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Philip's Reviews > The Fifth Season
The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, #1)
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4.5ish stars.
Wow. This book was unlike anything I've read in a long time. I know that distinction gets thrown out a lot but not by me. I love the fantasy genre but not because every book I read within it is innovative and unique. There's really a lot of the same thing, which I'm fine with because I like most of the tried-and-true tropes and reliable modus operandi. But this. I don't even know how to classify it. It's not so much fantasy as it is... whatever it is. But I like it.
I took a few pages for me to be okay with Jemisin's writing style because I'm not used to book-language sounding so much like speaking-language. I eventually came to find that it made the world and the characters that much more relatable. On top of that, I don't think I've ever read a book written (at least partially) in second person present. It very likely could have NOT worked, but it DID work. And the convergence at the end was very satisfying. Each of the POVs was equally as enjoyable to read. We've all read books with multiple POVs and we groan whenever it's time again for THAT PERSON's perspective. This was not like that. Each of the characters (view spoiler) were fascinating and enjoyable to spend time with.
It also took (more than) a few pages for me to get a real sense of this world. On the surface (haha) there seemed to be a lot more in common with the-world-as-I-know-it than with many fantasy worlds but it took a while to figure out how much in common there really was. I guess just in terms of technology, culture, flora/fauna, etc. I wanted to find some sort of frame of reference. I'm still not entirely certain I found that frame of reference but there was enough explanation to satisfy me and I guess (view spoiler)
As far as the magic system, can it even really be classified as such? The way Jemisin developed and executed it, orogeny and all the rest of it was simple truth. Despite being so out there, it was actually really easy to just accept it. It's not so much fantasy and magic as much as it could be just another part of our Earth that I haven't had the chance to understand and experience yet.
I'm surprised, considering this is the first in a trilogy and ends on a can't-wait-to-read-the-next-one cliffhanger how full and complete it feels. If this doesn't overtake my previous #1 vote for the Hugo, it will be a close second.
https://mrphilipslibrary.wordpress.co...
Wow. This book was unlike anything I've read in a long time. I know that distinction gets thrown out a lot but not by me. I love the fantasy genre but not because every book I read within it is innovative and unique. There's really a lot of the same thing, which I'm fine with because I like most of the tried-and-true tropes and reliable modus operandi. But this. I don't even know how to classify it. It's not so much fantasy as it is... whatever it is. But I like it.
I took a few pages for me to be okay with Jemisin's writing style because I'm not used to book-language sounding so much like speaking-language. I eventually came to find that it made the world and the characters that much more relatable. On top of that, I don't think I've ever read a book written (at least partially) in second person present. It very likely could have NOT worked, but it DID work. And the convergence at the end was very satisfying. Each of the POVs was equally as enjoyable to read. We've all read books with multiple POVs and we groan whenever it's time again for THAT PERSON's perspective. This was not like that. Each of the characters (view spoiler) were fascinating and enjoyable to spend time with.
It also took (more than) a few pages for me to get a real sense of this world. On the surface (haha) there seemed to be a lot more in common with the-world-as-I-know-it than with many fantasy worlds but it took a while to figure out how much in common there really was. I guess just in terms of technology, culture, flora/fauna, etc. I wanted to find some sort of frame of reference. I'm still not entirely certain I found that frame of reference but there was enough explanation to satisfy me and I guess (view spoiler)
As far as the magic system, can it even really be classified as such? The way Jemisin developed and executed it, orogeny and all the rest of it was simple truth. Despite being so out there, it was actually really easy to just accept it. It's not so much fantasy and magic as much as it could be just another part of our Earth that I haven't had the chance to understand and experience yet.
I'm surprised, considering this is the first in a trilogy and ends on a can't-wait-to-read-the-next-one cliffhanger how full and complete it feels. If this doesn't overtake my previous #1 vote for the Hugo, it will be a close second.
https://mrphilipslibrary.wordpress.co...
