THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin

THE FIFTH SEASON by N.K. Jemisin

Ordinarily I don’t review individual books in a series until I finish the whole series BUT I couldn’t stay silent after finishing the first book in N.K. Jemisin’s BROKEN EARTH series. ⠀
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This is a fantasy novel, yes, but it is so much more. It is a commentary on systemic racism, oppression, deprivation of rights, authoritarianism, struggling with identity, and searching for freedom. It is about women trying to find their place in a world constantly stifling their power. It is about reconciling the desire to find peace in a broken world and a competing desire to burn it to the ground. ⠀
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I can’t say much about the plot, but what I can say is that N.K. Jemisin writes beautiful prose and expertly-crafted chapters. But don’t take my word for it, take her THREE consecutive Hugo Awards for each of these books (the first author in her genre to do this). ⠀
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You get three different perspectives throughout this book and the end of each chapter leaves you wanting to tear through the book quicker and quicker. The world building is intense (I’m still a fantasy newbie so seasoned fantasy readers, this will be much easier for you!!) but well worth it. It took me awhile to visualize everything in my head, but once I did, I was THERE and I was immersed in this world. ⠀
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I also loved all the characters: they had me laughing and crying and just feeling a deep need to understand them more. And I cannot wait to see how these books continue! I highly recommend this series, with the caveat that it is HEAVY so please take a look at the trigger warnings below! ⠀
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I also had the audiobook, which I give a 10/10!! ⠀
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CW: death of a child, missing child, child abuse, sexual abuse, slavery, racism, gaslighting, murder