By: Rebecca Roanhorse
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Publisher: Gallery/Saga Press

WARNING: There will be spoilers for Black Sun and Fevered Star

“The war on earth may have yet to start as the gods claimed their vessels and set their stakes, but the war in heaven had already begun.
For what was earth but a mirror of heaven?
And what was she but a thing caught in between?”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

Rebecca Roanhorse’s Mirrored Heavens is the stunning conclusion to Between Earth and Sky Trilogy, continuing to deliver on the complex world-building and character arcs that I have come to love. There were so many emotions that this book and series evoked in me, ranging from happiness, surprise, sadness, and joy. I was completely engrossed in the final journey of Xiala, Serapio, Naranpa, and all the major side characters. Ms. Roanhorse is master storyteller, continuing to build on the world of Meridian. In Mirrored Heavens, we see even more places, from Xiala’s home island of Teek, the partly ruined city of Tova, and the Northern Wastes where Naranpa has fled to harness the Sun God power. Throughout the series, she has woven an intricate tale, beautifully told against a back drop of a pre-Columbian setting. With Xiala, Serapio, and Naranpa, Ms. Roanhorse created the perfect trifecta of characters who reach their pinnacle in Mirrored Heavens. From the start of this novel, I was absolutely enthralled. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, along with the pain and heartbreak of the character’s arcs, and a conclusion that I could not love more. It is safe to say that I would not only recommend Mirrored Heavens, but the entire Between Earth and Sky Trilogy. It was sheer perfection.

The character arcs, completed in Mirrored Heavens, were amazing. Xiala has returned to Teek, trying to get back her magic of the sea. Teek is inhabited solely by women, and it was fascinating to learn how they have children, and how they carry on their lineage. Their magic is transformation in the sea, essentially becoming “mermaid-like,” which is the best way I can describe it. The other is their song. Their singing ability is devasting, with the power to kill those who hear it. The pace is set right at the start, when Teek is attacked, and many women are killed. In this instance, we see Xiala become more than a sea captain. She becomes a leader as she cleverly plots to free her people. I loved seeing her become the strong, fierce leader she was always meant to be. Xiala still longs for Serapio, the man she fell in love with, even though she knows he has become the Odo Sedoh. There is good in him, she knows it, and she will do what is necessary to reunite with him. Her longing is so palpable, as we can read here.

“Tova. It felt like a lifetime away, and Serapio equally distant. What she wouldn’t give to have him here. Perhaps it was a weakness, but she yearned for his unflappable presence, his otherworldly confidence, the protection of his crows and his magic.”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

Serapio is truly a study in contrasts. As the avatar of the Crow God, he does some truly horrific acts. However, we catch glimpses of the Serapio we met back in Black Sun. He, too, wants Xiala. She is the only woman he ever loved, and he knows she can see beyond him being Odo Sedoh. Ms. Roanhorse does a perfect job of communicating Serapio’s longing and pain to the reader. We also get glimpses into Serapio’s background and how and why he became the avatar of the Crow God. Through dreams from Balam, we see more of Serapio’s mother, Saaya. The interactions of these characters before Serapio was born was surprising and complex. Serapio was basically used even before he was born, and I felt so much compassion for him. He was powerless his entire life to do what he wanted. It was only Xiala who could see through to the man and comfort his loneliness.

“And that is part of your prophecy?”, he asked, voice cold as he struggled to contain his emotions: the doubts about his own leadership, his fears of war and what came after, the grief of losing Xiala, his mother, his clan, Okoa, And the deep loneliness that never left him.”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

At the end of Fevered Star, Naranpa had fled to the Northern Wastes. A desolate area where she found Kupshu, a wise woman who would become Naranpa’s teacher. Naranpa did not fully understand her power or how to access it. Although she was a Sun Priest her whole life, she was ill prepared to become the vessel of the Sun God. We don’t see as much of Naranpa as we do the others. Suffice to say that she Kupshu teaches her, and the destiny of the Sun and Crow God must be fulfilled.

The side cast of characters were equally wonderful. Balam’s role is quite important and very surprising. Tuun, whom he set upon the Teek, is one of those characters you just love to hate, right along with Balam. Okoa is back and he is completely loyal to Serapio. The women of Teek are strong and fight back against Tuun. Ms. Roahoarse includes LBGTQIA representation beautifully, especially on Teek. As an island of only women, they marry, have children and raise families. All of these characters are building to the pinnacle of a war against Tova.

