THE FIFTH SEASON - Review

[@gavinsmith9871]

When I was reading this for the first time I was like "this world has no moon doesn't it" and I was hyped to find out I was right.

[@gardenhead92]

I predicted it too, but I think that’s a testament to good foreshadowing instead of the author pulling a twist out of nowhere

[@ryanloney89]

@@gardenhead92i also predicted it too but only after the first interlude where she basically spells that out. Like almost literally spells it out.

[@SpinCity1234]

Me, too. I'm actually halfway through it, and already got convinced that all the troubles they have with the seasons is because the planet doesn't have a moon. You just confirmed it to me.

[@narcolepticcow807]

Same

[@MasterHigure]

I caught it when there was a note about "the sky has stars but you don't easily notice what's not there" Which is to say, when they basically spelled it out.

[@lcpharm]

I’ll be careful, having read the trilogy. I never read the second person parts as being addressed to me, the reader. And I don’t believe it was meant to. At first it seemed Essun disassociating after a trauma. Then I also read it as an unknown 3rd character was telling Essun about her life. It makes total sense in the end. What an amazing series.

[@ninjablack4347]

to me it felt lame like a twist for the sake of the twist and the narrative suffers because of it

[@angellover02171]

The 2cd person parts is Hoa talking to Essun but he's really talking about humanity.

[@cuentadeyoutube5903]

Just having read the first book I realized this is the reason some parts are in 2nd person. A character is narrating her life to one of the characters.

[@platowannabe]

I would not want 2nd person to become popular but in this book it was perfect. It worked with the story across the 3 books and honestly there were moments where I felt the emotional hit of events more based on that. The brain can't help itself.

[@JamesTullos]

I liked this looser style, it felt more natural than something totally scripted and edited.

[@pierrehamenya2275]

Have you read this book?

[@jamesrich5640]

I have been eyeing this series for a while and this just reassured me that I need to pick it up.

[@gurentgc3546]

@Bruno same 2021

[@Jori11108]

*mild spoiler regarding 2nd person POV* I thought the second person thing was because while it was following the main character it was being narrated by someone else watching the main character do those things. The last chapter makes it a bit clearer as to why.

[@AlexanderJWF]

Just finished it earlier today and I kind of had an inkling of who the 2n Person narrator was, early on in the story (for some reason???) and it still astounded me. Now I'm just speculating as to why they (...he... it?) are speaking to her about herself and her own past???

[@samuelkiernan2740]

Yes, but i also hated that it gave away the ending based on the ending of the 2nd one

[@craftyhanako]

I love this trilogy! I was lucky enough to see N.K Jemisin win the Hugo for The Stone Sky this year. I actually never grew to like the second person, but like you, It was a small thing. Syenite and Alabaster’s relationship (all forms) is probably one of the best I’ve ever read. . . . Didn’t want to accidentally spoil anyone, but I figured out Damaya, Syenite, and Essun were the same person before it was confirmed. But the reveal still had me tingling! I totally understand craving the next book, I binged this trilogy in a week lol!

[@MrCaeles]

Reading this right now and almost face palmed at the essun part. Damaya/Syenite felt kinda obvious, should have caught on to essun sooner than that geode dwelling. Also guessing it's alabaster that blew up the fulcrum and stuff... Will find out soon i guess. About to start book 2

[@gardenhead92]

Technically the book is second person because it’s actually first person from another character’s perspective. It’s actually explained and pointed out in the next two books.

[@SirFency]

I was thinking this might be the case but then I thought maybe its not the case and I was about to put this book down till I heard this review. I'll keep going.

[@insertphrasehere15]

Syenite is a type of rock (all the fulcrum orogenes are named after minerals or rocks), and thus is pronounced "Cyan-ITE" or like "Sigh-a-night". You almost had it right there for a moment. I'm a geologist so noticed this immediately, but I wonder if anyone else noticed this naming convention.

