The precursor to N. K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy, this is another fantasy setting fully divorced from Tolkien. For that reason alone, I’m into it.

It features a protagonist who gets entangled with the enslaved gods who are used and abused by the people in power. Hijinks ensue.

This novel suffers from middle book syndrome. It continues the story set up in the first book and, hopefully, sets up the third and final book.

The shake that passes will echo. The wave that recedes will come back. The mountain that rumbles will roar.

The Fifth Season is a story about suffering and trying to find moments of pleasure and peace in a broken world.

The POV characters are all persecuted and forced to suffer because of circumstances outside of their control.