The Broken Earth Trilogy
An epic fantasy-sci-fi blend exploring survival amid cataclysmic events.
Summary of 6 Key Points
Key Points
- A world frequently shattered by cataclysmic events
- The use of ‘orogeny’—the ability to control seismic activity
- The social hierarchy and oppression of orogenes
- The intertwining of personal narratives with epic world-building
- The exploration of themes like systemic oppression and environmental disaster
- The journey towards understanding and harnessing the power of the earth
key point 1 of 6
A world frequently shattered by cataclysmic events
The world presented in the series is one that endures repeated cataclysmic events known as Fifth Seasons. These Seasons are periods of apocalyptic climate change that wreak havoc on civilizations. They can last for years or even decades, during which human society struggles to survive amid failing crops, diseases, and societal breakdown. The Seasons are unpredictable but frequent enough that societies plan for them, though they can hardly be prepared for their severity…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 6
The use of ‘orogeny’—the ability to control seismic activity
In ‘The Broken Earth Trilogy’, ‘orogeny’ is a term used to describe the ability to control geological forces, such as seismic activity, volcanism, and tectonic movements. Orogenes, the individuals who possess this power, are both feared and revered in the series’ world. Their abilities are deeply integrated into the societal and political structures of the Stillness, the supercontinent where the story takes place. Orogenes can quell and initiate earthquakes, and their talents are essential for the survival of communities in a world plagued by apocalyptic environmental instability…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 6
The social hierarchy and oppression of orogenes
In the world of ‘The Broken Earth Trilogy’, society has a strict hierarchy with orogenes, individuals who can control seismic energy, at the bottom. Orogenes, also derogatorily called ‘roggas’, are feared and loathed for their abilities to cause and prevent earthquakes. From a young age, orogenes are taken from their families, if not killed by the communities that fear them, and are brought to the Fulcrum in the Stillness, where they are trained to control their powers. This training includes brutal discipline intended to dehumanize and depersonalize them, ensuring they remain subservient to the ruling class and their guardians, the Guardians…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 6
The intertwining of personal narratives with epic world-building
In ‘The Broken Earth Trilogy,’ personal narratives are deeply entwined with the expansive and intricate world-building. The story follows the lives of characters that are inexorably linked to the fate of the Earth, known as the Stillness. Essun, a woman with incredible powers, is at the heart of the narrative. Her personal journey of loss, betrayal, and the search for her daughter is set against the backdrop of a world facing an apocalyptic event known as the Fifth Season. Her narrative is intimate, exploring themes of motherhood, identity, and survival, while also serving as a conduit to the broader geopolitical and environmental complexities of the Stillness…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 6
The exploration of themes like systemic oppression and environmental disaster
In ‘The Broken Earth Trilogy’, systemic oppression is explored through the lens of a world where ‘orogenes’, individuals with the ability to control seismic activity, are both feared and exploited. This society is built on a strict caste system, with orogenes at the bottom, treated as less than human. They are controlled through the Fulcrum, a training and regulatory institution that both harnesses their powers and subjugates them, illustrating a clear metaphor for real-world systems of oppression, where certain groups are marginalized and their labor exploited for the benefit of others…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 6
The journey towards understanding and harnessing the power of the earth
In ‘The Broken Earth Trilogy,’ the journey towards understanding and harnessing the power of the earth is foremost a journey of self-discovery and acceptance for the central characters, primarily the orogenes, individuals who can control seismic activity. The orogenes are feared and oppressed in the Stillness, a supercontinent that frequently experiences catastrophic climate and geological shifts known as Seasons. The orogenes’ connection with the earth is intrinsic to their identity and serves as both a gift and a curse, providing them with the power to either quell or cause destruction…Read&Listen More