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Reading Progress
May 1, 2016
– Shelved
July 8, 2016
–
Started Reading
July 25, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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by
Justine
(last edited Jul 25, 2016 05:23PM)
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Jul 25, 2016 05:22PM
Great review Philip! For some reason I didn't realize you were reading this at the same time as I was. I'm almost done with this one myself and agree that it's excellent:)
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Justine wrote: "Great review Philip! For some reason I didn't realize you were reading this at the same time as I was. I'm almost done with this one myself and agree that it's excellent:)"I haven't updated in a few weeks because I've had all sorts of summer stuff to get done along with training a new puppy and it's taken a toll on my reading haha. So that's probably why you didn't notice. But yeah! I saw you were reading it as well and I'm excited to see what you think.
It's one of those books I'm really enjoying but I'm not sure how to review without giving spoilers. Plus, yes, summer stuff is taking up some time for sure:)
Great review Philip! I was really surprised by this one too, in the best way.
Yes! Great review. I have this waiting on my shelf, and I can't wait to read it. It's gonna be my December read, once university lets me off. Ahh, I'm so excited!
Thank you, guys. :) I hope you like it as much as I did, Kirstine! I'm done with school in December, too (graduating!) I can't wait for the extra reading time haha.
Oh congratulations! What program are you graduating from?
I too loved it. Great review! I was so moved by this book that even though I got the sequel the day it came out, I'm still holding off on reading it. Savoring the experience, maybe. A truly unique story. It's awesome you enjoyed it.
Justine wrote: "Oh congratulations! What program are you graduating from?"Early Childhood Special Education. :) I'm so ready to be done.
Basia wrote: "I too loved it. Great review! I was so moved by this book that even though I got the sequel the day it came out, I'm still holding off on reading it. Savoring the experience, maybe. A truly unique..."
I don't blame you. Gotta make that feeling last. The second one is great as well. I'm really looking forward to the last one, but I'll be sad when it's over at the same time.
I know that feeling!And early childhood ed?!? I'm editing a dissertation proposal about adopting the Reggio Emilia approach in a Middle Eastern country as we speak!!! Ugh! This chapter is 50 pages alone, and I'm only about 1/4 through editing it! It'll only get looooonger.
What kind of program will you be graduating?
Basia wrote: "I know that feeling!And early childhood ed?!? I'm editing a dissertation proposal about adopting the Reggio Emilia approach in a Middle Eastern country as we speak!!! Ugh! This chapter is 50 pages..."
That's so cool! The topic, not necessarily the writing part haha. Reggio Emilia is right up my ball park, I'm a big proponent of progressive education. The schools I teach at now are a little too structured for my taste, but I have some flexibility with the individual kids I support. I hope you survive your dissertation!
I really loved this one :) Congrats on the graduation and the PUPPY!
Great review! You answered my question on how unique a fantasy it was. As I was reading it I figured if something this good had come out ages ago I think I would have heard about it by now. Do you think this has "classic" potential?
Fantastic review Philip. You hit on a point I also had difficulty with, at first, with the style language used, but once I got over that, also within a very short time, I really enjoyed the sarcasm and wittiness (is that a word?)The whole story is difficult to classify, but who cares? It's terrific!
Beige wrote: "Great review! You answered my question on how unique a fantasy it was. As I was reading it I figured if something this good had come out ages ago I think I would have heard about it by now. Do you ..."I do. I think it's a pretty groundbreaking (no pun intended) series and will hopefully be remembered as such.
Lata wrote: "Fantastic review Philip. You hit on a point I also had difficulty with, at first, with the style language used, but once I got over that, also within a very short time, I really enjoyed the sarcasm..."Stories that are hard to classify are the best kinds of stories, right?!
Great review Philip! You do a great job of selling how different The Fifth Season is from standard fantasy. I've read a few reviews that say it has more in common with sci-fi world building, which is an interesting thought!
