After having N.K. Jemisin's books recommended to me multiple times, I was thrilled when my book club chose The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms as our next read. I was not disappointed—this book was both unique and deeply intriguing. While it’s definitely a slow-burn, I found myself fully engaged in the world Jemisin built. The blend of gods, demigods, and mortals creates a fascinating backdrop for the story, and I loved following Yeine, the protagonist, as she navigates the dangerous dynamics of her world. 

I wish we were given a world map or other world building elements to help better define some of the countries outside of Sky. The city itself was beautifully written, but some of the minor godlings fell flat. I think I generally expected more from this book. I'm not sure yet if I will continue the trilogy.

Globalement déçue. Je m'attendais à une intrigue politique fine, et je ressors de ma lecture avec une impression de vide. Attention, j'aime les livres au rythme lent, mais là il ne se passe pas grand chose, voir presque rien, hormis du sexe et du sexe incestueux (sans TW évidemment). Hormis les scènes où l'héroïne est submergée de désir et gémit dès qu'on la frôle, cette dernière prend généralement de mauvaises décisions et semble subir l'intrigue presque de bout en bout jusqu'à un final en deus ex machina. Vraiment : tant de pages pour ça ? La plume est au moins jolie, fluide, et l'univers plutôt intriguant même si malheureusement pas assez exploité : deux éléments qui m'ont permis d'arriver au bout de ce livre, que je suis bien contente d'avoir emprunté et non acheté. 

I'm unsure if I'll keep my rating the same, but I just want to say that the summary for the book doesn't really match the reading experience.

The "power struggle" with her cousins is not a huge part of this book imo. Especially if you thought the political machinations were going to be similar to other political fantasy novels.

The romantic relationship that forms between the MC and her love interest isn't believable to me. Because of circumstances, you have to sift through so many layers of the LI that by the time you figure out his true nature/personality, it feels like the book is damn near over.

Now onto the things I enjoyed. I liked seeing how even early on, Jemisin played around with POV. I liked how it felt like I needed to get to the very end of the book to fully understand where things were going. The writing kept me engaged from the first page, especially by 30% when things felt like they sped up a bit more. The setting of Sky itself was incredibly interesting with its presentation as a pristine building that contradicts the happenings going on within it. I also really adored Sieh and Yeine, both as characters, and their relationship with one another which was incredibly sweet. 

I liked that the novel touched on colonialism, however things felt a little too on the nose for me. I probably would've thought the book was better if I hadn't read a bit of Fifth Season way before. I'd recommend people to start there first because the author has truly improved since this debut! 

P.S. For any of my fellow sexual trauma survivors, there is a scene where

the characters very casually discuss the rape of the mc that triggered me, so if you might be sensitive to this, I'd recommend skipping this one or just being cautious.

 

So much dialogue. Not my favorite storytelling style for such an interesting premise

I enjoyed this one, and will read the remainder of the trilogy soon