered Star set in a fantastically re-constructed Meso-American inspired world, Rebecca Roanhorse takes us back to the politically charged cities of the Meridian. 

Perhaps a tad bit slower than its predecessor, Fevered Star works chiefly because of the phenomenal worldbuilding that Rebecca excels in and continues to add on, with this Book-Two in the trilogy. True enough, it is a middle-book and right after that cataclysmic events of Book One, things take on a distinctly slower pace. We are being set up for a show-down in the last book of the trilogy but there are enough flash-points, peppered with brilliance, for us to sink our teeth into this bridge book. 

As in Book One, the story unfolds through the POV of three main protagonists. Serapio, the blind young man, who is to be the vessel of vengeance, as planned by the Sky Clan Carrion Crow. The events pick up directly after the Serapio has channeled the Crow God and eclipsed the sun in the climax of book One. He was supposed to die, battling the 'Watchers', the Priesthood put in place to quell any forms of magic usage. But he doesn't. Nursed back to health by the Captain of the Shield, Okoa, Serapio needs to decide what he must now become. Continue to be a tool for the Odo Sedoh or chart his own path in this world. Then there is Naranpa, the erstwhile sun-priest, deposed by her own community, and left for dead. She goes through her own set of trials, cheating death and inheriting powers she thought non existent. And also unearthing a terrible secret about the Watchers themselves that could cause another big upheaval. And then there is Xiala, a Teek whose songs have power of magic, seeking to get back to the mysterious blind young man, with whom she's fallen hopelessly in love. 

The events of the second book are less explosive than the headlong rush of adventures in the opening salvo. Here, our 'heroes' are gathering thier strengths, nursing wounds both physically and mentally and also, seeking allies for a greater war , in the horizon. 

If Book one was about loneliness and the darkness sorrounding Serrapio, the tortured young man whose life is a mere puppet in the hands of many, Book two is about Naranpa. Rebecca writes her up as a strong intelligent leader, slowly coming into her own. She's a deeply empathetic woman, who values relationships and bonds, fighting against the tyranny of a society, hundreds of years in the making. It's a very satisfying story arc to see her triumph against the steepest of odds and decide to make her own path in this world, teeming with power crazy conspirators at every corner. 

Xiala, perhaps the most 'human' of all three leading protagonists continues to be led astray by her heart, her blind trust in people. Another character that i really liked was that of Ictan, the erstwhile leader of the Knives, protection for the Watchers. Wry humour, hidden strength, Assassin! Xiala's transformation still is the weakest of the three but by the end of this book, she's on the cusp of a major revelation and strongly sailing back to meet her love. Teeks are fascinating people and we get to meet a lot more of these folks in book two. 

The plot thickens, twists. The power play for the city of Tova and even other great cities is a mess, with too many players vying for it. Lord Balam, a minor character from Book one gets a much bigger play here as we understand his true motivations for having let loose the Avatar of the Crow God.

All in all, I really liked Book Two despite it being slower and weighed down by more plot machinations. Fevered Star is a triumphant return to Meridian, with some deeper character arcs, fabulous world building and some really memorable scenes, especially with Naranpa and Serrapio. This series, definitely one of my all time favorites, Between Earth and Sky is heading for an explosive finale in Book Three and I can't wait to get there. Highly recommended.