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

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve been procrastinating this book for forever, and I am so happy I finally got my shit together and read it, cause it was SO GOOD!

This is the first installment in an adult high fantasy/sci-fi trilogy, set in a world where natural catastrophes ravage the land, and society is build around survival. Some people, known as orogenes, have the ability to control the earth, and they’re used as weapons or killed for this ability.

I know this synopsis is incredibly vague, but I need you to trust me on this one! I can’t really say more without spoiling anything, as the story is told from multiple POVs and on multiple timelines that all interconnect in the most marvelous way! 

This book also has probably the best world building I’ve EVER read! Jemisin has constructed a world where every aspect of society (from people’s names, to societal hierarchies, to politics) is influenced by the natural catastrophes, and it’s truly genius how well crafted it is! 

The story is confusing at first, especially with one POV being told using a 2nd person narrator, but everything comes together beautifully. I predicted most of the reveals, but I didn’t mind at all, cause it was so satisfying to follow along as every facet and element coalesced, forming the bigger picture! The plot isn’t super fast paced, but every piece is moved into place, so I’m prepared for the plot to really get going in the sequel!

I also absolutely loved Jemisin’s characters! They have to make horrible, heartbreaking decisions as they’re faced with terrible odds, and are trying to survive both the people and forces intent on killing them. More than just being amazingly complex characters, they’re also super diverse! The book is full of queer representation, including trans, nonbinary, gay and polyamorous rep, not to mention an almost exclusively POC cast of characters.

I can’t praise this highly enough, so if it sounds even remotely like something you’d enjoy, I definitely recommend giving it a chance!
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