Review: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
Title: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
Author: Jemisin, N.K.
Length: 432 pages
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher / Year: Orbit / 2010
Source: Amazon Kindle store
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: For the More Diverse Universe week.
Date Read: 17/09/12
In a world where class and race are all important, Yeine, whose mother gave up her position as heir to the throne to marry a lesser noble from a remote Northern kingdom, is called back to Sky and named heir herself. She now has to struggle against her two cousins who were also named heir, knowing that only one of them will survive. In a city and indeed a world where to be Amn is to be everything, Yeine struggles against the taunts and insults of being half Amn and half Darren, and for having grown up in a ‘backwards and uncivilized’ warrior tribe.
Jemisin has built a complete world full of kingdoms and warriors and councils and kings. She has also created a full world and history of gods that has profound impacts on her world. Some of these gods are enslaved, and through them she explores issues of good and evil as a dichotomy, of the balance between the two, and more. She really explores the interconnectedness of all of these grand concepts like good and evil, day and night, love and hate, and more.
Through the character of Yeine and the kingdoms of Darr and Amn Jemisin explores issues relating to race, gender, and differing cultures. For example, in Darr, the women are the warriors and the men stay home because their first goal is to protect the home and children. This is an interesting take on the idea of men as protectors and while not a key element to the story, fits so well and gives readers a chance to think and explore what that means and how it works. It is the small details like that which really make the story such an interesting read.
Very well-written, and very engaging. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put it down. Rather than simply explaining everything in the world, Jemisin slowly builds the story, and as it builds puts in tidbits of information that all come together to explain the workings of the world, the history, and more. I look forward to reading more by Jemisin in the future, as her characters and worlds are built really well and develop realistically through the story. Her explorations and takes on gender and race were really well done and a lot of fun to read. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy read.
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I read this for my book club and it was not the book for me! I’m sure it’s outstanding, it’s just that high fantasy and I don’t play nice together.
Makes sense Kathy, we all have our own preferences in terms of genre, which is a good thing. Means more and more books to explore!
I really love the idea of the man staying home as protector, and the women being the ones of influence. It does indeed turn traditional notions on their heads. I think I would really enjoy this book, and need to see if my library has a copy. It sounds too interesting to resist!
Isn’t a neat play on the concept of ‘man as protector’ zibilee? Too fun.
I have heard lots of amazing things about Jemisin’s series in the last two years and am definitely going to read it. The points you brought up certainly shows that fantasy *can* be different and doesn’t need to follow the usual tropes (however much we love them). Seems like a breath of fresh air!
I think you’d really like this one sakura, a really great breath of fresh air in many ways
Excellent review. I read the book, too, and liked the gender and race alternatives, but I found the action less appealing.
I am thrilled to be learning from the blog tour that some many fantasy by POC are being written for YA. We need them to be.
Makes sense mdbrady, and isn’t it amazing? Love it that YA is diversifying more and more!
I think this is the most I’ve heard about the plot of this one, so thanks for that! (The various glowing reviews have convinced me to pick it up.)
You’re most welcome Liviania, I hope you enjoy it!
I’m reviewing this one on my blog tomorrow. I loved it as well. I thought it was fantastic the way she mixed light and fluffy with some meaningful undertones about dogmatic religions, women’s rights, and slavery.
I’m looking forward to hopping over and reading your review as well Rachel. A great mix I agree!
Great review! It took me longer to get hooked by it than you, but I did enjoy reading it.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed it as well Laurie.
I’m hoping to read this one soon, glad that it’s been highlighted due to the tour. I like that it explores a few different issues, and the reverse of gender roles is something I’ve encountered before in fantasy, it works well.
I love how fantasy plays with topics like that don’t you Charlie? Hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to try it out.
You have me sold. I’m heading off right now to hopefully get this on the nook.
Yay! Hope you enjoy it Trisha!
I’m so glad you posted a glowing review of this book! Because if I had seen it on the shelf I’d probably ignored it as the cover doesn’t appeal to me at all.
It is a definite high fantasy cover right Bina? Good read though so I hope you can ignore the cover
I really enjoyed this book when I read it – glad you did too! I thought it had more depth than a lot of the lighter fantasy around, but didn’t sacrifice story to handle those issues.
Totally agree with you Meghan, and I loved that about it! Glad to hear that you did as well.
Excellent review Amy! I admit I didn’t love this book when I read it, but I should give Jemisin another go as everyone ELSE seems to love her
Thanks Aarti! No book can work for everyone, so maybe this is just one of those for you
This book sounds fun but it also sounds like it explores some wirghty issues. I find that I enjoy books of the genre whan they do really have something to say about the world.
Yes, that is what I love most about fantasy as well Brian.
This has been on my “to investigate” list for ages, but I’ve just decided to upgrade it to “wish-list” status
I hope you get a chance to read it and that you love it Alex!
While I’m quite intrigued by the blog tour (and so sad I missed it–this fall has been crazy for me!), I think I’m with Kathy–this one sounds a little bit too high fantasy for me. I’m intrigued and may still see if the library has it.
Definitely a crazy fall, I’m with you on that nomadreader. I hope you do enjoy it if you do give it a try.
Yay! I’m thrilled you enjoyed this one; I really, really loved it and the rest of the trilogy (so of course I haven’t blogged about it). I just read one of her newer books, The Killing Moon, which is loosely based on Ancient Egyptian culture. I bet you’d enjoy that too.
I’m really looking forward to eventually reading the rest of it Eva. I hope I love it as much! Also, must check out the latest, that does sound great!