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astridrc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This one is a hard book to review.
The writing style is quite particular and it's hard to get the hang of it at first (actually, more than at first...). The author plunges us into this world without much explanation and it's really complex. It's that kind of thing in which you aren't sure if you're just dumb or you're supposed to feel that way for a while.
Also, I'm not sure if it's because I'm just not really good at fantasy but getting mental images of some descriptions was really hard for me.
Taking all that into consideration, plus the fact that this novel's world is simply grim, I was pretty hooked. It's not a book that you can't put down because it is a bit tiring but you want to keep reading after short breaks.
Characters are really complex and therefore interesting. I'll continue reading this saga mostly to answer a lot of questions about things I still can't quite grasp.
The writing style is quite particular and it's hard to get the hang of it at first (actually, more than at first...). The author plunges us into this world without much explanation and it's really complex. It's that kind of thing in which you aren't sure if you're just dumb or you're supposed to feel that way for a while.
Also, I'm not sure if it's because I'm just not really good at fantasy but getting mental images of some descriptions was really hard for me.
Taking all that into consideration, plus the fact that this novel's world is simply grim, I was pretty hooked. It's not a book that you can't put down because it is a bit tiring but you want to keep reading after short breaks.
Characters are really complex and therefore interesting. I'll continue reading this saga mostly to answer a lot of questions about things I still can't quite grasp.
aminasbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
jaredrlopatin's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.5
embee007's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.25
"I don’t give a shit what the something- somethingth council of big important farts decreed..."
I had a major plot point spoiled for me, a few chapters before I reached the first hint of its reveal. If that hadn't happened, I'd probably be feeling a lot more solid on 4.5.
“The world is what it is. Unless you destroy it and start all over again, there’s no changing it.”
The beginning was very slow, & by the time I was invested, my library loan was up & I had to wait a few weeks to get the book again, hence why this took over a month & a half to read.
“I’ve never wanted much from life. Just to be able to live it, really."
I can't say much about the actual text itself that isn't a spoiler?? There's 3 povs, only one is told in 2nd person perspective, for reasons (so if that has put you off the book, it's only a small percentage of the book). We're following these POVs in 2 or 3 different times (unclear at first) in a world where some people have the power to control the movement of the earth's plates. This earth happens to see a lot of cataclysmic seismic movement, so having people that can calm the earth's movements, or move the worst away from the cities is important. This happens so often, that this is what they base their seasons on - each disaster that effects the entire continent.
"We are the gods in chains and this is not. Rusting. Right."
I like Jemisin's writing style, & I'm very interested in where this series will go. I plan to pick up book 2 within this year (if the library cooperates).
“And that’s a really shitty apology. ‘I’m sorry you’re so abnormal that I can’t manage to treat you like a human being.’”
Representation: lots of Black & mixed characters (as far as I could tell, both Orogenes & Stills). Trans secondary character. Gay relationship. Bi MCs. (I finished right before I fell asleep & I'm probably things.) At least in the one community, disabled people are accepted. * Slavery is addressed as a theme. *
I had a major plot point spoiled for me, a few chapters before I reached the first hint of its reveal. If that hadn't happened, I'd probably be feeling a lot more solid on 4.5.
“The world is what it is. Unless you destroy it and start all over again, there’s no changing it.”
The beginning was very slow, & by the time I was invested, my library loan was up & I had to wait a few weeks to get the book again, hence why this took over a month & a half to read.
“I’ve never wanted much from life. Just to be able to live it, really."
I can't say much about the actual text itself that isn't a spoiler?? There's 3 povs, only one is told in 2nd person perspective, for reasons (so if that has put you off the book, it's only a small percentage of the book). We're following these POVs in 2 or 3 different times (unclear at first) in a world where some people have the power to control the movement of the earth's plates. This earth happens to see a lot of cataclysmic seismic movement, so having people that can calm the earth's movements, or move the worst away from the cities is important. This happens so often, that this is what they base their seasons on - each disaster that effects the entire continent.
"We are the gods in chains and this is not. Rusting. Right."
I like Jemisin's writing style, & I'm very interested in where this series will go. I plan to pick up book 2 within this year (if the library cooperates).
“And that’s a really shitty apology. ‘I’m sorry you’re so abnormal that I can’t manage to treat you like a human being.’”
Representation: lots of Black & mixed characters (as far as I could tell, both Orogenes & Stills). Trans secondary character. Gay relationship. Bi MCs. (I finished right before I fell asleep & I'm probably things.) At least in the one community, disabled people are accepted. * Slavery is addressed as a theme. *
linamadridista7's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
ptorres96's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
the_readingduck's review against another edition
challenging
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
kelkelau's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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? Yes
5.0
dellydoos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Sometimes (most of the time) I say controversial things when it comes to books, as often overhyped and over-celebrated book are really just that: over hyped and over-celebrated. But The Fifth Season is not that book. N.K. Jemisin deserves all the praise for this spectacular and emotional devasting piece of art she’s created, and let me tell you why.
The book takes place at the end of the world. An earthquake has cracked the continent in half and volcanoes are pumping ash into the sky, threatening to coat the sky in eternal darkness for centuries, but all Essun cares about is finding her husband and killing him for kidnapping their daughter and murdering their three-year old son. It’s an emotionally charged first chapter, and yet the punches keep rolling.
In the world of The Stillness, Jemisin’s world-building is superb, detailed, and immersive. The narrative is enriched by a deep history and a complex magic system known as Orogeny, which deals with the manipulation of thermal and kinetic energy (think earth bending and fire bending combined). But the people who wield this dreadful power are villainised and killed if they cannot be controlled by the Fulcrum, a mysterious organisation who are not above enslaving, murdering and torturing orogenes in order to control them.
