Reviews

I actually finished this book yesterday, but I think I needed some time to formulate my thoughts about why I loved this book so much.
While not a lot of events happened in this book, I could not have been more engaged. At its heart, this books is a story about complex relationships. I loved exploring the complexity of the relationship between Essun and Alabaster, Nassun and her mother, Nassun and Schaffa, Nassun and her father, etc. It is so interesting how flawed all of these characters are, and the relationship dynamics really make the story.
I also have to say something about Jemisin's incredible writing. I personally don't mind the second-person writing, though I know that bothers some people. I just feel like the way she writes can make even the most mundane scenes so profound and thought-provoking. Even the way she describes the use of orogeny and the way the orogenes are able to connect to their environment was so epic to read. I would love to know what was going through her head when she wrote some of these scnees. While I'm excited to see what happens next, to me the plot is secondary. I'm much more interested in watching how the character relationships and interactions evolve. Highly highly recommend!

maiwalker27's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

If you asked me to tell you what happened in this book I could not tell you. I only understand a fraction of the plot but yet I’m loving it so much. I liked this one way more than the first but that ending!!!

The implications! Oh the implications this will have has me scared to pick up the last book.

mollymoll44's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.25

I feel so guilty rating the sequel so low when I really loved the first book AND when this one has also won a Hugo award. But it was such a trudge to get through and you didn't get much new information about the world. The interesting relationships between Nassun, Jija, Schaffa, and Essun were the most compelling aspect of this book for me.

shannoncdoyle's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense 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

4.0

matildarae's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark slow-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

4.5

A really great book only let down a little by it's plodding pace.

More...