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bezarue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
While I still think the first book is my favourite, I still think this finale deserved all the accolades it received. I found Nassun a lot less irritating in this one, possibly because she was in it less, and the final showdown with Essun hurt my heart. Did not enjoy being teased with the possibility of Alabaster and that never coming to fruition, and I kind of wanted Tonkee, Hjarka & Danel to have a bit more relevance in that final bit but other than that don't really have any notes. N K Jemisin has created a masterful exploration of systemic racism and generational trauma within a sci-fi/fantasy plot that keeps you hooked the whole way through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
Moderate: Genocide and Grief
Minor: Gore and Pregnancy
sarasreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Wow, I can't believe I've finished this trilogy. What a ride it was! I feel like I've gone through something with these characters. Every step of this journey was masterful.
I was so happy to finally get some answers in this one, and that we start getting them right from the beginning. The way Jemisin seamlessly blends multiple genres, POVs, and timelines was just so good. And the stakes just kept raising and raising while still being at its core (ba-dum-bum) an intimate mother-daughter story.
The trilogy as a whole explores so many systemic problems from our own past and present that are mainly caused by those with power who continually chose their own interests over what's right. It's incredibly complex in its ideas, scope, and characters. Every character is layered, which just draws you in even deeper.
I got all the answers I wanted, and the ending was really satisfying to me. The first book might still be my favorite in the trilogy (that twist still has my jaw on the floor!), but the entire series is amazing. I can't wait to read more from this author!
I was so happy to finally get some answers in this one, and that we start getting them right from the beginning. The way Jemisin seamlessly blends multiple genres, POVs, and timelines was just so good. And the stakes just kept raising and raising while still being at its core (ba-dum-bum) an intimate mother-daughter story.
The trilogy as a whole explores so many systemic problems from our own past and present that are mainly caused by those with power who continually chose their own interests over what's right. It's incredibly complex in its ideas, scope, and characters. Every character is layered, which just draws you in even deeper.
I got all the answers I wanted, and the ending was really satisfying to me. The first book might still be my favorite in the trilogy (that twist still has my jaw on the floor!), but the entire series is amazing. I can't wait to read more from this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Death, Body horror, Torture, Abandonment, Racism, Slavery, and Genocide
abijmieds's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
I rarely give a final book 5 stars, but this book wrapped up the trilogy in such a memorable and satisfying way. You have to pay attention through the final third, but it really pays off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Child abuse, Colonisation, and Death
Moderate: Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Cannibalism, Grief, Murder, Child abuse, Violence, War, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Death, and Racism
Moderate: Cannibalism and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content
bergha1998's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
What an end to this series. The world building was incredible though very complex. I will ceaselessly love all three of the main characters. Very sad too, especially with getting all the background information and how everything is built on racism and xenophobia. Important for the very same reason.
Found Family, Complex Discussions of Racism
“No need for guards when you can convince people to collaborate in their own internment.”
“Well, some worlds are built on a fault line of pain, held up by nightmares. Don’t lament when those worlds fall. Rage that they were built doomed in the first place.”
“(It bothers her that she does this, watching him constantly for shifts of mood or warnings of tension. It is another thing she learned from Jija. She cannot seem to shed it with Schaffa, or anyone else.)”
“But there are none so frightened, or so strange in their fear, as conquerors. They conjure phantoms endlessly, terrified that their victims will someday do back what was done to them—even if, in truth, their victims couldn’t care less about such pettiness and have moved on. Conquerors live in dread of the day when they are shown to be, not superior, but simply lucky.”
“I think,” Hoa says slowly, “that if you love someone, you don’t get to choose how they love you back.”
“There are stages to the process of being betrayed by your society. One is jolted from a place of complacency by the discovery of difference, by hypocrisy, by inexplicable or incongruous ill treatment. What follows is a time of confusion—unlearning what one thought to be the truth. Immersing oneself in the new truth. And then a decision must be made.”
Found Family, Complex Discussions of Racism
“No need for guards when you can convince people to collaborate in their own internment.”
“Well, some worlds are built on a fault line of pain, held up by nightmares. Don’t lament when those worlds fall. Rage that they were built doomed in the first place.”
“(It bothers her that she does this, watching him constantly for shifts of mood or warnings of tension. It is another thing she learned from Jija. She cannot seem to shed it with Schaffa, or anyone else.)”
“But there are none so frightened, or so strange in their fear, as conquerors. They conjure phantoms endlessly, terrified that their victims will someday do back what was done to them—even if, in truth, their victims couldn’t care less about such pettiness and have moved on. Conquerors live in dread of the day when they are shown to be, not superior, but simply lucky.”
“I think,” Hoa says slowly, “that if you love someone, you don’t get to choose how they love you back.”
