#the broken earth trilogy

[verywildthing]

im rereading the fifth season w gf and recalling my love for these characters. rly wanted to lean into alabaster and essun’s age... i love themb. 

#the fifth season #the broken earth #the broken earth trilogy #essun #alabaster ten ring #syenite #syenite x alabaster #fanart #nk jemisin

[child-of-hurin]

Art by Kat Nicole Berkley

Broken Earth Characters I really enjoyed NK Jemisin's Broken Earth series so I thought I'd take a crack at whipping up my take on what a few of the characters might have looked like

#broken earth #really into this essun and this hoa #excellent schaffa too if i imagine him smiling i will get nightmares <3 #the broken earth trilogy #the fifth season #queue cutie

[bookwyrminspiration]

I genuinely really enjoyed what was going on with the three of them, however briefly we got it

#the broken earth trilogy #the fifth season #just found this in my drafts and have no clue why I didn't post it #anyway. here have a syen/alabaster/innon post

[gettingovershame]

Schaffa in The Fifth Season vs Schaffa in The Obelisk Gate gives the same energy as “How my parents were with me” vs “How my parents are with their grandchildren”

#WHERE WAS THIS ENERGY WHEN I WAS GROWING UP!? #the broken earth trilogy #broken earth trilogy #fifth season #spoilers #broken earth trilogy spoilers #the broken earth trilogy spoilers #obelisk gate #the obelisk gate

[why-is-it-always-autumn]

Things I really appreciated about the Broken Earth Trilogy

Normal about sex as just a thing that people do, with only as much significance as the people involved choose to give it

Normal about trans people just casually existing

Queer relationships aren't a big deal

Dark themes without getting into misery or torture porn

Bad things that happen are tied into the worldbuilding, not caused by random evil people being evil for the sake of evil

Everyone genuinely thinks that they're in the right (or just doesn't care), and you can see how they got there (even when they're obviously in the wrong)

Allows downtime and breathing room in between big plot things. Characters often spend months or years with not much happening before their lives get disrupted again

At one point a guy who travels exclusively by teleporting is trying to keep pace with a group of people walking the normal way, so he keeps going ahead and striking silly little poses as they walk past him :)

#broken earth trilogy #the broken earth trilogy

[wutheringmights]

So I finally finished rereading "The Fifth Season" by N.K. Jemisin, and-- actually, hold on. I need to start from the beginning.

The first time I read "The Fifth Season" by N.K. Jemisin, it was early COVID. Quarantine was in full swing, and my university had gone fully remote. I was taking a seminar class entitled "Ethno-Futurism," which focused on analyzing the ways in which sci-fi novels and short stories have discussed and commented on contemporaneous racial issues through the lens of sci-fi. Alongside other works like Octavia Butler's "Kindred," we were assigned "The Fifth Season."

I was actually pretty good about getting my readings done. But by the time Jemisin rolled around, it was the end of the quarter, and I was exhausted. I decided to strategically skip reading the book to focus on other end of the quarter projects.

Except, one of those projects was for an informational sciences class I was taking for my degree specialization. I had spent the entire quarter creating an info graphic about the diversity of Hugo Award Winners for best novel and short story. Jemisin is not only the first Black American to win the Best Novel award, but she went on to win it three times in a row for the Broken Earth Trilogy. You know, the trilogy that begins with "The Fifth Season."

Day before the reading is due, the sheer stupidity of what I was doing hit me. Why the fuck was I going to skip out on reading the book I had been researching the controversy behind for the past how many weeks? Am I that stupid?

So, yeah. I buckled down and read all 400+ pages in 24 hours.

Reading for academics is different from reading for pleasure. While I understood the plot and the characters, I was focusing more on stuff that was related to the seminar (primarily, racial castes). Which isn't to say that I didn't derive any pleasure from the book. On the contrary, I was blow away by the way Jemisin not only built this rich, complex world, but how she also deftly handled unique play at shifting narrative perspectives.

I knew at the time that if I was going to finish reading the series, I would have to start over and reread "The Fifth Season," just so that I could pay more attention to the characters and world building.

Cut to now. I had bought the last two books at a bookstore a few months ago. Now felt like the time to finally go back to the first book and actually read it for pleasure.

So... what did I think about it?

I like this book. I like it a lot. But it might not be made for me.

I'm not big into complex world building. Surprise, surprise: I prefer character drama. That's not to say that the book doesn't have fantastic characters (it has incredible characters, each one more fascinating from the last). But the world building is so intricate, there is always exposition that has to be given, to the point where I felt like I didn't get to see as much of the characters as I wanted.

To me, Essun and Damaya had the most interesting story lines. Essun's story moved really slowly, so much so that I felt like nothing much happened. In fact, nothing really happens with her by the end of it. We also see very little of Damaya. I think she has four chapters to her name. Maybe five?

