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The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

Book 1 in the series:The Inheritance Trilogy

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"The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms" by N.K. Jemisin is a fantasy novel that follows the story of Yeine Darr, a young woman who is summoned to the court of her powerful grandfather and named as his heir. As she navigates palace politics and grapples with living deities, Yeine discovers a complex web of family love and hate, devotion and betrayal. The plot unfolds in the majestic city of Sky, where power struggles between three gods shape the destiny of a hundred thousand kingdoms. Jemisin's writing style is immersive and intricate, weaving together themes of power, identity, and compassion as Yeine uncovers her true heritage and faces the challenges that come with it.

Characters:

The characters are complex and multidimensional, particularly the protagonist Yeine, along with the captivating gods and scheming relatives that surround her.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is rich and evocative, characterized by a first-person narrative with an engaging combination of poetic and conversational elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Yeine Darr, who, amidst family betrayal and godly manipulation, discovers her royal heritage and navigates palace intrigue to uncover her mother's mysterious death.

Setting:

The setting is a meticulously crafted fantasy world, primarily within the opulent yet oppressive city of Sky, showcasing significant cultural diversity and the tension between mortals and gods.

Pacing:

The pacing varies; it begins slow with intricate world-building but accelerates into a gripping narrative that maintains reader engagement.
My body falls to the floor, unmoving but for the blood spreading around it. Dekarta stares at me, perhaps seeing other dead women. Relad and Scimina begin shouting at Viraine, their faces distorted. I...

Notes:

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is the first book in the Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin.
The story features a complex world where gods are enslaved by ruling families.
Yeine Darr, the main character, is thrust into a deadly competition for her grandfather's throne.
Themes of race, power, and identity are explored throughout the novel.
The book presents a unique take on divine beings, portraying gods not as omnipotent figures but as entities with their own struggles.
There is a blend of political intrigue, romance, and mythology woven into the narrative.
Yeine comes from a matriarchal society, contrasting with the oppressive Arameri culture she faces in Sky.
The narrative style is first-person, utilizing a mix of past and present experiences to reveal the story gradually.
The author employs unreliable narration, adding layers to the plot and character motivations.
The book has been nominated for and won several prestigious science fiction/fantasy awards, including the Hugo and the Nebula.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for themes of slavery, oppression, violence, sexual violence, and complex god-human relationships.

Has Romance?

The book features a medium level of romance, with a significant romantic subplot involving the protagonist.

From The Publisher:

After her mother's mysterious death, a young woman is summoned to the floating city of Sky in order to claim a royal inheritance she never knew existed in the first book in this award-winning fantasy trilogy from the NYT bestselling author of The Fifth Season.

Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle with cousins she never knew she had. As she fights for her life, she draws ever closer to the secrets of her mother's death and her family's bloody history.

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Yeine will learn how perilous it can be when love and hate - and gods and mortals - are bound inseparably together.

Ratings (51)

Incredible (9)
Loved It (15)
Liked It (12)
It Was OK (10)
Did Not Like (3)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (121):

Read It (53)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (52)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (14)

2 comment(s)

Incredible
1 month

Wow. I really don't even know what to say about this book. I was incredibly, incredibly impressed. Riveted, honestly.

I can't wait to see what comes next.

 
It Was OK
2 months

3.5 stars

 
 
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