Rate: 4/5

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (No Spoilers):

Several years ago I came across Jemisin’s The Fifth Season and very quickly became enthralled with her unique, detailed and dense world building throughout this fantastic series. Due to how much I enjoyed her writing style and widely evolving literary world in The Broken Earth trilogy, I’m not sure why it has taken me so long to pick up her debut novel, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. That being said, once I started the first installment of The Inheritance trilogy, I could not put this read down. While this realm is mostly limited to the confines of a capitol city, specifically, a single palace, Jemisin lays detailed groundwork with regard to the social hierarchy, culture, and rich history of their divinities. Interestingly, without giving away too much of a spoiler, when assessed with comparable literature, the gods of this realm have a significant and active role within the public. Of note, these key interactions come full circle due to Jemisin’s extra effort with flushing out an intricate back story of war and betrayal. The ending was surprising, due to almost all of the loose ends were neatly wrapped up with a satisfying sense of closure. You could read The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms as a one and done novel, but I’m intrigued and looking forward to continuing with the rest of the The Inheritance trilogy. Overall, Jemisin delivers yet another eloquent literary realm that will capture the reader’s curiosity throughout Yeine’s many trials. 

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

• Since Yeine is now a Goddess will she return in the series? Will the story now focus upon T’vril as the new ruler?
• I totally did not see it coming that Viraine was actually one of the Gods.
• Sieh was one of my favorite characters, although I felt like the other God/Goddesses didn’t hold enough of a role to really gain depth other than Nahadoth.
• Will the three have to merge again by the end of the series to right the cosmos?
• Will Darre survive the coming war? What will happen to the other lands that Yeine was practice ruling?
• Poor, poor Relad!