The Broken Earth

The Broken Earth is a trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, consisting of the following books:

1. The Fifth Season
2. The Obelisk Gate
3. The Stone Sky

The series takes place on the continent of The Stillness, which is regularly subjected to catastrophic seismic events known as the “Fifth Season.” These seasons bring widespread destruction and death. To survive, comms (communities similar to cities) prepare for years, as the season can last for several years depending on the scale of the devastation.

There are two types of people on the continent: Stills and Orogenes. The Stills possess no supernatural abilities, while the Orogenes have the power to manipulate thermal and kinetic energy. Orogenes undergo special training to manage the Earth’s seismic activity.

Main Characters

• Essun: A woman with the ability to control the Earth’s energies, known as orogeny.
• Damaya: A young girl who is betrayed by her parents and sent away to be trained in controlling her orogenic powers.
• Syenite: A skilled orogene who works for the governmental organization known as the Fulcrum.

Themes Explored in the Series

• Oppression and Identity: How society treats individuals with unique abilities.
• Family and Love: The search for belonging, lost loved ones, and the sacrifices characters must make to find their place in the world.
• Survival and Resilience: The struggle to endure in a world of constant cataclysms.

Each book in the trilogy has won the Hugo Award for Best Novel, making N.K. Jemisin the first author to win the award three years in a row for a complete trilogy.

Book Summaries

1. The Fifth Season – The story begins with a catastrophic earthquake that threatens to destroy The Stillness. Essun embarks on a journey to find her missing daughter and the murderer of her son.
2. The Obelisk Gate – Continues the struggle of Essun and Damaya as they fight for survival and uncover the truth about their powers.
3. The Stone Sky – The final battle to save the world and uncover the ancient secrets of The Stillness.