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"The Fifth Season" is pretty heavy in LGBT concepts. If you don't like this tag, then be aware that this book contains pretty "graphic" descriptions of gay sex. I'm not saying this is a good nor a bad thing, it's just something I would like to know before reaching out to this book.

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You mean the triangle in the island? It's been a while since I read the books, but I don't recall it being particularly graphic, on the contrary.

And anyway, if it was an erotic novel and the point was getting readers aroused, I would understand your warning, as it wouldn't work for most heterosexual people. That not being the case, I don't see any need for a warning.

Depiction of sex is very common in sci-fi post 80s, to varying degrees of success (looking at you, Peter Hamilton). If you want to avoid it reliably, you may wish to stick to YA stuff.

I must say, I didn't find it particularly noteworthy in Jemisin's books, to the point where I don't remember it at all (whereas some unfortunate sci-fi sex scenes will stay with me forever...)

> Depiction of sex is very common in sci-fi post 80s

What can I say, I simply don't agree. There are LOTS of books out there that don't even touch the subject of sex. I don't mind the concept; but I think that including any graphical representation of sex in a non-erotic novel is a cheap shot, same trick as it's used in low quality movies/tv series. Cheap way to catch viewers? Put a sex scene in it. Cheap way to spark controversy? Put lots of sex scenes in it. I simply don't appreciate measures like this. I think that porn is for sex scenes. For sex encounters needed for plot, I think it's best left for imagination only.

Hello self_awareness, I have a different perspective on this. An erotic novel is written intentionally to arouse, but arousal isn't the only reason to include depictions of sex, sex is a powerful part of human experience, a part of our lives in which we can reveal extremes of our personality - where we can be vulnerable and also callous. To pick another Hugo winner, the sex scenes in le guin's 'the left hand of darkness' are so memorable not because they are sexually arousing but because of they explore the irresolvable unfairness of an existence in which we are subject to powerful desires for others that we long to have reciprocated, and the impatience, disgust and fear with which we respond to the desire of others towards us that we do not reciprocate - and importantly, the role power plays in how this is negotiated. I don't think there is anything cheap about that at all.

Do you have any scifi or fantasy recommendations that fulfill this criteria?

You must not be a fan of late Heinlein!

If it is neutral (in your opinion) why mention it? Your post serves like a warning, why is it needed? Would you provide a warning if there was violence, bad language or false idolatry?

I find the child abuse hard to deal with. It’s a central plot point across the entire series, so it’s hardly something that you can easily miss or forget.

I much more likely to not recommend it for that.

I appreciate the warning and see it as having been done in a way that is not judgemental. If the book was really graphic or even really heartbreaking, I'd appreciate a warning as well.

Moreover, I told two gay friends about the potential of two penises being rubbed together in a highly-popular Hugo award-winning SF series. While neither has read SF OR fantasy before, they are most definitely embarking on this journey now.

Just to mix it up, how does one come up with a warning for something “heartbreaking”? Asking out of half-seriousness. ;)

You know, the fact that you feel the need to point this out reaveals that you indeed think this is bad.

That's just your opinion.

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