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studydniowka's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Genocide, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, and War
Minor: Torture, Blood, and Cannibalism
wren_rainbow's review against another edition
4.0
I will definitely reread this trilogy in a few years. It will be interesting to read this with a whole new perspective
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Cannibalism
savvylit'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
4.0
This series was absolutely riveting and compelling. The Broken Earth trilogy is not only a sci-fi/fantasy epic but also a centuries-spanning mystery. Jemisin's characterization and world-building are perfection. Personally, I do not usually enjoy books with heavily detailed world-building, but my interest in the characters kept me invested long enough to accept and eventually delight in the setting of Broken Earth. Syenite, Alabaster, Essun, Lerna, Innon, Tonkee, Hoa, Nassun, Ykka... I truly fell in love with each of these often deeply flawed humans being stretched to the limits of survival.
This trilogy is stunning for its honesty and nuance regarding the spectrum of humanity. Among the known characters, there is no strict good vs. evil dichotomy. There are just humans with or without the knowledge to make the right decisions. Even characters who seem to be enemies are more complex than that. Additionally, Jemisin's characters often challenge the gender binary and celebrate love in all forms. Lastly, beyond the multi-faceted people, this series contains disturbing and thought-provoking analogies for real world oppression and hatred. The subject matter is heavy but realistically and compassionately portrayed. I can't wait to read more of Jemisin's work!
Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, and War
boglord's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Miscarriage, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lilifane'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? Yes
5.0
I don't... I don't understand how N.K. Jemisin pulled this off. How the hell did she come up with ... all of this?!?!? She's a genius and definitely a new fav author now.
If I didn't have so many other books to read, I would reread this whole trilogy immediately.
And... the plot is not even that interesting. I would understand if people find parts of it really boring. But the story is still epic and full of emotions. And the world building?! WTF was that?! It's SO wild and perfect? And I already miss the characters.
And the way the story is told? It's my favourite thing when authors use unconventional methods to tell their stories. And it seemed so random at first, but in the end... it all makes SO SO SO much sense.
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
evjohn13'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Violence, Grief, Colonisation, and War
iordanmoore'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
bodagirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Are Essun and Nassun the most loveable characters? No, but they are complicated characters and their journey is thought provoking just the same.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"But breathing doesn't always mean living, and maybe... maybe genocide doesn't always leave bodies."
"But there are none so frightened, or so strange in their fears, 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."
Graphic: Terminal illness and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, and War
rubybastille'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Genocide, Racism, Self harm, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: War