What sets The Fifth Season apart is Jemisin’s ability to weave complex themes of oppression, survival, and resilience into a narrative that is both epic and deeply personal. Essun’s journey is not just one of vengeance but also of self-discovery and understanding the true nature of her world and its prejudices. This book is an allegory on the harsh, historical and systemic racism our own world faces and it’s an incredibly important story to tell.
Jemisin’s world-building is incredibly detailed, from the intricate histories and lore to the perceived inaccuracies that shape societies within The Stillness. The only fault in her writing is the overwhelming amount of terminology and historical events to wrap your head around (thankfully, there is a glossary and appendix at the back of the book). However, this complexity doesn't ease up, as more terms and events continue to accumulate. Additionally, while Jemisin creates a fully-fledged world with rich characters, each weighed down with unique voices and flaws, her descriptions are sparse and mostly factual. At times, it was challenging for me to grasp exactly what she was trying to convey in certain parts. This minimalistic approach to description left me yearning for more vivid imagery to fully visualize the story's settings and events.
Regardless of minor drawbacks, The Fifth Season is a masterclass in storytelling, blending speculative fiction and fantasy with profound social commentary. This one is a heavy hitter, it’s dark and incredibly emotional. It’s a book that challenges you to think and feel deeply and I’m well settled in for the remainder of the trilogy. 4.5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Child death
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, and Pedophilia
stephen11's review against another edition
4.0
The Fifth Season
Use-Castes?: Strongback, Resistant
Essun is an orogene, Resistant, dead son Uche, daughter Nassun. Husband Jija killed Uche. They lived in Tirimo
Doctor Lerna knows what Essun is.
2. Damaya is a Strongback. Resistants are resistant? to sickness and famine? Schaffa Guardian Warrent, takes Damaya, an orogene away from her home. Orogenes can divert (or diminish) shakes
3. Rask is the leader of Tirimo. He’s figured out that Essun is rogga(?). He’s an Innovator use-caste. Essun pretty much destroys Tirimo (in self defense?) while she was attacked trying to leave. She used her power, a strange cold inducing heat grabbing shaking event. Very odd. It caused many victims to totally frozen. It collapsed buildings. It altered and damaged the land beneath. The wells will dry up because the aquifer was diverted.
4.
Syenite and Alabaster
Essun and Hoa
Little Damaya and Schaffa Guardian
The story picks up around page 125 or so.
Node maintainers are abused enslaved roggas.
Essun’s story must take place some time after Damaya’s because the Fulcrum must be destroyed in Essuns time. Damaya goes to train at the Fulcrum. When does Syen and Alabasters story happen? Before or way after? Must be before because they refer to the Fulcrum.
Binof Leadership Yumenes and Damaya discover the Socket.
Aha! Syenite is the rogga name that Damaya chooses for herself. So Damaya is Syen when she’s a child!
Is Essun an older Syen? Yes! Who was Uches father? Jija? Innon?Alabaster?
Tonkee is Binof grown up.
Dr. Lerna loves Essun. But they seemed resigned to being friends. Don’t forget daughter Nassun and Jija are out there.
So Corundum did die. Syen killed her (rather than have her suffer under the Guardians). Uche and Nassun were the children of Essun and Jija
Alabaster destroyed Yumenes with the power of the obelisks and the aid of the node maintainers, starting this Season. He wants Essuns help to ‘make it worse’. He asks if Essun has ever heard of something called a moon?
The end.
Use-Castes?: Strongback, Resistant
Essun is an orogene, Resistant, dead son Uche, daughter Nassun. Husband Jija killed Uche. They lived in Tirimo
Doctor Lerna knows what Essun is.
2. Damaya is a Strongback. Resistants are resistant? to sickness and famine? Schaffa Guardian Warrent, takes Damaya, an orogene away from her home. Orogenes can divert (or diminish) shakes
3. Rask is the leader of Tirimo. He’s figured out that Essun is rogga(?). He’s an Innovator use-caste. Essun pretty much destroys Tirimo (in self defense?) while she was attacked trying to leave. She used her power, a strange cold inducing heat grabbing shaking event. Very odd. It caused many victims to totally frozen. It collapsed buildings. It altered and damaged the land beneath. The wells will dry up because the aquifer was diverted.
4.
Syenite and Alabaster
Essun and Hoa
Little Damaya and Schaffa Guardian
The story picks up around page 125 or so.
Node maintainers are abused enslaved roggas.
Essun’s story must take place some time after Damaya’s because the Fulcrum must be destroyed in Essuns time. Damaya goes to train at the Fulcrum. When does Syen and Alabasters story happen? Before or way after? Must be before because they refer to the Fulcrum.
Binof Leadership Yumenes and Damaya discover the Socket.
Aha! Syenite is the rogga name that Damaya chooses for herself. So Damaya is Syen when she’s a child!
Is Essun an older Syen? Yes! Who was Uches father? Jija? Innon?Alabaster?
Tonkee is Binof grown up.
Dr. Lerna loves Essun. But they seemed resigned to being friends. Don’t forget daughter Nassun and Jija are out there.
So Corundum did die. Syen killed her (rather than have her suffer under the Guardians). Uche and Nassun were the children of Essun and Jija
Alabaster destroyed Yumenes with the power of the obelisks and the aid of the node maintainers, starting this Season. He wants Essuns help to ‘make it worse’. He asks if Essun has ever heard of something called a moon?
The end.