The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (Inheritance Trilogy #1)[April 15, 2023]

[Yanique, Thread Master]

This is a Buddy Read for The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin starting on April 15, 2023.


Happy Reading!

[Melanie]

Looking forward to this!

[Nirkatze]

Started today and zooming through on audio! Really enjoying my reread... I love the world building, the racial tensions, the politics!

[Narilka]

Nice! This is going to be my next book when I finish my current one.

[Laura]

i haven't done a br in a long time and this one has been on my TBR since forever. Can I join?
I can start tomorrow.

[Choko]

Yes!!! The more the merrier!!!

[Laura]

Awesome! Thank you! I missed reading with you Choko. ❤️😘

[Choko]

Same here, Laura! I hope I can join you for the Carol B read too:)

[Nirkatze]

I finished already! I feel really bad that I've been zooming through books and not commenting much... I really enjoyed the reread, more than I thought I would.

The world is so different! I really like the upsetting of gender norms in Yeine's home country. And the way that Itempas' order-obsession has structured the world, like (view spoiler)[the way people have to formally submit a proposal to engage in war--very pre-1700s. (hide spoiler)]

The triad of gods is an interesting structure--with just enough ... I want to say "ick factor" but that's not quite right... but discomfort, for sure, in the same way as Greek gods--with siblings boinking each other and having children... but they're not quite siblings, and it's not quite boinking. Still, I feel like a discomfort of the gods was developed well, getting the reader inline with the character's unease. It's also a very interesting way to have a conversation on slavery, by enslaving gods. (view spoiler)[The torture scenes with Sieh and Naha were painful to "watch"--horrifying and fascinating... especially the one where Naha tears his way out of Nahado... *shudder* (hide spoiler)]

The one part I feel less convinced by is the romance factor... I didn't buy it. It seemed like lust, but I wasn't convinced there was love, or even deep care, not enough for actions taken. Then again, this is an ongoing conversation I feel I've taken part in in many BRs--I don't remember who came up with the idea first, but that the better a fantasy writer you are, the worse you are at romance... I think I've read almost all of NKJ's works by now (just need the new City book) and only one of the romances really felt real for me--2nd book of Dreamblood. And it was very subtle... frenemies to friendship to denying love in stubbornness. It took its time, and I appreciated that.

[Laura]

I've just downloaded my copy and am starting to read now. Am I the only one left reading?

[Nirkatze]

I'm thinking the opposite--I'm guessing I'm the only one who finished already. ^^

[Laura]

Nirkatze wrote: "I'm thinking the opposite--I'm guessing I'm the only one who finished already. ^^"

That's good to know. :D I though I ended up being last again. It does seem to be a talent of mine lately.

[Choko]

I just started today. Nice intro, sounds like the MC is going to feel like she has to prove her worth to the hostile part of her family...

[Choko]

Yeah, that is my theory of Fantasy writers and romance:))) Hahaha! I am glad you are noticing it too:) I came to it years ago when I noticed the trend and it is mostly true in my experience. So I always give them a pass, since the great Fantasy is worth it:))))

[Choko]

Half way through, and I am thinking, this has to be one of her early works. I didn't realize it was as much of an YA read as it actually is, but I am cool with that, just surprised.

The MC is less annoying than most in the genre, but the author is doing the thing that was really big in the early 2000's in paranormal romance... We all know what we are talking about:))) (view spoiler)[ The bazillion year old G-d inexplicably falls for the almost 20 year old girl... At least it's not insta-love, but more lust, and there is the thing with the second, old soul inside of her... I guess that's so she can make it a bit more palatable...

The other thing that makes me feel this is one of her first books is the overly melodramatic bad guys and their actions. There is no subtitles to their characters - good or bad, we are kind of bludgeoned with it. This is only right and reasonable in books for readers under 13y, but over that, which I believe the book's target audience is, it becomes a weakness for the story... Again, I am not nitpicking, just surprised...

The Three main g-ds, as Nirkatze said, make you feel very uncomfortable, but yes, it's something we have come to expect from all known pantheons, so I guess it's nothing unexpected... I do enjoy the g-ds children and the mythology though. I think that is my favorite part of the story, since although we have a set-up for the current political struggle and the scene is well set, there isn't too much meat to bite into there... I am very interested to see how, since I am pretty sure it will happen, she will succeed in freeing the g-ds from slavery. I also like the twist of the g-ds having been enslaved by the humans though. Tough concept to pull off.

I honestly have no idea why the romantic subjects are even interested in each other - they have nothing in common and apart from her being physically attracted to him and him wanting the soul of his dead sister/lover, they seem completely incompatible. But I guess we will see... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Yeah, that is my theory of Fantasy writers and romance:))) Hahaha! I am glad you are noticing it too:) I came to it years ago when I noticed the trend and it is mostly true in my experience. So I a..."

Hah! Glad to be able to put the name to the theory. Choko's Theory of Fantasy Romance Inversion. Or something. Like a Law of Thermodynamics--any action requires an equal and opposite reaction. The quality of a romance in a fantasy book is directly opposite to the quality of worldbuilding.

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Half way through, and I am thinking, this has to be one of her early works. I didn't realize it was as much of an YA read as it actually is, but I am cool with that, just surprised.

The MC is les..."

One thing, about Nahado & attraction... (view spoiler)[I think that Nahado, in his incarnation of Chaos and Night, might be attracted to everything and everyone--sort of like a sex god. There's some mention of ancient worship practices... like giving yourself up to him in sex is a traditional method of worship for him... and sacrificing yourself to him...

Love on the other hand... that is rather implausible, yeah. Though at one point Sieh mentions that it isn't age or relationship that matters, but equality... I am still writing it off as more to do with the second-soul than to do with Yeine herself. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I finished... A very quick read for sure!

Nirkatze, re Nahado (view spoiler)[ I understand his G-d aspect and I actually feel kind of sorry for him... He seems to be "shaped" by the moods and desires of those around him. He must not have a core self, this making him as changeable as the people's feelings around him... That has got to be horrible! I almost can't think of anything as unsettling, when it comes to one's "self" as that... In order to get the best of him, you have to be the best of yourself around him... But any variation could bring any sort of unexpected and possibly unlikable consequences...

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Yes, the melodrama was abundant, but the ideas of the story, the concepts, were very solid and interesting. I did get frustrated with the MC, because she was letting her full blooded kin order around the enslaved g-ds, and never once thought about countering them - she had just as much right to do so as her two cousins, only the granddaughter had more control. The g-ds would have understood if it was done for their benefit... There were many more ways to argue things with rhetoric that I felt she could have done, and I don't think she was lacking in confidence, so this wouldn't be a good excuse...

There were a couple of very vivid moments I enjoyed, storytelling and visualization wise, not that they were "good"... Particularly the torture that you mentioned, Nirkatze, and the torture/metamorphosis of the person in the pool... And the twist of who the G-d 's of Light avatar was, very unexpected and pretty awesome! I also really liked the punishment "curse" he received at the end! That by itself makes me want to read the next book!

Otherwise, the romance was the most unbelievable part of the whole story and it never got any better... Again, as I have been saying for years, if only the Fantasy authors would just stick with the wonderful Fantasy ideas they give us and leave the romance for as vague as possible, maybe a kiss as the biggest payoff in the end, but they keep on trying... Hahaha! (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Ooh, really nice points about Nahado (view spoiler)[being shaped by everyone around him... so interesting how even his features constantly shift until he "settles" into the person of your dreams... but in the dark, no one can see him, and he is only dreams...

Really interesting about how the MC could have taken better advantage of being able to order/control the gods to counter her competitors... it's always interesting to think what we would have done in similar situations... I think I actually would do the same as Yeine, and try as much as possible not to give them any orders, or only very vague ones, no matter what... I'm not sure that they would understand... at least not all of them.. Sieh & Naha possibly, but definitely not the lady goddess... (hide spoiler)]

Book two also has romance, but I think it is done better. I think #2 was my favorite out of the trilogy, and book 3 my least favorite... also looking forward to that reread!

I'd also be curious to see what folks (especially @Choko!) think of Dreamblood, and the romance in that one...

[Choko]

Hahaha, can't wait to find out:)))

[Narilka]

Choko wrote: "Half way through, and I am thinking, this has to be one of her early works. I didn't realize it was as much of an YA read as it actually is, but I am cool with that, just surprised..."

I started last night and was going to ask that question... I got a very YA vibe from the start and it sounds like that the whole book is that way. Is that right? I have to reset my expectations in my head.

I'm still in Ch 1. I just fell asleep too fast last night :)

[Tonari no Emily]

Huh I didn't really get YA vibes from this, especially my first read through. But maybe I'm just not used to YA tropes because I don't read very much of it?

And I don't really think the romance was the central point of the book so it didn't bother me at all. And I also wouldn't really call that relationship "romantic" in any way really lol

[Choko]

Narilka, it felt very YA to me, mostly in the writing style, so yeah, definitely reset your brain:)))

Emily, interesting you didn't see it that way, but I guess the theme is adult, it's just the rest of it... But as I said, still a great idea...