[@toastEDmrshmello09]

insertcleverphrasehere I noticed especially, Maxixe. I have no geological educational background. Thought about naming my son this lol. Husband says no!

[@crazybiogeek]

I think the geology themed names was a cool touch.

[@angellover02171]

I thought it was mentioned in the book.

[@calblue8694]

I did

[@lmv92x]

"You almost had it" - meaning: you were never even close xD

[@kittymachine3798]

I found the second person narrative to be startling, but once I completed the novel looking back I felt that it was a really powerful. And clever. As I was reading I felt that this perspective helped me to feel more intimate with this character than I did with the other characters. But upon reflection, I believe this particular perspective was a brilliant way to show her inner dialogue, how she was moment by moment establishing her new reality, and how it helped her navigate this intense trauma. I listened to the audiobook, which was EXCELLENTLY done, highly recommend! But the names - even though your pronunciation differs from the narrator, but I really liked your version too. And after WOT, they seem refreshingly lyrical and simple LOL

[@lcpharm]

spoiler! 2nd person really helped me accept Essun and Alabasters fate and hope that they might achieve some peace throughout freaking eternity.

[@BooksBobs]

This was FANTASTIC. I've read this recently aswell. I instantly bought the rest of the trilogy. The reveals and slow burn were amazing. I like this style of review :)

[@noraeld5020]

This is interesting because I really liked the second person, I thought it was a really clever choice based on the end and how everything came together.

[@JohnKaess]

I've searched and searched and can not find your reviews for The Obelisk Gate and The Stone Sky

[@toddmarten1364]

I just bought this trilogy on sale on amazon. I'm taking a gamble. I'm not the strongest reader but I'm getting better. Haven't read much sci Fi or fantasy but want to challenge myself. Hope I like it.

[@bencressman6110]

what did you think?

[@myfirstnovel]

Just finished this, everyone who reread the beginning about how the earth broke the moment the novel ended, r.a.i.s.e. your hand! What a book.

[@hgjfkd12345]

SPOILERS I started to have an inkling that they were all the same character at about the first interlude, and I felt so good when it turned out to be correct in that Damaya chapter. I love how she doesn't treat the reader as an idiot and writes the plot and exposition in a way which is gleaned and earned instead of explicitly told in blocks of text, and it's possible to figure out certain twists by paying attention to little details and character and world building

[@sunekoo]

Just finished the first book and enjoyed it overall. My interest in the 3 stories went up and down, the worst part being when they got to pirate island. Some parts of the book were really interesting and I wanted to spend more time there (particularly Damaya at the fulcrum with the other grits). I’m picking up the 2nd book tomorrow.

[@DavidDecero]

After I saw N.K. Jemisin won the Hugo award for best novel three years in a row, I had to check this series out. It's off to a strong start. I'm hoping to finish it this week. Nice review!

[@bentheoverlord]

This is easily one of the best books I've read this year, I just adored it.

[@AngelikaRenee]

I absolutely loved this book! I agree with you about the second person. I struggled so much during those parts. But other then that it was incredible. I read all 3 books and really enjoyed them but I think overall the first book was my favorite

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

It really was so darn jarring and I never got over it. So happy it didn’t last long. Though it sure does make the series stand out even more.

[@AngelikaRenee]

Daniel Greene N.K. Jenisin knows how to stand out! I am interested to hear your thoughts about the other two books

[@UnwrittenNoise]

@@DanielGreeneReviews there is a reason as to why that one storyline is told that way, and it makes sense when you read the whole series. Still, I don't really like the effect of 2nd person narration either, even though it doesn't bother me here.

