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A review by miyaosamu
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Home is what you take with you, not what you leave behind.”
Not enough coherent thoughts at the moment to properly say what an ingenious piece of sci-fi/fantasy work that The Fifth Season truly is. From the intricate lore with centuries of history, a brilliant ability system of oregeny where they draw their power from within the earth itself, and themes of prejudice and the survival instincts as a result of it. Overall worldbuilding was so interesting as a reader with Jemisin's writing being one that slowly unravels every important detail or coming back to it later. Syenite was a character with much complexities and layers that made her frustrating though understanding of her choices yet also respected as we see her develop the most in her mission out of the Fulcrum. It was painfully straightforward to see what the Fulcrum represented as it can be seen as a training center for oregenes on the surface level. But when it was really a place of brainwashing and complete control where Guardians rounded them all up as oregenes are seen as animals that need to be civilized and tamed to be weapons as their disposal. Seeing what Damaya had went through at the Fulcrum, and her treatment under her Guardian was the most harrowing. Only criticism was pacing at times more personal thing though i enjoy reading differing perspectives.
What I found the most intriguing was the contrast of Syenite and Alabaster's perspectives when we first meet them. Syen being an oregene brought in at a young age having every single aspect Fulcrum-training and curriculum ingrained in her while Alabaster a ten-ringer (highest level of Fulcrum oregene success) was Fulcrum-bred and raised yet seeing through the lies of Guardians and the teachings. Definitely for Alabaster, it can be factored in his resentment of his environment and that at his level of power, he was a given some freedom that had him on missions exploring the outside world and that broadened his perspective and beliefs against Fulcrum propaganda. I just deeply loved Alabaster and Syen's dynamic a sort of platonic bond and the ways they understood and helped each other grow a lot.
Can't say much more without diving into major spoilers, just know that Jemisin's knows exactly how to do twists and major revelations slowly that has you questioning and seeing it all come together masterfully. Cannot wait to continue this trilogy and what more could Jemisin throw my way in shocking my emotions to the core.
Not enough coherent thoughts at the moment to properly say what an ingenious piece of sci-fi/fantasy work that The Fifth Season truly is. From the intricate lore with centuries of history, a brilliant ability system of oregeny where they draw their power from within the earth itself, and themes of prejudice and the survival instincts as a result of it. Overall worldbuilding was so interesting as a reader with Jemisin's writing being one that slowly unravels every important detail or coming back to it later. Syenite was a character with much complexities and layers that made her frustrating though understanding of her choices yet also respected as we see her develop the most in her mission out of the Fulcrum. It was painfully straightforward to see what the Fulcrum represented as it can be seen as a training center for oregenes on the surface level. But when it was really a place of brainwashing and complete control where Guardians rounded them all up as oregenes are seen as animals that need to be civilized and tamed to be weapons as their disposal. Seeing what Damaya had went through at the Fulcrum, and her treatment under her Guardian was the most harrowing. Only criticism was pacing at times more personal thing though i enjoy reading differing perspectives.
What I found the most intriguing was the contrast of Syenite and Alabaster's perspectives when we first meet them. Syen being an oregene brought in at a young age having every single aspect Fulcrum-training and curriculum ingrained in her while Alabaster a ten-ringer (highest level of Fulcrum oregene success) was Fulcrum-bred and raised yet seeing through the lies of Guardians and the teachings. Definitely for Alabaster, it can be factored in his resentment of his environment and that at his level of power, he was a given some freedom that had him on missions exploring the outside world and that broadened his perspective and beliefs against Fulcrum propaganda. I just deeply loved Alabaster and Syen's dynamic a sort of platonic bond and the ways they understood and helped each other grow a lot.
Can't say much more without diving into major spoilers, just know that Jemisin's knows exactly how to do twists and major revelations slowly that has you questioning and seeing it all come together masterfully. Cannot wait to continue this trilogy and what more could Jemisin throw my way in shocking my emotions to the core.