Syenite has the most to do, and it feels like we linger on her the most. But as much as I like her and Alabaster, I never really got into her story line. Again, I felt like there was so many character moments I wanted them to have that kept being set aside in favor of the world building.

The story all together moves really slowly. In the end, not much as really happened. But at the same time, Jemisin is really obviously running a marathon. I have to give it time, even if it takes all three books.

For me, the most interesting part of the book is the way the prose plays with narrative perspectives. It's great. But I wonder how effective it is when the story feels so out of balance. Does the structure make sense when the novel reveals it's proverbial hand? Sure. I feel like I understand [redacted character name] really well, and they're definitely going to go on to be an icon character in the sci-fi /fantasy canon.

But... I don't know. Something feels missing. Maybe it's just lost some of its shine, now that I know the twist?

Part of the reason why I wanted to reread "The Fifth Season" now was that I wanted to study how to world build from nothing. That's an area I've always struggled in. I was hoping for some kind of epiphany moment where I would learn the secret to great fantasy/sci-fi. But I don't think I learned anything new. It's the same lesson about pacing out exposition and lore to not overwhelm the reader. I think I'm a bit bitter about that.

All that being said, I respect the hell out of this book. I don't even think that this is a book that needs people to like it. It's so confidently itself that I can feel it telling me that is I'm not the ideal reader why should it try to impress me?

And it's right. I can't be too hard on a book when it's made for people who like the extensive world building stuff. My opinion is pretty worthless here.

Overall, this is a 4.5/5. Almost perfect. Now let's see if I can finally get to those other two books.

#this good really gets the gears moving #is this my personal favorite? no. but fuck is it objectively high quality #again i just don't think this is the book for me #i think a lot of people mistakenly think i am really into world building but jokes on you it's my least favorite thing ever #Do Not Give Me More Lore Than I Need. I Want the Bare Minimum To Understand The Story And That's It. Do Not Explain the French Sewer System #To Me. #me rambling #me reading #the fifth season #the broken earth trilogy #broken earth #fifth season by NK Jemisin #NK Jemisin

[deviousdayz]

Geology… temperature control… chemistry and physics… Entirely new kind of fantasy creature… Nk Jemisin can I kiss you on the mouth

#nk jemisin #the broken earth trilogy #broken earth

[lifblogs]

For anyone who loves geology and volcanology and also fantasy I would totally recommend reading The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. Basically the world no longer has a moon, which in turn shattered the world and now it's very unstable. There are what they call Fifth Seasons which are basically volcanic winters. There are a lot of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. And it's theorized by one character that the characters called orogenes (the characters with powers) actually exist as a form of evolution to try and keep the human race alive because their powers deal with the earth. One character is so powerful that he ripped the continent in half! This of course is causing a volcanic winter that would most likely destroy all life on the planet and it would last for possibly millions of years.

#the broken earth #the broken earth trilogy #n.k. jemisin #the fifth season #the obelisk gate #the stone sky

[salomeslashes]

Okay, know what? Here are some non-horror recs just for you!

The Broken Earth Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin (First book is The Fifth Season. Adult Fantasy, in which this apocalypse is just another in a long line of apocalypses. This one wrecked me.)

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (YA/Adult Fantasy. Along with the rest of the Wayward Children series, this book follows young adults who have returned to our world after having spent time in others. Contains stellar queer and trans rep [including an ace character!].)

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert (YA Fantasy. A blend of fairytale/folktale and urban fantasy that takes a HECK of a journey and explores some fascinating themes. This one especially screams your name, as far as I can tell.)

#i-can-even-burn-salad #salome recommends #books #fantasy #the broken earth trilogy #the fifth season #n k jemisin #every heart a doorway #seanan mcguire #the hazel wood #melissa albert #queer #trans #ace #i swear i don't only read horror

[morally-grey-girlbosses]

Propaganda under the cut.

Claudia:

she’s so fucked up. turned into a vampire as a child, mentally matures to a woman while being stuck in a girl’s body, commits a LOT of murder. plotted with her fatherbrother to kill his husband/her brotherfather. has a little notebook where she writes down the final words of her victims, and in the case of said brotherfather, STICKS HER PEN IN HIS SLIT THROAT TO WRITE HIS FINAL WORDS IN HIS OWN BLOOD. Literally she is the peak of girlbossery and also my dotter my little 🐞 🤏 eensy. Dotter.

