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The Awakened Kingdom (2014)

by N.K. Jemisin(Favorite Author)

4.06 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Orbit

review 1: This book was so perfect in so many ways. I'm constantly amazed when I read Jemisin's novels at how she is able to write in so many unique voices. This is the perfect conclusion/continuation to the Inheritance trilogy, as the godling created to correct the imbalance left in the last book discovers her true nature and purpose. The innocence and pureness of young Shill is refreshing, and Jemisin proves once again that her imagination is as limitless as the universe she has created. I can't say it enough - if you're not reading Jemisin, you should be.
review 2: I loved the Inheritance trilogy! This author has become one of my recent favorite authors, and I look forward to anything she writes because it is usually amazing. I admire how much thought and ideas goes... more into her writing yet maintaining a great story. Her blog is insightful, discussing writing, issues in genre writing, and contemporary issues that influence writing.This novella takes place quite a bit after the Inheritance trilogy. I'm glad Jemisin revisited this world. Just as with the trilogy, the narrator is not the same as the previous books, so it takes some getting used to the voice. In this case, the narrator is, Shill, the first godling born since the events of the trilogy. It was an interesting one to get used to. Her voice was almost obnoxious at first because she spoke with a lot of exclamations and was all over the place and so in the moment, very much that of a child. The voice becomes less grating and more thoughtful, as she matures and understands herself and the world better. It is different from reading Sieh, the prankster and perpetual child.Though Shill is a child, she is still a godling and not typical, and it's neat seeing how that is captured in this story where Shill goes from naive child seeing the mortal world for the first time and gets involved in some serious events. She goes to Darre, which has changed a lot from Yeine's time. The rule was always female-centric, but it has become extreme, and Shill finds herself getting involved when she befriends Eino, a young man with demon blood not allowed to be trained in the use of magic due to societal norms when he clearly has the talent and smarts. I like Jemisin's world building here, focusing on a country mentioned in the trilogy and their issues, what it's like in the aftermath of the events from the trilogy, the place of those with demon blood and the role of ennulai (those who keep the godlings in check). I like how there's so much going on without seeming that way, how she ties these elements together into a story and combines it with Shill's coming of age, as she understands her nature better.Good read! I look forward to Jemisin's next release. less

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