The Fifth Season

"Took me a while to finish this one. It's a very slow story, but the character development and plot are great. If you prefer faster leaves books, this one probably isn't for you unless you want to oyster through it like I did."

"A grim exploration of a civilization raised in a particularly brutal world."

"This was a very good, incredibly well written book. But it was also pretty brutal for a fantasy novel. I liked it and plan on continuing with the series. I recommend finishing the book if you are on the fence, but if at the end you weren't into it, I wouldn't put yourself through mo r e just because it's so well done."

"What a wonderfully intricate and imaginative story. Immersed in this from the beginning, even while learning a new world. As soon as I finished, immediately went out and bought the other two books in the series. Recommend!!"

"World-building extraordinaire, characters have powers and frailties I have never seen before"

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"3.5/5 Creative story telling. Part of the story is written in 2nd person which was beautifully done and refreshing. However, lots of unnecessary vulgarity. "

"I kept putting off more N.K. Jemison because I had a really hard time getting into the Thousand Kingdoms or whateverone (need to give it another try), but I absolutely devoured this book! I immediately went out to buy the rest of the series and I am looking forward to it! "

"One word to describe this book. Horrifically brilliant.<br/><br/>Well I sure took my time starting this book. I drug around till I almost forgot it existed. So I was very surprised when it was unlike anything I expected it to be. Just the plot alone was worth the read. A planet destroying it's own people and their religion wrapped around that fact. The world building was gorgeous. I was constantly zoning out, picturing the world without a break in reading, which is sign of a great author in my book. I will nitpick about one small thing though because I love maps but there weren't many known locations on this one.<br/><br/>The thing I can't get over was the continued realization. Jemisin kept me on my toes in every chapter. It reminded me a bit of The Name of the Wind, where you are given a ton of information with no context, then periodically are thrown a bone. I love this concept. Why? Because I hear this word or story multiple times, it has no meaning to me, then when it does *shocked face* it makes me want to flip back through the book because the impact is so unreal.<br/><br/>This world was so very unique that I had no idea where the plot was heading. The writing style was wonderful and organic. Also the exploration of these complex characters, well I don't want to give anything away but I was pleasantly surprised. The magic system was one of a kind. It felt very relatable and almost real as if such gifts were to be born among humanity. I'm ashamed I gave up so easily the first time. Best thing of all, I read this while watching the lunar eclipse Nov 2021. Gasp and jawdrops all around. <br/><br/>I noticed I didn't give much of the story away here. That is because sometimes a book needs to be experienced in person. I could go on all day what I loved about this book. But mostly I enjoyed things that were not given to me by the author. I had to search for it. Get my meaning?"

"world building, character building, plot! jemisin knocked it out of the part with this one for me again, i cannot wait to read the next two. seriously this book was unlike anything i have read before!"