#essun

[kbookblurbs]

The Fifth Season - N.K. Jemisin (Broken Earth #1)

4.25/5 - superb worldbuilding; compelling stakes and main character

MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!

This book pulled me in from the get-go. Jemisin has such a way with words and, though I had a sneaking suspicion that at least 2 of the 3 main POVs featured the same main character, it was still wonderfully pulled together.

One of the aspects that I most appreciated about this world is that Jemisin doesn't shy away from the grossness of it all. Everything in this novel, from Damaya's broken hand to the poor boy kept as a node maintainer, was so visceral. I genuinely had to pause after reading the latter scene because it just filled me with such real horror and disgust.

Furthermore, I loved that Damaya/Syenite/Essun felt like such different people and such different characters while still carrying the same through lines that support the backbone of the character. She is the same at all point and yet so changed by her experiences. Even better, she's so real about it. She's angry. She hates Alabaster at first for the sole reason that he doesn't behave how she expects and continues to find him deeply irritable even as they grow closer. That's realism, baby!

The only thing that did takes this down from a top tier book for me is the use of the second person POV. It's enables the reader to really sink into Essun's identity crisis, while creating a sense of distance between the character's thoughts and action. This makes for a very interesting stylistic choice, but it's just one that didn't sit particularly well with me. Even the reveal that Hoa is telling these chapters back to Essun didn't rescue it for me.

[captn-lovelace]

i used to know how to use garageband in 6th grade and now that i have all the w359 episode mp3s on my laptop i’m going to have to dust off those skills to make some edits of mincowski being a badass space commander

[izafroggo]

syenite is my favorite

“You’re not used to having a life follow you when you leave it behind.”

-The Fifth Season, n. k. jemisin 

[july-19th-club]

one thing that is so genius on a craft level with the broken earth books is that the derogatory for 'orogene' is - That Way - on 100% purpose. you're supposed to feel like it's not a word to say out loud, it's supposed to be uncomfortably similar to words you've already heard and know as cruel slurs in the real world. it's a direct fucking parallel designed to deliberately give the reader that crawling feeling and it works so well i dont even feel right typing it up for a post

[kbookblurbs]

The Stone Sky - N.K. Jemisin (Broken Earth #3)

4.5/5 - at times too cerebral for my tastes; very fitting pyhrric victory; the mother-daughter relationship in this book makes me SICK. I'm obsessed.

MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!!!

In an effort to keep this a bit more concise and to the point than my review for The Obelisk Gate, I'm structuring this review into three main sections:

Worldbuilding

Pacing & The Ending

Essun, Nassun, & their relationship

Worldbuilding

I deeply love that Jemisin devotes so much time to making sure that the worldbuilding here reflects on a (sub)textual level the point she's trying to convey regarding race, oppression, and the consequences of othering people. It's rich and allows for a really nuanced exploration into what it means to consider people subhuman, what that does to their psyche, and what that exposes about that society. The section about the "Briar Patch" is ... particularly horrifying. A match to the scene in The Fifth Season with the node maintainer in terms of sheer banal evil.

I do feel, however, that sometimes the commitment to this description and this worldbuilding on every page interfered with getting to know some of the characters. Obviously Essun, Nassun, Schaffa, etc. are very well-developed, but characters like Tonkee, Ykka, and Lerna felt very one-note at times. Since our main characters are in their own heads so much, it doesn't really feel like we really get to know anyone else - though that could be a narrative technique given Essun's tendency to misunderstand or underestimate her relationships with others. Either way, I personally wanted to see a little bit more interaction between everyone.

Pacing & The Ending

At times, the book dragged for me. I think this may be because I felt some scenes with Schaffa and Nassun were somewhat repetitive, but I understand the need to keep them in. They each show something different and unique and horrifying, to be perfectly honest, about their relationship and Nassun's underlying traumas.

The ending, however, was everything I could ask for. It's felt all along like Essun wouldn't survive this, but through books one and two, I had imagined more of a go-down-swinging type of exit. This one was, frankly, all the more heartbreaking. She loved her daughter more than she loved humanity, more than she loved herself.

And what a blow for Nassun. To be orphaned twice over, basically, and to have a hand in the death of each of your parental figures makes my heart ache for her. She's so young to have experienced the world like this. It's especially tragic and fitting, as far as endings go, that she loses her orogeny at the end of the series. It's not a stretch to say that Nassun literally lost everyone who ever loved her and a part of herself she loved (and an arm!). What ultimately brought her the most happiness was also the seeds of her own personal tragedy.

