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catsloverain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
i mean...bonkers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The first book in the Broken Earth trilogy introduces Essun, who must go on a journey across the apocalypse after her husband kills their son and kidnaps their daughter.
I’ve heard incredible things about this trilogy for years, and they were all absolutely true. I’m so glad I finally picked this up, and honestly it deserves so much love and attention.
The world-building was a bit complex and slow at first, but once I figured out what was going on the intricate universe Jemisin built really shone through. I loved the characters and was alternately brain-broken and heartbroken by the plot, which kept me on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end.
I buddy read this one with my real life bestie and we had a BLAST—we’re both so excited to pick up THE OBELISK GATE right away!
CW: Violence/death (including child death); slavery; some gore
The first book in the Broken Earth trilogy introduces Essun, who must go on a journey across the apocalypse after her husband kills their son and kidnaps their daughter.
I’ve heard incredible things about this trilogy for years, and they were all absolutely true. I’m so glad I finally picked this up, and honestly it deserves so much love and attention.
The world-building was a bit complex and slow at first, but once I figured out what was going on the intricate universe Jemisin built really shone through. I loved the characters and was alternately brain-broken and heartbroken by the plot, which kept me on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end.
I buddy read this one with my real life bestie and we had a BLAST—we’re both so excited to pick up THE OBELISK GATE right away!
CW: Violence/death (including child death); slavery; some gore
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Child death
hdunscombe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Slavery, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Child death, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Genocide
Minor: Pregnancy, Alcohol, Vomit, Cursing, Stalking, Xenophobia, Gore, Animal death, and Cannibalism
cato_g's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, and Murder
amanda_doty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
Plot is a bit slow in the beginning, but when it picks up...whoo. I think I read the second half of this book in 2 days. I could not put it down. Jemisin's way with words is magical. The magic(?) system is unique and the world-building leaves enough to the reader to really feel like you're there, but as like a visitor, not a native. The characters are flawed and believable. The themes are real and raw and the way Jemisin handles them is poignant, but not cliche. The best parts of this book are definitely Jemisin's writing style (I have over 200 highlights and notes...which is a lot) and the character building. Overall rating 4.05. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery
myngerrys's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Slavery
stefhyena's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book hurt me!!!!
But I will put myself through the trauma of the sequel so I guess at this point it's my own fault.
It takes a while to understand what is going on so be patient. It's dark and bleak (but then again it is about slavery and oppression). It involves bad things happening to children and to adults who are just trying to live their lives.
But I will put myself through the trauma of the sequel so I guess at this point it's my own fault.
It takes a while to understand what is going on so be patient. It's dark and bleak (but then again it is about slavery and oppression). It involves bad things happening to children and to adults who are just trying to live their lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Slavery, and Child abuse
juniper_vs_tbr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
**PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS**
I've never read a high fantasy book before as they were also so intense with lore drops.
This book doesn't bomb you with lore but breaks it down and does re-explain things from times, which made this a fun read.
I loved the characters and putting together to overarching story. It was brutal, but I still kept reading on.
I have never read a book this long so quickly. No big book has ever been easy to read or this fun.
The world building is so smart, the characters beyond interesting (especially Alabaster) with so much unexpected queer representation.
I've never read a high fantasy book before as they were also so intense with lore drops.
This book doesn't bomb you with lore but breaks it down and does re-explain things from times, which made this a fun read.
I loved the characters and putting together to overarching story. It was brutal, but I still kept reading on.
I have never read a book this long so quickly. No big book has ever been easy to read or this fun.
The world building is so smart, the characters beyond interesting (especially Alabaster) with so much unexpected queer representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Genocide, Murder, Racial slurs, Violence, Death, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Slavery, War, Trafficking, Blood, Child abuse, Grief, and Kidnapping
jess_always_reading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? N/A
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! It's very dark (fair warning) but it's done so well. Nothing feels gratuitous, it paints a dark but brutally honest picture.
I loved the different lived experiences depicted amongst the diverse characters (including a poly relationship!) and he world-building without clear explanation was a fun mystery to unravel as I went along.
Highly recommend, Jemisin has an incredible gift and so much talent! I've already requested the next one in the series from my local library.
I loved the different lived experiences depicted amongst the diverse characters (including a poly relationship!) and he world-building without clear explanation was a fun mystery to unravel as I went along.
Highly recommend, Jemisin has an incredible gift and so much talent! I've already requested the next one in the series from my local library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, Violence, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Pedophilia and Cannibalism
jareadforfilth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? No
4.25
WOW, this book is a trip! There is sooo much going on and some pretty great twists in here. Jemisin’s mind is incredible, to be able to construct such an intricate story and such an involved premise that feels consistent and solid is beyond me. For the sake of audiobook, the multiple stories were a bit difficult to track, but when it’s revealed that it’s actually multiple timelines follow a single character, it actually got easier (and sooo much more fun)
I LOVED the rep here too, this fantasy book features so much diversity and different queer representation!! I’m way more intrigued than I thought I would be and am eager to keep reading!
I LOVED the rep here too, this fantasy book features so much diversity and different queer representation!! I’m way more intrigued than I thought I would be and am eager to keep reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery