ezekielsdaughter | Book: "The Broken Kingdoms" (Reply)

I actually purchased "The 100 Hundred Thousand Kingdoms" and "The Broken Kingdoms at the same time. I read the first one and started the second one and then decided to put the second aside for awhile.

Perhaps, not remarkably, the reason that I put the second aside is a reflection of the plot line in the novel. One of the lead characters in the first book is reviled by the protagonist and I came to share that viewpoint. Then I got to the second book and part of the plot concerns that character's redemption. Well, I wasn't ready to forgive him. Neither, it appears are some of characters from the first book. I put the book away. Read other fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels. Yesterday, I went back to "The Broken Kingdoms". It was a Friday off and I read until 2:30 am. Wonderful book.

After years of workshop, I read differently now. So I love the way that the author is able to move her protagonist, Oree, around. I have such trouble with that in my own stories. My workshop members are either complaining that they don't know how my character got from one place to another, or they are complaining that I am reporting movement unnecessarily. Ms. Jemisin does this effortlessly.

Some of the characters end with "cliff-hangers" that make you read one-more-chapter. But all of them don't. At times, I read on because I was charmed by the character and her growth.

She does manage to surprise me when I am telling myself what the next step in "the hero's journey" must be at that point. It helps that our hero is a heroine and a blind one at that. She is not "Buffy" who demolishes her enemies and she is not a passive screamer who must always be rescued. There is action a-plently in the novel. But while it is a fantasy, but the characters are emotionally true. Much to learn from as a writer. Much to enjoy as a reader. As a blind woman, Oree is not a hero who will, sword in hand, save the day while discovering her purpose in life. However, purpose and life, she will discover.

With its different viewpoint, this book complements the first. It doesn't feel like a 'middle" book. I would still suggest reading "The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms" first. Knowledge of the conflict that is going on will enrich the reader's appreciation of the story.