Essun, Nassun, & their relationship

Few things have made me more sick, angry, and deeply conflicted than the twisted ties between Nassun, Essun, & Schaffa. How tragic to be so traumatized by even the attempt to live a normal life that you inflict the same pain upon your child. That your abuser can recognize your actions as wrong. That there's no way you could have known any different!

That said, Essun being afraid of her daughter and understanding that she is afraid of Nassun because Nassun is just like her was, again, deeply sad and frustrating on my part. It was understandable, because even as Essun has attempted to accept the whole of her life, who she is, and what she's done, good and bad, she hasn't really forgiven herself for it. She hasn't forgiven herself for being born powerful and stubborn and ambitious and seeing those traits reflected back in her daughter made her frightened!

From Nassun's point of view, for her to know, but not quite understand, that Schaffa had a hand in making Essun who she was and is, made me as the reader miserable. Schaffa is treating her better than many of the adult figures in her life. But he's also grooming her into a weird, toxic, codependent relationship that only serves to confirm Nassun's impression of her mother as someone who doesn't (or can't) love her when Schaffa is literally the reason that Essun acts and parents the way that she does. It goes round in circles and makes me sick and ill and I will be thinking about this for the foreseeable future I fear.

Overall - an excellent book and an excellent series that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a dense high fantasy or science fiction story. It packs a punch!

[planet4546b]

i think very often when i see people talk about being tired of apocalypse stories what they mean is being tired of apocalypse being used as stakes instead of as thematics. something clarified by seeing works like season a letter to the future and the fifth season where the apocalypse is so clearly tied to the personal in a real way. every time in fifth season they mention that all of this is because father earth lost his child im blown away again by how genius of a move that is

[mistninja]

My two favorite flavors of fantasy main characters:

Old guy who becomes a father and is trying so so hard to be a good dad despite The Horrors and his tragic backstory (Fitz, Geralt)

Extremely powerful woman with lots of trauma and anger (Vin, Essun, Ciri, Gideon and Harrow)

[anthythesis]

#But 7 is syenite alabaster and innon from the broken earth no? My thoughts exactly!!!🥰but also😭

Yeah their whole situation is so heartbreaking 😥

(ALSO it's so cool to find out you also know these books!!! I just finished the obelisk gate, and oh my god... )

[penwrythe]

Might start on Blacktober next week

Time-related issues are still a bit finicky right now, but it's not bad, so...I might be good this month, idk??

Anyway, here's a list of Black characters I want to draw for Blacktober this year. It needs some narrowing down, but so far, I'm thinking about:

My own characters:

Nikey (RFR), Nicodemus (RFR), Medusa (TMR), Flammin as human (TMR), Beatrix from Iohnovia (old project).

Other media:

Books

Damaya/Essun/Syenite or Alabaster from The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin

Tau, Jabari, or Zuri from The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter

Bree Matthews, Vera, or Valec from Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

Zeilie, Amari, -as much as I hate don't like him- Inan from Children of Blood and Bone

Films, Series, Webcomic and Podcast

Prince Ezran (with Azymondias), Aditi, Janai from the Dragon Prince series

Hobe, Miles, Jessica from Into the Spider-Verse

Qebrus and Crjth from Rising Sand by Ty Dunitz and Jenn Lee

Juno Steel from Juno Steel series | The Penumbra podcast

Depending on how this month goes, I might either do a mix of full body or portraits, or just portraits. Some of these characters I might need a refresher on, so that means some reading or watching some of their source material again.

I'll return to this list tomorrow to shorten it a bit because it's a lot...........

[kh3finalmix]

the inheritance trilogy is already not as engaging as the fifth season was for me but well im only like 40 pages in so i can't comment much, just that the pacing feels wayyyy different. also the author is really into making people who seem young actually be extremely old/immortal

[yuvaana-123]

Unleashing the Power of 3D Printer Filament: A Comprehensive Guide to ESUN, PETG, and Special Filaments

Introduction

The world of 3D printing has revolutionized the way we create objects and prototypes, providing endless possibilities for hobbyists, engineers, and designers alike. A key component in the 3D printing process is the filament—a material that is used as the "ink" for 3D printers. Among the plethora of options available, ESUN Filament, PETG Filaments, and Special Filaments stand out as some of the most popular and versatile choices. In this blog, we will delve into the unique features and applications of these 3D printer filaments, shedding light on their capabilities and helping you make an informed choice for your 3D printing needs.

Types of Filamets

ESUN Filament ESUN is a well-known brand that has earned its reputation for producing high-quality 3D printer filaments. Their filaments are engineered with precision, providing excellent performance and consistent results. One of the most popular ESUN filament is PLA (Polylactic Acid), which is derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane. PLA is renowned for its ease of use, low warping, and biodegradability, making it an eco-friendly option.

Moreover, ESUN also offers ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) filament, which is renowned for its strength and durability. It's perfect for functional prototypes and objects that require impact resistance. ABS is also known for its versatility, as it can be post-processed with techniques like acetone vapor smoothing.

PETG Filament PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified) Filaments have gained immense popularity in the 3D printing community due to their unique combination of properties. PETG is known for its durability, excellent layer adhesion, and high impact resistance, making it an ideal choice for mechanical parts and functional prototypes. Additionally, PETG is transparent and easy to print, making it suitable for creating clear objects like bottles or protective shields.

One of the standout features of PETG is its low shrinkage and minimal warping during printing. This characteristic allows for larger prints and reduces the risk of failed prints, giving users a more seamless experience overall.

Special Filaments In addition to the more common PLA, ABS, and PETG filaments, the world of 3D printing also boasts a variety of specialty filaments that cater to specific needs and demands. These special filaments often combine unique materials and additives to achieve extraordinary properties.

One such example is the TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) filament, famous for its flexibility and elasticity. TPU is often used in applications where rubber-like properties are required, such as creating custom gaskets, phone cases, or shoe soles.

Another fascinating special filament is the wood-infused PLA, which contains a percentage of wood fibers. This filament produces prints with a wooden texture, making it perfect for creating artistic and rustic models or decorative pieces.

Applications of 3D Printer Filament ESUN Filaments, PETG Filaments, and Special Filaments find applications across a wide range of industries and fields. Some common uses include:

Rapid Prototyping: 3D printing with these filaments allows for the quick and cost-effective production of prototypes, enabling designers and engineers to test their ideas and iterate designs efficiently.

Educational Purposes: 3D printing has become a valuable tool in education, allowing students to explore complex concepts through tangible models and practical demonstrations.

Customized Creations: Whether it's personalized jewelry, custom phone cases, or unique home décor items, 3D printing with these filaments empowers individuals to bring their creative visions to life.

Conclusion

ESUN Filament, PETG Filament, and Special Filaments offer a diverse range of properties and applications, making them indispensable for 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals. With the power to transform digital designs into physical objects, these filaments enable innovation and creativity like never before. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, we can expect even more groundbreaking filaments to emerge, further expanding the horizons of this revolutionary manufacturing process. So, explore the world of 3D printer filaments and unlock the full potential of your 3D printer!

[officialdaydreamer00]

A few things i found about our Scarabia MC! (In a mainly JP server players group so im writing as how i see it)

Spoilers ahead!!

Her name is Oujou Yuuna (or Yuuna Oujou if you're not asian), she's 16

Refer to herself as aashi (あーし), possibly a cuter way to say atashi (あたし)

Her family are rice farmers

Her dream is to become a gyaru model for magazines

[EDITED] Got isekai-ed while preparing her trip to Tokyo for the gyaru model audition

Selfies for life (cater's potential bestie :0??)

Also the way she call the Heartslabyul gang (in JP pronunciation lol):

Grim: Guririn

Ace: Essun

Deuce: Deussun

Trey: Torepai

Cater: Keiti

LIKE THAT'S SO CUTE I LOVE HER??? 😭😭

[nkjemisin]

The results of the election has been absolutely devastating and terrifying and I wanted to pop in and say thank you. Firstly, for what your work has meant to me over the years. Broken earth resonated with me in a way no other piece of media has. Essun has lived in me ever since I finished the series, and I hope to get a tattoo of her as a stone eater at some point. More relevantly to how I started this, however, I wanted to thank you because your work has given me solace twice over in dealing with the world right now. With the world feeling like it’s falling apart and the future so uncertain, thinking of broken earth reminded me that even when the world is ending around us there are still people and things worth fighting for. Secondly, nearly all of my comfort media deals with antfascist or antiracist themes, and it’s felt all either too real to engage with, or hopeful in a way that felt too bitter given the state of things. I had started relistening to the city we became just before the election, and I had to stop for a bit because the hope in that story felt like more than I could bear. I hesitantly picked it back up saturday as I was walking to meet someone, and it surprised me by having the opposite effect. Seeing all of us — queers, jews, people of color — at the forefront and fighting reminded me that we are out there, that we won’t give up, that while we live the fight is not yet over. So I just wanted to say thank you for giving me some much needed hope and strength in these bleak times.

I am always astonished, and honored, when people tell me my work has this kind of effect on them. Thank you. It's good to know I've helped, even if only in spirit, and even if only a little.

As for the rest -- yeah. I feel you. I'm going to forego sharing my own feelings about all this; they're too raw, and I express myself best through my fiction, anyway. But I resolved something a few days ago, and I'll at least share this: I am not letting these motherfuckers steal my joy. There is too much beauty in the world, and too many people who are worthy of my time and attention, for me to waste more time/energy than I must on people who aren't. I will protect whom I can including myself, fight back where I can, but I am also just going to live my goddamn life, because therein lies the fuel I need to keep fighting.

So if you're getting some of that fuel from my work, wonderful. Get more from wherever else you need to -- with caution as you must, but without guilt or fear.

Take care.

[fluoresensitives]

hi yah yah! have you read any good horror lately? I always love your book recs. unrelated to horror but I’m currently reading the fifth season bc I remember you mentioning it a while back and it’s so good!

oh! I've read a few bangers last year + this year! (Also yes, I need more people to be Fifth Season pilled, you all need to know the glory of essun and alabaster, of orogenes!)

Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin; in a post-apocalyptic landscape where a disease/mutation turns men into monsters, two trans women navigate a world that's getting uglier and meaner towards them. Literally so good and Felker-Martin deals with everything with a carefulness/coolness, but of course she does, she's a trans woman as well

PTSD Radio by Masaki Nakayama: horror manga! I kept reading it at night, which was an mistake. There's a cursed object, strange things happening with hair. Not surprised the author wanted to stop writing it because it was upsetting him.

Chlorine by Jade Song: I know I have a letterboxd list that says life would be safer if we encouraged teenage girls to do sports, but this book proves me wrong. A teenage girl in sports is dangerous, especially if she's being isolated by her abusive couch and becoming obsessive about winning and the attention of one of her teammates

Failure to Comply by @librarycards: I don't say this just because I'm friends with Cav, but this is quite literally one of the best horror-scifis I've read in a while. Set in a dystopia that prizes conformity, wellness and sameness, it's about embracing your "sickness", your disabilities and "disfigurements". Obsessed with it, literally recommended it to Chana Porter because I thought she'd love how it matched the vibe of "The Seep" and "The Thick and The Lean"

Full Immersion by Gemma Amor: A severely traumatized woman steps into a virtual therapy world to unlock the hidden parts of her psyche. Very interesting, with some twists that surprised me big time!

Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang: Many books to me feel like the daughters of "The Uglies" by Scott Westerfield, but this one is like, thee daughter to me. It's about an Asian American woman working at this wellness/beauty store that's doing extremely weird racist, eugenics things with their products. So unsettling, so odd. I thought it was a little like the substance, the body horror aspect at the end. So lovely!

Orpheus Builds a Girl by Heather Parry: inspired by a true case in which a white man stole and used the body of a latino woman, when I say a book hasn't made me so nauseous and angry but also intrigued. It's the way the book is very clear with you about the man's racism and fascism, and how white people around him assume the best/assume love out of his mummification and parading of this dead woman's body. It's so eerie. And if you read the reviews, it makes it all the eerier, how white people will see romance in the most violent of racist acts.

Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman: A disgraced knight, a little girl and a fallen priest walk into a black plague...no, but seriously, if I ever stop talking about Between Two Fires, assume I'm dead. One of the best horrors I've read, so so SO good.

Our Share of the Night by Mariana Enriquez: A man with a dark and dangerous power and his son trying to avoid/escape the clutches of a violent, exploitative system. Absolutely beautiful and the way everything goes together, even things you didn't think mattered much. Fantastic, I'll take fourteen more.

Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito: A governess with a weird past moves into another family. It reads like an actual Victorian penny dreadful and it's AMAZING!