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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
bamfling's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Grief, Violence, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Vomit, and Gore
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
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
amanda_doty's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
Plot is a bit slow in the beginning, but when it picks up...whoo. I think I read the second half of this book in 2 days. I could not put it down. Jemisin's way with words is magical. The magic(?) system is unique and the world-building leaves enough to the reader to really feel like you're there, but as like a visitor, not a native. The characters are flawed and believable. The themes are real and raw and the way Jemisin handles them is poignant, but not cliche. The best parts of this book are definitely Jemisin's writing style (I have over 200 highlights and notes...which is a lot) and the character building. Overall rating 4.05. Can't wait to read the next in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery
vcatterson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Emotional abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Forced institutionalization
jjokokomo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
This is not a fast read. The world building is immense and complicated. The characters can be difficult but I quickly became invested in them. There are many twists and turns and the author continues to keep the reader guessing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, and War
juniper_vs_tbr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
**PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS**
I've never read a high fantasy book before as they were also so intense with lore drops.
This book doesn't bomb you with lore but breaks it down and does re-explain things from times, which made this a fun read.
I loved the characters and putting together to overarching story. It was brutal, but I still kept reading on.
I have never read a book this long so quickly. No big book has ever been easy to read or this fun.
The world building is so smart, the characters beyond interesting (especially Alabaster) with so much unexpected queer representation.
I've never read a high fantasy book before as they were also so intense with lore drops.
This book doesn't bomb you with lore but breaks it down and does re-explain things from times, which made this a fun read.
I loved the characters and putting together to overarching story. It was brutal, but I still kept reading on.
I have never read a book this long so quickly. No big book has ever been easy to read or this fun.
The world building is so smart, the characters beyond interesting (especially Alabaster) with so much unexpected queer representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Genocide, Murder, Racial slurs, Violence, Death, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Slavery, War, Trafficking, Blood, Child abuse, Grief, and Kidnapping
aidareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
perhaps it was my brain but i got kinda confused with the narrator thingy. i do think it was super interesting to have multiple "narrators", one of them being 2nd person, but towards the end i got a bit lost with the characters (if you know, you know). still, i hope i like the rest of the trilogy a bit better because the plot is certainly super interesting and relevant!! and i loved the diversity and the queer rep!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Body horror, and Child death
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Cannibalism
lthintz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Pregnancy, Violence, Grief, and Physical abuse