The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this. While it was a solid read, I probably won't pick it up again, although I will read the sequel.
Part of my issue with the book was my expectations, as usual. When your main character is thrust into a scheming, ends-justifies-the-means ruling family, I was set up to read some vicious politicking and clever court intrigue. Instead, this novel is more a story about the enslaved gods' rise to freedom via Yeine's personal beliefs. Also a good story but I kept expecting a double cross or redemption somewhere that never happened.
But. The worldbuilding was excellent. I want to know more, more, more about what happens to this world. And the not-overdone commentary on slavery, lack of gender issues, and especially Jemisin's show-not-tell story on how others expectations shape us were all thought provoking. The secondary characters were a bit two dimensional but Yeine, Nahadoth, Sieh, and Enefa were all interesting.
Worth a read through for fantasy fans looking for something a little different, if you can tolerate the odd moment of extreme violence. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
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