A review by coffinfinite
The Awakened Kingdom by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When I learned that the Inheritance trilogy has not one but two extra novellas, I was delighted. When I finished The Kingdom of Gods I did not feel ready to leave the world Jemisin created, and so to return was a genuine pleasure. This short story is told from the perspective of Shill, a newborn Godling birthed centuries after the events of the third book. Shill is young, excitable and eager to discover her nature, and so she descends from the Gods’ realm to the mortal one in her search.
This story deals with a reversal of gender politics - the Darre, one of the civilisations to survive the conclusion of Kingdom of Gods, have endured a rebellion that has resulted in the subjugation of all Darren men “for their own good”. Previously they were a matriarchal nation who valued men as different but equal; now they have quashed a failed power-grab by stripping all male citizens of their rights.
It is difficult to portray this sort of matriarchy in a way that doesn’t feel like a flimsy inversion of patriarchy as it exists in reality. NK Jemisin takes great efforts to demonstrate how the justifications of female supremacy would be different, but too many traces of the binary remain (men are considered care givers and sexual chattel, for example) for this effort to be entirely successful. However, the story and characters that exist around this slightly flawed premise are strong enough to carry the narrative convincingly.
The introduction of new Godlings alongside the recurrence of old favourites make this a nice entry into the Inheritance lore. Learning of how the Gods coped with the conclusion to the trilogy gives a welcome sense of closure, though of course this novella still leaves the story open for more exploration, as the nature of Gods is that they are eternal. The story being delivered in the enthusiastic voice of Shill is stylistically endearing, too. A worthy entry into the series.
This story deals with a reversal of gender politics - the Darre, one of the civilisations to survive the conclusion of Kingdom of Gods, have endured a rebellion that has resulted in the subjugation of all Darren men “for their own good”. Previously they were a matriarchal nation who valued men as different but equal; now they have quashed a failed power-grab by stripping all male citizens of their rights.
It is difficult to portray this sort of matriarchy in a way that doesn’t feel like a flimsy inversion of patriarchy as it exists in reality. NK Jemisin takes great efforts to demonstrate how the justifications of female supremacy would be different, but too many traces of the binary remain (men are considered care givers and sexual chattel, for example) for this effort to be entirely successful. However, the story and characters that exist around this slightly flawed premise are strong enough to carry the narrative convincingly.
The introduction of new Godlings alongside the recurrence of old favourites make this a nice entry into the Inheritance lore. Learning of how the Gods coped with the conclusion to the trilogy gives a welcome sense of closure, though of course this novella still leaves the story open for more exploration, as the nature of Gods is that they are eternal. The story being delivered in the enthusiastic voice of Shill is stylistically endearing, too. A worthy entry into the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault