Title: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
Author: N. K. Jemisin
Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 427
Published: 2010
Series: Inheritance Trilogy
Links: Amazon, Goodreads
Summary
After her mother’s mysterious death, Yeine Darre’s grandfather summons her to Sky, the majestic city that rules the world. Yeine doesn’t expect much from her visit, and she definitely doesn’t expect her grandfather to make her the heir to the Arameri–but there’s a catch. Yeine is one of three heirs who must compete to become the next Arameri. As an outcast and a novice in this new game, Yeine has almost no chance of survival. She must use what little time she has to form allies and learn the rules of a deadly competition for the throne.
Review
“They say my mother crossed her legs in the middle of labor and fought with all her strength not to release me into the world. I was born anyhow, of course; nature cannot be denied”.
(Jemisin 1)
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms had me hooked from page one with immediate mystery and intrigue. I’d just been introduced to Yeine and her world, and I already wanted to know more.
My favorite part of this book was how the mystery surrounding Yeine’s family history was revealed throughout the story. I live for those “aha” moments when a seemingly unimportant phrase gains new relevance. I loved getting to piece together the history of Sky and Yeine, and with every revelation, the story became more and more exciting.
The setting of this story was another highlight for me. A political muck filled with perfect etiquette, but plagued with corruption? Love it. I will always adore the young girl that comes to disrupt that order. Plus, seeing how even daily interactions related to politics, religion, and values was a joy. Worldbuilding doesn’t usually stand out to me in a story, but it’s influence on the characters and their decisions caught my attention. I couldn’t help wanting to know more about the history of Sky and Yeine’s homeland.
The romance in this book was good. I have nothing particularly bad or good to say about it, which is a critique in itself, I guess. I enjoyed the buildup and tension, but other than that the romantic plot did not stand out from other books for me. There were other platonic relationships that I was much more invested in.
Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I loved the world-building and the way Jemesin revealed the plot throughout the story. I wasn’t crazy about the romance, but it did add another layer of complexity that I enjoyed. This book is perfect for anyone who is looking for something different in fantasy or that likes a character-driven plot.
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Peyton
Well done!