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A review by stubbornjerk
The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
This isn't the first time a fantasy story surprised me. Actually, this is the first time a high fantasy story surprised me.
It wasn't that it started out real slow. It probably didn't, given that I only read this one scene at a time, during my commute hour to and from school. I can still remember my anticipation at the climax of the story on my way home from my exams (because of course I wouldn't be cramming, I'd be reading, lol), and man.
So, this is about the impossible world of the countries of Kisua and Gujaareh, their impossible cultures and religions and beliefs. It's about political intrigue and the question of assassination as a kind of religious service. Mostly, it's about Gatherer Ehiru and his apprentice-Gatherer Nijiri, as they set across the borders from Gujaareh to Kisua, to see whether or not Gathering Kisua's ambassador, Sunandi, is right.
It's a story of questioning your base beliefs, testing the strength of these virtues against differing cultures. It's a story of having love and being devoted to that. It's a story of doing what can harm others less.
Needless to say, this story had its impact, despite it being in a genre I rarely ever reach for. Looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of The Fifth Season after hearing stellar reviews about it!
It wasn't that it started out real slow. It probably didn't, given that I only read this one scene at a time, during my commute hour to and from school. I can still remember my anticipation at the climax of the story on my way home from my exams (because of course I wouldn't be cramming, I'd be reading, lol), and man.
So, this is about the impossible world of the countries of Kisua and Gujaareh, their impossible cultures and religions and beliefs. It's about political intrigue and the question of assassination as a kind of religious service. Mostly, it's about Gatherer Ehiru and his apprentice-Gatherer Nijiri, as they set across the borders from Gujaareh to Kisua, to see whether or not Gathering Kisua's ambassador, Sunandi, is right.
It's a story of questioning your base beliefs, testing the strength of these virtues against differing cultures. It's a story of having love and being devoted to that. It's a story of doing what can harm others less.
Needless to say, this story had its impact, despite it being in a genre I rarely ever reach for. Looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of The Fifth Season after hearing stellar reviews about it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood