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A review by kmartbooks
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
N.K. Jemisin is probably my favorite author of all time. This final installment delves deeper into the richly constructed world, following the intertwined fates of Essun and Nassun as they grapple with the potential rebirth or ultimate destruction of their world.
The heart of the story is the complex mother-daughter relationship between Essun and Nassun and how their past experiences inform all of their choices and perceptions. Jemisin’s characters are extraordinarily complex. Essun and Nassun’s journeys are deeply personal yet resonate on a universal level, reflecting themes of trauma and survival. Their motivations and internal conflicts are portrayed with nuance, making their eventual confrontation both inevitable and heartbreaking. I also feel like Jemisin just writes how things are rather than how she feels about them morally. Bad things happened and all we can do is to try to do better next time. Part of this perception is that there is very little time to actually experience these emotions. The world is rapidly hurtling towards possible oblivion and no one has time to process anything. We, as the readers, get to feel these hard-hitting emotions very briefly and hold on to them while the characters are pulled forward by necessity. I still cried SEVERAL times throughout this story; happy and sad tears.
The lore of the world continues to fascinate, even if I don't always understand what's going on. The Syl anagist sections, initially seeming a bit detached from the main story, eventually coalesce into a revelation that ties the entire trilogy together. These parts, while much MUCH slower, are essential for understanding the broader context of the series’ events. But they real boring at first, ya'll. I struggled with them, especially because they're about characters that we don't really know or care about compared to the current story.
Alabaster’s absence is keenly felt throughout the book. His presence loomed large in the first two books, and his absence adds a poignant note to Essun’s journey. I love the journal entries SO MUCH. His influence, however, is still very much a part of the story, guiding Essun’s decisions and giving Nassun some background into her mother as person rather than just a caretaker.
The trilogy’s strength lies not just in its plot but in Jemisin’s lyrical writing and how she plays with her craft. The book tackles issues of systemic oppression, environmental collapse, and the cyclical nature of history with a deft touch, making it both a gripping narrative and a thought-provoking read. She is a MASTERFUL writer and uses second person to great effect in this story.
In conclusion, The Stone Sky solidifies The Broken Earth trilogy as one of the most outstanding achievements in modern fantasy. N.K. Jemisin’s ability to weave intricate world-building with deeply human characters and compelling social commentary is unparalleled. This final book delivers a satisfying and emotionally charged conclusion. It’s a top-tier trilogy that deserves all its accolades and stands as a testament to Jemisin’s phenomenal storytelling prowess.
The heart of the story is the complex mother-daughter relationship between Essun and Nassun and how their past experiences inform all of their choices and perceptions. Jemisin’s characters are extraordinarily complex. Essun and Nassun’s journeys are deeply personal yet resonate on a universal level, reflecting themes of trauma and survival. Their motivations and internal conflicts are portrayed with nuance, making their eventual confrontation both inevitable and heartbreaking. I also feel like Jemisin just writes how things are rather than how she feels about them morally. Bad things happened and all we can do is to try to do better next time. Part of this perception is that there is very little time to actually experience these emotions. The world is rapidly hurtling towards possible oblivion and no one has time to process anything. We, as the readers, get to feel these hard-hitting emotions very briefly and hold on to them while the characters are pulled forward by necessity. I still cried SEVERAL times throughout this story; happy and sad tears.
The lore of the world continues to fascinate, even if I don't always understand what's going on. The Syl anagist sections, initially seeming a bit detached from the main story, eventually coalesce into a revelation that ties the entire trilogy together. These parts, while much MUCH slower, are essential for understanding the broader context of the series’ events. But they real boring at first, ya'll. I struggled with them, especially because they're about characters that we don't really know or care about compared to the current story.
Alabaster’s absence is keenly felt throughout the book. His presence loomed large in the first two books, and his absence adds a poignant note to Essun’s journey. I love the journal entries SO MUCH. His influence, however, is still very much a part of the story, guiding Essun’s decisions and giving Nassun some background into her mother as person rather than just a caretaker.
The trilogy’s strength lies not just in its plot but in Jemisin’s lyrical writing and how she plays with her craft. The book tackles issues of systemic oppression, environmental collapse, and the cyclical nature of history with a deft touch, making it both a gripping narrative and a thought-provoking read. She is a MASTERFUL writer and uses second person to great effect in this story.
In conclusion, The Stone Sky solidifies The Broken Earth trilogy as one of the most outstanding achievements in modern fantasy. N.K. Jemisin’s ability to weave intricate world-building with deeply human characters and compelling social commentary is unparalleled. This final book delivers a satisfying and emotionally charged conclusion. It’s a top-tier trilogy that deserves all its accolades and stands as a testament to Jemisin’s phenomenal storytelling prowess.