A review by enbyglitch
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
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!