Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 21/06/2024
Published by: Little, Brown Audio
ISBN: B017KZSV3K
For a book that essentially sets the scene for the rest of the series, ‘The Fifth Season’ was surprisingly gripping!
Similar read: Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Cover:
This dark, gothic design reflects the story’s tone and high fantasy genre but gives away little else.
Writing:
Even with the unusual blend of second and third-person perspectives, I could not get enough of the smooth, immersive writing style that brought this story to life. I was also blown away by the intricate world and fascinating magic system used to explore powerful themes such as colonialism, oppression, and racism. However, the world-building initially relies on information dumps and lacks clear explanations for some concepts, which was a bit disappointing.
This is what you must remember: the ending of one story is just the beginning of another.
Storyline:
The character-driven tale brilliantly establishes the key characters and, through their experiences, a brutal world facing a catastrophic season. Intriguing mysteries and concepts are gradually unravelled at an engaging pace that kept me fully invested in the journeys of the main characters.
Main character(s):
Essun, Syenite, and Damaya—a heartbroken mother, an ambitious young woman, and a young child with newly discovered powers—are incredibly well-crafted characters shaped by complex struggles and brutal experiences. While each perspective was heartbreaking, Essun’s was my favourite because of the fierce yet caring nature of her character.
Secondary characters:
Several secondary characters play crucial roles in this story, but I struggled to connect with them as they either felt too mysterious or lacked depth. However, I am really looking forward to seeing how characters like Hoa, Alabaster, and Tonkee develop throughout the rest of the series.
survival is not the same thing as living.
Romance:
The little focus on the romance aspect of the story was refreshing, but it lacked a convincing build-up of chemistry and development.
Narration & Audio:
Robin Miles’ performance seemed natural and fitting for the story. He even used accents and slight character voices to enhance the listening experience.
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