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A review by pastelwriter
The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me start off this review by saying I am far too illiterate for N.K. Jemisin. I legitimately felt dumb while listening to this as an audiobook. I know for sure the author was trying to tackle the concept of euthanasia in a fantastical setting, but this was all my brain could offer in terms of my intellectual prowess. That being said, I think this is an excellent novel. It does not surprise me at all now why people love Jemisin so much.
First and foremost, the world of this novel was incredibly rich. I was a bit lost in the beginning of the novel as I got my bearings, but eventually I felt like I knew this world and knew it well. I'm not usually big on world-building--I'm still not--but I can appreciate when it is well done.
Characters are usually what I read books for, and I think this book delivered on that front as well. Although I don't think everyone will love the three main characters of this book, I really did. Sunandi, Ehiru, and Nijiri all came to grow on me. They were all distinct and impossible to confuse. I could understand their motivations and their perspective on issues. I especially liked Ehiru and Nijiri because of their commitment to their faith. I tend to be a sucker for characters, especially male characters, who are devout. This is particularly so when I can understand their faith and their practices.
Still. There's a reason this book is getting four and not five stars. One of the reasons is the whole dynamic between Ehiru and Nijiri. Let me get this straight. At no point does Ehiru lead Nijiri on, but everyone acknowledges that Nijiri sees Ehiru not only as an older brother figure but also as a potential lover...and it just made me so many levels of uncomfortable. This is because Nijiri is sixteen years old and Ehiru is a forty year old man. Gross. Just gross. I understand that teenagers get crushes on older people. Trust me. I do. But when others are low-key encouraging his feelings? That's when shit doesn't fly for me.
The other reason this book got four stars is that the antagonist was just...lackluster. He was interesting in theory, but in reality I didn't find him believable. I didn't get or buy into his reason for why he did what he did. He fell just short of just being your average run of the mill antagonist. It just made me feel very meh.
Nevertheless, I'm happy I picked up this book. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing how this story really ends.
First and foremost, the world of this novel was incredibly rich. I was a bit lost in the beginning of the novel as I got my bearings, but eventually I felt like I knew this world and knew it well. I'm not usually big on world-building--I'm still not--but I can appreciate when it is well done.
Characters are usually what I read books for, and I think this book delivered on that front as well. Although I don't think everyone will love the three main characters of this book, I really did. Sunandi, Ehiru, and Nijiri all came to grow on me. They were all distinct and impossible to confuse. I could understand their motivations and their perspective on issues. I especially liked Ehiru and Nijiri because of their commitment to their faith. I tend to be a sucker for characters, especially male characters, who are devout. This is particularly so when I can understand their faith and their practices.
Still. There's a reason this book is getting four and not five stars. One of the reasons is the whole dynamic between Ehiru and Nijiri. Let me get this straight. At no point does Ehiru lead Nijiri on, but everyone acknowledges that Nijiri sees Ehiru not only as an older brother figure but also as a potential lover...and it just made me so many levels of uncomfortable. This is because Nijiri is sixteen years old and Ehiru is a forty year old man. Gross. Just gross. I understand that teenagers get crushes on older people. Trust me. I do. But when others are low-key encouraging his feelings? That's when shit doesn't fly for me.
The other reason this book got four stars is that the antagonist was just...lackluster. He was interesting in theory, but in reality I didn't find him believable. I didn't get or buy into his reason for why he did what he did. He fell just short of just being your average run of the mill antagonist. It just made me feel very meh.
Nevertheless, I'm happy I picked up this book. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel and seeing how this story really ends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Death
Minor: Ableism