Sean
I loved the first in this series, but this book…. I can’t say I am glad to have read it. Unending chapters about drinking tea and the importance of fine dishes, and just when I am about to give up something major happens. I wish I had just read a summary.
A really nice collection of interconnected short stories. The first few or so strong and powerful I was drawn in enough to hang through several that were quite weak, and I skipped over one almost entirely. And while the interconnection is a bit transparently an effort for the author in some cases, and the callbacks to other characters are lost (unless you’ve been keeping track with pen and paper) I think making it through to the ending is worth the effort.
Absolutely fantastic. I struggled with some of the characters and the intimate relationships in the book, but beyond those (which didn't add much depth and were easily skimmed) the book was phenomenal. Jemisin's writing style is casual and sometimes jarring - I loved it, and never read anything like her particular approach. I'd say this would be easily picked up and loved by anyone who loves science fiction or fantasy without being hardcore into one or the other - very approachable by space-nerds (like me) or troll-lovers alike.