A review by hanarama
The Fifth Season, by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

The Good:
  • Slow, organic world building 
  • Thorough character examinations 
  • Surprising reveals

The Bad:
  • Sad, at times the story feels very hopeless.

You Might Like this if You Like:
  • Creative fantasy worlds and magic systems 
  • Character-driven narratives 
  • Slowly revealed twists/mysteries

The Broken Earth Trilogy has been on my tbr for a long time, and now I'm kicking myself for not getting to it sooner. N. K. Jemisin is a master in storytelling and world building. 

In a world that has ended more times than can be remembered, human society has become adept at picking up the pieces. The Fifth Season explores the lives of three orogens, people with the ability to manipulate kinetic energy and influence the tectonic activity of the earth. They are also widely regarded as dangerous and volatile, able to bring about the end of the world with a shrug. 

Damaya is a young girl, a newly discovered orogen. She works to survive her training and to prove herself as  smart and talented.

Syenite, is a skilled orogen, paired with a new mentor. She chaffs against the establishment and her off-putting new teacher. 

And Essun, a grieving mother searching for her daughter and the man that killed her son. 

Through them, Jemisin introduces us to a tumultuous world that threatens to break people down at every turn. It's hostile, but magical and breathtaking. And the stories of the main characters reveal how drive, love, and personal strength can alter the laws of nature. 
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