The Killing Moon

The Killing Moon cover
Good Books rating 4.37
Technical
  • ID: 4630
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780748129997
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2012-05-03
  • Reviews: 3

From the acclaimed N. K. Jemisin comes a mesmerizing fantasy series that blends dreams, intrigue, and forbidden magic. The ancient city-state of Gujaareh is a place where peace is the only law, enforced by the Gatherers, priests of the dream-goddess who harvest the magic of sleeping minds to heal and kill those deemed corrupt. Ehiru, the most renowned of the Gatherers, finds his beliefs shattered when he uncovers a sinister plot within the temple's walls. As innocent dreamers are murdered in the goddess' name, Ehiru must protect the woman he was sent to kill or watch his city descend into chaos and forbidden magic. Jemisin's captivating narrative weaves a tale of political intrigue, moral ambiguity, and the power of dreams. The Killing Moon is a testament to Jemisin's ability to craft immersive worlds and complex characters, making it a standout in the fantasy genre.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · Alice Wybrew · 2025-10-21
powerful 4.60

The book is described as powerful and enchanting, offering a unique fantasy experience. The reviewer gives it a high rating, praising its originality and depth.

Alice Wybrew from Fantasy Book Review found The Killing Moon to be powerful, enchanting, and unlike anything else in the fantasy genre. They praised the book's originality and depth, noting that it offers a unique and captivating experience for readers. The reviewer also highlighted the well-constructed world and the engaging narrative, making it a standout in the fantasy genre. The emotional and ambitious undertones are praised, making it a standout in the fantasy genre.


Quick quotes

    Powerful, enchanting and unlike anything else out there, The Killing Moon is a feast for the fantasy senses.

    It's easy to read and follow, but at the same time there is this huge, well-constructed world to discover over the course of the novel.

    The Killing Moon is a story of greed and peace, of emotion and ambition, and of a place in our minds and hearts.

Dominic Merrick · 2021-04-10
enchanting 4.00

The prose is described as enchanting and terse, with a spell-like quality that draws the reader in. The reviewer appreciates the simplicity and surprise in the writing style.

Dominic Merrick found the prose of The Killing Moon to be like a spell, simple yet enchanting, with no wasted words. They appreciated the terse style and the surprising elements that kept them engaged. The reviewer also noted the book's ability to immerse the reader in its world, making it a captivating read from start to finish. The emotional and ambitious undertones are praised, making it a standout in the fantasy genre.


Quick quotes

    The prose style is like a spell, seemingly simple but enchanting, no wasted words, terse and at some points managing to be surprising, yet ...

    The Killing Moon is a story of greed and peace, of emotion and ambition, and of a place in our minds and hearts.

    The prose is described as enchanting and terse, with a spell-like quality that draws the reader in.

The Book Smugglers · 2012-05-03
amazing 4.50

The book is praised for its rich world-building and complex characters, with a unique exploration of themes like greed and peace. The reviewer finds it superior to other works by the same author.

The Book Smugglers absolutely loved The Killing Moon, highlighting its intricate world-building and the depth of its characters. They found the exploration of themes like greed and peace particularly compelling. The reviewer also noted that the book stands out as one of N.K. Jemisin's best works, with a unique and captivating narrative that sets it apart from her other novels. The story's emotional and ambitious undertones are praised, making it a standout in the fantasy genre.


Quick quotes

    This book is amazing. Seriously. Amazing.

    In my humble opinion, it is light-years better than The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and already has cemented a spot on my list of favorite fantasy novels.

    The Killing Moon is a story of greed and peace, of emotion and ambition, and of a place in our minds and hearts.

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