N. K. Jemisin

Assassin priests, mad kings, and the goddess of death collide in the first book of the Dreamblood Duology by NYT bestselling and three time Hugo-Award winning author N. K. Jemisin. The city burned beneath the Dreaming Moon. In the ancient city-state of Gujaareh, peace is the only law. Upon its rooftops and amongst the shadows of its cobbled streets wait the Gatherers -- the keepers of this peace. Priests of the dream-goddess, their duty is to harvest the magic of the sleeping mind and use it to heal, soothe . . . and kill those judged corrupt. But when a conspiracy blooms within Gujaareh's great temple, Ehiru -- the most famous of the city's Gatherers -- must question everything he knows. Someone, or something, is murdering dreamers in the goddess' name, stalking its prey both in Gujaareh's alleys and the realm of dreams. Ehiru must now protect the woman he was sent to kill -- or watch the city be devoured by war and forbidden magic.

The Killing Moon

Enjoyed the storyline, the premise is great! (Portrays relation between dreams and ancient Egyptian science, of faiths & sanctimoniousness). I couldn't find myself to connect with the characters and there's a particular relationship written between two that I feel both confused/awkward about. But, on the whole it's beautifully written. 

Yash

Alice Hyman

“Real love lasts years. It causes pain and endures through it”

As this is an N. K Jemisin book this isn’t so much a review rather a OHMYGOSHTHISBOOKISAMAZINGPLSREADITRN 

What are some of your autobuy authors ?

This book seeps into your mind like water through the ground - it’s one of those that you just have to keep thinking about, which is probably a good thing because I don’t think anyone can read this book and not grow as a person, or at the very least gain huge perspectives on your own views.

The political system of the countries are amazingly distinct - even the structure and politics of the religion is so complex and well throughtout. 

Even the difference between the cities themselves are so deep and meaningful. In Kisua there is more freedom. Death and retribution do not stalk the shadows. Men and women show disrespect, break laws, and become homeless. In Gujaarah a strict sense of order remains, one purveyed through fear as well as a sense of religious beliefs. This order is controlled to force the grow of peace, but this peace is leaden with the blood of those it cost. Can control really create a complete peace ? 

While I was definitely rooting for Sunandi throughout there is a great lack of distinction between the good guys and the bad guys. We are presented with two sides/countries/views but there is no super easy pointer of these are the bad guys and these are the good ones. Though I was sided with Kisua throughout the story there was things that made me question whether the Hetawa and the Gujaareh way of worship was the bad thing or was it simply bad people - who happen in every culture.

Basically this is my long winded way of saying I really appreciate the creation of complex cultures with multifaceted factions and sides rather than a goodside.exe and a badside.exe (hint if you live near a place called Mt. Doom its probably the latter side)

Sarah Escorsa

☠ DNF at: 42% . Perseverance is me.

Warning: the gif is incredibly strong in this one. You are quite welcome.

Believe it or not, I was forced to DNF this book for medical reasons. Doctor's orders and stuff. I kid you not. Now why would Dr Prawn advise me to relegate this most fascinating book to the DNF Graveyard, you ask? Because too much adrenaline. Yes, that's right. This story is so bloody shrimping thrilling and such an exhilarating roller coaster ride that I heart palpitations while reading it.




I had a whole lot of other alarming symptoms, too. My poor, poor nerves were in a worse state than Mrs Bennett's, my pincers got all sweaty and flabby (which, you'll have to admit, isn't super sexy), I started convulsing through my exoskeleton and my black, withered heart felt like it was permanently hooked to a defibrillator. So Dr. Prawn said, "if you want to be able to keep exterminating puny humans for decades to come, you have to put this masterpiece down NOW." I was obviously crushed to death upon hearing this abominably daunting news. 




I am not sure I will ever recover. This is, after all, one of the most titillating tales I was ever given to read. Strangely enough, some people of despicable book taste apparently find it so thoroughly soporific they say it should come with a coffee IV, but I really don't understand why. People are weird, if you ask me. I mean, why would they say such a thing, when this book is a total page-turner? It took me only 8 days hours to not make it to the halfway mark read the first 186 pages! That should tell you something, my Little Barnacles. Namely, that there is never a dull moment to be had in this story. It's all compelling stuff, all the time! Which makes it excruciatingly difficult to put the book down, obviously.

 


And the characters! Oh, the characters! What a deliciously spellbinding bunch! They are so beautifully full of life, enthusiastic and emotional, you just cannot NOT develop the warmest feelings towards them. Believe me, not getting robustly attached to them is NOT an option.




And so it is with great affliction, deep sorrow and much heartbreak that I shall very reluctantly send this bewitching tale to the DNF Graveyard. Woe is me and stuff.




» And the moral of this The MacHalos Undoubtedly Know How to Pick the Greatest Books to Buddy Ready I Feel So Lucky to be a Member of This Most Discerning Group Crappy Non Review (TMHUKHtPtGBtBRIFsLtbaMoTMDGCNR™) is: I literally cannot wait to read N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy. With any luck, it won't be half as electrifyingly stimulating as this one, and Dr Prawn won't ask me to DNF it. Keeping my pincers crossed and stuff. 



[Pre-review nonsense]

Here's to yet another Glorious MacHalo Buddy Reading Pick (GMHBRP™)!



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➽ Full The MacHalos Must Have Been Cursed to Read Crap for All of Eternity I See No Other Explanation to this Perpetual Debacle Crappy Non Review (TMMHBCtCRfAoEISNOEttPDCNR™) to come.

The Killing Moon

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