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chasinggrace's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
What do you even say about this book, the ending to this trilogy? All I know is that it is cemented (get it?) as some of the best writing, storytelling, and character building that I’ve experienced.
This story explores a breadth of themes: motherhood (reluctant, surprising, unfortunate, all-encompassing), oppression, climate change, revenge, found family, survival, hatred, guilt, and GRIEF.
So much grief, so much love. My heart absolutely shatters for the main character - we follow her entire life in these three books and I don’t know if I’ve ever truly understood a character more than I have come to understand her. You fall in love with her broken, imperfect self.
But I also deeply understand the other main POV in the second and third installments. I get her - she demonstrates the consequences of experiencing endless tragedy and oppression in childhood. Her decisions make perfect sense when you know her, just like the decisions of the main character. I saw myself in both characters time and time again.
I’m also pretty sure I’ll never ever ever get over the “love interests” (questionable title) of these books. Innon, you will ALWAYS be famous to me!!! Lerna, you were too pure for this story. Baster, you bastard, I love your crazy ass. Any time I read about these men I was close to tears!
All of this being said, there are of course have imperfections in this trilogy that I want to state:
This story explores a breadth of themes: motherhood (reluctant, surprising, unfortunate, all-encompassing), oppression, climate change, revenge, found family, survival, hatred, guilt, and GRIEF.
So much grief, so much love. My heart absolutely shatters for the main character - we follow her entire life in these three books and I don’t know if I’ve ever truly understood a character more than I have come to understand her. You fall in love with her broken, imperfect self.
But I also deeply understand the other main POV in the second and third installments. I get her - she demonstrates the consequences of experiencing endless tragedy and oppression in childhood. Her decisions make perfect sense when you know her, just like the decisions of the main character. I saw myself in both characters time and time again.
I’m also pretty sure I’ll never ever ever get over the “love interests” (questionable title) of these books. Innon, you will ALWAYS be famous to me!!! Lerna, you were too pure for this story. Baster, you bastard, I love your crazy ass. Any time I read about these men I was close to tears!
All of this being said, there are of course have imperfections in this trilogy that I want to state:
- Hoa’s POV frustrated me in this book - I found myself not caring enough during his chapters, even though they are the most important to understand what the fuck is happening and why. I feel like the author could have explored literary devices other than lengthy flashbacks to communicate Hoa’s purpose.
- The literary device used in Book 1 made me obsessed with the series, and I found myself missing it in Books 2 and 3.
I know this is ultimately a story about motherhood, but for a girl who never actively wanted children, this bitch gets pregnant a LOTTTT. By the fourth one I was OVER IT and I found the last one to be so unnecessary. We already know that Lerna is a great guy, we didn’t need this emotionless realization of procreation. - It took 3 books to understand what the fuck the whole war is about, and even now I don’t think I get Steel’s POV or reasoning for manipulating Nassun. I couldn’t explain to you all the sides/motivations of this war if I tried.
This trilogy is fucking emotional and I can say now that I get the hype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and War
dkamada's review
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
ceridwen33's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Again wonderfully written from a craft perspective. Easily the least tear-inducing of the trilogy. That being said, I did wonder how the conclusion of "maybe we shouldn't murder literally all humans" was the most optimistic part of the series. I still had to force myself to get through all the darkness in this series. I'm glad I had the experience of reading it, but I immediately removed them from my house afterward so I'm not visually reminded of how dark a view of humanity these books have. I'm pessimistic enough by myself without the help!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Terminal illness, Violence, and Abandonment
maryellen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
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
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Death of parent, and Murder
amschelly153's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Gorgeous. Devastating. One of my new favorite series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kwthor's review
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
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Rating: 3/5 stars
The conclusion to the BROKEN EARTH trilogy.
There was a lot to enjoy about this trilogy: the concept was fascinating, the writing was beautiful, and several of the characters were really complex and interesting. Unfortunately, I felt like this third book fell pretty flat, especially when compared with the rest of the series.
I don’t mind a slow burn, but this one took forever to get going, and even once it did I felt like so much was left unsaid or open-ended. I really didn’t like the ending and don’t feel like it was anywhere close to the payoff I was expecting after the first two books.
In short, I’d still recommend this trilogy and I’m glad I read it, but can’t help feeling a bit let down.
CW: Violence; gore; death; injury; pregnancy; slavery
The conclusion to the BROKEN EARTH trilogy.
There was a lot to enjoy about this trilogy: the concept was fascinating, the writing was beautiful, and several of the characters were really complex and interesting. Unfortunately, I felt like this third book fell pretty flat, especially when compared with the rest of the series.
I don’t mind a slow burn, but this one took forever to get going, and even once it did I felt like so much was left unsaid or open-ended. I really didn’t like the ending and don’t feel like it was anywhere close to the payoff I was expecting after the first two books.
In short, I’d still recommend this trilogy and I’m glad I read it, but can’t help feeling a bit let down.
CW: Violence; gore; death; injury; pregnancy; slavery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail