The Kingdom of Gods
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4.5 • 156 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Shahar and the godling Sieh must face off against the terrible magic threatening to consume their world in the incredible conclusion to the Inheritance Trilogy, from Hugo award-winning and New York Times bestselling author N. K. Jemisin.
For two thousand years the Arameri family has ruled the world by enslaving the very gods that created mortalkind. Now the gods are free, and the Arameri's ruthless grip is slipping. Yet they are all that stands between peace and world-spanning, unending war.
Shahar, last scion of the family, must choose her loyalties. She yearns to trust Sieh, the godling she loves. Yet her duty as Arameri heir is to uphold the family's interests, even if that means using and destroying everyone she cares for.
As long-suppressed rage and terrible new magics consume the world, the Maelstrom -- which even gods fear -- is summoned forth. Shahar and Sieh: mortal and god, lovers and enemies. Can they stand together against the chaos that threatens?
Includes a never before seen story set in the world of the Inheritance Trilogy.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Jemisin's third and final Inheritance fantasy (after 2010's The Broken Kingdoms) builds on the series theme of obsessive, destructive love. Child trickster godling Sieh has been lonely for eons. When Shahar and Dekarta, twin scions of the once-powerful Arameri clan, disingenuously offer to be his friends, his misguided attempt to seal their friendship with magic and blood ends in catastrophe. Years later, Sieh wakes to find himself mortal and aging, Dekarta scapegoated and banished, and Shahar entangled in family politics. Worse, an ancient, forgotten figure has returned with a plan for vengeance that may doom the world. Jemisin is as talented as ever, and the focus on desperate longing lends the series thematic unity. There is room for sequels but no need for them, allowing Jemisin to move on to new frontiers.
Customer Reviews
So freakin good.
My only regret is not having bought a hardcopy that I can loan to friends. This book is just amazing.
Challenging
This one was harder to get thru because of Sieh’s nature. But it was worth the challenge for the character’s nuisances and development. I was humbled with Sieh.
Brilliant Conclusion
I think I could have given this four stars, but I had to go with five. It's rare to feel like a trilogy is truly a trilogy, and not just one book broken up (like John Twelve Hawks), and N. K. did that with three well thought-out books. Also, the momentum from the first book carries over here, for this book simply cannot be enjoyed without the other two. So, FIVE STARS, if you count the journey from one to two to three.
Sieh, a character from the first two, is the narrator of this one. When I first realized, I wondered if I could like the book with him as narrator, and I did, it completely succeeded. I hate reviews that talk about plot, that's what reading it, and book jackets are for, so, suffice to say, these books have it all: plot, characterization, wonderful world-building. And it's rare to find lurid and sensual bits that seem authentic without exaggeration or gratuitousness. Thanks for Miss Jemisen for adding all that in, and adding it in well. She really tapped into class struggle, hidden desires, shame, and worship. I never felt like her material was derivative, and can't wait for whatever is next.