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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
agedmordorblue's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Phew, that was a tough conclusion to this trilogy. After two books of ash and despair, I had to take a small break, which doesn't mean this is an amazing story! It definitely is a genre of its own, sitting somewhere between fantasy, sci-fi and apocalypse survival. The book tackles many difficult and distressing topics in a brutal and confronting way. I think it really distinguishes itself from the mass of fantasy books out there that have very bland messaging in the end. Highly reccomend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Slavery, and Xenophobia
_cecilie_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5
I'm not usually in the habit of reading series back to back which is an indicator of how immensely intriguing and satisfying this sometimes fantasy sometimes sci-fi skewing trilogy was. After having read the conclusion I can now whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who likes darker themes in their fantasy reading, complex characters, themes of found family, parenthood (both human and cosmic), discussions of racism, prejudice and genocide mirroring our own human society.
I'm not kidding when I say that when this trilogy gets dark, it can get DARK but the reading experience was extremely rewarding nonetheless and I may have shed some tears here and there.
Some other pros are: flawed but ultimately likable characters, great side characters that matter to the overall plot, LGBT representation and in general different types of love and relationships, POC representation, original and creative world building, and I'm sure I'm missing some other things.
Nitpicks: Sometimes the dialogue was almost too modern sounding which took me out of the story and there were times I wished the writing style had been a bit more straightforward about what was going on. And since we are talking about tiny complaints: I wish the earth had been called Mother and not Father Earth to show the vengeful love that motherhood can be as a coin of which the earth is one side and Essun is the other. But maybe there was a reason for Jemisin to write Father and I’m just predisposed to viewing earth as a mother?
I'm not kidding when I say that when this trilogy gets dark, it can get DARK but the reading experience was extremely rewarding nonetheless and I may have shed some tears here and there.
Some other pros are: flawed but ultimately likable characters, great side characters that matter to the overall plot, LGBT representation and in general different types of love and relationships, POC representation, original and creative world building, and I'm sure I'm missing some other things.
Nitpicks: Sometimes the dialogue was almost too modern sounding which took me out of the story and there were times I wished the writing style had been a bit more straightforward about what was going on. And since we are talking about tiny complaints: I wish the earth had been called Mother and not Father Earth to show the vengeful love that motherhood can be as a coin of which the earth is one side and Essun is the other. But maybe there was a reason for Jemisin to write Father and I’m just predisposed to viewing earth as a mother?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, Xenophobia, War, and Injury/Injury detail
biobeetle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical trauma and Murder
Minor: Terminal illness and Pregnancy
bergha1998'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
4.0
What an end to this series. The world building was incredible though very complex. I will ceaselessly love all three of the main characters. Very sad too, especially with getting all the background information and how everything is built on racism and xenophobia. Important for the very same reason.
Found Family, Complex Discussions of Racism
“No need for guards when you can convince people to collaborate in their own internment.”
“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.”
“(It bothers her that she does this, watching him constantly for shifts of mood or warnings of tension. It is another thing she learned from Jija. She cannot seem to shed it with Schaffa, or anyone else.)”
“But there are none so frightened, or so strange in their fear, as conquerors. They conjure phantoms endlessly, terrified that their victims will someday do back what was done to them—even if, in truth, their victims couldn’t care less about such pettiness and have moved on. Conquerors live in dread of the day when they are shown to be, not superior, but simply lucky.”
“I think,” Hoa says slowly, “that if you love someone, you don’t get to choose how they love you back.”
“There are stages to the process of being betrayed by your society. One is jolted from a place of complacency by the discovery of difference, by hypocrisy, by inexplicable or incongruous ill treatment. What follows is a time of confusion—unlearning what one thought to be the truth. Immersing oneself in the new truth. And then a decision must be made.”
Found Family, Complex Discussions of Racism
“No need for guards when you can convince people to collaborate in their own internment.”
“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.”
“(It bothers her that she does this, watching him constantly for shifts of mood or warnings of tension. It is another thing she learned from Jija. She cannot seem to shed it with Schaffa, or anyone else.)”
“But there are none so frightened, or so strange in their fear, as conquerors. They conjure phantoms endlessly, terrified that their victims will someday do back what was done to them—even if, in truth, their victims couldn’t care less about such pettiness and have moved on. Conquerors live in dread of the day when they are shown to be, not superior, but simply lucky.”
“I think,” Hoa says slowly, “that if you love someone, you don’t get to choose how they love you back.”
“There are stages to the process of being betrayed by your society. One is jolted from a place of complacency by the discovery of difference, by hypocrisy, by inexplicable or incongruous ill treatment. What follows is a time of confusion—unlearning what one thought to be the truth. Immersing oneself in the new truth. And then a decision must be made.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
frankieclc's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Xenophobia
madamenovelist's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
thewileyseven's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
I would give it more than five stars if I could. The stunning finale to easily the most beautiful, captivating, thoughtful, enticing, and important trilogy of modern SFF. I am just blown away by the world created in these books and the way it has so irrevocably changed mine. Cannot recommend these highly enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
jessthanthree's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Cannibalism
le_mur's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Cannibalism