Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

24 reviews

alreadyemily's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous fast-paced

4.75

Holy crap this is what SJM ripped off for ACOMAF! N. K. Jemisin is the mistress of the genre, y'all.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

butterflyinabook's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

electrachet's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

trizk's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

It is important to appreciate beauty, even when it is evil.

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.
 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

shanshantastic's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I was captivated by Yeine’s journey from the first page. Jemisin expertly weaves real-time narrative with alternate perspectives, dialogues and memories and more, that create a rich tapestry of the secrets and desires that fill the palace of Sky. 

While the “ending” was in some ways unsurprising, there were significant reveals that brought the entire story together and set up the sequel brilliantly. I can’t wait to find out what comes next. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

dkranenburg99's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 “Whether you live or die is irrelevant. You are Arameri, and like all of us, you will serve.”

After completing the masterpiece that is The Broken Earth Trilogy, I knew I had to check out the rest of what NK Jemisin has to offer and her debut did not disappoint. A succession fraught with gods and magic? Sign me up. Jemisin's authorial voice continues to draw me in and get a few solid laughs from me, the main character's internal monologue was so fun and never grew stale. This is a book where I can say it was the right length for the story it is telling. I'm interested to see where this trilogy goes. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

barda's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense 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? Yes

3.75

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lorendia's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I’m not entirely sure what I think about this book. I’m not entirely sure what happened or what it means, but just like NK Jemison’s other stories, it is unbelievably unique. It was fairly slow for a while(more human drama than I’m used to) but then it picked up and I couldn’t put it down.  Also: very graphically violent. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

emilycfox's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I’ll read the next one but wasn’t blown away. I never felt like I really got close enough to the characters to care about what they did (I don’t have to necessarily like them for that to happen, but I need to feel some stakes). It felt like I was waiting to get sucked in but it never happened. Overall kinda boring but not unpleasant. I didn’t really understand the logistics of the big thing that happens with Yienne at the end — how it was possible or why it happened according to the physics of this magic world. I was going to look up others’ explanations or analysis but then didn’t really care enough to do it. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

rainbowrnb's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings