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katzenfrau18's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
andydangerson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Racism, Slavery, Death of parent, and War
terranstorm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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
4.5
My favorite of the series, I think (or maybe tied with book 1? hard to say). The themes of motherhood throughout, and particularly the way it all peaks with the long-awaited confrontation between the equally-strong wills of mother and daughter? Those parts particularly gripped me, some even knocked the wind out of me. The Castrima comm as a kind of mangy found family. Weaving in the ancient history of the early Stone Eaters through Hoa, and the peoples who for even them were ancient history, connecting those last threads. Brilliant work! The final conflict and payoff was so, so satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Genocide, Physical abuse, and Racism
dkamada's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
agdkfjsjh I feel like I’m going insane. books are so much better when the plot is driven entirely by distinct character motivations!! especially when characters have conflicting motivations!!! I will eat that shit up every time!!!
The depth and breadth of emotion in these books is so visceral. There is a lot to be said about grief in apocalypse stories and this book is a prime example of that.
The structure of this book (switching consistently between three POVs- essun, nassun, hoa) felt like a return to the structure of the first book, and I think it solved the minor pacing issues that the second book had.
The ending also really just reshaped the whole narrative for me. I can’t wait to reread with full context. (also 🥹🥹 need to go find some fanfic of alabaster and essun and their cute little found family. they just needed a little more time 😭😭)
The depth and breadth of emotion in these books is so visceral. There is a lot to be said about grief in apocalypse stories and this book is a prime example of that.
The structure of this book (switching consistently between three POVs- essun, nassun, hoa) felt like a return to the structure of the first book, and I think it solved the minor pacing issues that the second book had.
The ending also really just reshaped the whole narrative for me. I can’t wait to reread with full context. (also 🥹🥹 need to go find some fanfic of alabaster and essun and their cute little found family. they just needed a little more time 😭😭)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Genocide
Minor: Cannibalism
mizz_mack's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
It has been so long since I've read this book and I've just been dragging my feet writing this up (partially I feel like since I talked about this book in a kind of book club my brain checked off the "review" section despite that not happening heh).
So this'll be more of a...I dunno, a ramble about things that left a large impression on me. Will probably be very unorganized 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. Sorry everyone!
So, even still, through all of this Nassun is probably my favorite character. I adore that she's just...so angry and stubborn, right up to the very end. Also very uncompromising. The way she was able to grow so powerful by simply being allowed to play with her powers and exist. I also really love that she's sorta just allowed to hate her parents and that, at least in relation to her mother, there's no reconciliation. I think that was a really powerful choice and I really liked how it landed. Sucked that Schaffa got a peaceful death tho 😔.
I've never forgave that man for anything and still lowkey hated him the whole time. I am glad that Essun didn't have to confront him again. That was a nice bit.
Another thing that stuck with me all this time was like...the travel to...I don't remember what the name of the place was, but as the community of Castrima Under travel to their new home there's something so...basic about it? like everyone understands what being in a "season" means so we lose people and it's not necessarily a big event. There's a tragedy to that. There's also something in meeting Maxxine again (thb, I love how Essun continues to meet people from her past again, it feels so significant but I can't articulate why).
Essun was slow development was nice too. I love that she keeps growing and changing even in her 40s. Her unlearning all of the racism and hatred was still a hard fought battle, and I don't think by the end of the story she overcomes it, but I love following her journey. 💗 Also love that Essun is a certified hottie and continues to pull men.
The other, biggest thing, I keep thinking about is Hoa and Syl Anagist. There is so much in these flashbacks that it's kind of intimidating to even talk about. I LOVE the idea of "life being sacred in Syl Anagist" but in a way that it's still a resource to be used for Syl Anagist itself and not in the way that it needs to be protected and respected.
The people of Syl Anagist are so racist against a group of people called Nises (I'm not sure about the spelling I don't remember) and their ability to control magic. So much so that they have basically taken this entire group of people and are using them as batteries to power what we call the Obelisk Gate. It's truly horrific to read about. We also learn that Hoa and other Stone Eaters, previously called Tuners, were created by the people of Syl Anagist in the image of the Nises, but from the sounds of it, a more...exaggerated form. All of the features of the Nises made into a kind of...living mistral show that they could use as an effective slave class. Then Hoa and the others are taught about, essentially, their history their creation and that's when revolution happens, in a sense.
Also, love that Hoa gets down bad so, so quickly. And that he's kinda of jealous and petty in certain aspects.
There's really so much to dig into in the flashback chapters. So much so that I'll probably write about more some other time.
So, this is all I've got really. Perhaps I'll come back and write a better review, but I really love this series and plan to buy it some time in the future. 🥰
So this'll be more of a...I dunno, a ramble about things that left a large impression on me. Will probably be very unorganized 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. Sorry everyone!
So, even still, through all of this Nassun is probably my favorite character. I adore that she's just...so angry and stubborn, right up to the very end. Also very uncompromising. The way she was able to grow so powerful by simply being allowed to play with her powers and exist. I also really love that she's sorta just allowed to hate her parents and that, at least in relation to her mother, there's no reconciliation. I think that was a really powerful choice and I really liked how it landed. Sucked that Schaffa got a peaceful death tho 😔.
I've never forgave that man for anything and still lowkey hated him the whole time. I am glad that Essun didn't have to confront him again. That was a nice bit.
Another thing that stuck with me all this time was like...the travel to...I don't remember what the name of the place was, but as the community of Castrima Under travel to their new home there's something so...basic about it? like everyone understands what being in a "season" means so we lose people and it's not necessarily a big event. There's a tragedy to that. There's also something in meeting Maxxine again (thb, I love how Essun continues to meet people from her past again, it feels so significant but I can't articulate why).