[@scottfree6479]

I liked the style; it provided an interesting mystery that kept me going. Unfortunately, the long explicit descriptions of the emotional states of the many characters were just boring. It just seemed artificial... especially for male characters. NKJ writes men the way Stephen King writes women; poorly. Truly great writers can show us the emotions of a character with subtle hints and indications, allowing us to build a fantasy in our minds. NKJ just shoves it in our face. Maybe some folks like that, but I don't. That's a shame, because I REALLY enjoyed the world she built. I found the setting compelling, dark, and generally fascinating. The characters were unlikable, however, and by the end I just wasn't invested in any of them. I finished the trilogy, but the last bit was a slog.

[@CablesComics]

Your review is definitely making me put this on my must read for 2019. Thanks Daniel!!

[@ravenprince.23]

I enjoyed the second person parts. The author got me to be emotional along with the character, which was an interesting experience. Other times when I’ve been emotional with a character there was more of a separation, but I felt an immediate connection. Maybe strange, but I liked it. 🙂

[@spencermartin9072]

I will say that her use of second person makes much more thematic sense when you read the series in it's entirety.

[@BedtimeBookworm]

This has been on my tbr forever, I’ve heard such good things and I’m glad you enjoyed it too!

[@aidanfaulds4529]

After watching the first half of this video, I went and picked up this book. It's the best book I've read since I finished the Wheel of Time.

[@verlandes1]

The second person narrative is what made this book, stylistically. Fantasy readers need to up their game.

[@nuanceblacksywin4868]

OUCH! Having only listened to the audiobooks, those name pronunciations are atrocious. Btw the way, the audio books are FANTASTIC. They are as well narrated as the books are well written.

[@liammcconlogue9584]

Syañēnté!

[@SalivatingPanda]

Audiobook was amazing. The narrator done a terrific job

[@justalurkr]

Three consecutive best novel Hugos later, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Ms. Jemisin maintained the level.

[@seanhalpin87]

The second person choice was jarring at first but once I quickly got used to it, it didn't bother me at all. I really really am enjoying it, almost done with book one, and just bought the second two books so I can binge read it, as I've heard, it is ideally read as one long book.

[@tracib.7725]

Regrets!! I’ve picked this up twice and put it down un-purchased twice. Putting it at top of list. I like this style for you for more specific, lengthy reviews involving the sharing of content along with your opinion. I can better focus on the details. For more opinion based content, controversial stuff and what not I enjoy the humorous, animated nature of your “traditional” videos. Keep the lols coming! Hope that makes so kinda sense. Hi Cash!!!

[@Vishnu6]

The Fifth Season was a stunning book

[@teganj9512]

Just started this book and have never read anything in second person and I don't mind it, I find her story the most compelling so far but I haven't met the third character yet.

[@bradleypeterson2322]

Yeah, I loved this book. I lent my AP Lit teacher my copy last year, because I wanted so bad to talk about the book with someone. I loved the structure of the book so much. Can't wait to hear what you think about the rest of the trilogy!

[@stevenl.5490]

Great review Daniel and love the new format. Would love to see some Malazan reviews/discussion with spoilers ;) I read this series last year and finished it in a month, which is fast for me. I loved being immersed in a world so unlike our own, where language and culture has been shaped by never-ending earthquakes and volcanoes. Btw, Syenite is named after a rock, like Alabaster and others you'll encounter in books 2 and 3. It's pronounced sigh-a-night :)

[@JavaBeanJean]

Yes , yes , yes ,Okay so i read it blind as well and I needed the affirmation from the end. It was such a good read.

[@danpifko]

This book has been on my radar for a while now but I will kick it up higher on my TBR. Great review, really looking forward to reading it!

[@elrilmoonweaver4723]

I've noticed something regarding the usage of second-person narration, when it works 1. In instances where the first person narrator addresses a mute other character such as Tracker (From Black Leopard, Red Wolf) addressing the inquisitor 2. The unknown narrator narrates another character's life, talking to the character as if telling their life story for them (like it happens in Fifth Season). Where it doesn't work is where the author uses their narrator to address the reader and dictate what the READER does in the author's story. That's where I draw the line and I start to have a problem. I can tolerate a dialogue between characters and the usage of "you" in those cases, but I HATE it when an author nonchalantly tells me what I do in their story. No, thank you!

