trashely's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
ferris_mx's review against another edition
5.0
This was really, really great. The sex scene was delicious. Loved the feminist matriarchical power structure of Darre.
lomareadsagain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
_everybookthisyear's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
plantingneurons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
pinknoface's review against another edition
Just wasn't doing it for me, it just trows you in the world without any explanation of anything. Tried to get past the fist 50 pages because in a fantasy book those are always boring, but I couldn't, was bored and confused at the same time. I love high fantasy, but the author has to explain what is going on or the world falls flats, the character mentions tribes but how I'm supposed to know what any of that means if I don't have an explanation of what it is, oh I look like I'm from that tribe, that doesn't mean anything if you don't explain how usually people look, I don't even know what the cast looks like because the explanation wasn't there you were just supposed to know. Very confusing. Good concept, mediocre execution.
books_andprobablysome_wine's review against another edition
1.0
I got very YA vibes from this and found the characters flat and uninteresting. I heard great things about this authors later works and going to give those a try.
enbyglitch's review against another edition
5.0
Jeminsin does it again! Or did it, earlier. There are a lot of themes in this book that are echoed and amplified in The Broken Earth trilogy, yet I still found a lot to enjoy here.
Though the narrative is limited to a few locations, the descriptions are breathtaking and creativity abounds. I enjoyed the book's investigation of power, corruption, worship, and responsibility.
A lot of fantasy authors try to include sex in their narratives, either to sway a portion of the romance crowd or pursue 'realism'. I haven't read anything that comes close to being half as successful as this book on that front.
Sex and love in this book are intimately twined with deity, willpower, violence, and control. The result is fascinating and heartwrenching. I'll be very interested to see whether this is carried forward in the sequels.
I'd also love to hear what Jemisin would change if she wrote this book today. Her hinting of Nahadoth as genderfluid would probably be much more central, as would other queer characters I hope!
Though the narrative is limited to a few locations, the descriptions are breathtaking and creativity abounds. I enjoyed the book's investigation of power, corruption, worship, and responsibility.
A lot of fantasy authors try to include sex in their narratives, either to sway a portion of the romance crowd or pursue 'realism'. I haven't read anything that comes close to being half as successful as this book on that front.
Sex and love in this book are intimately twined with deity, willpower, violence, and control. The result is fascinating and heartwrenching. I'll be very interested to see whether this is carried forward in the sequels.
I'd also love to hear what Jemisin would change if she wrote this book today. Her hinting of Nahadoth as genderfluid would probably be much more central, as would other queer characters I hope!