Title: The Fifth Season (Book 1 – The Broken Earth)
Author: N.K. Jemisin
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Narrator: Robin Miles
I listened to this book on audio as my first read through. This was probably a mistake because the story is somewhat involved and switches between 2nd and 3rd voice.
This story follows two individuals with the magical ability to control earth. They are essentially slaves to the system, to the government. They are told where to go, what to do, and who they will sleep with to produce more who have their abilities. They manage to get free, but the freedom doesn’t remain.
With listening to the audiobook, I probably could have just read the book in ebook or physical format. I couldn’t do anything else while listening. This story, the details and the complexities, took all my focus so I could follow the story and what was happening.
I will be reading the last two books of the trilogy because this is great writing and a great story. I connected with Essun and would like to know what she does next. Although, with the second voice, we almost have no choice but to connect with her, because for a while we are her.