reubenalbatross 's review for:

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
5.0
adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Holy. Fucking. Shit. 

This is incredible. 

First of all, on a bit of a technical note, I loved that the tablet etc. quotes were at the end of chapters, rather than the start. It meant I could actually understand the elements of the chapter they linked to, because I’d already read the context. When quotes are at the beginning of chapters it feels so vague, and I can never keep the quote in my mind. 

And good LAWD - when I figured out the link between the POVs (around 190 pages in) my mind. Was. Blown. Because I realised it pretty early it meant I could pick out all the hints, while still questioning my theory, really adding to the experience. 

And when the narration turns on you at the end?? Full body chills. 

And I LOVED last line. It gave me Captain Barbossa appearing in Tia Dalma’s hut vibes (“So tell me, what’s become of my ship?”), and made me smile through floods of tears. 
 
AND THE SEEMLESS DIVERSITY. 
 
Fuck. Me. Sideways.