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diannaherondale'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
I loved this book and te world and the characters and the writing. N. K Jemisin really did it all.
The pacing of the mystery was the MOST satisfactory thing ever. When I thought that we knew how the world worked she always found a way to turn it around but in a really coherent and detailed way. I have still a couple of doubts about some things like the guardians but I think that's just because I'm dumb. I can't wait to re-read it all. I think it would be a really satisfying experience as well, knowing what I know now.
Essun is now one of my favorite characters of all time. The way her character developed and grew even when having done so many horrid mistakes was one of the highlights of the series in general. Her relationship with Nassin SPECIALLY was so much bigger and impactful that I could haver ever imagined. I cried a little at the end ngl.
One of the most compelling parts of her character was getting to see the way in which her perception of the world, and how to fix it change through the books, and in this one specially, being contrasted by Nassuns view. Both of them have suffered so much, but Essun, having known so much people and lived so much more, was able to see through her hate and suffering, and turning it into her life purpose, however awful that sounds.
Nassun on the other hand is really young. She didnt have a good support network nor does she has seen much of the world like her mother had. The only way in which she is able to cope with all the harm that was done to her was ro put all her immense power to use to /
My favorite character surprisingly at the end was Hoa, the new (but also not new if you know what I mean) narrator of this book. Alabaster was my favorite before (and I did miss him here) but Hoa earned my heart in this one. He is one of the reasons I want to re read the series. I think it will only made me love him more.
Getting to see his past life was one of my absolutely favorite parts. The COMMENTARY that was in those flashbacks scenes omg. I audibly gasped at some of those quotes. The world building was amazing since book one but here was on another level.
I cannot stop thinking about the message and the finale and I think it's gonna be a while. I would love to read like an extra chapter or epilogue if only to check on my favorite characters after all that happened but I guess that would take away the poetry out of the last lines.
Graphic: Genocide and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse
abitbetterbooks'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Racism, Slavery, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, and Murder
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Confinement and Sexual content
deedubb'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: Racial slurs, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Emotional abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, and Slavery
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Racism, and Racial slurs
ecmbeanie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Bullying, Colonisation, Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, Child abuse, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Pregnancy
jessthanthree'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
4.5
Graphic: Xenophobia, Child death, Death, Racism, and Child abuse
Moderate: War, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Medical content, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content, Pedophilia, Cannibalism, Racial slurs, Miscarriage, and Genocide
kathyreadsalot'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
4.75
Graphic: War, Racism, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism
studydniowka's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Violence, War, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Genocide
Minor: Torture, Blood, and Cannibalism
yourbookishbff'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? It's complicated
5.0
And while Jemisin deals in BIG global themes, she is also incredibly intimate. She gives such grace to each character that we are consistently pushed to reevaluate our sympathies and our own assumptions. I appreciate that while the fall-out for each character is complex, leaving each in morally grey spaces, the evil at the root of all this tragedy is very clear. Jemisin doesn't leave our interpretation to chance here - she (Hoa) will interject frequently, and we're reminded that for every single crime committed, other choices were always possible.
This series is HEAVY with lots of on-page trauma (please check content warnings!). But I highly recommend. I will be carrying these characters in my heart.
Graphic: Slavery, Body horror, Racism, Torture, Murder, Abandonment, Death, Racial slurs, and Genocide
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cannibalism
some_random_person_hi'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
Graphic: Death, Violence, Abandonment, Genocide, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Stalking, Murder, Child death, Medical content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Blood, Pregnancy, Torture, Hate crime, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit, Excrement, Colonisation, Cursing, and Sexual content
fongyay'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Racism, Child abuse, and Genocide