The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin is a remarkable science fiction fantasy series. Each installment of this series won the Hugo Award, which is a crazy accomplishment. This series is an epic that tells the story of a world that is literally breaking apart, and begs the question of whether a world full of prejudice, exploitation, and suffering is worth saving. The trilogy is full of complex characters, intricate worldbuilding, and thought-provoking themes.
The people of the continent called the Stillness live in constant fear of the next disaster, and they are constantly trying to find ways to survive. The land is covered in ruins of dead civilizations, as world-ending events called “seasons” threaten the human race every few centuries. It’s a refreshing take on a second-world fantasy setting. Instead of a pantheon of benevolent gods, there is one evil god known as Earth. That’s right, Earth itself is the bad guy, and the conflict with Earth resolves at the end of the series in a very creative way.
The characters in the trilogy are complex and well-developed. In a world that is constantly in jeopardy of ending, these characters encounter the worst of humanity over and over again with only brief glimmers of hope or joy. They wrestle with survival, guilt, and hope, each in their own unique ways which clash in explosive character-driven conflicts.
The themes in the trilogy are complex and thought-provoking. Jemisin explores themes of colonialism, environmentalism, and gender roles. She also deftly tackles the issue of trauma and its impact on the human psyche.
The Broken Earth trilogy is a must-read for fans of science fiction. It is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.