N. K. Jemisin
N. K. Jemisin is an acclaimed American science fiction and fantasy writer, known for her groundbreaking works such as 'The Broken Earth' trilogy, which won her three consecutive Hugo Awards for Best Novel.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Fifth Season
The Broken Earth
A woman searches for her kidnapped daughter in a world ravaged by a catastrophic climate change event known as the Fifth Season. Simultaneously, the narrative follows a young girl with destructive powers and a man struggling to control his own similar abilities. The story explores themes of oppression, survival, and the destructive power of nature, all set in a dystopian world where the earth is constantly in flux, and society is strictly divided and controlled.
The 1117th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
2. The Broken Earth Trilogy
The Broken Earth Trilogy is a captivating science fiction series set in a post-apocalyptic world where a woman with the power to control seismic activity is on a quest to rescue her kidnapped daughter. This world, called the Stillness, regularly experiences catastrophic climate change events known as Seasons, which its inhabitants constantly prepare for. The series explores themes of oppression, survival, and the human capacity for adaptation, all while providing a thrilling and poignant narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
The 3437th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. The Stone Sky
The Broken Earth: Book Three
In this concluding volume of a groundbreaking fantasy trilogy, the fate of a world hangs in the balance as a mother and daughter find themselves on opposite sides of an apocalyptic war. The mother, an orogene with the power to control seismic activity, embarks on a quest to end the perpetual disasters plaguing the earth by harnessing the power of an ancient, mythical obelisk. Meanwhile, her daughter, who possesses similar abilities, is manipulated by forces seeking to use her powers for their own ends. As their paths converge, the complex layers of oppression, survival, and the struggle for freedom are revealed, culminating in a climactic battle that will determine the future of their world.
The 5276th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
4. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
In this fantasy novel, a young woman finds herself thrust into a volatile and treacherous world of politics and power when she is unexpectedly named an heir to the ruling family of a vast empire. As she navigates the dangerous court intrigues, she discovers her own latent magical abilities and forms complex relationships with the enslaved gods who are the source of the family's power. With the throne at stake, she must contend with deadly scheming, her own family's dark secrets, and the weight of her potential role in reshaping the kingdom's future.
The 8424th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
5. The Obelisk Gate
The Broken Earth, Book 2
In the second installment of a groundbreaking fantasy trilogy, the world grapples with an apocalyptic season of catastrophic climate change known as the Fifth Season. The narrative follows a mother searching for her missing daughter while coming to terms with her own seismic powers that could either save humanity or hasten its end. As communes and factions struggle for survival and dominance, the story delves into themes of oppression, resistance, and the complex nature of human relationships, all set against a backdrop of geological and magical upheaval. The protagonist must navigate a landscape of political intrigue and ancient mysteries to unlock the potential of obelisks, powerful artifacts that could be the key to the world's salvation or destruction.
The 9807th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
6. The City We Became
This novel is a vibrant and imaginative exploration of a city coming to life, personified through five distinct characters who represent the diverse boroughs of New York City. As these avatars navigate their newfound powers, they must unite to combat a mysterious otherworldly force threatening their city's very existence. Blending elements of urban fantasy, social commentary, and cosmic horror, the story delves into themes of identity, community, and resilience, offering a unique and compelling take on the soul of a metropolis and the collective strength of its inhabitants.
The 15010th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
7. The Killing Moon
Dreamblood
In a world inspired by ancient Egypt, where magic is wielded through the power of dreams, priests known as Gatherers harvest the magic of the sleeping for the use of the city-state of Gujaareh, all in the name of peace. However, when Ehiru, one of the most respected Gatherers, is sent on a mission, he discovers a conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of his society. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he must question his own beliefs and the morality of his actions, navigating political intrigue, and the dangerous waters of power and corruption that could bring about the downfall of everything he holds dear.
The 17113th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
8. The World We Make
In this gripping sequel, the vibrant city of New York is personified through its boroughs, each represented by avatars who embody the city's diverse spirit and resilience. As they face an existential threat from an otherworldly force seeking to consume their world, the avatars must unite to protect their city and its unique identity. The narrative weaves together themes of community, identity, and resistance, exploring the power of unity in the face of adversity. With a blend of fantasy and social commentary, the story delves into the complexities of urban life and the enduring strength found in diversity.
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9. The Kingdom Of Gods
In a world where gods and mortals coexist, the story follows Sieh, the trickster god of childhood, who finds himself unexpectedly transformed into a mortal child. As he navigates the complexities of human life, Sieh becomes entangled in the political machinations of the Arameri family, whose power struggles threaten the delicate balance between the divine and mortal realms. With his immortality slipping away and ancient forces stirring, Sieh must confront his own nature and the bonds of friendship and loyalty that could reshape the fate of gods and humans alike.
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10. How Long 'Til Black Future Month?
