This book. Omg this book. Why did I wait so long to read it??? I remember I checked it out like a year and a half ago from the library but also had like 15 other books checked out at the time and didn't get to it and had to return it and now I am angry with myself for not reading it sooner. Five enthusiastic stars. 
 The Fifth Season, the start of N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth series, begins with the end of the world and a horrifying act of violence committed against a child, the large and small scale of the horrors of the world of the Stillness, where natural (and man-made) disasters propel the world into seasons that mankind must strive to survive. In this world (and omg the world building is so good), society is extremely stratified, with people separated into sort of castes based on their family history, where they live, and what is needed by their community. Meanwhile, so-called 'normal' humans have subjugated those who are born with a skill for orogeny, which is a sort of magical ability to connect with earth and rock to manipulate natural formations. The reason for this tight control is that orogene's are dangerous and can hurt people with their abilities, thus justifying the ruling class to treat them like objects, keep them separated from society, and control them to exploit their powers. Orogenes are harassed, ostracized, and even killed by the ruling class, headquartered in a capital the boasts a school designed to train those with these abilities to serve the empire. 
 Beyond this in-depth world building, Jemisin's writing shines. This book is beautifully written, shifting between narratives and even effectively utilizing second-person POV (not easy to do), as Jemisin explores the stories of several orogenes. We learn about the world from inside the inner-workings of its' capital, Yumenes, where the orogenes are kept and trained, as well as how life can be if they live free in the regular world, attempting to pass as 'normal' citizens. There is so much relevance and power to these stories, and even though they could be violent and horrifying, it was impossible for me to stop reading. I now immediately have to go read the other books, and I highly recommend for any lovers of high fantasy, especially if you love stories that explore race, class, and identity in a powerful but nuanced way. All the stars for this book.