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abbyschalupa'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: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
tayanapier'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
NKJ has woven themes of oppression and motherhood so effortlessly into a SFF world that you can feel it in every page.
Why you need to read this series:
LGBTQI+ representation
The pros
Found family
The world building and magic system is insane
This series is unapologetically black
Moderate: Death, Genocide, and Grief
Minor: Cannibalism
steveatwaywords'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
4.75
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Genocide and Racism
Characters and races in the novel are systemically poorly treated and abused; in the background it is clear that genocide has been conducted upon one group for centuries. It is fairly easy to see parallels to our contemporary history. However, all of these issues are treated sensitively and with an appropriate sense/discussion of injustice.clhtdr'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
4.25
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Child death, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
boglord'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Miscarriage, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
hanarama'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
• Series finale
• Epic science fantasy
• Parent and child dynamics
• End of the world
• CW: body horror, dismemberment, death of a parent, death, cannibalism, environmental disasters, starvation, brain injury
I can't imagine a better ending to this absolutely breathtaking trilogy. While I had suspected how the story would play out, I would never call this story predictable. Rather, N.K. Jemisin masterfully crafts this story, showing her characters' motivations clearly as well as their doubts, worries, and hopes.
Essun and Nassun are both compelling, messy, and flawed people. Jemisin breaths such life into both of them, that it feels impossible to root for either to succeed/fail against the other. Both of them have had such rough lives, their reactions to the harsh world they live in are understandable, even as they act in malice. The dynamic between them, as mother/daughter feels so real, even though they spend much of the book separated.
The framing device of this as well as the previous installments gives some hint towards the conclusion, however, like the rest of the book, is so unique in execution.
When I first read The Fifth Season, I had a hard time getting into the story initially. There was so much world building to take in, and Jemisin has a melodic style that I found, at times, difficult to focus on. However, as I continued, I found myself drawn deeper into the story, and understanding better. I'm sure that I missed things on my first readings, but I know that this is a story that deserves to be read multiple times. Even after finishing the trilogy, I frequently find myself just thinking about it. This is a really beautiful trilogy. I'm excited to read it again in the future.
Graphic: Body horror, Genocide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
lilifane'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
I don't... I don't understand how N.K. Jemisin pulled this off. How the hell did she come up with ... all of this?!?!? She's a genius and definitely a new fav author now.
If I didn't have so many other books to read, I would reread this whole trilogy immediately.
And... the plot is not even that interesting. I would understand if people find parts of it really boring. But the story is still epic and full of emotions. And the world building?! WTF was that?! It's SO wild and perfect? And I already miss the characters.
And the way the story is told? It's my favourite thing when authors use unconventional methods to tell their stories. And it seemed so random at first, but in the end... it all makes SO SO SO much sense.
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
evjohn13'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: Body horror, Child death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Violence, Grief, Colonisation, and War
iordanmoore'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
byrdies'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: Child abuse, Child death, Genocide, and Grief
Minor: Body horror