The Fifth Season (Spoiler Free) | REVIEW

[@SFF180]

Glad to see you enjoyed this one. It really is brilliant. What was interesting about how Jemisin handles race in the story is the way that people identify more with the specific _region_ of the Stillness they come from, and not so much their race or ethnicity, which is such a melted-together melting pot no one really cares much. So there are some regional attitudes and prejudices but no racial ones, and the main systemic bigotry, of course, is against the orogenes, whom everyone blames for all the seismic turmoil while also resenting them at the same time for being the only people who can deal with it. It's an amazing world.

[@AmandaPradoCS]

i'm so glad you liked this book, this is probably my favorite ongoing series rn, i love everything abt it SO. MUCH. i'm in love with essun, and the poly relationship was such a good surprise that has me ruined in a pit of feelings to this day aaaa. imo the second book is just as good as the first one - i know some reviews said "it suffers from middle book syndrome" and "nothing happens" but i disagree lmao the plot is slower but in terms of character development a shit ton of stuff happens. and the ending is just as explosive. im v hype for the conclusion.

[@ev6564]

Is the poly relationship a major part of the book? I'm interested in reading this book, and I'm personally not for poly romances, but this book sounds so good. Diversity check, fantasy check, amazing characters check

[@animalobsessed1]

I'm surprised you say it's hard to get into. The writing style made me fall in love after just the first page. I loved lines like "None of these people or places matter, by the way. I simply point them out for context." Or when asphalt is referred to as a "miraculous substance."

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

it's just dense is all. not saying it isn't worth it but that can be a turn off to some people so that's why I mentioned it.

[@rayatwood]

I started it and found it tough to get into for the very reason you stated. Actually searched up a review on it just to hear someone say this and get motivated to jump back in. Thanks!!

[@Livingabook]

We love that you review books with no spoilers, it makes us want to know more about them

[@TrevM]

Wow, great book review! You said so much about the book without giving away any of the plot. 4/5 book. 10/10 review.

[@t.j.forest6657]

As others have said, I'm so glad you read and liked The Fifth Season! Honestly, I was hooked from the opening line in the prologue. I'm also super fascinated by different ways to do POV, so the 2nd person was insanely interesting (and enjoyable) for me. Funnily enough, I actually inadvertently discovered this book because of one of your videos. I think it was the Top 5 video about underused fantasy setting. One of them dealt with jungles/forests. Well, in my search for books like that, I stumbled upon The Fifth Season, and it's one of my all-time favorites. So...thanks, in a way!

[@dysprosium162]

Thanks for the review. I just started reading the book. I agree- it also too me awhile to really get into and a level of familiarity and connection to the world and the characters but I am now about midway through the book and things are really getting good! I do find the second person perspective in the book a bit jarring (that's why I've been looking at some spoiler-free book reviewers' takes on the book) but maybe there's a reason in the end? I guess I'll find out???

[@kittymachine3798]

I just finished this book and it is absolutely EPIC! 5/5 Stars I'm so impressed with this incredible work of art, I totally get why this won the Hugo. I am dying to start the next one - the sadness of not having this book in my life sooner is balanced out by the blessing that I can now binge the entire series!!! 😸 I listened to this on audio, and it was exceptionally well done. I didn't realize that I was missing out on a huge glossary / index though LOL but still, it stood on its own. I did NOT see the twist coming. Either of the twists. And damn they were so brilliant weren't they?! Sam, you are the reason I even picked this up. I've heard you mention NK Jemisin's name with such respect so many times that I just had to find out what all the fuss was about. So, thank you darling! 😻

[@feyisbored]

Glad you pointed the glossary out to me!! I'm half way through the book and didn't even notice it was there lol This will definitely come in handy. Thanks :)

[@BooksRebound]

You really gotta mention that Essun's part is told in 2nd person. I feel like that's very important for a lot of people to know before reading

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Matthew Bryan I actually liked discovering that for myself when I went in. I thought it was a really cool technique.

