His Face is the Sun by Michelle Jabès Corpora
If you’re into epic fantasies with rich mythology, layered characters and slow-burn storytelling that feels like it’s setting up something big, this book might be for you.
Okay, so I went into His Face Is the Sun expecting chaos, gods and battles from the start … and that’s not exactly what I got — but I’m not mad about it. Author Michelle Jabès Corpora definitely takes their time building things up, and while that threw me off at first, I actually ended up appreciating it. The slower pace gave me time to settle into the world of Khetara, which is honestly one of the most interesting fantasy settings I’ve read in a while.
Right away, we’re introduced to four very different characters — Sita (princess vibes, but with baggage), Neff (a village girl who gets thrown into the deep end of divine destiny), Rae (a hot-headed rebel with a big heart) and Karim (my personal favorite — charming and slightly unhinged in the best way). At first, it feels like you’re reading four separate stories, but as the book goes on, you start seeing little threads tying them together. That “ooooh wait they’re all connected” moment? Super satisfying.
Magic, Mythology and Mystery
Once I got past the initial, heavily detailed buildup, I was in. The world-building is layered, the magic system is rooted in mythology and there’s just enough mystery to keep you flipping pages even if you’re still trying to pronounce all the character names correctly (relatable).
Also, I gotta say — the vibes? Immaculate. The whole setting gives “Ancient Egyptian Game of Thrones” energy, but with more magic and fewer incest plotlines (thankfully). The political tension, the rise of an ancient evil, the crumbling kingdom, all of it creates this slow-simmering pressure that makes you want to know what happens next.
There isn’t a ton of romance in this one, so if that’s what you’re looking for, just know it’s more background flavor than front and center. But honestly, that made space for the character growth and plot to shine. I loved how each POV had its own flavor. Karim’s chapters were definitely the most fun for me, but I found myself caring about all of them more than I expected. Even Sita, who kind of annoyed me at first, really grew on me by the end.
Your Next Reading Obsession
I wouldn’t call this a quick read — it’s more of a “curl up and get comfy” book. But the ending left me wanting more, in a good way. It doesn’t wrap everything up with a neat little bow, but that just makes me more curious about what book two is going to bring. And let’s be real, now that everything’s in motion, I’m expecting pure chaos next.
So yeah — if you’re into epic fantasies with rich mythology, layered characters and slow-burn storytelling that feels like it’s setting up something big, His Face Is the Sun might be for you. Just give it a little time to settle — and don’t be surprised if you end up obsessed by the end.
Michelle Jabès Corpora always wanted to be a writer, probably since the age of six. She spent most of her childhood years learning about Ancient Egypt, drawing, and writing stories about mermaids in peril, ducks from space and fan fiction. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Theatre from UMBC, she went on to earn a Master’s degree in Children’s Literature from Hollins University. After that, she was a wedding singer for a while, and she worked with animals in a vet’s office and at a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Eventually, she moved to New York and worked as an assistant editor at Greenwillow Books, and then as a concept creator for a well-known book packaging company. Before she wrote books with her name on the cover, she was a ghostwriter for a world-famous middle-grade mystery series. She wrote her first five novels in that series.
When she’s not writing and editing books, you can usually find her at Crazy 88 MMA, training in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She lives in Maryland with her husband, their two daughters, two guinea pigs named Fireball and Olive, and a dog named Charlie.
Publish Date: 5/6/2025
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult
Author: Michelle Jabès Corpora
Page Count: 528 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks
ISBN: 9781464224584