Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Den femte årstiden

Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Den femte årstiden by N.K. Jemisin

70 reviews

genny's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Best book I've read so far in 2022! I agree with reviews saying it's best to go into this knowing as little as possible. Worldbuilding, atmosphere, character development, even the science behind the magic...amazing, all of it. Do be aware of the content warnings.

I admit I was intimated by the writing style at first, thinking "am I smart enough to get this?"...but it's quite accessible once you've gotten used to it. Jemisin doesn't really explain any of the lore, you just gradually pick it up as you go (there's an appendix, but as always, I never bother). It didn't feel "info-dumpy". I appreciated this, actually! Like she wasn't holding my hand through it, but gave me enough context to understand. This is in stark contrast to Brandon Sanderson's writing style in Warbreaker (I'm only comparing because I finished that right before this one) wherein he plainly explains the magic system like the mechanics of a video game. So: patience is needed, but it'll pay off.

The use of second-person POV in Essun's chapters was a perfect choice! It adds so much to the story, in my opinion. Damaya's chapters were my favorite. I'm proud to say that I figured out the plot twist before I hit the halfway mark, ha. I'm sure other readers figured it out even faster than I did, but I'm usually late to pick up on clues, so I felt insanely validated. 😆 The reveal of

the narrator

, though? I didn't see that coming and it gave me goosebumps, geez. Everything came together beautifully. I am so glad I gave this book a chance!

Content Warnings

blue123's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.0

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neni's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I had high expections for this book since everyone and their mothers seem to reccomend it highly.

I must say, I knew it had dark themes, but I wasn’t prepared for just how dark and how pervasive the whole thing was. I think that’s what took down the enjoyment factor a bit for me, I get that life is hard in this universe, but I kinda hate when authors make us care for the main characters and then put them through nothing but pain and suffering for the whole book. I mean, can’t they be at least a little bit happy? lmao I totally recognize that’s a personal taste thing and not exactly a fault with the book. Maybe if I had read it at a different time in my life I would have felt another way, but I couldn’t help but get a little bit depressed everytime I read a new chapter.

Other than that though, this book was pretty much impeccable.

The writing style was beautiful and engaging, and somehow managed to create an incredibly emotional environment and deliver powerful feelings without being super flowery or descriptive, which I found impressive. It was to the point, but impactful? Quite unique from what I’ve been reading and a weirdly appropriate choice in a book thats about stone wielders.

On that note, I think the greatest strength of the book is definitely the worldbuilding. The magic system (if it can even be described as magic, some cool natural phenomenon turned technology out of a sci-fi novel would be just as accurate to describe it) is superb in its complexity and originality. All of the rules and the way their powers work around them are fascinating to read about.

The way the author organized the plot and the pacing was stellar as well. She did that super satisfying thing that authors do where the book starts with a bunch of different threads and timelines that seem disconnected but that get progressively closer to each other and it all comes to a head as this “everything is connected” climax. Pretty cool

The character’s as well were nicely fleshed out. But again, thinking about them makes me sad lol

Overall, a great read for fantasy and sci-fi fans alike. Was a tiny bit too sad and depressing for me to find extremely enjoyable, but still I don’t regret reading it.

Content Warnings

mariediane016's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

shieldbearer's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A masterpiece of worldbuilding and character study.

Content Warnings

kieran_c's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Wow. So amazing. I’m a slow reader, and I read this in under 48 hours. I’ve never not put a book down to do something else before. The narrative voice(s) are amazing, the worldbuilding has me hooked and the intricate layer of mysteries and questions makes this as much a mystery-thriller as it is a fantasy novel. Some people have an issue with one POV being in second person, but it’s done very well, it helps keep the narrative chronology clear and it adds an extra layer of intrigue to the book.

Honestly, this wouldn’t have been the kind of plot I expected to become enthralled by. I’m simple, and like basic happy ever afters. And this is dark, incredibly so. But, you are as gently eased into the level of darkness as is possible, in my opinion, and this dark stuff is what makes you connect so strongly with the story. The characters aren’t naturally loveable, due to their demeanours and actions, but I don’t think they are supposed to be. You see their faults, but connect so strongly with them and understand why they’re there.

I couldn’t recommend the book more highly

Content Warnings

_everybookthisyear's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

karlee_fries's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

smillas_tales's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve been procrastinating this book for forever, and I am so happy I finally got my shit together and read it, cause it was SO GOOD!

This is the first installment in an adult high fantasy/sci-fi trilogy, set in a world where natural catastrophes ravage the land, and society is build around survival. Some people, known as orogenes, have the ability to control the earth, and they’re used as weapons or killed for this ability.

I know this synopsis is incredibly vague, but I need you to trust me on this one! I can’t really say more without spoiling anything, as the story is told from multiple POVs and on multiple timelines that all interconnect in the most marvelous way!

This book also has probably the best world building I’ve EVER read! Jemisin has constructed a world where every aspect of society (from people’s names, to societal hierarchies, to politics) is influenced by the natural catastrophes, and it’s truly genius how well crafted it is!

The story is confusing at first, especially with one POV being told using a 2nd person narrator, but everything comes together beautifully. I predicted most of the reveals, but I didn’t mind at all, cause it was so satisfying to follow along as every facet and element coalesced, forming the bigger picture! The plot isn’t super fast paced, but every piece is moved into place, so I’m prepared for the plot to really get going in the sequel!

I also absolutely loved Jemisin’s characters! They have to make horrible, heartbreaking decisions as they’re faced with terrible odds, and are trying to survive both the people and forces intent on killing them. More than just being amazingly complex characters, they’re also super diverse! The book is full of queer representation, including trans, nonbinary, gay and polyamorous rep, not to mention an almost exclusively POC cast of characters.

I can’t praise this highly enough, so if it sounds even remotely like something you’d enjoy, I definitely recommend giving it a chance!

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