Want a NOOK? Explore Now
In the city of Shadow, beneath the World Tree, alleyways shimmer with magic and godlings live hidden among mortalkind. Oree Shoth, a blind artist, takes in a strange homeless man on an impulse. This act of kindness engulfs Oree in a nightmarish conspiracy. Someone, somehow, is murdering godlings, leaving their desecrated bodies all over the city. And Oree's guest is at the heart of it...
The Broken Kingdoms takes place years after the events of the first book. The main character, Oree, was certainly much different than Yeine of the last book. She is a blind painter, which seems ironic but for the fact that she's no ordinary blind woman. She can see magic, glowing in godlings and magic-wielders, and she uses that ablity in a way that reminds me of how a bat uses sonar to detect its surroundings. I thought that this was a fascinating talent, and it really made Oree a unique character who was interesting to read about. I love my strong female characters, and even though Oree is blind she is in no way helpless.
While I didn't like the new supporting characters as much as the old ones from The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms , I felt like there was sufficient follow-up to the original for this book to not seem too incongruous. The love story was alright, forming somewhat of a triangle, and in this instance I bet on the wrong horse. Oree didn't end up with whom I personally thought she was suited for, and that sort of put a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the book. And I've said it before, but I really love Jemisin's take on the idea of gods and their descendants. The mythology is expanded upon quite nicely in this book and gives us more of a glimpse into the three "creators" and their motives behind everything that has happened to the world. It also gives insight into the importance of Oree and her abilities, all the while introducing an interesting new creature and antagonist to the mythos.
The Broken Kingdoms was a great sequel, and though it does not quite live up to its predecessor, it still shines with originality. It expands upon ideas introduced in the first novel in a way that is exciting and rare for a sequel. Jemisin's knack for poetic prose is really a treat to read, and I look forward to reading the final book in the series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 8, 2010
This is a well written, witty, insightful, intelligent. Great entertainment. Looking forward to reading more from this writer as soon as more is available.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.5112399
Posted November 17, 2010
writing this on the nook color so i will be brief. this is a completely engaging, amazing book and i loved every second of it. buy it now.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 29, 2012
Though Oree reminded me a lot of Yiene i found the continued progression of book one very enjoyable. I especialy enjoyed the care taken displaying the relationships between the gods/godlings and mortals. Cant wait to continue the journey in book three.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 12, 2012
The first book was more about the gods and their power...this was more of a human tale. Power changes and corrupt. Life is about living...taking the good with the bad and most if all learning and having compassion.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.6853040
Posted October 17, 2011
I am an avid fantasy fan and right now im on book 9 of the WOT series but i must say these books are still in my top 2, if not #1. They still stick with me and i seriously want to read them again and ive never liked rereading anything. BUY IT! U WONT REGRET IT!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.4266511
Posted September 6, 2011
It stands on its own as a complete story but it is greatly enhanced by reading the hundred thousand kingdoms first.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kilam
Posted July 3, 2011
This book was just as amazing as the first. Once you start, it's the hardest book to put down. Can't wait for the third book...
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Are you looking for something new and amazing?
Here is a trilogy, which is really more like one intertwined tale woven through three books. If you have not read the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, I so hight recommend it. You can just pick this book up and read into the tale though.
Broken Kingdoms brings us into the viewpoint of Oree, a blind but able to see godslight woman who holds her own in the lower part of the city. She brings in a man who she names "Shiny" who is really a fallen God cast back to the Kingdoms. Brining a whole new host of problems into this girls life and yet enabling her to change more, the God is a trial for everyone.
I cannot say how much I love this book, this series. The author is amazing. She opens up a whole new world written so beautifully, and not written too much that I skip pages. I read the books at least twice to absorb all the story.
The characters are amazing, their speech, thoughts and feelings are so well portrayed in this book.
If you want a truly amazing new read, from a new author and a new series, pick of N.K. Jemisin.
Anonymous
Posted December 22, 2010
The characters are stale and rote, the plot is very predictable.
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A decade ago in the city of Shadow, the world tree sprung up after an incredible amount of magic was released. Blind artist Oree works in the shade of the world tree by selling junk to tourists visiting the city to see the tree.
Oree conceals her real talent as a painter from everyone by drawing only inside her home. When she finds a homeless man living inside a muck bin, Oree feels sorry for him. She takes him to her home only to learn what happens to Good Samaritans. A God is murdered in plain sight and anyone who Oree cherishes is harmed forcing the artist to come out of the shadows of her house to defend those she cares about.
The second Inheritance fantasy is a terrific tale held together by the fascinating Oree who has come a long way in the decade that has passed since the events of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. Oree is super as she defends weaker people from bullies in a realm that believes only the strong survive. Although The Broken Kingdoms can stand alone as a deep character driven thriller, fans will want to read its excellent predecessor The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms as a great fantasy opening act but also to see how far the intrepid reclusive blind artist has come to be a champion of the downtrodden as she can see the Distance.
Harriet Klausner
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 24, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted April 13, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 4, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 8, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 24, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 21, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted December 26, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 23, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
In the city of Shadow, beneath the World Tree, alleyways shimmer with magic and godlings live hidden among mortalkind. Oree Shoth, a blind artist, takes in a strange homeless man on an impulse. This act of kindness engulfs Oree in a nightmarish conspiracy. Someone, somehow, is murdering godlings, leaving their desecrated bodies all over the city. And Oree's guest is at the heart of it...