The Sun and the Void

“Evocative and captivating. An enthralling tale of ancient gods, dangerous magic, family and love.” ―​Sue Lynn Tan, author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Two women embark on a unforgettable quest into a world of dark gods and ancient magic in this sweeping fantasy debut inspired by the history and folklore of colonial South America. 

Reina is desperate.

Stuck on the edges of society, Reina’s only hope lies in an invitation from a grandmother she’s never met. But the journey to her is dangerous, and prayer can’t always avert disaster.

Attacked by creatures that stalk the mountains, Reina is on the verge of death until her grandmother, a dark sorceress, intervenes. Now dependent on the Doña’s magic for her life, Reina will do anything to earn—and keep—her favor. Even the bidding of an ancient god who whispers to her at night.

Eva Kesaré is unwanted.

Illegitimate and of mixed heritage, Eva is her family’s shame. She tries to be the perfect daughter, but Eva is hiding a secret: Magic calls to her.

Eva knows she should fight the temptation. Magic is the sign of the dark god, and using it is punishable by death. Yet it’s hard to ignore power when it has always been denied you. Eva is walking a dangerous path. And in the end, she’ll become something she never imagined.

Praise for The Sun and the Void:

“Enchanting. An impressive debut.”―Ava Reid, award-winning author of Juniper & Thorn

“A gorgeous epic of family and power, gods and magic, longing and betrayal.” ―​Melissa Caruso, author of the Rooks and Ruin series

The Warring Gods
The Sun and the Void

• "A sweeping fantasy that is evocative and captivating! I loved the beautiful world and intricate characters, woven into an enthralling tale of ancient gods, dangerous magic, family and love."

  Sue Lynn Tan, Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

• “Capricious gods, dangerous magic, and ancient vows straining under the weight of her characters’ desperate humanity, Gabriela Romero Lacruz has gifted us a classic epic fantasy with an original, inventive setting. A rich, enchanting read and an impressive debut.”

  Ava Reid, award-winning author of Juniper & Thorn

• “A gorgeous epic of family and power, gods and magic, longing and betrayal, The Sun and the Void pulls you in with a fascinating world and keeps you turning pages with richly drawn characters, unfolding mysteries, and plenty of action. A compelling, heart-twisting read!”

  Melissa Caruso, author of The Obsidian Tower

• "A spellbinding sapphic fantasy...The lush worldbuilding and delightful blend of love, betrayal, and curses set the stage for a powerful and promising new series. This is a gem." 

  Publishers Weekly

• "Romero Lacruz excels in her enchanting world building, with lush descriptions of beautiful landscapes and vivid depictions of folklore and traditions with a hint of realism. Fans of N.K. Jemisin, Tomi Adeyemi, and Nisi Shawl will appreciate this fresh voice in fiction, especially when it comes to its commentary on colonialism, strong female characters, and the intricacies of magic used for good and evil."

  Booklist

• “The Sun and the Void is a powerful and enthralling tale of struggle and hope, gods and mortals in a lavish fantasy world. Gabriela Romero Lacruz’s debut boasts unparalleled world-building, fully-realized lore, and characters who will leap off the page and right into your heart. I absolutely loved it. A fantastic debut.” 

  H. M. Long, author of Hall of Smoke

• "Set in a beautiful and engaging world with fascinating characters and even more fascinating magic, The Sun and the Void is an excellent addition to any fantasy reader's collection." 
   
   

  Tara Sim, author of The City of Dusk

• "In The Sun and the Void, a world of misunderstood power, summonable gods, and fearsome danger sets the stage for a gorgeous and gutting exploration of family, ambition, and belonging. Through evocative prose and desperate characters, Gabriela Romero Lacruz weaves a delightfully tangled web of magic and curses, gods and monsters, love and betrayal. This read is perfect for readers who like their fantasy served with a healthy dose of anguish. Prepare to be thinking about this one long after you turn the last page." 

  M. J. Kuhn, author of Among Thieves

• "The Sun and the Void is a highly imaginative fantasy that will captivate you from the first page. Set in a lush, sweeping world full of dangerous magic, this is a stunning story with characters who are fully realized in their humanity, their love, and their pain. It is a tale of hope and despair, gods and mortals, and the decisions we make against impossible odds. This debut is the kind of enchanting, epic fantasy that readers are craving and will remember long after they finish reading."

  Francesca Flores, author of The Witch and the Vampire

• "The lush and varied landscape as well as the clear effects of colonialism and revolution are all inspired by Venezuela, creating a rich, complex world... An ambitious new fantasy with a unique setting and broad cast of characters."

  Kirkus

• "Incredibly rich world-building, forthright explorations of prejudice and colonization, and a strong premise...this story is destined to be a summer banger."

  Paste Magazine

• “An enthralling new world of gods and monsters...This ambitious, thrilling series opener pulses with vitality and imagination.”

  Shelf Awareness