Author: N. K. Jemisin

Finished this book in 3 days. Amazing.

The writing style is a lot different from the first book. It’s much more straightforward, with lots of info dumps even, which were almost never seen in The Fifth Season. It’s also far more fast-paced, and full of actions. Well, not necessarily actions, but stuff other than emotions and character developments.

I can see why some regard it as “science fantasy” now, but no it’s still fantasy, maybe set in the same world as Marvel Cinematic Universe, but they’re both fantasies, just perhaps not high fantasy.

I’m no seismic scientist, but I don’t think not having the moon will make the Earth become so … full of seismic energy? Also, I don’t think Orogenes being useless in a season makes any sense. There will only be more earthquakes and volcano eruptions during a season, so Orogenes are only more useful than ever aren’t they?

I don’t think this book reaches the height of the first book. Sure the world settings are explored more, but the pacing is what makes the first book so special. Sure one can expect actions in the 2nd entry in a trilogy as it’s often where the transformation of the plot takes place, but I don’t think the obelisk and magic thing are as mind-blowing as they should be, and there are still a whole lots left unexplained.

I think Nassun is pretty well-written tho. At first she’s way too similar to Damaya, but later on she lived out her own differences. She’s cockier I guess with a purer (not necessarily positive, just pure) heart, while Damaya/Syenite is more like an obedient whiner. Still very similar tho.

7.5/10