[@lcpharm]

this series is amazing! I didn’t really like the main character, but I FELT her, I understood how she made the decisions she did, I felt the need to find my child. It is, without a doubt, one of the best I ever read, from writing ability, to plot, to character development and whatever. The second and third book aren’t as good as the original, hard act to follow, but she did an amazing job with the phenomenal start she created.. And she brought all the story arch’s full circle with richness, pain, love and ..just being right…

[@teatimewitht6937]

Fantastic review, Daniel. I recently read and thought The Fifth Season was brilliant. And you are my number one for fantasy reviews, so I had to come see if you had a review. I also didn’t catch the twist although upon reread and going back, there is definitely an amass of foreshadowing. Need to reread soon. Hope to finish the series this month/next month.

[@lucialanczova1315]

reading this now, have to say, this book will probably completely cure my reading slump

[@TA-ui9ku]

Thanks for the review. I’m half way through it and it’s just not doing it for me. So before I dnf’d, I wanted to listen to book reviews and yes, SPOILERS! Lol I think I can press on. Your job here is done.😂

[@christopherdupree2092]

I just started reading and I am only 1/4 the way in but this book is freaking me out. For the last few months I have been working on forming ideas and outlining my own story. I started reading this book and the magic system is nearly identical to what I had in mind. The introduction to the story is also strikingly similar to what I had in mind with a magic-using character destroying the largest city in the world for unknown reasons. It's a mix of encouraging that I thought along the same lines of a real writer, but discouraging that my ideas aren't as unique as I had hoped.

[@Njlc88]

I just finished this and OMG! This may be my favorite opener for a fantasy series ever!

[@dougperry691]

Spoilers- I loved the world building and setting however I found the character of seyenite to be unlikable with little redeeming qualities compared to her character in other time periods. Really not trying to be a know it all but I just saw the twist coming very early on so I didn’t get that carthatic pay off a twist normally brings. Also the seyenite inno initial attraction love triangle did pang of a young adult novel to me. Just felt really forced and unbelievable. I think I just heard too much good hype for the book and had too high expectations. I agree that a lot of the book is really well written i just hoped I would like seyenite more.

[@gardenhead92]

I didn’t like that part either it felt cringey. However it does serve as like the only truly happy part of that characters life so it gets some leeway

[@z_wulf]

Did you ever do a review on the rest of the books? If so I can't find them easily on your page. I went to it and searched for the book name and trilogy name but couldn't find anything. I'd love to hear your perspective on it.

[@majic200]

I totally thought the 'twist' might have been a thing for a long time before it was revealed. Even so, it was great.

[@dougperry691]

Same here but I think she did drop a few non subtle clues about her hand old pain ect

[@ThePsychoNyx]

Okay heard your spoiler-free thoughts and it's in my basket. Looking forward to hearing them all when I get round to this series

[@yo-panda]

Sounds like Tri-solaris (Three Body Problem) will give it a read

[@ReadandFindOut]

I love this trilogy, and I'm so glad you liked the first book! Jemisin's work in this book is brilliant.

[@nolangreen7089]

i bought this on audiobook because you recommended it, i comment a lot. i'm a couple hours in and love it. old man's war review (in the same vein as the martian and we are legion we are bob (which i just completed book 3 couple hours ago)). Also I have a very unique magic system i'd love to kick the tires on with you as well - big fan (and i hate when they do that in first person, I understand that she want's the impact to affect you, but hurt my ears)

[@IAmEki]

I didn't mind the second person narration, but I'm pretty good at adapting to those kinds of things. For City of Stairs, I didn't realize until I watched a review afterwards that the book is in present tense.