[@BooksRebound]

Thoughts on Tomes did you like that perspective? I really enjoyed the technique once I got used to it. I feel like that's a hard thing to really nail. Also, can/did you read my long rambly ass comment about the Kingfountain septet (that a word? Idk. 7 books)? it's soooo good. I finally finished the third book and it was just so bittersweet. I really loved them. Book one had a few drawbacks but was still quite good. I rated the series 4.5☆

[@BrekkeEl]

This has been sitting on my shelves for far too long. Glad to see a good review form you - I might have to scoot it up to my next TBR!

[@shinyandteddy957]

Great non spoiler review. I loved The Fifth Season and The Obelisk Gate. Cannot wait for book three. NK Jemisin is doing some important work in the fantasy genre.

[@joerichey1906]

Just started Fifth Season. You mentioning that it's a bit hard to get into made me feel better about the general confusion I have from the prologue and first chapter. Good video.

[@JoeySocko]

I just started reading it today. I got 50 pages in and I was hooked. I can not wait to find out more of the world and the ending

[@mountainoverthefool1556]

One of the best sci-fi fantasy books.. It has one of the biggest plot twist's though...

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

definitely

[@AyameObsessed]

Sam!! I'm so glad you liked this one! I agree with everything you said, it does take a hot second to get acquainted with this world but once you're in you're IN! & also same with that poly relationship :') this is a beautiful book!

[@amyr3293]

I started this but just wasn't in the mood for the worlbuilding at the time, I think I will try it again sometime soon though

[@brittabohlerthesecondshelf]

So happy that you enjoyed 5th Season! I loved everything about it, including the plot twist, which was really clever I thought.

[@rachelwhite4449]

Glad I came across this video. I’m a few chapters in and have been confused. I was wondering if I’ve been distracted and should start over.

[@puhno]

Just got this on ebook. Can't wait to start it!

[@katarzynawalat5583]

That Dragon Age reference!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

:))))

[@jamesholder13]

I really need to find the time to finally read The Fifth Season!

[@cary01usjason]

This sounds really interesting. I may have to check this out soon.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@ali-cia-2727]

It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, around the second half of the book, I couldn't let it go. I suspected half of the twist, so I did get to be surprised about it. Really need to get my hands on the 2nd one.

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

Alicia Sanson I suspected the twist as well but it made it no less enjoyable. If anything it made it better because I thought it was so clever.

[@NaomiAnaliss]

I have this on my TBR! I want to read all her other books first. I'm currently reading the inheritance trilogy and the night lord is a mix between the darkling, kiaran from the falconer and rhysand!! Im living for him!!

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

wowowowowowow i need it then

[@NaomiAnaliss]

Yes those are the vibes I get! I'm not done yet so I can't say 100% how I feel about the story but as of right now I can't put it down.

[@BooksRebound]

yayyyyy I'm sooo glad you finally read this!!!

[@Sach.T]

Hello ! Can anyone tell me if this is a book that is easy readable by a non-english speaking readership ?

[@wizardace1841]

Thanks for the review, I've been waiting for your thoughts on this book before I bought it. "if you guys are familiar with dragon age" heck yea i am familiar, dragon age is awesome.

[@michelleraven1832]

I started reading it today and the point of view is really throwing me off...

[@jazzyjh]

Michelle Raven yassssss!!! I had to stop reading after the first few chapters, but I am thinking about reading it again

[@nicolekawa1265]

Me too, but I’ve now watched a few reviews and they really make me want to finish it.

[@kittymachine3798]

I sincerely hope you all ended up getting the chance to get into the book just a little further. The second person POV is really startling at first, at least for me. But I quickly got used to it and felt really emotionally close to Essune. Of course, I ended up loving the book so much that I haven't been able to stop ranting about it to absolutely everyone! So if you haven't yet, pick it back up, keep reading!!! I promise, you'll not regret it 🖤 PS: I listened to this on audio and it was extremely well done^_^

[@meganrowe9306]

I am so conflicted about this book. I really loved a lot of things you mentioned like the writing and diversity, but I couldn't get over how often that poor woman's life just went to complete shit. It just made me so sad for her. Like give her a break already. Damn

[@ThoughtsOnTomes]

oh I hear you. It's definitely not a hopeful read.