The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

Ok, so before I get into my thoughts on N.K. Jemisin's debut novel, I'm very happy to share that I'm back to working on one of my own ideas for a novel, an urban fantasy with a romantic twist, called "All Hallows Eve" as a short story that I am attempting to finish the first draft of by end of November. If you'd like take a look when it's done send me an email at balmer64@yahoo.com.

Now, onto the deliciousness of "The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms." Fair warning YA fans though our protagonist Yeine is only 19 this is not a YA novel. With that said it's a glorious read. I carried it with me on the bus, I read it while walking on errands - including on my way to the Women's Conference to see Oprah Winfreys speak, yes, that's how enamoured I was of this book.

I have a confession to make. One of the reasons I often enjoy YA fantasy over those for the adult market is that while I so enjoy the escape into a fantasy world, I don't want to be bogged down by it (which is likely why I don't really enjoy science fiction as much, I don't enjoy descriptions of space stations). I don't want to spend pages on side descriptions that have nothing much at all to do with the main characters and plot. But Jemisen has hit that sweet spot, she has created a richly complex world that she owns easily, and she owns it so brilliantly she can share it in a way that draws us in and wets our appetite for more without overwhelming us with her universe's new and strange ways.

Our protagonist Yeine is a young woman who has been summoned to her late mother's homeland, the magestic city of Sky, by her grandfather - and upon arrival finds that her grandfather has decided to name name her one of his three heirs who will have to compete in just a few weeks to the death to try and win his throne.

Sky is a beautiful but treacherous place. It is able to more or less rule the entire world via the fact that it has the favor of the Sun God Bright Itempus. Two thousand years earlier the world was almost destroyed when the Sun God, and the God of Night Nahadoth, went to war. Itempus won, and to show favor to the ruling people of Sky, the pureblood Arameri (who worshipped him above all other Gods), he condemns Nahodeth and three of his children to serve the Arameri as slaves. With the power of these Gods to command Sky and the Arameri are invincible and they never let anyone forget it.

Because of her status as a possible heir Yeine, who is only half Arameri, is granted special full blood privilege to live in the city and have command over the enslaved gods - but she is seen as an outsider with little chance to survive. Fortunately for us Yeine is a smart, brave, determined heroine with a conscience - something the ruling class of Sky seem to lack. On top of that, two of the four enslaved gods take a fancy to her and see her as a possible way to their freedom.

And guess what? Book II of the series "The Broken Kingdoms" is coming this November!