We end this series with an unclassifiable saga, halfway between fantasy and science fiction. The fractured earth books is a trilogy by American writer Nora K. Jemisin. Unique fact, the three books, The fifth season, The crystal door and The petrified skies, each won the prestigious Hugo Prize for Best Novel. By the way, Jemisin was the first black woman to receive this prestigious award (see also this memorable speechpronounced in 2018 for his third Hugo).
What does it say?
The plot takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth, where there is only one continent, immense, the “Fixed”. After several centuries of calm, the planet is regularly shaken by violent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. This is called “the fifth season”.
We follow three women of three different ages, at a different time. Their common point? They are orogenic. That is to say, they have the power to act on the earth and the soil, using the heat around them to cause or prevent earthquakes. Other humans fear this power, which is difficult to master (and which can therefore cause accidents) and the orogens are persecuted. The story is written in the second person singular.
How is it ?
Jemisin’s writing can sometimes seem dry and geology will have almost no more secrets for you after reading this trilogy. But this saga did not obtain its three Hugo Awards for nothing. If each of the books is exceptional, you have to have read all three to grasp the full force of this novel and understand where Jemisin was taking us from the start. A deep and powerful story, from which you will not emerge unscathed. With her trilogy, the writer asks many questions, but this is perhaps the one that will haunt you the most: when the Earth is destroyed, can it take revenge?
What magic?
The main magic of Books of the fractured earth is that of the orogens, of which we spoke above. There are also the strange stone eaters, these mineral creatures that have the ability to move within the stone (and feed on it, as their name suggests).
Is it adaptable to the screen?
The post-apocalyptic universe, earthquakes, volcano eruptions have a fairly high telegenic potential. And the couple of Essun/Albâtre orogens has everything to become a mythical couple once on screen. There were rumors of an adaptation back in 2017, but nothing has come of it yet.