Title: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms Series: Inheritance Trilogy #1
Author: N.K. Jemisin
Published: February 25, 2010
Genre(s): Fantasy
Page Count: 427
Rating:
Summary from Goodreads:Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle.
Well. Well well well. I’m not quite sure what to say about The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, except to say that it’s a phenomenal book. N.K. Jemisin has most definitely done something terrific here, and this book really makes me want to do more SF/F reading in the future. This is the kind of book that could probably make you a believer in the genre, regardless of previous feelings. It’s just that good.
Jemisin’s main character, Yeine, writes her story in a memorable, idiosyncratic way. She addresses the reader as “you”, but I think it feels less obnoxious than most cases where the fourth wall is broken. This manner of storytelling also works, as Yeine will sometimes backtrack, or say something ominous, or have a seemingly unrelated digression, all of which serve to keep anticipation high as the situation becomes more and more tense.
And as much tension as there is, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not the sort of fantasy novel heavy on battles or war. Which is a good thing, since action/fight sequences put me to sleep. I much prefer fantasy that deals with politics, religion, power, morality, etc. While there is certainly the threat of war present in this book, Jemisin doesn’t spend any time following an army around from battlefield to battlefield. Instead, the reader witnesses Yeine’s reactions when she’s thrown in the middle of a cutthroat environment where gods and men struggle against each other.
Not to say that there isn’t action in this book—there certainly is. Yeine’s relatives are exceedingly violent, conniving, selfish, and merciless. From the moment of her arrival, Yeine has only a few options: become as evil as her relatives, roll over and let them trod all over her…or join forces with a fallen god and his children, who are keeping a rather large secret from her even as they ask for her help. Obviously, it’s the latter option that Yeine chooses.
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms presents gods and mythology in a new way. In the beginning there were the Three, but one rose up and killed his sister, then imprisoned his brother and the brother’s disloyal children in mortal vessels. Known as the Enefadah, these imprisoned gods are who Yeine deals with over the course of the story, as they’ve come up with a scheme to win their freedom, a scheme that won’t succeed without her. Through this plan, Jemisin is able to reveal a lot of her world-building and ideas, all of which I thought were quite well done.
Yeine herself is an excellent female character. The first person narration makes it easy for her voice and personality to come through, and over the course of the story, readers are able to recognize her strength. Prior to her summons to the palace, she was ruler of a minor, destitute country. Upon arrival, she flounders for some time, but obviously has a good head and doesn’t blindly rush into things or trust without good reason.
I was also especially pleased with the conclusion. It took me somewhat by surprise, but beyond that, I thought it was a very well thought-out, fitting resolution for the various characters involved. Yeine’s strength was certainly at center-stage, and I thought Jemisin did well in wrapping things up without getting too detailed. At the same time, I am rather mystified as to what the next two books in the trilogy will deal with.
In any case, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is an excellent female-led fantasy novel. It’s memorable to be sure, both in narration and in concept, and I’m pleased with how everything came together in the end. N.K. Jemisin is obviously a very talented author, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
