BROKEN EARTH | Should you read it?

[@SheWasOnlyEvie]

The narrative structure and execution of The Fifth Season blew my mind: its success is a testament to Jemisin’s world building, her characters’ development, and storytelling. I was nervous going into The Obelisk Gate because I was so amazed by the first book, but Jemisin just went deeper into the world and her characters that continued through The Stone Sky. She made the secondary characters have just as much depth as the primary characters. (They are books that straddle the line between fantasy and science fiction, and that is a sweet spot that I apparently love!) God, it’s so amazing. Now I want to re-read the trilogy. ☺️

[@chrisyoungberg3245]

I totally agree with you! I've read the series twice and still have questions, yet am always amazed by the end and blown away by the story. One of my faves of all time!

[@LienesLibrary]

so incredible!

[@LiteratureScienceAlliance]

I love this series so much. I stole the copies I gave to my mom so I can maybe re-read them this year or next year. It was such a unique and satisfying experience and I am so glad it worked for you too! If you ever want to talk about the ending let me know, I am always down to talk about this series.

[@LienesLibrary]

A series we agree on! Time must be set aside to mark this miracle 😅

[@ubergusterfan1]

You made me more excited to read this series than any other reviews I've seen. I'm excited to jump in now.

[@LienesLibrary]

Hope you love it!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent point about the prose matching the bleakness of the world, and I agree that it’s accessible. At the same time, the risks Jemisin takes with the narrative perspective add complexity in a way I deeply admire. And, as you say in regard to the discomfort and fear, there’s a lot for the reader to discover about the world. Most of all, I love Jemisin’s incorporation of themes like oppression and resilience. Well said about this story being humbling. This is a top five series for me, and I enjoyed your take on it. Thanks!

[@LienesLibrary]

The themes of oppression and resilience are definitely handled expertly and in ways I never would have thought possible, true brilliance 👌

[@Read2live]

I absolutely loved all three books! BRILLIANT!!! The reader is walking the characters' world with them or at least that is how I felt. The second person it was AMAZING and the end that tied it up all together and everything made sense is the most brilliant end. I was not reading fantasy or series until this trilogy. Also, I rarely, if ever, reread contemporary books and I would want to reread all three books.

[@lameshahale2990]

I am reading the first book in the series & I also feel like I am right there with characters. It’s amazing. I also never read Fantasy either.

[@Kristenisfullybookd]

This was such a great description of a book/series that everyone always just describes as really complicated etc. I am definitely more interested in picking this series up now

[@LienesLibrary]

oh i'm so glad! hope it lives up to all my hype haha

[@roeybason6659]

I was really surprised at the number of times that this series’s got me so close to crying. The way I instantly fell in love with almost every character was staggering. Also, the world-building is one of the best I’ve ever read. So..... you should definitely give it a go in my opinion.

[@nataliaweronikapetersson3425]

Probably the best review of The Broken Earth trilogy I have ever listened to :) Well done, indeed.

[@LienesLibrary]

Thank you so much!

[@msthornback7935]

EMBRACE THE BEWILDERMENT! BE HUMBLE! Maybe coming off a high from reading Obelisk Gate. Planning to read Stone Sky this month.

[@TheBookishMom]

You know, but I love this series just so much and I think an overall review of the series is perfect! I mean, I cried after page 1 of the first book lol like it stabbed me in my soul and it hurt so good.

[@LienesLibrary]

It hurts epically good 😭

[@TheBookishMom]

@@LienesLibrary it really does

[@cesarg8242]

Very interesting take. I find that I appreciate when any media tosses you into a story and allows you to piece things together as you go, I find myself frustrated, or bored, when all the details are spoon fed to you. I'm looking forward to reading the last two books. I also agree that having discussions while reading the books enhances the experience. I enjoyed bouncing thoughts and ideas off the people I am reading with because we are an interesting mix, and I enjoyed hearing the perspective of the first book from my male friend who is a parent and very analytical, my female friend that is a parent and incredibly strong willed and fierce, and my other female friend that is very empathetic. The slightly different views, or the way they were able to process and compartmentalize what was happening was quite fascinating. I feel like that is where I will gain the most out of this series, and am really looking forward to continuing the series!

[@halimamuslimah]

I've read this trilogy. Between each book I would take a break and read 3 or 4 novellas. I had to because after reading each book, I felt like I had spinal fluid leaking out of my ears. Phew. After I finished the last book, The Stone Sky, I was too gob smacked to even take a victory lap for having finished it. It's been a year since reading it and it's still with me. It's a tremendous journey. No regrets.

[@LienesLibrary]

Haha that describes the experience pretty well 😅 it’s brutal for sure but so worth it

[@svjetlicasvjetlic6784]

I read Broken Earth a month ago, and I agree with you. The books are amazing. How everything is connected despite so many unknowns; it’s just incredible. Even if you can predict some events, when it happens, it still has such a strong impact. The exploitation of nature, the consequences, prejudices, fear of the unknown; everything is masterfully intertwined. I’ve never read anything similar.

[@onfaerystories]

I've watched Fantasy booktubers for a while without even being a Fantasy reader (I've read 3 last year), and this one was among the top five novels I was most interested in reading. I can't read it this month (it's a Robin Hobb and Tolkien month for me), and in April, I'll buddy read Before They Are Hanged... I don't know if I'll have time to squeeze it in. But every time I've heard people talk about this trilogy, it just sounded like a very fascinating journey. Sounds like Malazan's confusion and mystery, but on a smaller scale. Also, I must admit that these covers are so beautiful, I just can't resist!