[@ArthaCel]

I really liked that you were more indepth in the spoiler free zone than in the spoiler filled zone. As someone interested in reading new books, this is the kind of recomendations I look for. I prefer the other video style, though

[@justinelombardi5697]

This would be a tough video to do and would likely generate a lot of negative responses. But, I would love you to give this trilogy a 2nd look in light of the current political upheaval and othering we are experiencing. Sometimes fiction can help us understand and cope with the world we really live in.

[@truthandjustice3319]

I'd like to hear your take on the trilogy as a whole. I was not as impressed as you were with this first book but I was intrigued enough to go on and read the next two books. The world was original and I wasn't bothered by the second person narration, but I did have some fundamental problems with the world building, especially in regard to food and its availability. I also just couldn't seem to get attached to any of the characters. I tried to. I really did. For three books, I tried. But, it just didn't happen. I know I'm in the minority with this opinion, but there it is.

[@mafxarr8776]

I’ve been debating with myself over whether I wanna buy this or the Mistborn trilogy. No access to a good library unfortunately so I plan on buying online. Will have to pick one for now. Also heard great things about an old classic by Ursula K Le Guinn called the Books of Earthsea, have you read it?

[@eymerichinquisitore9022]

The Earthsea saga is among my three favorite series ever. I'm not surprised that no one answered you, we read a lot of shit today

[@Mbabyblue1233]

Oh i love this book. It was in my top 5 book last year when i read it. Did you read any of her other series?

[@estacoda545]

Reading this for a grad course this semester! Can’t wait!

[@jamesholder13]

I like this format. Good review.

[@crazybiogeek]

Trying to avoid obvious spoilers, but I'll put a break in so people don't have to read below if they don't want to: . . . . I saw the twist coming, when it became clear that the story was being told in chunks, similar to The Witcher tv show. Didn't ruin anything for me, and it just made me appreciate the story and how each part fits with the others.

[@ElondriaGrey]

This book has been on my TBR forever and I think it just moved to the top, as soon as I finish Lightbringer

[@toddmarten1364]

Ok I just finished this book, just now, and sorry for the language but holy fuck... This book blew my mind!!! I am so happy I bougbt the trilogy because I'm hooked. Wow I was not expecting that at all. So good. Rated 5 stars on Goodreads. Would give 6 if it was an option.

[@stianaslaksen5799]

I'm on book 2 right now, and I'm loving it.

[@ivarsozols4429]

please help me, I've read the trilogy... but.... could someone tell me why antimony ate Alabaster ? Why Hoa was eating essun ?

[@critic00able]

I'm here cause of the news of the adaptation and I want to see what all the Hype is all about

[@nolanschmidt1065]

The big reveal in this book was sooo confusing but I love this book.

[@SirFency]

I thought you said that the second person stuff was a bit in the beginning. I'm into the second book now and its still going on. I found it very distracting at first but I'm used to it now.

[@lawlesscb]

The second person was a little jarring but makes narrative sense by the end of the third book.

[@jensroberthelland319]

I've finished the trilogy, I straightforward loved it, it all makes sense as it goes on, and you keep learning something about the world in every book. I also got slightly annoyed by the "you" perspective, but allover the commentary on climate change, racism, classism and everything just works, and doesn't feel forced nor is it a secret that you explicitly have to look for. The way the "magic" system is built just amazing, you feel they're extremely powerful, at the same time you see the limitations as well. All over a lovable series, that I picked up at random, cause I had read no reviews of it, I just saw the book sitting on the shelf in a bookstore and just thought the blurb was nice, and usually I'm very picky about the books I buy. What a funny coincidence. I loved the twist, caught me by surprise though I had budding suspicions at times, but it was so well hidden and what a paradigm shift it has on everything you've read up to that point.

[@EE12345]

I just started reading this book (audiobook) and the prologue and first chapter were a huge turn off for me, because of the narration style. I'm so glad you said it goes away and what happens after is a great experience, it's exactly what I wanted to hear lol.