This captivating collection of speculative fiction stories explores themes of identity, culture, and the future through a diverse array of characters and settings. Each tale delves into the complexities of human experience, weaving elements of science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism to challenge societal norms and envision new possibilities. The narratives are rich with imagination and insight, offering a thought-provoking examination of the intersection between race, power, and the potential for change in a world that is both familiar and fantastical.
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11. The Broken Kingdoms
In a world where gods walk among mortals, a blind artist named Oree Shoth discovers a mysterious, glowing man in her alley, setting off a chain of events that threatens the fragile peace between humans and deities. As she becomes embroiled in a divine conspiracy, Oree must navigate a city teeming with magic and danger, uncovering secrets about her own past and the true nature of the gods. Her journey is one of resilience and revelation, as she grapples with love, betrayal, and the power of creation itself.
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12. Emergency Skin
In a gripping tale of survival and discovery, a soldier from a technologically advanced society is sent on a mission to a supposedly barren Earth to retrieve a crucial resource. Upon arrival, the soldier is confronted with unexpected revelations about the planet's thriving inhabitants, who have adapted in harmony with their environment. As the soldier grapples with the truth about their own society's history and the lies they've been fed, they must decide whether to fulfill their mission or embrace a new understanding of humanity and its potential for resilience and cooperation.
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13. The Shadowed Sun
In a world where dreams hold immense power, a healer named Hanani becomes the first woman to join the prestigious ranks of the Hetawa, an order of dreamers who protect the city-state of Gujaareh. As a deadly plague of nightmares threatens to engulf the land, Hanani must navigate the treacherous politics of her society and confront her own fears to save her people. Alongside a warrior prince with a dark past, she embarks on a perilous journey that challenges her beliefs and tests her courage, ultimately leading to a confrontation that could alter the fate of their world.
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14. The City Born Great
In a vibrant and pulsating narrative, a young graffiti artist in New York City discovers that the metropolis is not just a backdrop but a living entity on the brink of being born. As the city awakens, it chooses him as its midwife, entrusting him with the monumental task of defending it against a cosmic threat that seeks to snuff out its burgeoning life. Through a blend of urban fantasy and raw street energy, the story explores themes of identity, resilience, and the profound connection between a city and its inhabitants, culminating in a battle that will determine the fate of the city and its people.
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15. El Cielo De Piedra
The Stone Sky
In a world where the remnants of humanity struggle to survive amidst cataclysmic geological upheavals, the story unfolds with a gripping narrative that intertwines the destinies of its characters. As the earth's fury threatens to obliterate all life, a mother and daughter, each wielding extraordinary powers, must confront their past and the legacy of their fractured world. Their journey through a landscape of shifting alliances and ancient secrets reveals the true nature of their abilities and the potential for redemption or destruction. This tale of resilience and sacrifice explores themes of identity, power, and the enduring hope for a better future.
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16. El Portal De Los Obeliscos
The Obelisk Gate
In a world perpetually on the brink of destruction, the narrative follows the intertwined fates of two powerful orogenes, Essun and her daughter Nassun, as they navigate the tumultuous landscape of the Stillness. As the earth itself threatens to tear apart, Essun must harness the power of the Obelisk Gate to save humanity, while Nassun grapples with her own burgeoning abilities and the moral complexities of wielding such power. Amidst the chaos, themes of survival, identity, and the bonds of family are explored, painting a vivid picture of resilience in the face of apocalyptic change.
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17. The Inheritance Trilogy
Across three interconnected tales, a world ruled by a ruthless dynasty that has enslaved living gods is transformed by the choices of unlikely heroes: a young woman drawn into a deadly succession struggle, a blind artist who can see magic and uncovers a divine conspiracy, and a mischievous godling forced to grapple with mortality and love. Their intersecting journeys unravel ancient injustices, challenge the tyranny binding deities to human whims, and ignite a reckoning among the gods themselves. Power, identity, and liberation collide as secrets of creation surface and the fate of both mortals and immortals is remade.
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18. The Best American Science Fiction And Fantasy 2018
A curated anthology of contemporary speculative short fiction that brings together imaginative, boundary-pushing science fiction and fantasy stories exploring identity, technology, climate, and social change. The collection highlights diverse voices and a wide range of tones—from eerie and lyrical to humorous and dystopian—offering thought-provoking, emotionally resonant pieces that reflect current trends and concerns in the genre.
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19. Far Sector
A Green Lantern dispatched to the farthest reaches of the Corps becomes a reluctant investigator when a string of violent deaths rocks a vast, technologically advanced metropolis whose peace is enforced by a data-driven system of social governance; as she navigates alien cultures, political factions, and the limits of her authority and power ring, the case forces her to confront thorny questions about justice, accountability, trauma, and what it means to belong in a society that quantifies conformity and dissent.
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