Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Sometimes, The Obelisk Gate was released to strong reviews and, like its predecessor in the series, won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. Plot can become stagnant in order to set-up the third and final book. As revealed at the end of The Fifth Season, the Moon has not been seen for at least several thousand years prior to the events of the book, and most are not aware it ever existed. You will then find two more screens in a small room. . Rennanis' offensive is aided by their own faction of stone eaters, who are opposed to Alabaster and Antimony's plans. It introduces more elements on the workings of orogeny, focuses on a new set of characters, and brings us on a thrilling adventure to understand what is really at stake in Jemisins world. Why wasn't the map updated for this book? When Nassun appears at the way station where she has set upshop, its possible that Renthree thinks about her own apprenticeship. Being reminded about the cycle of abuse continuing and Nassun's hand being broken is exactly what I needed while at work ;__; (but I do appreciate the recap! Theres a thing that happens with trilogies. (You might call this cli-fi, although its not clear that this kind of climate change is caused by humans at least, not through two books.) This power structure mimics the very, very dark sides of human nature that have recurred throughout human history. WebThe Obelisk Gate was intended as a central point, to which and through which the entire network could be utilized. She reluctantly uses her powers to turn her father to stone as well. The plot revolves around their journey to find each other again, and their efforts to discover why Fifth Seasons exist.[2]. For this reason, most lorists train in the artsmusicandcomedy and such. The story is told primarily from the perspectives of Essun, a powerful orogene driven out of her home at the beginning of the first book, and Nassun, her 10 year-old daughter. He knewstone, and he knew Tirimo, and he knew that veins of igneousrock from an ancient volcano ran all through the surroundingland. And Nassun is so excited, when she sees Renthrees eyeswiden at the sight of the glittering lump poking out of the blackhunk of rock, that she stops caring that there are others presentand blurts, I want to be a lorist, too!. He cannot kill her. The Obelisk Gate by Jemisi, N. K.. Ykka, the comm's leader, is an orogene herself, and due to her influence, orogenes are permitted to live openly alongside others. Nevertheless, she fears her father, who now is aware she is an orogene as well. Thank you from someone who was too disorganised to re-read in time. The Obelisk Gate is a 2016 science fantasy novel by N. K. Jemisin and the second volume in the Broken Earth seriesfollowing The Fifth Season, and preceding The Stone Sky. I've been searching Google for a good summary before I jump into Stone Sky. Check our racial/sexual perceptions, perspectives, our sense of otherness or our fear of it. The Obelisk Gate is small and safe where The Fifth Season was large and surprising, practically static where said was speedy; and although it builds out the world and its workings well it's a shame that such a stunning start should be succeeded by such a sedentary, albeit completely readable sequel. Essun -- once Damaya, once Syenite, now avenger -- has found shelter, but not her daughter. I started reading Stone Sky last night only to find out how much of the second book I forgot. So when Hoa turns himself into a flesh-form, he loses a lot of who and what he truly is. . N O. I' M TELLING THIS WRONG. The nature of the Obelisks is at least partly explained, and she sets up what I assume will be the narrative of the third book, The Stone Sky, how Essun and Nassun will interact with the Obelisks to save the world (or at least parts of it). I am me, and you. Jemisins Broken Earth trilogy a remarkable fantasy series that surges with intensity while making biting critiques on society. Neither of them has ever known why she likes it somuch. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Definitely will be coming back right before I read The Stone Sky. Jemisin, N.K. 3. [it seems that both the gray stone eater and Hoa want the moon back. Jija flinches. Yes, she says. Jemisin gives us backstory that goes back while also going forward. Its a loud, sharp blurt, and Nassun jumps. Ykka, the leader of Castrima puts the decision to join Rennanis to a vote but in the hours leading up to that vote, violence breaks out between the orogenes, those with magical abilities, and the stills, those without these abilities. Realizing that there is no way to end her fathers hate, Jija kills him instead. Pine explained the whole misunderstanding in a March 1 Esquire interview. This is really helpful!! In The Obelisk Gate, readers, at least, learn where they went, and why: to a comm called Found Moon, in the hopes of curing Nassuns own inherited orogeny. Fans of fantasy, science fiction, horror, alt history, and more can all find a home with us. Schaffa is drowning underwater in the aftermath, until a mysterious voice speaks to him and lends him the strength to escape. I'm not entirely certain on the details since it's been a little while, but the whole of the story is reaching conclusion by way of explaining this in further detail. So cool! He struggles to teach Essun to use it effectively as his condition deteriorates, all the while reconciling with Essun over the death of their child years ago. But basically: well-made crystalline matrices (i.e. Lets face it, The Fifth Season (Book One) gave us so much to think about, I felt