[@LienesLibrary]

NK Jemisin absolutely deserves that spot on your list 🙌

[@cappuccinocrafts2412]

I started reading The Fifth Season (book 1) this week. Currently 1/3 of the way through. I am blown away. This is raw, terrifying, strange, and at times beautiful. This is definitely an experience.

[@LienesLibrary]

“An experience” is definitely the way to put it 👌

[@floydwilliams497]

This may be the best review I've ever seen for this Series, N.K. Jemisin should send you a check for that review, well done.

[@LienesLibrary]

oh wow thanks!

[@colbyo4817]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. This is the best, most helpful review I’ve seen of the trilogy and the books are now on my TBR.

[@LienesLibrary]

Hope you love them!

[@antiagarcia7495]

I read Fifth Season last Christmas and ended up loving it much more than I expected. I felt very WTF several times but expected it as getting mystery to the next books (those obelisks really got me bugged) I loved the world building and character development and structure. I normally dislike present tense narration but in this case it so worked for me. The only reason I haven't picked up yet books 2 and 3 is because I prefer to space series so I don't end up tired or fed up if I read all the way one after another, but Fifth Season has kept on my mind these weeks so I bet the next will come soon... and you've made me more eager for it

[@LienesLibrary]

I also don’t like binging series for the same reason - I read this trilogy over the span of about 9 months and that worked great for me 👌

[@EhsJaySaunders]

You have furthered my intrigued-ness. Last night, having finished Malice, it was a toss-up between Fifth Season and Red Rising. I chose the latter, but Fifth Season's time will come.

[@LienesLibrary]

Hooooboy I’d not have been much help if you’d asked my advice on which to pick up, both are all time favorite series for me 🙌

[@mellies.8822]

I'm reading "Obelisk Gate" right now, and I agree with everything you said! I'm so curious how the series will end. Through "Fifth Season" I really understood my own reading taste more. I love all kinds of fantasy, but those that really stick with me, those that are my all time favourites always leave me confused. I love Jemisins way of worldbuilding so much, I love to feel purposefully confused!

[@LienesLibrary]

hope you love the conclusion, I personally think it was a solid ending

[@lisa.hennessey19]

You 1000% convinced me to finish this series! After the first book I was like "wtf? I don't get what's going on." So I'm picking up book 2 today now!! Thanks for making me realize I'm not actually dumb and it's part of the experience of the trilogy!

[@LienesLibrary]

Hahaha my pleasure - you may end up not enjoying anyway, but I’m glad you’re giving it another go ☺️

[@reneenospam]

When I read The Fifth Season I was awestruck. I haven’t felt that way since I read Beloved by Toni Morrison for the first time. Jemisin and Morrison are very different writers, but I viscerally connect with their writing in a way that is indescribable. I’ve read Toni Morrison’s entire backlist. Now I can look forward to reading Jemison’s and anticipate her books to come.

[@ScullyPop]

The Broken Earth series sits right I'm my wheelhouse.

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

Thank you Liene you have added 3 books to my tbr list please stay safe love from your number one Australia fan John

[@mpsensha]

I have read it twice and will reread it soon. But first I need to reread The Inheritance Trilogy.

[@LienesLibrary]

I really want to read more Jemisin - I think the Dreamblood duology is next for me

[@Punkandcannonballer]

I absolutely loved the first book. I've never read a book with a narrative like the one in Fifth Season. I think my love for the way the story was told in the first one sort of lead me to be a little disappointed with the other two. I recently also finished the City We Became, and it is soooooooo good. It's really cool to see someone tackle Lovecraft, using his Cosmic Horror elements really well while addressing the awful subtext (or just text) he wrote into his stories.

[@firellamas]

I just finished The Fifth Season last week and am looking forward to finishing the series!

[@LienesLibrary]

It’s incredible! Hope you love the rest of the books!

[@fantasticphilosophy181]

Great not-review. Totally agree with you, i also loved this trilogy. Guess i like being left in the dark sometimes.

[@cynthiaholmes5124]

I am planning on reading this series this year can't wait to read it 😅😀🤗🧐😊

[@LienesLibrary]

It’s so good! Hope you enjoy!

[@cynthiaholmes5124]

@@LienesLibrary have you ever thought about doing a video on books that need to be adapted for tv or movies 🤔

[@LienesLibrary]

@@cynthiaholmes5124 haha I actually did 😅

[@joyceh1053]

It's 1am and I've just finished reading the Stone Sky. Came here because I wanted to hear other people gush about these books. I am already feeling symptoms of a book hangover.

[@rolipoli7601]

I'm new to fantasy novel and looking for one. I hope I'll enjoy this book!

[@simplydeobitiny]

Wow, it sounds really interesting. I heard these books being described as sci-fi. Do those elements have a big part in the story ?

[@BaldBookTuber]

I haven’t read this yet, but it sounds very similar to Malazan in terms of levels of confusion to the first-time reader. Maybe a bad comparison, but that is something I really appreciate about Malazan - the characters being as (and sometimes more) confused as I am.

[@LienesLibrary]

Funny enough I was talking to some fellow booktubers about this very comparison and they suggested I do a video comparing them

[@cipriansirbu3699]

The only reason I would not pick up this series is because of second person narrative.

[@LienesLibrary]

I thought that would bother me but I found it surprisingly easy to read from that perspective

[@cipriansirbu3699]

@@LienesLibrary Didn't expect that.

[@maxvanleeuwen1273]

For a writer who uses very flowery language to describe very bleak situations: Cormac McCarthy.