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The Fifth Season

N.K. Jemisin

In paperback Aug. 4, 2015

4.75/5 stars

In most fiction of an apocalyptic nature, apocalypse is singular. Not so in N.K. Jemisin's first installment of The Broken Earth series, The Fifth Season. The residents of the Stillness refer to the recurring apocalypses as seasons, and define themselves by their ability to withstand them, as guided by the religion-esque stonelore passed down through seasons past. Ostensibly, the lore was developed and continually followed in an attempt to bring stability to a land in which the earth and those who control it are the greatest enemy. In the Stillness there are those who can channel the earth and harness its' power, some of whom walk among the rest of the population. These orogenes are considered both a weapon and threat which must be controlled or eliminated. One such orogene, Essun, has managed to live among the non-magical without detection for some time, until her son is murdered by his father. The second, Dekarta, is just discovering what it means to be an orogene, what it means to be controlled, molded and enslaved to do the bidding of those that fear her power. The third, Syen, is learning to live in a world free of the guardians (who control the orogenes), among people who do not shun her for being other. These three women weave a compelling tale of oppression and power, fear and acceptance. Jemisin has built a world that is instantly compelling, quite different from our own, but also profoundly similar. The Fifth Season's smooth, enticing prose will draw you in immediately; the characters will keep you reading until the end and regretting that you must wait for the second installment.

I was enthralled by The Fifth Season, which is the first work by Jemisin I have read. So often, I am turned off by the lack of emphasis on prose in fantasy novels; Jemisin's writing style had me giddy by the first page. Not exaggerating. I went out and bought The Inheritance Trilogy before I had even finished The Fifth Season. I must admit, I much prefer The Fifth Season, but there is no doubt that Jemisin has a gift for original storytelling. I am a fan. Now, I just have to find something equally as good to distract myself from the fact that the second book doesn't even have a publication date yet.

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