[@talmanesdelovinde302]

the fact that all the characters were the same was obvious to me from the first time we got a second chapter on anyone other second-person lady. The other characters aren't going through the apocalypse yet, which means they're in different period of times, and from there its an easy conclusion. Once I pieced that together, all the second person stuff drove me off from the book

[@tonyasullivan1133]

Just recently read the 5th season and I really liked it.

[@cynthiaholmes5124]

I read this book in march I really enjoyed it just started on the obelisk gate 😁😀🙂

[@kngpin41]

Daniel I feel like I have so much to say about this series, I didn't like it that much. I love the spoiler that you mentioned, but she did too much hinting and not enough explaining. What about the moon? Yes it's intriguing but what about it? I dunno... I felt myself rereading the first part of the book for descriptions of the fulcum and stuff...

[@timjackson4387]

The narration choice is actually really interesting IMO but it doesn’t really make sense until the final book.

[@WhatTheFunct]

I dunno. I think when the twist in the first book is revealed, it makes sense.

[@ondrejrolnik1631]

I saw the title and was like "the fifth season of what?"

[@MrTofy1974]

I picked this trilogy in box set form....it is next on my to read list after Kingkiller trilogy

[@rachaelmarie3194]

Joining this now as I'm currently reading this and need some help figuring it out

[@krazyistypical]

Did you review the other books or any other NK works?

[@birdguyjohnson3502]

Great D and D comparison.

[@marcuslongoni3258]

Please finish this series!!!

[@no-tg4me]

The second person has a real purpose here which becomes more apparent as the series goes on. Didn't love the 2nd and 3rd books as much as I loved the first

[@daleyemissions]

“One segment” LOL did Daniel even *read* this book?! Essun’s entire arc of chapters in the book are written in the second person, and that arc covers the entire book- and the second and third books expand on that.

[@AndrewsWizardlyReads]

I couldn’t get through chapter 1 it just did not grab me instantly. It might be because I read this after Bloody Rose. I ended up switching to the Powder Mage trilogy.

[@1_seanmarshall]

Not actually heard of this one. I'll put it on the TBR by the sound of this review

[@richardtasden4417]

Your name pronunciation broke my head lol

[@matthewmerendo4444]

I'd really love to know if you've read the rest of the trilogy yet. You said in a collab that you understood why she chose to write part of it in second-person but you wouldn't have made that decision if you wrote it -- and I'm really curious to know if you'd still not have made that decision after the end of the whole shebang.

[@patroclus1729]

Did you read the second and third books?

[@davidsandlin9686]

Ahh I read the first two in the series. I don’t know really don’t drive me to form an opinion one way or another. They were just blah to me. I didn’t care about the characters that much. The child abuse was sort of jarring and didn’t really need to be used imo. The point could have been made without it. It is original I’ll give it that. I’ll probably read book three just to finish the series. I do think the writing is slow as hell though. A lot of really unnecessary filler in the book imo.

[@NUgala]

I approve of the thumbnail

[@jackinthebox1993]

I've owned this book for more than a year, and have yet to read it...

[@GeekofMordor]

Any fantasy elements like non human races and monsters?

[@danielleoliver1734]

I’ve finished the trilogy and while I liked the world, plot, characters, representation etc something stopped me from really getting sucked into the book and connecting to the characters. Slightly over-rated to me

[@robinlue2008]

It’s Syanite like how you would say cyanide.

[@andrijanav9735]

did he ever give his thoughts on the entire trilogy ?

[@myself2noone]

11:40 God damn it. I guessed that by the way people where talking about the book, and some ass hole told me I was wrong.

[@smithj7U]

Why father earth instead of mother earth?

[@themanplan987]

Interesting name pronunciations, I just read syenite like the word.

[@egilgarberg9893]

Good plot and writing, but the LHBT felt very forced, Disney wize. nobody should be left out so everbody can feel connected..😊

[@WSPC7115]

eleven hours of an audio book and i still have not heard the ending

[@KitchenSinkSoup]

Did you ever read the next two?