Scan barcode
A review by ianacook
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
5.0
Can I give a trilogy a rating of 6 out of 5? There is so much about this series that is unique and refreshing.
The world is extremely non-eurocentric (fantasy doesn't have to be!), and I love how the worldbuilding is revealed slowly, almost mysteriously at first and gradually explained over time in perhaps one of the most extreme and satisfying versions of "show, don't tell" I've seen.
The magic system is unique and well defined, with enough detail to make it FEEL plausible. And it's thoroughly integrated into the worldbuilding in a way that's very satisfying.
I also love that the main characters are a mom and her daughter in a genre so often dominated by only men and teenaged boys. It also features plenty of LGBTQ characters who are fully accepted as part of the story and as a matter of fact of the world, never scoffed at or ridiculed. In fact, although discrimination is a large part of society, it's never along the same tired lines of race, gender, or sexuality, which is deeply refreshing.
The world is extremely non-eurocentric (fantasy doesn't have to be!), and I love how the worldbuilding is revealed slowly, almost mysteriously at first and gradually explained over time in perhaps one of the most extreme and satisfying versions of "show, don't tell" I've seen.
The magic system is unique and well defined, with enough detail to make it FEEL plausible. And it's thoroughly integrated into the worldbuilding in a way that's very satisfying.
I also love that the main characters are a mom and her daughter in a genre so often dominated by only men and teenaged boys. It also features plenty of LGBTQ characters who are fully accepted as part of the story and as a matter of fact of the world, never scoffed at or ridiculed. In fact, although discrimination is a large part of society, it's never along the same tired lines of race, gender, or sexuality, which is deeply refreshing.