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A review by mizz_mack
The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
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 ππΎππΎππΎ. 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 π.
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. π 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. π₯°
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 ππΎππΎππΎ. 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 π.
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. π 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. π₯°
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy