Oh my goodness gang, I haven’t even started the book club selection for fantasy, but it should have been this one. It’s a little long, but it’s Oh. So. Good. I’ve heard of N.K. Jemisin for a few years, and have been wanting to give her fantasy a try as that’s a genre I’m trying to give a chance right now. Enter an audible sale, a holiday break, and then not wanting it to end so I slowed down my listening.
The Fifth Season begins with the end of the world. Someone has torn the world apart in the capital city setting off a shake felt by half the continent at least. From there the story unfolds through three characters point of view: Essun, the mother, Syenite, the eager to prove herself trainee, and Damaya, an unloved little girl. The three stories are told simultaneously, interspersed with little bits of world building, but really it was best to go in blind.
This one starts out in a brutal way (I was driving and crying home from the Christmas holiday), but it’s worth getting through. And holy crap is Ms. Jemisin an amazing world builder. It’s incredible, and complex, but you never get weighed down. I haven’t read very much “true fantasy”, but I have read Kushiel’s Dart, which I love, but she does spend the first chunk of the book laying out the world before anything gets going. Ms. Jemisin doesn’t do that. She throws you right into all the stories, but along the way creates a very real place filled with very real people who are all just figuring it out as they go along.
My only complaint, and it’s not really a complaint, it’s more a challenge with the medium I chose to read it, is that I couldn’t flip back easily. I think I would have picked up on a lot of things sooner if I had the ability to flip back and forth throughout the book. Audio just doesn’t easily give you that option. Also The reason I gave almost no names/wordings is I have zero clue how to spell any of it. That also happens with the audio.
DON’T READ THIS PARAGRAPH IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOK! I do have one SPOILERY question though for those who have read this one:when Syenite sees Schaffa at the end how is she able to pull on the amethyst? Wouldn’t the Guardians have shut down her cessapeina (sp?) so she shouldn’t have been able to do orogeny? Or does that only apply to the earth and not to the obelisks? Inquiring minds want to know. END SPOILERS.
Anywho, this was a great one! I already have the sequel queued up on audible ready to go, but I had to write this review first so I didn’t mix up plot points between the two. This one won the Hugo last year I think, and it totally deserved it. It’s incredible, complex, and beautiful. If you’re looking to dip your toe into the fantasy waters here’s a great place to start!
I don’t think the guardians can shut her down from that far away. There seems to be an element of proximity to their ability to control orogenes. The amethyst thing is developed a bit more in the sequel which is amazing.
Well my issue with this was when she connected to the amethyst and Schaffa is on the ship in the berth with her. I thought he could shut her down if they were in the same room, but I guess, like with the other Guardian before they can access the obelisks without it being an issue.
I have to think Schaffa just wasn’t expecting her to do anything given that he sort of had the advantage on her at that moment. She seemed not to be thinking as much as acting on instinct, so it may have been a shock to both of them.
Jemisin doesn’t explain clearly what the deal is with the sessipinae and the Guardians is in the next book. Some hints are dropped, but it’s not entirely clear yet how that connection leads to control.
I got this in e-book a while back, when it was being given away for free(!). As I started the year with massive tome Way of Kings, I’ve had more than my fill of epic fantasy for a while and will need to read much lighter fare for a month or two before I tackle anything else dense or complex.
The only two books I’ve read by Jemisin were the first two books of her Inheritance saga, which I’ve heard a lot of people rave so enthusiastically about, but I thought were merely fine (to the point where I’ve never really bothered to read book 3, despite owning the books). I do hope that some of her later books (like this one) are more to my taste.
I can see needing a break after something that long, but I think you’ll like this one. The writing is beautiful, and I really loved such a female centered story.
I freaking loved the first two Inheritance books, but this one is in a whole other class all by itself.
Yea, this one is an amazing novel, it’s miles above her other books so far as quality goes.
N.K. Jemisin is a genius and a goddess and we should all worship at her feet. Or, you know, just read her books and give her $$. I only have one series of hers I haven’t read yet, and I will admit that I’m saving it because I don’t want to be done with them all!
I’ve totally done that with authors! You need to save them for when you really, really need them.
And I’m totally sneaking this one to my husband, as Ms. Jemisin is a goddess and I need to spread this story. Thankfully, as she publishes under N.K. he’ll have no clue that he’s reading a “girl book”. And when he loves it? Boom! Written by a chick. Now go read the next one.
I loved this one and loved Obelisk Gate even more, I’m excited that you’ll be able to read that one soon too! I can’t wait for the last one to come out!