Danielle

It has felt like an age since I was entirely engrossed by a book series, but The Broken Earth trilogy had me from beginning to end and what an end! Maybe There's an expectation for things to expand out in this last volume considering the enormity of the quest, but N.K. Jemisin still keeps it centred on the complicated and emotional story of a mother and daughter and their own personal quests to create a world better than the one they were born into. Coming from different perspectives, conflict is an easy route to take, but Jemisin infuses it with much more humanity and a great understanding of that familial relationship where love, hurt and enmity exist in the same space. The greater world changing events are certainly a big part of this last volume, but it's the emotional core that is teased out between that had me thoroughly enjoying the story and being highly satisfied with the conclusion.
Overall I thought the whole trilogy was very good - unique, great characters and a highly enjoyable to read all around.

It's always a bit daunting to start the second book in a series when you so thoroughly enjoyed the first book. Will it be as good? Better? I would say that N.K. Jemisin's second book in The Broken Earth trilogy was just as good, if not even better. Some of the lulls in the first book which spiralled into stories I wasn't as interested in are replaced by fascinating parallel journeys of mother and daughter in all its messy, heart-wrenching ways. This really is the core of the story and I think a stronger one for it, but it also expands the world and continues to spin new mysteries while answering old ones. New characters and places continue to fascinate and frustrate in equal measure. Although I felt the secondary characters certainly don't get as much fleshing out, Essen and Nassun more than make up for it. I was flipping pages and staying up late to finish ‘just a bit more'. This continues to be one of the best fantasy reads I've read in awhile and I'm excited to dive into the final chapter.

I would start off by saying this a book may not be for everyone. It is the first fantasy book I have read almost ever that has next to nothing for action. For some people that may be boring, and therefore not for those looking for a rollicking adventure, HOWEVER, that by no means makes it a bad book. The protagonist Maia is a likeable character who deftly takes you on a journey through court politics in this fantasy realm with wit, heart and an earnest will to serve his people. His staunch attitude toward not using vindictiveness, cruelty or spite is admirable. I was truly engaged in the story of the tenuous beginning of his reign, despite the fact that is mostly him trying to maneuver through the court and deal with a never ending succession of policies, decision making and petty squabbles between officials, nobles and nations. Maia is the heart of the story and as a character he has such a big heart, many admirable qualities, but also isn't perfect. His inner thought process makes even the dullest moments quite enjoyable. Overall I really enjoyed him and the story, despite the lack of action and the world-building was quite unique although not overwhelmingly in depth (although the names and titles of characters can be a bit overwhelming). If you enjoy slice-of-life type stories, lighter fantasy and court intricacies, then I don't think you can go wrong with this one. I didn't absolutely love it, but I did really, really enjoy it.,

What a delightfully enchanting book! Turning tropes on their heads and referencing fairytales and myths along the way, Dealing With Dragons is an adventure you'll want to take! It's smart and witty, imaginative and simply charming. Although it is its own thing, the tone and ‘feeling' of the book reminded me of Diana Wynne Jones' book Howl's Moving Castle...and that's a huge compliment, because I've rarely found a book to compare.
Main character Cimorene is a wonderfully smart and independent princess who breaks tradition to go work for a dragon and that's only the beginning of the adventure that will take her into an enchanted forest, cross paths with witches and wizards, other princesses, stone knights and a whole slew of magic. Top that off with a light mystery and you have a winner all around. Suitable for the young and the young at heart and highly recommended!

The followup to Sword of Truth, Stone of Tears was a heart-wrenching ride into the wider world of Goodkind's creation. I was still enjoying the series at this point and think it is actually a worthy followup to the first in the series.