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genny's review
- 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
I admit I was intimated by the writing style at first, thinking "am I smart enough to get this?"...but it's quite accessible once you've gotten used to it. Jemisin doesn't really explain any of the lore, you just gradually pick it up as you go (there's an appendix, but as always, I never bother). It didn't feel "info-dumpy". I appreciated this, actually! Like she wasn't holding my hand through it, but gave me enough context to understand. This is in stark contrast to Brandon Sanderson's writing style in Warbreaker (I'm only comparing because I finished that right before this one) wherein he plainly explains the magic system like the mechanics of a video game. So: patience is needed, but it'll pay off.
The use of second-person POV in Essun's chapters was a perfect choice! It adds so much to the story, in my opinion. Damaya's chapters were my favorite. I'm proud to say that I figured out the plot twist before I hit the halfway mark, ha. I'm sure other readers figured it out even faster than I did, but I'm usually late to pick up on clues, so I felt insanely validated. đ The reveal of
Graphic: Rape, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Transphobia, and Vomit
neni'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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Child abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Animal death, Murder, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Vomit, and Xenophobia
shieldbearer'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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Slavery, Child death, Grief, Violence, Gore, Child abuse, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Pedophilia, Medical content, Body horror, Classism, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Rape
Minor: Cannibalism, Confinement, Sexual violence, and Transphobia
vigil'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Torture, Slavery, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, Genocide, Cursing, Alcohol, Body horror, Violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Racism, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Child death, Blood, and Cannibalism
sunsetcity'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Classism, Torture, Gaslighting, and Sexism
greatexpectations77'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Classism, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Blood, and Alcohol
Definitely not a good book for anyone having a tough time with pregnancy or loss of a child.rorikae'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? Yes
5.0
As the world ends, the story follows three perspectives. Damaya is pulled from her home and her family because she has a feared and mighty power. Brought to the Fullcrum, a school for people with her powers, she begins to learn how to control her gift. Syenite, a Fullcrum graduate, is sent by their leadership to complete a strange task with one of the most powerful men to come out of the Fullcrum's programs. And Essun, who finds her son murdered and her husband has fled with her daughter, begins a trek across the continent to find them so she can act her revenge and save her daughter.
I am honestly kind of speechless over how good 'The Fifth Season' is. For a book that has a lot of high praise and has won the Hugo, 'The Fifth Season' lived up to every single expectation that I had and surpassed them. It is clear that Jemisin has crafted this world and this plot down to the smallest detail and gone through so much work to figure out the precise way to share details and unwrap the story. Second person perspective can be very temperamental but Jemisin makes it so that the story seamlessly flows with the other perspectives.
It's hard to talk about this book without going into spoilers but it is so incredibly well paced and each reveal is set up throughout the pages before with questions and dropped hints. Honestly, I'm just in awe of the craft level of this book. If you have ever had any interest in this series or wondered if you would like it, I implore you to read it. It goes beyond all expectations and I cannot wait to pick up the next book in the series. I feel like I need to start it immediately.
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Pregnancy
spookiieej'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? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
berrit'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
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Slavery
gladduck'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
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Excrement, Gaslighting, Violence, Torture, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cannibalism, Blood, and Confinement
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Vomit, and Transphobia