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Cover of The Fifth Season

Fantasy · Science fiction

The Fifth Season

by N. K. Jemisin

4.3 out of 5, from 2,092 ratings from Hardcover readers

On a continent regularly shattered by world-ending seismic disasters, people called orogenes who can move the earth are feared and controlled. Three women of different ages, in three storylines, are each pursuing survival and answers.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
2015
Pace
Medium
Length
Medium
Pages
468
Format
Book 1 of 3 in The Broken Earth
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Read this if you want a demanding, brilliantly constructed fantasy that blends science fiction and uses a surprising narrative voice.

Skip this if you want comfort or an easy start, as it opens with a child's death and is bleak and confusing at first.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Child death
  • Slavery
  • Prejudice
  • Violence
  • Grief
  • Abuse

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Child abuse
  • Death
  • Gaslighting
  • Murder
  • Racism
  • Rape
  • Self harm
  • Xenophobia

Quick answers about The Fifth Season

What is The Fifth Season about?
On a continent regularly shattered by world-ending seismic disasters, people called orogenes who can move the earth are feared and controlled. Three women of different ages, in three storylines, are each pursuing survival and answers.
Who should read The Fifth Season?
Read it if you want a demanding, brilliantly constructed fantasy that blends science fiction and uses a surprising narrative voice. Skip it if you want comfort or an easy start, as it opens with a child's death and is bleak and confusing at first.
How long and how fast is The Fifth Season?
It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 468 pages, first published in 2015.
Does The Fifth Season have content warnings?
Content we flag: Child death, Slavery, Prejudice, Violence, Grief, Abuse.
Can I borrow The Fifth Season for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Fifth Season; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after The Fifth Season?
Readers who liked it often move on to Parable of the Sower, The Poppy War, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.

Where to get it

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