Wow. Easily one of the most intense and gripping reads I’ve had in a long time. From the very first pages, this book absolutely grabs you and doesn’t let go. Set in a world where civilizations have had to learn to survive repeated cataclysmic events, fifth seasons, that can wipe out life with earthquakes, volcanoes, and other geological disasters. Into this chaos come the Orogenes: people who can control the earth itself. They can calm it, and they can destroy it. And yet, despite their immense power and the obvious value they hold, they’re feared, hated, and treated almost like animals. That tension alone creates so much suspense and moral complexity throughout the story.

Jemisin tells the story through three timelines, including one in second person, which at first felt a little jarring ngl, but it quickly became one of the book’s most powerful tools. The world-building is extraordinary. The history, politics, and culture all make sense in a world that has had to constantly rebuild itself. Volcanoes, earthquakes, survivalist texts that border on religious significance, mysterious stone eaters.. every layer adds depth and makes the world feel lived-in. And it’s not just about the disasters themselves, it’s about how people adapt, survive, and maintain humanity in the face of repeated devastation.

The characters are phenomenal. From Essun to Damaya to Syenite, each one feels fully realized, flawed, and compelling. Even with a backdrop as massive and catastrophic as this one, Jemisin never lets you feel distant from her characters. You care about their choices, their pain, and their moments of hope. The second-person perspective for Essun, which could have felt gimmicky in less skilled hands, instead makes her story feel immediate and gut-wrenching.

This book also handles heavy themes such as oppression, slavery, prejudice, vengeance, and the structures that enforce them, with care and nuance. It’s brutal and dark, yes, but never nihilistic. Even in a world that’s repeatedly been destroyed, there’s room for love, hope, and resilience. Jemisin’s ability to make such a harsh world feel real, lived-in, and full of human complexity is nothing short of remarkable.

Honestly, I’m still trying to process it. The Fifth Season is intricate, unique, and emotionally devastating. Jemisin continuously experiments with POV and tense in ways that feel fresh and innovative. It’s one of those books where you want to say as little as possible because discovering the world and its secrets on your own is such a big part of the experience. And now I absolutely cannot wait to read The Obelisk Gate.