Essun was slow development was nice too. I love that she keeps growing and changing even in her 40s. Her unlearning all of the racism and hatred was still a hard fought battle, and I don't think by the end of the story she overcomes it, but I love following her journey. 💗 Also love that Essun is a certified hottie and continues to pull men.
The other, biggest thing, I keep thinking about is Hoa and Syl Anagist. There is so much in these flashbacks that it's kind of intimidating to even talk about. I LOVE the idea of "life being sacred in Syl Anagist" but in a way that it's still a resource to be used for Syl Anagist itself and not in the way that it needs to be protected and respected.
The people of Syl Anagist are so racist against a group of people called Nises (I'm not sure about the spelling I don't remember) and their ability to control magic. So much so that they have basically taken this entire group of people and are using them as batteries to power what we call the Obelisk Gate. It's truly horrific to read about. We also learn that Hoa and other Stone Eaters, previously called Tuners, were created by the people of Syl Anagist in the image of the Nises, but from the sounds of it, a more...exaggerated form. All of the features of the Nises made into a kind of...living mistral show that they could use as an effective slave class. Then Hoa and the others are taught about, essentially, their history their creation and that's when revolution happens, in a sense.
Also, love that Hoa gets down bad so, so quickly. And that he's kinda of jealous and petty in certain aspects.
There's really so much to dig into in the flashback chapters. So much so that I'll probably write about more some other time.
So, this is all I've got really. Perhaps I'll come back and write a better review, but I really love this series and plan to buy it some time in the future. 🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
kwthor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Racism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
dellydoos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Time grows short, my love. Let’s end with the beginning of the world, shall we? Yes. We shall.”
WAAAAH. I cried. I really did. What a stunning ending. What a fantastic way to end this trilogy. The Stone Sky is actually probably the best finale of a series that I think I’ve ever read.
In comparison to the earlier books, The Stone Sky shifts focus from plot to mostly character, and it does so brilliantly. Time seems to slow down, but I barely noticed because I was so deeply immersed in the characters' journeys. Jemisin masterfully balances this shift, making it a deeply personal and emotional experience. The character development in this book is nothing short of extraordinary; Essun omg how I love and feel for this woman.
Nassun’s arc is especially poignant. While she makes some bad decisions, they are entirely justified. She’s just an 11-year-old girl who has seen more horror than most adults. Her journey is heartbreaking and raw, and it’s impossible to hate her for her choices. You understand her pain and fear, and it makes her story all the more compelling. Jemisin portrays Nassun’s inner turmoil and resilience with such depth that I can’t help but empathise with her, even when her actions are destructive. Her struggle to find a place in a world that has shown her nothing but cruelty is a powerful narrative thread that drives the emotional core of the book.
And then there's Schaffa. I can't even hate him (well, maybe a little bit). His character is so complex, and Jemisin peels back his layers to reveal the depth of his motivations and regrets. He’s not just a villain; he’s a product of his world, and his development adds a rich dimension to the story. His internal struggle and the gradual revelation of his humanity make him one of the most intriguing characters in the series. Even if he potentially doesn’t deserve it.
Jemisin's message about creating a new world from the ruins of the old one is powerful. She drives home the point that we must acknowledge the crimes of the past to move forward. This theme resonates throughout the book and gives the story a profound sense of purpose and hope. Through magic and fantasy, Jemisin deftly explores the idea that true healing and progress can only come from facing and understanding our history, no matter how painful.
“Well, some worlds are built on a fault line of pain, held up by nightmares. Don’t lament when those worlds fall. Rage that they were built doomed in the first place.”
This series is dark. It’s sad and it’s heartbreaking. But it’s worth every moment. 5/5 stars.
WAAAAH. I cried. I really did. What a stunning ending. What a fantastic way to end this trilogy. The Stone Sky is actually probably the best finale of a series that I think I’ve ever read.
In comparison to the earlier books, The Stone Sky shifts focus from plot to mostly character, and it does so brilliantly. Time seems to slow down, but I barely noticed because I was so deeply immersed in the characters' journeys. Jemisin masterfully balances this shift, making it a deeply personal and emotional experience. The character development in this book is nothing short of extraordinary; Essun omg how I love and feel for this woman.
Nassun’s arc is especially poignant. While she makes some bad decisions, they are entirely justified. She’s just an 11-year-old girl who has seen more horror than most adults. Her journey is heartbreaking and raw, and it’s impossible to hate her for her choices. You understand her pain and fear, and it makes her story all the more compelling. Jemisin portrays Nassun’s inner turmoil and resilience with such depth that I can’t help but empathise with her, even when her actions are destructive. Her struggle to find a place in a world that has shown her nothing but cruelty is a powerful narrative thread that drives the emotional core of the book.
And then there's Schaffa. I can't even hate him (well, maybe a little bit). His character is so complex, and Jemisin peels back his layers to reveal the depth of his motivations and regrets. He’s not just a villain; he’s a product of his world, and his development adds a rich dimension to the story. His internal struggle and the gradual revelation of his humanity make him one of the most intriguing characters in the series. Even if he potentially doesn’t deserve it.
Jemisin's message about creating a new world from the ruins of the old one is powerful. She drives home the point that we must acknowledge the crimes of the past to move forward. This theme resonates throughout the book and gives the story a profound sense of purpose and hope. Through magic and fantasy, Jemisin deftly explores the idea that true healing and progress can only come from facing and understanding our history, no matter how painful.
“Well, some worlds are built on a fault line of pain, held up by nightmares. Don’t lament when those worlds fall. Rage that they were built doomed in the first place.”
This series is dark. It’s sad and it’s heartbreaking. But it’s worth every moment. 5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
kalagrace's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A very satisfying ending to the trilogy. Sad but hopeful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
dustinm296's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content