“Some nights he would dream of Naranpa, their confrontation on Sun Rock, and things would be quite different…
It was mutually assured destruction, his and the Sun Priest’s, and although it was only a dream, he woke up shivering and drenched in sweat, wondering if he had somehow avoided his true fate, and if so, for how long?”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

The world building was once again a stand out feature in Mirrored Heavens. We finally get to see the Island of Teek, and it feels like a stunning island paradise. For the most part, the women live peacefully, with Xiala’s mother as queen. They work together, marry, and raise their daughters. It is really is a beautiful, but unusual place, with unique magic.  The other notable addition is the Northern Wastes of Meridian where Naranpa fled. She lives in the village of Charna near a lake. The wasteland is aptly named, as it is desolate and rarely rains. The inhabitants, however, thrive and live in the land they call home. One notable feature is the graveyard, where is said the gods had died, and some believe it to be haunted. The other cities, Tova, Cuecola, and Hokaia remain much as they were in Fevered Sky.

The characters, the world building, the powers of gods are all woven together into this unique and beautiful epic fantasy. I felt the pacing of the book was excellent. I really enjoyed the flashbacks into Serapio’s life, and it was heartbreaking. Seeing the Teek Island and the Northern Wastes were also an excellent addition. It all comes to a head in Mirrored Heavens as the battle for Tova, the battle between the Sun God and Crow God comes to fruition. It is an amazing, brilliant conclusion to this epic fantasy series. I highly recommend Mirrored Heavens and the entire Between Earth and Sky Trilogy. I will surely miss this world and these characters, especially Xiala and Serapio.

“People misunderstand. Love is the most powerful force in the world. It can change minds, change hearts, reshape the heavens and earth. That is why people condemn it, say a woman is stronger without it, but that’s their own fear talking. If you are lucky enough to find love, Xiala, you hold on to it with all you have. It’s a rare thing.”
Rebecca Roanhorse, Mirrored Heavens

Overall Thoughts
Mirrored Heavens, the brilliant final book in Between Earth and Sky, is exactly how to wrap up a series-phenomenally. It concludes the epic fantasy that began in Black Sun and Fevered Star. It picks up right where it left off, and was a gripping, page turning story from the start. The character arcs were complete and done so well. Ms. Roanhorse is a master at her craft, writing intense characters, and amazing world building. We see Xiala come to her full potential as leader of the Teek, overcoming so many obstacles, all the while, she longs for the man she loves, Serapio. We get to see into Serapio’s past, through Balam, as he dreams of Saaya, Serapio’s mother. It was heartbreaking that Serapio’s life was never his own, even before he was born. This was an excellent addition to his story, to understand Serapio, his loneliness, and longing for the only woman he loves, Xiala. Naranpa is not present as much, but she no less plays a crucial role in the story Ms. Roahorse has woven. With plots against the Odo Sedoh growing, and Meridian heading towards war, Mirrored Heavens brings forth an extremely satisfying conclusion to all that came before. All the strands were woven together perfectly. I loved that we see Teek and the Northern Waste, places we only read about, but did not see, and learn of the uniqueness of the Teek women and their magic. The fantasy aspect is, as mentioned previously, unique it its pre-Columbian focus. The pace was even and exciting, and there were many surprises, and twists and turns I could never have predicted. Serapio, Xiala, and Naranpa have come full circle and I was more than satisfied with how their stories concluded. I will miss this world, its beauty, and especially Xiala and Serapio. Rebecca Roanhorse is truly an amazing and brilliant story teller. I highly recommend Mirrored Heavens and Between Earth and Sky Series.

Summary (from NetGalley)
Even the sea cannot stay calm before the storm. —Teek saying

Serapio, avatar of the Crow God Reborn and the newly crowned Carrion King, rules Tova. But his enemies gather both on distant shores and within his own city as the matrons of the clans scheme to destroy him. And deep in the alleys of the Maw, a new prophecy is whispered, this one from the Coyote God. It promises Serapio certain doom if its terrible dictates are not fulfilled.

Meanwhile, Xiala is thrust back amongst her people as war comes first to the island of Teek. With their way of life and their magic under threat, she is their last best hope. But the sea won’t talk to her the way it used to, and doubts riddle her mind. She will have to sacrifice the things that matter most to unleash her powers and become the queen they were promised.

And in the far northern wastelands, Naranpa, avatar of the Sun God, seeks a way to save Tova from the visions of fire that engulf her dreams. But another presence has begun stalking her nightmares, and the Jaguar God is on the hunt.

My thanks to Saga Press for an eBook ARC in exchange for an honest review

My review of Black Sun
My review of Fevered Star

Find out more about Rebecca Roanhorse on her website https://rebeccaroanhorse.com/

Purchase Black Sun on Amazon
Purchase Fevered Star on Amazon
Purchase Mirrored Heavens on Amazon

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