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mcloonejack's review
3.0
I really wanted to like this, having enjoyed the first book and loving the Broken Earth trilogy, but this one just didn’t hit. There were still some great moments, to be sure, and it’s maybe all the more frustrating that you can see the bones of a great story.
But where things fall apart was Jemisin’s attempts to weave in way too much of The Current State of the World, to put a name to a broad issue. She says as much in the afterward, that the plot of this book was impacted dramatically by first COVID and then January 6, among other real-world events. While this is fine in the abstract, a lot of the references and attempts to delineate just how in opposition this work is to the prevailing right-wing or racist tendencies in this country is just felt too slapdash. It ultimately led to a book that felt too stuffed with ideas that weren’t able to breathe, with many of said ideas told and not shown.
Returning to the afterward, Jemisin says she had some issues working in the “real world” for this duloagy, and I’d agree. While I wouldn’t hate to read more in this world—like I said, there are plenty of great bones, particularly as we catch glimpses of other cities and also the Lovecraftian nature of The Enemy—I also would be more than okay with what is ultimately a satisfying ending here.
I love Jemisin’s work otherwise and look forward to whatever she has next. But, as she’s suggested, she may be better off staying in worlds largely of her own crafting.
But where things fall apart was Jemisin’s attempts to weave in way too much of The Current State of the World, to put a name to a broad issue. She says as much in the afterward, that the plot of this book was impacted dramatically by first COVID and then January 6, among other real-world events. While this is fine in the abstract, a lot of the references and attempts to delineate just how in opposition this work is to the prevailing right-wing or racist tendencies in this country is just felt too slapdash. It ultimately led to a book that felt too stuffed with ideas that weren’t able to breathe, with many of said ideas told and not shown.
Returning to the afterward, Jemisin says she had some issues working in the “real world” for this duloagy, and I’d agree. While I wouldn’t hate to read more in this world—like I said, there are plenty of great bones, particularly as we catch glimpses of other cities and also the Lovecraftian nature of The Enemy—I also would be more than okay with what is ultimately a satisfying ending here.
I love Jemisin’s work otherwise and look forward to whatever she has next. But, as she’s suggested, she may be better off staying in worlds largely of her own crafting.
myfawnwy's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a fitting conclusion, despite the difficulties the author mentioned in the acknowledgements. The solution for the tone of the rest of the books - wild, funny and kinda absurd. Jemisin has this way of taking simple stuff and making it intricate and interesting because she has this keen eye and patience to understand the core of it - and making that enjoyable to read, as well. Even though this is finished, the world building was so cool I wouldn't mind reading a whole slew of books in this universe. There is still the matter of Chicago...
What I liked most about this duoligy is how light-hearted it was (overall, obviously there's some heavy stuff here and some very real issues are looked at). But compared to Broken Earth, this had more humour and read more like a fun adventure/sci-fi/magic blend with a whole lot of heart, too.
What I liked most about this duoligy is how light-hearted it was (overall, obviously there's some heavy stuff here and some very real issues are looked at). But compared to Broken Earth, this had more humour and read more like a fun adventure/sci-fi/magic blend with a whole lot of heart, too.
divreadsbooks's review
4.0
Amazingly well written, you wouldn’t expect anything less of Jemisin. The people, like last time, were absolutely amazing. But gosh the plot in this one was all over the place
chimamas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
I truly love this author so much and I loved this book! The writing was top notch, the story and me guessing what was next and I questioned some of my own beliefs. Top notch, as always from N.K. Jemisin.
kelsallen's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rnedeau's review
4.0
Nk has a beautiful way with words. This book flows perfectly after the first to give a nice, wrapped up package of a story. Loved having "sci/fi fantasy" bleed in with modern-day society/social issues. A lot of great, thought-provoking topics are involved in the plot of this second book. Although writer's notes express some bizarre coincidence that was not intentional (lol), it did not ruin the story for me personally! Only enhanced it.
timinbc's review
3.0
N K as much as admits in the afterword that her heart wasn't in this, and I think her success to date has been all about her heart. This was a good idea that didn't pan out. It got an interesting concept out there, and explored it, and it was good, suddenly there was nowhere to go with it.
The parallel to reality in as subtle as a thrown hammer, and N K admits that reality made it hard to write in a world that's almost our own. The bad guys were so close to reality as makes no difference.
The whole New-York-poking-fun-at-itself was great, and there's no doubt that N K feels the city, and made us feel it too.
There's a lot of "ooh, I don't have the power for this ..... gosh! I just turned Jupiter inside out!"
Manny's story arc was, well, unsurprising. But Aislyn and Neek were well drawn.
Anyway, now the decks are clear for N K's next amazing story.
The parallel to reality in as subtle as a thrown hammer, and N K admits that reality made it hard to write in a world that's almost our own. The bad guys were so close to reality as makes no difference.
The whole New-York-poking-fun-at-itself was great, and there's no doubt that N K feels the city, and made us feel it too.
There's a lot of "ooh, I don't have the power for this ..... gosh! I just turned Jupiter inside out!"
Manny's story arc was, well, unsurprising. But Aislyn and Neek were well drawn.
Anyway, now the decks are clear for N K's next amazing story.