Review: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

I'm really glad I read this novel. That being said, I'm not going to pick up the sequels. My ambivalence for this book has nothing to do with the plot or the world-building, but is purely based on subjective terms.

First of all, this novel is an example of high class worldbuilding. Both in terms of the unique geography and environment of the world created and the rich cultural elements, with their unique castes and system of controlling the magic users. The allegory for racism could occasionally get a little heavy handed, but I enjoyed the depiction of sexuality and race overall in this book, and I really, really appreciated how different this is from most fantasy I read. There's truly no fantasy novel's world that I can compare to this, and that in and of itself is quite the feat. Nothing but admiration for Jemisin for this bold experiment and clearly well-thought out world.

I also felt this was a genuinely good blend of science fiction and fantasy, and I thought the way she used geology for the magic system was super cool. Sometimes it could get a little... technical, or perhaps the better word is overly comprehensive, and echoed some of the issues I have with hard science fiction. Overall, though, I think it worked out well.

The plot was also great and packed a punch, a bit confusing and disorienting at first, especially with the unconventional structure. I think the pacing was a bit off, especially since I enjoyed Damaya's chapters a lot more than Syen and Essun's (my least favorite part) and that could bring me out of the immersion and enjoyment sometimes. But I think once you get used to the unique style that utilizes second person (not sure if it was completely necessary but she definitely ends up making it work), the book is quite readable.

So why am I probably not continuing? Well, as cool as this book was, it was a fairly joyless experience. The author's prose style is at best heavily detached and at worst, somewhat smug and reeking of self-aware profundity. There are also a lot of info-dumps in the earlier chapters, and long pedantic sections that can get pretty boring. There's truly something clinical about the way the book is written that makes it hard for me to feel anything.

I also don't feel connected to any of the characters. I didn't laugh or feel sad or anything much for any of them, except Alabaster and Damaya at times. Essun's plotline, in particular, left me desperate to leave as no one in the entire plotline interested me whatsoever. As such, considering I end up feeling such a lack of interest in the main character, I don't think it makes sense to continue reading the story.

This is a high quality novel and I totally understand why so many people love it and why it's lauded. It is a truly unique book and I recommend everyone give it a read, but it is simply not for me.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5