The Fifth Season (BOOK REVIEW)

The Fifth Season Book Review 

“This is why she hates Alabaster: not because he is more powerful, not even because he is crazy, but because he refuses to allow her any of the polite fictions and unspoken truths that have kept her comfortable, and safe, for years.” 

The Fifth Season by N.K Jemisin is a masterful tale about race, politics, climate warfare, slavery- and the lengths of dehumanization humanity will go to justify their cruelty.  The use of the natural environment as a magic system makes for an unpredictable adventure as the earth moves without the permission of the societies around them- destroying them at will.  

Focusing on the idea of survival following the perspectives of Damaya, Syenite, and Essun (or you). All perspectives are equally heartbreaking and terrifying- leaving you constantly dreading the next course of action these characters must take to survive.  

This story is not for the faint of heart- it has graphic child death- depictions of child abuse, rape, slavery, racism, murder, graphic violence, and truly horrifying imagery depicted against the enslaved race, the Orogenes. The way Jemisin explores these intense and disturbing themes with realism and impeccable story-telling really grounds you in the moment with these characters as they witness true horrors against their people.  

“I will tear the whole world apart if they ever hurt us again.'' But we would still be hurt, she thinks.” 

The world truly unravels around you like a flower in the morning. It gives you various glimpses of function and order but the more it unfolds the more you see the wilt and rot in the petals and stem  

This is the story of humanity creating its own demise. This is the story of slaves who see the irony in the chains. This is the story of a mother hellbent on revenge for the loss of her son to a world that would never accept him. This is the story of Damaya, Syenite, and Essun (you).  

The Orogenes are amazingly powerful magic users connected to the earth through their abilities, able to shift and quell the tectonic plates to stop earthquakes and storms. Enslaved by the Fulcrum, the orogenes undergo intense torture and pain since childhood- many of them dying in the process- to become ring holders. From then on, they are forever enslaved to the Fulcrum, doing as the Guardians bid to keep the rest of the world safe from their “evil”.  

“She’s the one who has to carry a child she doesn’t want, which might kill her and even if it doesn’t will change her body forever, if not her life” 

Out of all the perspectives I loved Syenite the most, she had Alabaster in her arc who I adore with all my heart and she had the most character growth throughout her journey. I thought her contributions to the book were incredible. 

This book is a 5/5 for me and now sits with my top three series of all time. I adored this story and I can’t wait to read the next book.