“There are stages to the process of being betrayed by your society. One is jolted from a place of complacency by the discovery of difference, by hypocrisy, by inexplicable or incongruous ill treatment. What follows is a time of confusion—unlearning what one thought to be the truth. Immersing oneself in the new truth. And then a decision must be made.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Body horror, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Grief, Slavery, Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Murder, Racism, Death of parent, Blood, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, Death, Confinement, Cursing, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia
brynalexa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
A truly strange and wonderful story. The themes of exploitation, community, bigotry, and fear were carried through with a clever nuance that will have me thinking about this world for weeks. There was a fairly large plot hole ( if Hoa can take Essun, or anyone, through the Earth to a known location of another, why didn’t he just do it in the first book, or after Meov? ) that was quite distracting. Overall it came together in a satisfying and frustrating conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Confinement, and Racial slurs
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
leguinstan's review against another edition
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
4.5
Wonderful ending to the Broken Earth trilogy!! This novel delved deeply into the history of the stone eaters and answered all the questions brought up by previous entries in the series. All the major characters were explored in depth to the very end. I really don't have much to say. The Stone Sky is a satisfying and cathartic conclusion to a well-written series. If you've made it through to the second book in the series and enjoyed it, I really see no reason to stop now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, Pregnancy, and Cannibalism
Minor: Sexual content and Ableism
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Genocide, Death of parent, Body horror, Blood, Cursing, Classism, Violence, Murder, Medical trauma, Gore, Racism, Colonisation, Death, Xenophobia, War, and Racial slurs
thewileyseven's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
I would give it more than five stars if I could. The stunning finale to easily the most beautiful, captivating, thoughtful, enticing, and important trilogy of modern SFF. I am just blown away by the world created in these books and the way it has so irrevocably changed mine. Cannot recommend these highly enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Racism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Torture, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, Child abuse, Colonisation, and War
diannaherondale's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
This is one of the most perfect finale for a series I have ever read. And what a series it was. I was tempted to put if 5 stars immediatly after I finished but I just felt like a couple of Nassun chapters in the middle brought it down. I still want to put it 5 though. I don't know if I changed it later.
I loved this book and te world and the characters and the writing. N. K Jemisin really did it all.
The pacing of the mystery was the MOST satisfactory thing ever. When I thought that we knew how the world worked she always found a way to turn it around but in a really coherent and detailed way. I have still a couple of doubts about some things like the guardians but I think that's just because I'm dumb. I can't wait to re-read it all. I think it would be a really satisfying experience as well, knowing what I know now.
Essun is now one of my favorite characters of all time. The way her character developed and grew even when having done so many horrid mistakes was one of the highlights of the series in general. Her relationship with Nassin SPECIALLY was so much bigger and impactful that I could haver ever imagined. I cried a little at the end ngl.
One of the most compelling parts of her character was getting to see the way in which her perception of the world, and how to fix it change through the books, and in this one specially, being contrasted by Nassuns view. Both of them have suffered so much, but Essun, having known so much people and lived so much more, was able to see through her hate and suffering, and turning it into her life purpose, however awful that sounds.
Nassun on the other hand is really young. She didnt have a good support network nor does she has seen much of the world like her mother had. The only way in which she is able to cope with all the harm that was done to her was ro put all her immense power to use to / literally end the world so that no one else had to suffer ever again. It was sad and hard to read but I still rooted from her at the end.
My favorite character surprisingly at the end was Hoa, the new (but also not new if you know what I mean) narrator of this book. Alabaster was my favorite before (and I did miss him here) but Hoa earned my heart in this one. He is one of the reasons I want to re read the series. I think it will only made me love him more.
Getting to see his past life was one of my absolutely favorite parts. The COMMENTARY that was in those flashbacks scenes omg. I audibly gasped at some of those quotes. The world building was amazing since book one but here was on another level.
I cannot stop thinking about the message and the finale and I think it's gonna be a while. I would love to read like an extra chapter or epilogue if only to check on my favorite characters after all that happened but I guess that would take away the poetry out of the last lines.
I loved this book and te world and the characters and the writing. N. K Jemisin really did it all.
The pacing of the mystery was the MOST satisfactory thing ever. When I thought that we knew how the world worked she always found a way to turn it around but in a really coherent and detailed way. I have still a couple of doubts about some things like the guardians but I think that's just because I'm dumb. I can't wait to re-read it all. I think it would be a really satisfying experience as well, knowing what I know now.
Essun is now one of my favorite characters of all time. The way her character developed and grew even when having done so many horrid mistakes was one of the highlights of the series in general. Her relationship with Nassin SPECIALLY was so much bigger and impactful that I could haver ever imagined. I cried a little at the end ngl.
One of the most compelling parts of her character was getting to see the way in which her perception of the world, and how to fix it change through the books, and in this one specially, being contrasted by Nassuns view. Both of them have suffered so much, but Essun, having known so much people and lived so much more, was able to see through her hate and suffering, and turning it into her life purpose, however awful that sounds.
Nassun on the other hand is really young. She didnt have a good support network nor does she has seen much of the world like her mother had. The only way in which she is able to cope with all the harm that was done to her was ro put all her immense power to use to /
My favorite character surprisingly at the end was Hoa, the new (but also not new if you know what I mean) narrator of this book. Alabaster was my favorite before (and I did miss him here) but Hoa earned my heart in this one. He is one of the reasons I want to re read the series. I think it will only made me love him more.
Getting to see his past life was one of my absolutely favorite parts. The COMMENTARY that was in those flashbacks scenes omg. I audibly gasped at some of those quotes. The world building was amazing since book one but here was on another level.
I cannot stop thinking about the message and the finale and I think it's gonna be a while. I would love to read like an extra chapter or epilogue if only to check on my favorite characters after all that happened but I guess that would take away the poetry out of the last lines.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse