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A review by abooknomad
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
dark
emotional
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
4.5
The Fifth Season was as unique and fascinating as I expected.
Crossing the boundaries between fantasy and sci-fi, The Fifth Season paints the picture of a world that is periodically shaken by natural disasters. Hazards that only a few people have the power to stop (or start anew)… And I shall say no more because I believe this book is even more mind-blowing if you go into it blind. Be warned though, things get very dark, and horrifying twists had me recoil away from the book more than once, so check the trigger warnings if you don’t want to be surprised.
After all the praise, I was expecting great fantasy and a cast of full-fledged characters, and I got them; what I was not expecting was this story to make geology look so perversely beautiful and cool. It made me appreciate and respect the Earth and nature even more.
The themes and commentary on an oppressive society could easily become repetitive and reminiscent of numerous other fantasy novels with similar storylines, but they were explored in such a singular way that everything felt like a brand-new story.
N.K. Jemisin has a very particular style and tone which might require some patience to get used to, but this is one of those fantasies where everything happens for a reason, and every choice lays the groundwork for something that builds and builds with every chapter to explode at the very end. Great storytelling at its finest.
Very excited to continue the series and see where the story goes.
If you’re looking for fantasy/sci-fi with nature at the centre stage, a unique magic system, and characters who have been through it and yet survive despite the odds, look no further.
Crossing the boundaries between fantasy and sci-fi, The Fifth Season paints the picture of a world that is periodically shaken by natural disasters. Hazards that only a few people have the power to stop (or start anew)… And I shall say no more because I believe this book is even more mind-blowing if you go into it blind. Be warned though, things get very dark, and horrifying twists had me recoil away from the book more than once, so check the trigger warnings if you don’t want to be surprised.
After all the praise, I was expecting great fantasy and a cast of full-fledged characters, and I got them; what I was not expecting was this story to make geology look so perversely beautiful and cool. It made me appreciate and respect the Earth and nature even more.
The themes and commentary on an oppressive society could easily become repetitive and reminiscent of numerous other fantasy novels with similar storylines, but they were explored in such a singular way that everything felt like a brand-new story.
N.K. Jemisin has a very particular style and tone which might require some patience to get used to, but this is one of those fantasies where everything happens for a reason, and every choice lays the groundwork for something that builds and builds with every chapter to explode at the very end. Great storytelling at its finest.
Very excited to continue the series and see where the story goes.
If you’re looking for fantasy/sci-fi with nature at the centre stage, a unique magic system, and characters who have been through it and yet survive despite the odds, look no further.