Reviewer: Ryan O’Boyle
The earth shakes. Volcanoes erupt, lava flows. Tectonic plates shift. Earthquakes and tsunamis ruin lives and damage homes.The power the earth holds is immense. In The Fifth Season, by N.K. Jemisin, the power to quell, enhance or divert those shakes is bestowed upon those called Orogene. People fear them, and as such, subjugate them to be controlled and punished for the crime of having power. The shifts in tectonic plates and fault lines in the world imagined by N.K Jemisin are larger and more powerful than the general shifts in our world. Large enough to cause catastrophic meltdowns that cast the world into what is called a Season, most people rarely survive to rebuild. The story follows various perspectives to culminate in a shocking twist.
A complex tale of love, loss, hope and shaking the shackles of oppression, The Fifth Season is sure to enthrall readers. The intersecting perspectives delve into human existence and how one person’s actions can have a ripple effect felt the world over. An enjoyable narrative builds on the tension that exists among the people from fearing Orogene and the shakes that could wipe out their existence. Powerful words from the first, to the last, suspense and action abound in a thought provoking, nuanced experience.
Action packed scenes crash through the pages, The tale shapes up as one of intrigue, introspection and discovery. If you enjoy engrossing tales full of brilliant detail and mesmerizing characters, this book is for you. Every new twist and turn boggles the mind and leaves you guessing. N.K. Jemisin guides the reader through this adventure with a deft hand. Layers upon layers unfold as the story takes shape. If you have been wondering what to read in the Fantasy Fiction genre, look no further than The Fifth Season.