Scan barcode
queenofthenightdreams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was beautiful. Beautifully written. Beautifully paced, just beautiful.
First of all, don’t be like me and look up spoilers when you don’t have any business doing so. N.K Jemisin reveals things in a shocking way, I was mindblown. Let’s talk about the characters though, which were a large reason I loved this book.
Essun was characterised as a reliable figure. She was nurturing, but definitely had those “Don’t mess with me vibes.” Admittedly, she was my least favourite main character, just because I think her story didn’t progress enough in this first book. As seen in the end however, this is done to bring us up to speed so to speak.
Syenite was my favourite. She was fierce, but not hot-headed. She had a cold heart that was actually very warm within. The dynamic she shared with her companion, Alabaster, was so cute. Her narrative progression was my fav out of the “three” main characters.
Damaya was my second favourite, not just because of her narrative progression, but how she handled loneliness while in the Fulcrum. The shift in personality pre-Fulcrum and after was also very tangible. She became colder, but still retained that childlike naivety.
Innon. May be an unpopular view, but I didn’t really like him. I mean, I liked him, but I felt as if his potential was wasted being a love interest for our main character to fondly remember…
Schaffa was hands down my fav side character. He definitely wasn’t a good guy, but not a villain as such. More like anti-villain. I’m happy that we get his POV in the second book.
Binof. If you know you know. Loved her.
Hoa. I only warmed up to Hoa near the end of the book, and like him a lot now. There’s so much mystery around him and I want to know more, but I REFUSE to look at spoilers.
All in all, this isn’t a must-read simply because I enjoyed it. It’s a must read because Jemisin crafted a world so lived-in, and characters so heartbreaking that each catastrophe chipped a little of me away. She skilfully comments on real-world issues like climate change, colourism, etc while not being too preachy (which was a problem I had with The Poppy War).
Now there is second person for a little less that a third of the book (not in one go as it’s broken up by third person which is most of the book). I would say that the second person allowed me to connect with Essun more and I have a sneaking suspicion that this tense was chosen for a major plot twist that will happen further on into the series.
So… READ THIS BOOK!!!!!
(And yes, I did rate this book 5.75 stars; no I do not rate things often, but had to make an exception for this.)
First of all, don’t be like me and look up spoilers when you don’t have any business doing so. N.K Jemisin reveals things in a shocking way, I was mindblown. Let’s talk about the characters though, which were a large reason I loved this book.
Essun was characterised as a reliable figure. She was nurturing, but definitely had those “Don’t mess with me vibes.” Admittedly, she was my least favourite main character, just because I think her story didn’t progress enough in this first book. As seen in the end however, this is done to bring us up to speed so to speak.
Syenite was my favourite. She was fierce, but not hot-headed. She had a cold heart that was actually very warm within. The dynamic she shared with her companion, Alabaster, was so cute. Her narrative progression was my fav out of the “three” main characters.
Damaya was my second favourite, not just because of her narrative progression, but how she handled loneliness while in the Fulcrum. The shift in personality pre-Fulcrum and after was also very tangible. She became colder, but still retained that childlike naivety.
Innon. May be an unpopular view, but I didn’t really like him. I mean, I liked him, but I felt as if his potential was wasted being a love interest for our main character to fondly remember…
Schaffa was hands down my fav side character. He definitely wasn’t a good guy, but not a villain as such. More like anti-villain. I’m happy that we get his POV in the second book.
Binof. If you know you know. Loved her.
Hoa. I only warmed up to Hoa near the end of the book, and like him a lot now. There’s so much mystery around him and I want to know more, but I REFUSE to look at spoilers.
All in all, this isn’t a must-read simply because I enjoyed it. It’s a must read because Jemisin crafted a world so lived-in, and characters so heartbreaking that each catastrophe chipped a little of me away. She skilfully comments on real-world issues like climate change, colourism, etc while not being too preachy (which was a problem I had with The Poppy War).
Now there is second person for a little less that a third of the book (not in one go as it’s broken up by third person which is most of the book). I would say that the second person allowed me to connect with Essun more and I have a sneaking suspicion that this tense was chosen for a major plot twist that will happen further on into the series.
So… READ THIS BOOK!!!!!
(And yes, I did rate this book 5.75 stars; no I do not rate things often, but had to make an exception for this.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Physical abuse
nil033's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Slavery, Murder, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cannibalism, Pedophilia, and Animal death
catsloverain's review against another edition
challenging
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
i mean...bonkers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The first book in the Broken Earth trilogy introduces Essun, who must go on a journey across the apocalypse after her husband kills their son and kidnaps their daughter.
I’ve heard incredible things about this trilogy for years, and they were all absolutely true. I’m so glad I finally picked this up, and honestly it deserves so much love and attention.
The world-building was a bit complex and slow at first, but once I figured out what was going on the intricate universe Jemisin built really shone through. I loved the characters and was alternately brain-broken and heartbroken by the plot, which kept me on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end.
I buddy read this one with my real life bestie and we had a BLAST—we’re both so excited to pick up THE OBELISK GATE right away!
CW: Violence/death (including child death); slavery; some gore
The first book in the Broken Earth trilogy introduces Essun, who must go on a journey across the apocalypse after her husband kills their son and kidnaps their daughter.
I’ve heard incredible things about this trilogy for years, and they were all absolutely true. I’m so glad I finally picked this up, and honestly it deserves so much love and attention.
The world-building was a bit complex and slow at first, but once I figured out what was going on the intricate universe Jemisin built really shone through. I loved the characters and was alternately brain-broken and heartbroken by the plot, which kept me on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end.
I buddy read this one with my real life bestie and we had a BLAST—we’re both so excited to pick up THE OBELISK GATE right away!
CW: Violence/death (including child death); slavery; some gore
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Child death
amschelly153's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a roller coaster ride of a book. Intense and stunning and well written. Amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Grief, and Child death
hdunscombe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Slavery, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Child death, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Genocide
Minor: Pregnancy, Alcohol, Vomit, Cursing, Stalking, Xenophobia, Gore, Animal death, and Cannibalism
florapatricia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
This is a haunting piece, that made me cringe, cry and feel all the emotions for its characters.
Such creativity and emotional impact.
Such creativity and emotional impact.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
piawomack's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Child abuse
grace_b_3's review against another edition
I was interested in the world, but I could not get past the 2nd person perspective utilized for some of the chapters. I might try picking this up again in the future, but for right now, it's a DNF.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Violence and Child abuse
maddyreads89's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
Really interesting, but I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I knew all the ways it bends genre. I just don’t have that much experience with SF books. Excited to read the rest of the series though
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Child death
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Pedophilia