The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fantasy literature |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | N. K. Jemisin |
| Products | Fantasy novel |
| Parent | Orbit Books |
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is a 2010 fantasy novel written by American author N. K. Jemisin. It serves as the opening installment in The Inheritance Trilogy. This debut work, published by Orbit Books, earned the 2011 Locus Award for Best First Novel and received nominations for the World Fantasy, Hugo, and Nebula awards. Its follow-up, The Broken Kingdoms, was also released in 2010.
Summary
Yeine Darr, grieving the loss of her mother through murder, is called to Sky, a city suspended above the world, by her grandfather Dekarta, who leads both the Arameri family and the realm. Despite their estrangement, Yeine is unexpectedly named an heir alongside Dekarta’s niece and nephew, igniting a fierce contest for power. She must maneuver through the cutthroat Arameri hierarchy and contend with the schemes of four imprisoned deities residing within Sky. With days remaining before the succession ceremony, Yeine strives to unravel her mother’s death while evading threats from both kin and divine forces.
Plot
Yeine Darr is the daughter of Kinneth Arameri, who renounced her position as heir two decades prior to wed a man from Darre, resulting in her disinheritance by Dekarta and financial turmoil for the Arameri family.
Upon arriving in Sky, Yeine encounters T'vril, a palace steward of lower standing among the Arameri. Only those of Arameri blood are permitted overnight stays in Sky—a fact initially concealed by T'vril. He attempts to have Yeine "marked" as Arameri through Viraine, the palace scrivener, before nightfall. However, Scimina, another claimant to succession, interrupts them and unleashes Nahadoth, one of the captive gods, against Yeine.
With aid from Sieh, another imprisoned deity, Yeine escapes and wounds Nahadoth—who responds with a kiss before apparently dying but soon revives—suggesting complex ties between them. She also encounters other gods who harbor their own intentions regarding her.
As she seeks alliances with her cousin Relad and investigates her mother's past, Yeine uncovers surprising revelations about herself, the world’s history, and the gods’ roles.
Approaching succession day with few alternatives left, Yeine forms an alliance with the Enefadeh gods despite Nahadoth’s warning that they will demand her life in return. Committed to discovering her mother’s murderer regardless of peril, she accepts their terms. Additionally, she briefly interacts with T'vril and later Nahadoth, whose true motives remain uncertain.
The story culminates at the Arameri Succession Ceremony when Itempas—the Skyfather and sovereign of the universe—makes an appearance, compelling Yeine to make a critical decision.
Characters
Key figures include:
- Yeine – Of mixed Arameri and Darre heritage, Yeine Darr seeks justice for her mother’s death. As chieftain (ennu) of Darre, she holds a hereditary but limited representative position and is regarded as a barbarian by the Arameri.
- Nahadoth – Known as the Nightlord; god of night, chaos, and transformation; eldest and most formidable of the gods who manifests in multiple forms.
- Itempas – Deity embodying law, order, and light; universally revered as Skyfather.
- Enefa – Goddess representing twilight, dawn, balance between life and death; slain thousands of years before current events.
- Sieh – Trickster godling appearing as a nine-year-old boy; oldest among godlings and an unexpected ally to Yeine.
- Kurue – Goddess of wisdom; leader among the enslaved deities.
- Zhakkarn – Deity presiding over war and combat.
- Dekarta – Patriarch of the Arameri family and effective ruler of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms; Yeine’s grandfather who designates her as an heir.
- Scimina – Yeine’s cousin and chief rival in the succession contest.
- Relad – Scimina’s twin brother; a resentful alcoholic who could become an ally for Yeine.
- T’vril – Half-blood palace steward who supports Yeine.
- Kinneth – Dekarta’s sole offspring and Yeine’s mother.
- Viraine – Palace scrivener versed in divine languages who assists Yeine with ambiguous intentions.
Reception and Awards
| Year | Award | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Nebula Award for Best Novel | Finalist |
| Otherwise Award | Included in Honor List | |
| Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Epic Fantasy Novel | Finalist | |
| 2011 | Crawford Award | Winner |
| David Gemmell Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer | Finalist | |
| Hugo Award for Best Novel | Finalist | |
| Locus Award for Best First Novel | Winner | |
| Sense of Gender Award in Translation | Winner | |
| World Fantasy Award for Best Novel | Finalist |