Essun/Syenite/Damaya:

She is an orogene meaning she has the ability to manipulate and redirect kinetic energy and can use it to stop or create earthquakes (among other things). In order to test her control over this power the guy who was taking her to the Fulcrum (orogene institute) broke her hand to see if she would lash out when in pain (if she had been unable to control her reaction he would have killed her). She later did the same to her daughter (not under threat of death). She accidentally destroyed a port town when she escaped from Fulcrum agents. She killed her first son rather than let Fulcrum agents capture him as she suspected they would subject him to a fate worse than death. Her ex started the apocalypse and charged her with catching the moon (that has been flung away from earth) when it comes back to save the world.

#poll #tournament poll #round 1 #claudia interview with the vampire #interview with the vampire #the vampire chronicles #essun/syenite/damaya #essun broken earth #syenite broken earth #damaya broken earth #broken earth #broken earth trilogy #the broken earth trilogy

[virtuallyincompetent]

this is genuinely one of the most unique fantasies I've ever read. Jemisin just kind of throws you into the book headfirst, no warning, just hi hello this is the end of the world and honestly that was genius. I thought the first 14 pages were phenomenal and I just keep thinking back to it because I just think it’s incredible how she was able to introduce the basics of the world and the end of everything in such few pages. just effortlessly brilliant!!!

this story is set in a world called the Stillness. every few centuries they endure a catastrophic climate change known as the fifth season. within this world there are Orogenes who are able to control the earth and help mitigate natural disasters. what’s interesting is that Orogenes are feared and hated, controlled by the Fulcrum despite the fact that the world depends on them to survive. Jemisin does not undermine the readers ability to understand the complexities of this world. the book examines prejudice, discrimination, imperialism, and more. and it’s so seamlessly embedded within the story without it being spoon-fed to us and it’s brilliantly done.

I loved that this book keeps you on your toes by revealing things slowly and all at the right moments too!! with the ironic tone of the narrator and the mysteries unfolding you can’t help but sit there and appreciate Jemisin’s mind.

in conclusion, N.K Jemisin is quite literally a genius and I know the next 2 books are going to shake my world (heh).

#pure excellence #the fifth season #n.k. jemisin #the broken earth trilogy #bookblr #book blog #literature #fantasy books #book review

[bookwyrminspiration]

i am unwell

#the fifth season #the broken earth trilogy #'i will tear the whole world apart' AND THEN HE DID! #FOR THE CHILDREN THE FAMILY THE LIFE BRUTALLY TAKEN FROM HIM #and my GOD syen... #she will do whatever it takes and i am on my hands and knees over it #hand over mouth head in hands over both of them #over all of them

[ed-francesca]

A playlist for you, fellow fans of the Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. These are songs I was listening to while reading the books, or songs that remind me of the story. I love these books so much.

(one day I'll be able to complete and record the song I wrote about these books.)

SONGS FOR THE BROKEN EARTH - on Spotify

#the broken earth #the broken earth trilogy #n k jemisin #n.k. jemisin #the fifth season #the obelisk gate #the stone sky

[smalltownfae]

JOMP Book Photo Challenge 📚

January 7th, 2023: Award winning

With a stamp I can't remove to prove it... I still need to finish this trilogy. I have the last book left. I really liked this first book, but the second one not so much.

#jompbpc #justonemorepage #the fifth season #award winning #the broken earth trilogy #n.k. jemisin

[themagicalshrimp]

omg omg omg i'm so excited that you're reading the broken earth trilogy!!!!!! and that my persistence worked :D

Your persistence worked very well! I'd never heard of these books before your posts.

I love the worldbuilding, and the narration takes you aback at first but it's so so interesting.

I'm already halfway in book 2, and I'm glad we're having Nassun's point of view now (tho pretty traumatising also). I'm also weirdly stressed about Jija dying too soon, like I want Essun to be the one to kill him and this guy keeps giving everyone reasons to get killed

#the broken earth trilogy

[wutheringmights]

2023 Reading Wrap Up

I tried starting this post about 20 times already, and no introduction is really hitting. I am quite a bit hungover, and in dire need of a rest. But alas, I want to talk about all the books I read last year.

So I had the goal of reading as much as I physically could last year. Why? After finishing my degree, I was having trouble reading for the sake of reading. I wanted to be someone who read a lot, but my self-motivated reading habit was in the dumps. My sibling and I ended up making a bet to see who could read more in 2023, and I was determined to win.

I did win, but that's besides the point. My importantly, I am now back in the habit of reading again.

I really enjoyed starting my reading tag and making little write-ups summarizing my thoughts. I really appreciate everyone being so patient with my book-posting, especially as I gradually went from writing a sentence or two to rambling bullet point lists to well-thought out reviews. If you ever interacted with one of those posts-- thank you so much! I hope to continue in this upcoming year.

So to wrap up my year of reading, I figured I would rank all of the books I read. If I read an entire series, I'll count it as one entry on the list. Also, the ranking is going to be determined less by quality and more by personal enjoyment.

