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genny's review against another edition
- 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 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
Graphic: Rape, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Transphobia, and Vomit
seemz's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gore, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Rape, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Sexual content, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Murder, and Pedophilia
Minor: Alcohol, Transphobia, and Vomit
vasha's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Violence, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Slavery, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Racism, and Child death
Moderate: Vomit, Colonisation, Ableism, Pedophilia, Sexual content, and Trafficking
Minor: Cannibalism, Transphobia, and Homophobia
kieran_c's review against another edition
- 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
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
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Rape, Genocide, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Child death and Bullying
sunsetcity's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Classism, Torture, Gaslighting, and Sexism
rorikae's review against another edition
- 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
As the world ends, the story follows three perspectives. Damaya is pulled from her home and her family because she has a feared and mighty power. Brought to the Fullcrum, a school for people with her powers, she begins to learn how to control her gift. Syenite, a Fullcrum graduate, is sent by their leadership to complete a strange task with one of the most powerful men to come out of the Fullcrum's programs. And Essun, who finds her son murdered and her husband has fled with her daughter, begins a trek across the continent to find them so she can act her revenge and save her daughter.
I am honestly kind of speechless over how good 'The Fifth Season' is. For a book that has a lot of high praise and has won the Hugo, 'The Fifth Season' lived up to every single expectation that I had and surpassed them. It is clear that Jemisin has crafted this world and this plot down to the smallest detail and gone through so much work to figure out the precise way to share details and unwrap the story. Second person perspective can be very temperamental but Jemisin makes it so that the story seamlessly flows with the other perspectives.
It's hard to talk about this book without going into spoilers but it is so incredibly well paced and each reveal is set up throughout the pages before with questions and dropped hints. Honestly, I'm just in awe of the craft level of this book. If you have ever had any interest in this series or wondered if you would like it, I implore you to read it. It goes beyond all expectations and I cannot wait to pick up the next book in the series. I feel like I need to start it immediately.
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Pregnancy
geekywoman14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Slavery, Child death, Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Colonisation, and Confinement
Minor: Sexual content, Alcohol, Classism, Pedophilia, Stalking, Abandonment, Animal death, and Sexual violence
owlieali's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Slavery, and Child abuse
Moderate: Rape, Torture, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Violence, and Trafficking
Minor: Body horror, Bullying, Cannibalism, Classism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Genocide
rebeccajost's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Genocide, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Pedophilia and Rape
Minor: Pregnancy and Vomit
gladduck's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Excrement, Gaslighting, Violence, Torture, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cannibalism, Blood, and Confinement
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Vomit, and Transphobia