A review by moonlitreading_
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective 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

5.0

“You’re the proof that they’ll never understand orogeny; it’s not science, it’s something else. And they’ll never control us, not really. Not completely.”

The Fifth Season seemed hella intimidating before I started it, and it still kind of is after reading it because it’s a book with so much complexity to it. All the new words, places, and terms were really confusing at first so I became best friends with the glossary lol. This book has three POVs and one of them is in the second person which was uncommon, if not, new for me to read. It was an interesting experience to read in the second person and I found that I didn’t mind it. I liked Jemisin’s writing and her world-building was immaculate.

How the Orogenes used their abilities fascinated me and it just proved that they’re really powerful. Essun, Syenite, and Damaya are the main characters of the book and I love when the connection between the three of them revealed itself. 

I loved the representations this book gave. The majority of the characters were people of color. There’s also LGBTQIA+ representation in the book. There were gay, bi/pan, and trans characters and a poly relationship.

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