All that being said, let's go~

Ranking My 2023 Reads

#17) Breaking Time by Sasha Alsberg - This was my first read of the year, and my worst. This book is near unreadable in terms of prose, and features one of the most infuriating lines I have ever read in my entire life:

Add the most unoriginal plot I have ever seen, and this makes for one bad read. I knew it was going to be bad going on, but the levels of incompetency on display here was mind-boggling.

#16) Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan - Is this the worst book I read this year? No. But it definitely pissed me off more than the others. I didn't need this book to be good; I just wanted it to be fun, but it couldn't commit to a plot line long enough to do so. I will give this book credit for having one of the unintentionally funniest villains I have ever read. That man failed upwards and it was GREAT. No notes.

#15) Ariadne by Jennifer Saint - I don't think this book is terrible, but its flaws are the most glaring to me. Structurally, it's a mess. The prose tries to use imagery to cover up how much telling it's truly doing. Both hampered an overall decent plot.

#14) Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston - This book wasn't really for me. It was an entertaining read, but the references to pop-culture were more cringey than humorous. I also could not stand how the book was ashamed to be escapist literature and tried to uplift itself with shallow critiques of American politics.

#13) Lightlark by Alex Aster - That I am putting this book so high on the list is a crime and an insult against every book ranked below it. If I was ranking off of quality alone, it would be the second worst book I read this year. Unfortunately, I started an inside joke with my friends about how I'm Lightlark's #1 Fan, which ended up increasingly my enjoyment of this very stupid book exponentially. #TeamOro

#12) Garrison Girl by Rachel Aarons - This book really isn't anything special, but its place in publishing and anime history tickles my brain. It's not bad but it's not all that good either.

#11) The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking) by Katie Mack - Someone with a more thorough baseline on science would probably find this book more enjoyable than me. As is, I didn't understand half of it.

#10) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - A fast, enjoyable read. I think it reveals its hand a bit too quickly, but the plot overall is really fascinating. Lacking on prose, but it didn't need a lot of it. This is a book begging to be made into a movie (which will probably be better than the book itself).

#9) A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes - What this book lacks in originality and plot, it makes up for with comprehensiveness. As much as I enjoyed reading all of its varied perspectives, I am still peeved by how Penelope's perspective was wasted and how Haynes had no interest in writing from Helen's perspective.

#8) The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin - A prime example of a book series that is objectively excellent, but was simply not for me. My interests didn't align with what the narrative thought was important. However, the characters are fantastic and what there is of the central conflict between mother and daughter is earth shattering.

#7) The Poppy War Trilogy by R.F. Kuang - An incredible fantasy series with some excellent characters and ideas. While I do think that the series is a little simplistic, it makes up for it by being endlessly entertaining. Except for the last book, which leaned too heavily into its grimdark flares.

#6) Beowulf by Unknown (Translated by Seamus Heaney) - A reread featuring a fantastic introduction from Heaney that connects the text to his Irish roots. The translation itself, while good, prioritized brevity a bit too much for my taste.

#5) Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - A long overdue reread that reaffirmed why I found this book life changing when I first read it in junior high. Lyrical, brutal, and surprisingly funny, this book paints an honest picture of depression and trauma in adolescence.

#4) In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado - A lyrical, dreamy exploration of an abusive relationship. I love how this memoir pushes the limits of its own medium as it also tries to establish a canon for abusive queer relationships. Machado's imagery is insane, and I devour it every time.

#3) The Catcher In the Rye by J.D. Salinger - My last and most surprising read of the year. I did not expect to love this novel as much as I do. I will never forgive the world for insisting that Holden Caulfield is an archetypal male manipulator when he's a traumatized kid (albeit a bratty one) who desperately wants to be feel happy.

#2) Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings by Neil Price - An incredible, comprehensive look on the history, culture, and legacy of the vikings. Price parses through popular fiction to bring humanity back to a historical group of people every subculture wants to claim as their own, for better and for worse. This book broke a damn in my head that was preventing me from doing world building for a piece of original fiction I want to write.

#1) The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas - I have been haunted by this book since I was a little kid, promising myself that I would one day gather the courage to read this behemoth of a story. As long as it is, every word was worth it. It was both parts entertaining and stimulating, and I ended by the book knowing why so many people call this the best book ever written.

--

And that was my year! Please feel free to share what you read this year. Let me know if there's anything I should try to read in 2024. You can also fight me about any of my opinions lol

#me rambling #me reading #books #bookblr #bookish #books and reading #The Count of Monte Cristo #Children of Ash and Elm #The Catcher in the Rye #In the Dream House #Speak #Beowulf #The Poppy War Series #The Broken Earth Trilogy #A Thousand Ships #The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo #The End of Everything #Garrison Girl #Lightlark #Red White and Royal Blue #Ariadne #Daughter of the Moon Goddess #Breaking Time