Reviews

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

chopp2111's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

taylorthiets's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed the book and by listening to the audiobook, I picked up on the twist (all three povs were the same person) on accident because I didn't listen closely enough at the beginning. The story was unique and creative, but a bit confusing when starting the book with no context of what the story will be about. Will continue the series, but will read rather than listen.

finallyrobin's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

5.0

hannahspracklin's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.5

emily613's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

eryngrace's review against another edition

2.0

well, that was painful.

on paper, it sounded exactly like my kind of book: female protagonist, interesting premise and potential for cool worldbuilding, unlikeable and diverse characters. unfortunately, it didn't live up to any of my expectations. I hated the writing style, bland characters, and boring dialogue - I just didn't care for any of it by the middle of the book and finished it out of respect for the author, hoping it'd get better later on. it didn't.

I wonder whether my rating would've been higher if this book hadn't been so hyped up by literally everyone.

lbarsk's review against another edition

5.0

Worldbuilding beyond belief and just stellar writing. So innovative and thoroughly detailed.

It was a little tough to get into, at first, but as soon as the story started clicking into place I got hooked. Just truly amazing.

mishareadz's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

2.75

this narration was all over the place. i could barely follow it which could be on me but the second person narration really took me out of the story. there was so much the author tried to include in the story and i don’t think it worked. it was just a confusing narration and i didn’t enjoy it. it’s not bad writing per say, but definitely not for me. this was a slog to get through. 

tayo2000's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of the best, most well thought out books I have ever read. Everything connects in such a masterful way, everything has meaning, the writing style is so unique and the world itself and it’s rules are so fresh, I’ve never read anything like it before. Please read this.

megan1002's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• 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

I'm so used to fantasy stories where the main character is new to the fantasy element of the world, so the reader learns about it with them. In The Fifth Season, the reader mostly follows a character that is almost an expert in the fantasy element of the story, and that is something new and different, which I really like. It made orogeny feel so real because the narrations around it are mostly simple, like it's something everyone knows about. The story is also profound, deep, and speaks of experiences I may not completely relate to but understand. It's a beautiful story and I loved every minute of reading it.