The Obelisk Gate

A tough one to rate, isn't it? Of course when compared to the first book, this sequel is not as earth-shattering (haha see what I did there), but it's still fantastic. 4.5 leaning towards 5. I'm still fiercely attached to Essun, but it was Nassun's story I found the most poignant, with all those daddy issues :/ I need book 3, like, right now. I want more!

Wow. NK Jemisin is a force. Every bit as good as the Fifth Season, Jemisin has basically turned the genre on its head to produce something truly original, but with all of the nostalgic resonance deserving of an epic fantasy trilogy.

Keeping a brisk pace in this second book, with tons of plot reveals and twists Nassun taken in by Schaffa! and character development (including a deepening of the relationship between Alabaster and Essun, which may be my favorite relationship in a modern book.) The characters are rich, nuanced, broken (so broken) and really relatable. There's an intimacy to the story, which mostly takes place within the confines of Castrima in this middle book, despite having world-altering consequences.

I think one of the places where Obelisk Gate really shines is exploring the metaphysics of orogeny and depicting how it's much broader than Essun (and we!) have been given to believe from the Fulcrum. I was also really drawn in by Schaffa's story and the deepening of our understanding of Guardians in general.

The Obelisk Gate is the second book in The Broken Earth series, continuing the story of Essun, Nassun and Alabaster. The world of The Broken Earth is one of post apocalyptic nature, with events called ‘fifth seasons' happening with a regularity that cause mass starvation and ecological disaster, driven by powerful geological effects (volcanoes and tectonics). I am a professional geologist by day, so seeing things I am familiar with drawn into a fantasy/sci-fi magic system is doubly intriguing.

Jemisin has such an infectious writing style, it is really hard not to be drawn into her world. It is almost conversational and always opens with an alluring dialogue with the reader. She makes extensive use of the the second person, YOU are Essun, a rarely used perspective that becomes all the more engaging because of it.

This is the middle book of a trilogy and the story is very much in that ‘middle book' phase where you can feel things being set up for the finale. That being said there is plenty of action and the story is engaging. You really do empathise with Essun and her motives.

I have the final book on my tbr, and will probably be reading it sooner rather than later. This epic trilogy is award winning for good reason. Easily one of the best written and most engaging series I have come across and fully deserving of all its accolades.

an incredible scifi world, an amazing protagonist, intense political allegory, beautiful writing, clever asides (the “you get ready to rumble” chapter title, anyone?), and every time you think you need to put it down and stop for a while, another plot bomb that keeps you hooked. possibly the best book I have ever read.

The Obelisk Gate is a complex book that is phenomenal in every way. The characters are each crafted with care to show individuals capable of a range of complicated views and emotions, and it builds on The Fifth Season wonderfully and thoughtfully. The writing is lovely and often very hard hitting emotionally. I've loved a few of N. K. Jemisin's books, but this is my new favorite by her–and a new favorite of the year and a new favorite book period!

10/10

Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2016/08/review-of-the-obelisk-gate-by-n-k-jemisin/

Old Review Text:
Review to come, but for now I'll just say that this is a wonderful, complex book that's even better than The Fifth Season. The Obelisk Gate is the best 2016 release I've read.

This book is the almost perfect sequel to the first book in the trilogy (The Fifth Season), and I would have been enthralled entirely if personal matters did not steal me away from the book. I think this book has good characterization from the past book, interesting and great (at least for me) execution of the premise, good voice (that I probably became addicted too), and has set up everything for the next book.

However (and this is where I attempt to be unbiased), it could be said the book suffers from the last point–being the set-up book for The Stone Sky (the last installment). In relation to The Fifth Season, it was a bit slow from a plot perspective. I, personally, have enjoyed this book because it asked “questions” about its magic system and then answered them (though in the last few questions), set up the two (probably) major players in the next and last book (The Stone Sky) and set its premise.

I honestly would recommend, if you don't mind a middle “set-up” book (or at least one the feels like it), like I do. Can't wait till I start The Stone Sky tomorrow.

“But if you stay, no part of this comm gets to decide that any other part of this comm is expendable. No voting on who gets to be people. This is a community. You will be unified. You will fight for each other. Or I will rusting kill every last one of you.”

I was very very excited to read this book after the amazing Fifth Season. I can't say that I was disappointed with this but may be my expectations were too high. This is a proper middle book of a trilogy – not a lot of exciting things happen, we get quite a few answers which we were waiting for but also lead to more questions, and the ending is perfect to setup an explosive (hopefully) finale.

This book has two main POVs – Essun and Nassun. Essun has unexpectedly been reunited with Alabaster on his deathbed who reveals that he is the reason for the beginning of the new season. He also tells her that he wants to teach her how to use her orogeny and obelisks' power to restore the Earth's equilibrium and bring an end to the seasons forever. On the other hand, we get to know that Nassun left with her father voluntarily. They make their way to a comm in the Deep South where she meets other rogga children and guardians.

“The way of the world isn't the strong devouring the weak, but the weak deceiving and poisoning and whispering in the ears of the strong until they become weak, too.”

Essun grows in power as we expect from her and also tries to become a normal member of the Castrima comm. Her transformation into a leader and protector is shown quite well. The surprise is Nassun who is getting equally powerful by day in the shadow of Schaffa but her intentions are not so pure. It's easy to sympathize with her because she has been surrounded by people who hate her which has hardened her heart. She is a ten year old thrust into a centuries old war she doesn't understand. Even though her choices seem wrong, I don't think we can begrudge her given her circumstances. However, the best part of the book for me was whatever little was written about Hoa. His protective nature and love he shows towards Essun is very childlike and ancient at the same time and particularly endearing. I look forward to reading so much more about him.

