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A review by jaan
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This isn’t Jemisin’s best work. I agree with a lot of other criticisms I’ve seen people level at it—the dropped plot threads, the sameness of each chapter’s narrative structure, the sometimes-colonialist mindset the author can slip into (I had to work to like Padmini. I think Jemisin got immigrant narratives all wrong.), the fact that her antagonist isn’t actually clear and is often self-contradicting, the sometimes unpolished/juvenile writing, etc.
But! Jemisin has nothing left to prove, at least for me—Broken Earth is masterful. She is a brilliant and gifted storyteller, and I’m happy she cares enough about her stories to make sure that, when push comes to shove, she tells them. At the end of the day, The World We Make goes by fast and is incredibly indulgent, and I enjoyed reading it.
But! Jemisin has nothing left to prove, at least for me—Broken Earth is masterful. She is a brilliant and gifted storyteller, and I’m happy she cares enough about her stories to make sure that, when push comes to shove, she tells them. At the end of the day, The World We Make goes by fast and is incredibly indulgent, and I enjoyed reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence