The Broken Earth

ByN. K. Jemisin, Robin Miles

Narrated byRobin Miles

Dark/Grimdark Fantasy Epic/High Fantasy Progression Fantasy

1.3k

43h

2015–17

View Series

About This Series

“When the world ends, not with a bang but a shudder, the true catastrophe might be the power within.”

“When the world ends, not with a bang but a shudder, the true catastrophe might be the power within.”

The world is known as the Stillness, a land perpetually ravaged by catastrophic seismic events and shrouded in ash, where survival is a brutal, daily struggle. When a monumental rift tears the continent apart, unleashing the Fifth Season, a woman's personal tragedy—a murdered son and a kidnapped daughter—ignites a desperate quest for answers and reunion.

The series centers on Essun, a resilient and deeply scarred woman whose life has been defined by loss and the constant threat of a collapsing world. Driven by an unrelenting maternal instinct, she navigates a society built on oppression and fear.

Her sprawling journey is one of profound self-discovery and a slow, arduous progression of power, set against an epic backdrop of societal revolution and the unearthing of ancient, world-shattering truths. It's a philosophical exploration of resilience, identity, and the moral complexities of survival in an unforgiving, post-apocalyptic landscape.

Unparalleled world-building that is both intricate and devastatingly original.
Deeply philosophical themes that prompt reflection on power, oppression, and humanity.
Masterful character development across multiple perspectives, particularly its powerful female leads.

Epic narratives set in unique, richly imagined fantasy worlds.
Stories featuring characters who slowly develop immense power and influence.
Dark, emotionally intense fantasy with high stakes and no easy answers.

•The narrative can be emotionally intense and grim, exploring themes of trauma and loss without flinching.
•Features a slow-burn narrative style that gradually reveals its complex world and characters.
•While deeply impactful, the series contains no romantic subplots.

⚖️The Verdict

This groundbreaking and unforgettable trilogy reshapes the boundaries of fantasy, inviting readers into a world where the earth itself is a weapon, and humanity's fate hangs by a thread.