On the whole, this is a good book with lots of information and answers provided and new characters explored. But there is something missing relative to the first one. However, it was a good read and makes me quite curious for The Stone Sky.

This review is also featured as a guest post on Ity Reads Books: The Obelisk gate

The season sets its jagged teeth into the land. Civilization has become nothing more than a ruin. The comm and the commless band together to survive. Bandits loot and kill, animals once peaceful become hungry beasts and the land dies. Essun continues to work among her new community, trying to keep the peace between orogenes and humans. But a history of hatred and racism lies rooted in their hearts. A guardian awakens and fights against the orders he was forced to condone. And a child learns how quickly love can become twisted and cruel.

The Obelisk Gate continues to follow three separate characters, though two of these perspectives are different from the first book. The balance is not as precise in this second novel. Essun does dominate most of the story. But this didn't take away from my enjoyment, because the other two characters accented Essun's discoveries.

The Obelisk Gate enthralls readers with its dark and emotional tones. N. K. Jemisin is a master at world-building. She peels back the layers of history with each chapter propelling readers forward with a thirst for knowledge and understanding. As the pieces begin to fall into place, you'll find yourself immersed in the broken world that may just yet have a chance at survival. But it will take those subjected to centuries of discrimination and bigotry to rise up and fight. Nothing is ever as it seems, and some of the revelations in this second book will be jaw dropping.

N. K. Jemisin also continues the reveal of who the stone eaters are and how they came to be. While this is a minor subplot to the story, the stone eaters fascinate me. Since book one, Hoa's been such a presence within the story. When he isn't by Essun's side, you can feel the weight of him not being there and how it affects Essun's character. And the stone eaters are written in a way that doesn't require much dialogue. Their body language and reactions to certain situations are so artfully written.

I need more of this world. This is by far my favorite fantasy series of 2021.

Well, here we are again. Honestly, The Obelisk Gate is much harder to review due to a lot of things. Firstly, it is a second book in the trilogy, and it is extremely difficult to talk about it without spoiling anything from the first one. But I will try anyway.

Secondly, a lot of things are still so confusing. Sometimes I had almost no idea of what was happening. But I guess, it is just the way this book was supposed to be.

The Obelisk Gate is narrated by three characters as in the first book. But we get to meet a lot of new people as well. The good thing about this book is that it shows that every person in this book has their own motivations. Often they are unclear, but as I said earlier, I suppose it was the whole point.

On one hand, a lot of things from the first book were explained. The obelisks, stone eaters, orogenes, guardians. And there are a lot of unexpected revelations. On the other hand, the more we get to know, the more questions there are to be answered.

The second book has not felt just like a filler book in the trilogy. Yes, there were a lot more conversations, but it helped better to understand the world (or what was left of it). And the action was there as well. I believe that “What the rust?” has become my standard question after almost every chapter.

There is such a thing as too much loss. Too much has been taken from you both -taken and taken and taken, until there's nothing left but hope, and you've given that up because it hurts too much. Until you would rather die, or kill, or avoid attachments altogether, than lose one more thing.

3.25 out of 5 stars – see this review and others here.

This continues to be unlike any book series I've read. N.K. Jemisin's use of language is wholly immersive and imbued with so much brutality. Her imagery pulls you in and communicates the nature of the world so effectively that it's draining to read in long sittings. Compared to the first book, this one seemed less focused and had a more meandering story to tell. It's the sort of book I appreciate more than I enjoy, as it's unrelentingly harsh and moments of levity are few and far between.

★★★¼ out of 5

I had been waiting so long for this book. So very long. I remember last year finishing The Fifth Season on the day I both finished Ash vs. The Evil Dead” and saw Star Wars, and thinking that it just wasn't my day for satisfying endings. Obelisk Gate is still not a satisfying ending, of course (part 2), but that isn't really a problem when the story is so damn good I'll be upset when there actually is an ending.

The world expands in this novel as we learn more about Guardians, how orogeny works, Stone Eaters, and what the heck is up with the Moon. We also learn exactly who is narrating all these second person chapters, aking all the haters realize there WAS a good reason for using second person after all. Additionally, we start getting Nassun's point of view, and learning all the things that make her a part of and set her apart from her mother. Schaffa too joins our POV list, as NK once again makes me feel a sympathy for characters I never thought possible.

And of course there's a cast of diverse, believable, and unique individuals supporting us. A million points for Tonkee, everyone. One million points.

It's good. Jemisin is really really good and completely deserving of her recent Hugo success. If you read The Fifth Season, you know you can't afford to skip this one. If you haven't read The Fifth Season, what's wrong with you?

CAWPILE SCORE
C-9
A-10
W-10
P-8
I-8
L-8
E-9
TOTAL-8.86/10

Wow so many thoughts about this book. I feel like it was slightly lower than the 5th Season, for a couple reasons, but there were so many things that this book did good. Again evocative language and an ability to turn away from hard things, make this a book worth reading for everyone!

Ok starting with Oche's death was not cool. i understand why, but still not cool. I was glad to see whats happening with Nassun, but i'm not really excited about whats going on there. Sometimes i felt like she wasn't 10 but older. and with how easily she grasped "magic" vs Orogeny Schaffa, still wish he was dead. not sure if he's going to be good or bad. his "love" isn't real loveEssun- Learned a lot from Alabaster but not really, because she can't finish a conversation to save her life. But i loved seeing everything going on with her. and connecting with the Network and Obelisk Gate. the price being her arm. Also dictating that No one gets to vote if we are people or not. Unify and fight/live together! or I'll kill everyone of you! Chills. I was expecting a little bit more progression in the plot, but because these books are so character focused it wasn't really a huge downside for me.


I will be reviewing this Book on Libromancy.Podbean.com on 4/18/21