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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
I like the worldbuilding but I feel like the window into the world was perhaps too small? It's hard to see the shapes of all the things out there, and too much was sketched in without quite feel whole. This includes for me some of the characters--Ehiru is perhaps too noble, too good, without coming across to me as fully realized. Suanandi and Nijiri present much more strongly to me as full people. Is that a flaw of mine, that I have trouble seeing a good, skilled, wonderful person as fully real? Probably.
Anyway, it's a good book, and I'm moving directly on to the sequel.
Anyway, it's a good book, and I'm moving directly on to the sequel.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-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:
Complicated
Immersive read: 4.5 ⭐️ Narrative & 5 ⭐️ Audio
I decided to start here for my dive into N.K. Jemisin work. I am so glad I made the obvious right choice 😊. I can honestly say I have not read anything like it. The writing is beautiful and philosophical. This wonderfully imagined and immersive fantasy inspired by ancient Egyptian civilization blends dream magic with political intrigue. It is primarily told from 3 point of views (Ehiru, Sunandi, and Nijiri) with pacing that is intentional and emotionally rewarding. I now know Jemisin loves to use 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person point of view in one book, which made for a unique reading experience.
Although my favorite thing about this book, outside of the dream magic, is the character arcs, it is truly well balanced and equal parts a character driven and plot driven story. Jemisin doesn’t flinch from morally complex and hard questions. She challenges the reader to think about what does it mean to serve/want peace? Is it still justice when it is systematized, ritualized, and unquestioned? Is death a gift?
Transparently, prepare to be a bit confused in the beginning. Tips:
- Though not labeled, each chapter is primarily from our three main characters POV. There are others, but only when necessary to push the plot forward.
-Use the glossary if you are having trouble remembering things in the first few chapters.
-The interludes are in 2nd person.
-Fair warning, once you start you will not want to put this book down.
Happy reading ☺️
I decided to start here for my dive into N.K. Jemisin work. I am so glad I made the obvious right choice 😊. I can honestly say I have not read anything like it. The writing is beautiful and philosophical. This wonderfully imagined and immersive fantasy inspired by ancient Egyptian civilization blends dream magic with political intrigue. It is primarily told from 3 point of views (Ehiru, Sunandi, and Nijiri) with pacing that is intentional and emotionally rewarding. I now know Jemisin loves to use 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person point of view in one book, which made for a unique reading experience.
Although my favorite thing about this book, outside of the dream magic, is the character arcs, it is truly well balanced and equal parts a character driven and plot driven story. Jemisin doesn’t flinch from morally complex and hard questions. She challenges the reader to think about what does it mean to serve/want peace? Is it still justice when it is systematized, ritualized, and unquestioned? Is death a gift?
Transparently, prepare to be a bit confused in the beginning. Tips:
- Though not labeled, each chapter is primarily from our three main characters POV. There are others, but only when necessary to push the plot forward.
-Use the glossary if you are having trouble remembering things in the first few chapters.
-The interludes are in 2nd person.
-Fair warning, once you start you will not want to put this book down.
Happy reading ☺️
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite an intriguing premise, the narrative voice and characters are very dull and fail to draw me in. I gave it a good shot, but the there feels like a lack of depth in plot, characters, and themes to keep me engaged.
Quick pacing, good characters, and interesting world building. I enjoyed this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Despite vastly different settings, it’s hard not to see the thematic parallels Jemisin has across her writing. And while Fifth Season is more polished, this weaves her ethos about perpetually oppressive institutions through the lens of faith beautifully.
More than anything, the dichotomy between faith and love is what really struck a chord with me. At times the two are blended together to the point of being indistinguishable. At others, faith is just words compared to the lengths some will go for those they love.
More than anything, the dichotomy between faith and love is what really struck a chord with me. At times the two are blended together to the point of being indistinguishable. At others, faith is just words compared to the lengths some will go for those they love.