I did it! I finished the trilogy!!! It feels a little weird to be proud, I mean, I’ve read a trilogy before, but because I started this journey with an arched eyebrow toward fantasy I feel like I have come out on the other side as a little different, a true fantasy fan. And that credit goes to the awe-inspiring Jemisin. I went down a bit of an internet rabbithole reading about her because she is so cool and smart and found an early AMA she did on Reddit so I’ll let her explain in her own words why you should read her books, and what I learned about fantasy.
Hmm — I’d have to say that if you think of epic fantasy as formulaic, then you should read my books because they’re not. Or at least, I try not to make them so. I usually tell people that if you used to like epic fantasy and got bored with it, or if you’ve never touched it in the first place because you think it’s all faux-medieval-Europe and guys with mighty thews, then give my stuff a try.
And therein was my problem! I was defining fantasy as “faux-medieval-Europe and guys with mighty thews.” And like. She used the word thews?! C’mon. (Fans self)
I hope everyone I know is excited to hear me talk about this book and trilogy forever because that is what is going to happen. What a joyful experience reading N.K. Jemisin is. She is so freaking smart it is mind blowing. This trilogy finished as strong as it started and wrapped everything up in a pretty satisfying way. If you were paying close attention there weren’t necessarily big surprises but when you are on a three book journey it’s nice to have a satisfying and thoughtful conclusion. For me it did drag a little diving back into the Stone Eater past, so my pace slowed a bit, but altogether I have nothing but heaps of praise for this book, the series and Jemisin.
*insert Kermit flail gif here*
So glad you liked it! And so interesting that this was your gateway drug into fantasy.
Kermit flail gif is like my one true form! So appreciate its usage.
It’s funny, I apparently liked fantasy all along but this was my gateway to admitting it and liking it. Now I’m also doing more sci-fi as well: just picked up Axiom’s End!