[Nirkatze]

I don't think I got YA vibes either Emily--but I tend to associate emoness with YA, and this didn't feel emo to me... but I can see how it feels a bit lighter, maybe?

[Narilka]

Nirkatze wrote: "I don't think I got YA vibes either Emily--but I tend to associate emoness with YA, and this didn't feel emo to me... but I can see how it feels a bit lighter, maybe?"

YA-ness is probably a bit of personal taste. I'm only 3 chapters in and (view spoiler)[The 19-year-old girl who is an experienced and competent leader of her kingdom and also a warrior is running in fear from a gorgeous demon-prince-god-thing that immediately kisses her when he catches her. That's very a YA set up in my book. Hopefully Yiene acts like the mature leader she's supposed to be and it's just being thrust into a new situation throwing her off. Politics is a part of being a leader of a Kingdom which she's supposed to be experienced at, right? Being named an heir by your grandfather probably shouldn't be a surprise though the battle to the death may be. May be not? It's not clear if that's something common in this world.

Not to think I'm just grumpy, there are things I like too. I like the floating city. Seems like a lot of potential with this. I even like the on the nose naming of calling it Sky. I also like the 3-god mythology and the fact that they seem to be meddling in mortal affairs. Feels very Greek and I like that. I'm a intrigued and also aghast that everyone in Sky is family and that they turned many of them into slaves. I hope to get more background on that. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Narilka wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "I don't think I got YA vibes either Emily--but I tend to associate emoness with YA, and this didn't feel emo to me... but I can see how it feels a bit lighter, maybe?"

YA-ness is ..."

Nice YA-style description there--I can see that. As for Yiene's political acumen--(view spoiler)[one of the things I find interesting is how Yiene's thoughts on politics show how different her culture is from Sky's politics--also, was Yiene the leader, or just the heir at home? I forgot already.... (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Through Ch 10 (view spoiler)[The human politics are starting to fill in. I find the god dynamics more interesting though. And of course this is the chapter with more lust lol So it's a YA PNR of sorts. At least I can accept insta-lust. It's the insta-love trope that irritates me every time. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Same here:)))

[Narilka]

Through Ch 14. Ok then... (view spoiler)[So all the hubbub is due to the second soul. Given that we now know Yien is supposed to sacrifice herself I guess this will let Enefa be reborn? Should be interesting. I'm betting she'll free the others too and possibly take down her evil cousins. (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Nirkatze wrote: "Narilka wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "I don't think I got YA vibes either Emily--but I tend to associate emoness with YA, and this didn't feel emo to me... but I can see how it feels a bit lighter, mayb..."

I think Yeine was (view spoiler)[ newly the leader, but still with a lot of help from her grandmother... It was the father she inherited the role from. And yeah the politics of her home were very different than Sky. I think there are different skill sets for those regions too.. more manipulation in Sky vs will//dominance battles back home. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

@Emily - Yeah I can see that. Just got some background on Yiene's home now that I'm a bit past 50%. (view spoiler)[Both societies are brutal in their own way, with Yiene's home being more overt about it. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

@Emily--thanks for that clarification! My brain gets so addled sometimes...

@Narilka--100% dittoing Choko & with you on instalurve v. instalust...

[Julian]

Starting this a bit late but hopefully can catch up with everyone!

[Narilka]

I'm still reading so it's good to have company :)

[Nirkatze]

Still reading comments! ^^

[Narilka]

I finished last night. Initial thoughts. It felt a lot like the telling of a myth and I enjoyed the ending. (view spoiler)[The plot is fairly straight forward: a girl is summoned by her grandfather, the ruler of the world, to the ruling seat of the kingdom to be named one of his heirs and told she's now in a weird 3-way duel to see who will be the true heir. Yes, it has a YA feel to it and the plot is slow moving. The narration style told primarily by the main character is a bit jerky, which was a little confusing at first but makes much more sense half way through after learning about the two souls and that she's debating with Enefa at times. (hide spoiler)]

The ending seemed to tie up the story nicely and I think could be read as stand alone. I'm not entirely sure where the second book would go next unless it's more like a trilogy of loosely related stories instead of one story arc in three books.

[Choko]

I am glad you liked it, Narilka! Looking forward to reading the next one with everyone:)))

[Tonari no Emily]

Yes, the three books aren't directly related. Which I kind of appreciate, because they can kind of all be standalones...