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nil033'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? No
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Slavery, Murder, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cannibalism, Pedophilia, and Animal death
catsloverain'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
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault
savvyrosereads'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? No
4.5
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
Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Child death
hdunscombe'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: 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
cato_g's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse and Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, and Murder
amanda_doty's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery
myngerrys'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
4.5
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Slavery
stefhyena's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.75
But I will put myself through the trauma of the sequel so I guess at this point it's my own fault.
It takes a while to understand what is going on so be patient. It's dark and bleak (but then again it is about slavery and oppression). It involves bad things happening to children and to adults who are just trying to live their lives.
Graphic: Child death, Slavery, and Child abuse
juniper_vs_tbr's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Genocide, Murder, Racial slurs, Violence, Death, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Slavery, War, Trafficking, Blood, Child abuse, Grief, and Kidnapping
jess_always_reading'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? N/A
5.0
I loved the different lived experiences depicted amongst the diverse characters (including a poly relationship!) and he world-building without clear explanation was a fun mystery to unravel as I went along.
Highly recommend, Jemisin has an incredible gift and so much talent! I've already requested the next one in the series from my local library.
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, Violence, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Pedophilia and Cannibalism