This month Novel Ideas discusses The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin. This is a recently published fantasy novel, released this summer, so those of you who are inclined to worry about spoilers: There will be spoilers. In this episode we talk about interesting narrative structure, justifiable anger, cast diversity, and slavery parallels. We also mention that Atlantis is not a thing, pirates with ambiguous sexuality, systematic oppression (and why it is bad), and why one shouldn’t ignore a floating amethyst Washington Monument outside of their window.
The music bump is “Lava Lands” by Jeff Lorber, created by his brain, but not violent enough to sunder a continent. Kinda funky though.
Our rating: We were in agreement that this might be the best thing we’ve read this year and not just limiting that to books read for the podcast.
Ben: 10/10. Great world building with deep and complex characters. Not to mention a heavy dose of badass.
Gabs: 9/10 Rings. Lots of unanswered mysteries, but cast diversity is greatly appreciated.
Novel Ideas Episode 99 – The Fifth Season: Brain Volcanoes
Featured image via David Flores.