like I needed a spreadsheet to log what I knew and what hadnt yet been revealed. Nassun knows it has some value, but she has no inkling that thepretty rock shes just given to Renthree is worth a house or two. Intheory they could return to their home comms in the event of aSeason, although by profession they tend to wander far enoughto make returning impractical. Harry did not spit on me, Pine cleared up. Alabaster begins imparting some of his knowledge to Essun concerning the obelisks and the nature of orogeny. It seems like the Gate is an actual, tangible thing. No one is toblame but him. Alabaster is also aware of the silver energy Nassun discovered, which he identifies as magic, the true fundamental force that makes orogeny (and the mechanisms of Castrima) possible. A problem with the obelisks caused the moon to be thrown out of orbit, angering Father Earth who has hated the orogenes who created the obelisk system ever since. Nassun next, then. Yes, she is expository, but also keeps us hanging by not over-explaining. Jija comes to the door when Renthree knocks, and for aninstant shes a little taken aback. She reluctantly uses her powers to turn her father to stone as well. He intends to take Nassun south, where he has heard of a group of Guardians that can "cure" Nassun of orogeny. They move south through much hardship, and witness firsthand the devastation wrought by Alabaster's fracturing of the entire continent further north. This is excellent. Nassun and her father travel further south. Is Mama coming, too?, Something moves across Jijas face, subtle as an earthquake. In the days of Jyamaria, which died in the Season ofDrowned Desert, it was thought that giving the lastbornto the sea would keep it from coming ashore and takingthe rest. I am almost done with the book (75%), and I got a tons of questions. And thats what Alabaster wanted. Her innate abilities surpass even those of her mother, and we can easily understand that she will be the focal point of the rest of the series. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. (Her mother will hear about her skippingcreche. He struggles to teach Essun to use it effectively as his condition deteriorates, all the while reconciling with Essun over the death of their child years ago. Throughout, tensions within the society of Castrima are revealed, as the coexistence of orogenes and non-orogenic people (stills) within the community is uneasy at best. Press J to jump to the feed. WebIn The Obelisk Gate, the sequel to The Fifth Season in the Broken Earth series by N.J. Jemisin, Essun enlists the help of Alabaster, her mentor. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. As Nassun grows in her abilities, her father starts to realize she is not being "cured" of her "sickness". The Fifth Season triggered by this event steadily worsens as they travel. Were going somewhere you can be better, he says gently. WebSummary. Reviews on books, short stories, and magazines as well as general criticism and thoughts. The Fifth Season triggered by this event steadily worsens as they travel. Cookie policy. Thanks for the answer. Relationships chisel thefinal shape of ones being. View our Privacy Policyand Terms of Use. She is newly arrived in Castrima in pursuit of her husband Jija and daughter Nassun. Im telling this wrong. Her father strikes her early in the journey, and is immediately overcome with guilt; Nassun, however, learns to harden her heart against him, and stops viewing him as her true father at all. This is traditionaltheoffering, that is,and not teachers daughters skipping creche. The words, in his lisping toddler-language,are cute. One stipulation of Castrima joining Rennanis is that Castrima get rid of its orogenes. The Obelisk Gate. Nassuns the only one whos bothered in several thousandyears. The second book, the middle child, becomes the bridge between the two other books. LibraryThing Rating: 5/5. Jemisin won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best Novel for her 2015 book The Fifth Season, the first novel in the Broken Earth trilogy, Thank you for writing this up!I Was just googling for a summary with no luck but of course r/fantasy has me covered. Andas her thoughts skirl about and her heart screams, she takes astep toward him. There's a shortish recap at the start of Stone Sky anyway. Whereas The Fifth Season focused on introducing characters, setting, and orogeny, The Obelisk Gate focuses on what is really at stake in Jemisins world. No.. Nassun does not know that it started with the rock. However, because all of the people of Rennanis were killed by Essun, the people of Castrima decide to leave their geode and move to that abandoned comm. Though he is saved from death, the resulting brain damage leaves him with profound memory loss, and he is unable to fully recall his past as a Guardian. Apocryphal. Jia had heard that they cured orogene children in a comm there. Nassun is at the hands of her crazed father in a world that is crumbling down around her, although she repeatedly performs orogeny at the horror of her father to save them from death. She begins to understand that orogeny, in contrast to the teachings of her mother and the Guardians, is not just about moving heat energy from one place to another; she learns to perceive a mysterious silver energy, generated by living things, that underpins all of her orogenic powers. But even then, this adds so much. The obelisk itself connected with the massive gate and it was unlike the impact of any other battering-ram before or since. Enter your email address to follow and receive notifications of new posts by email. Nassun struggles to understand why her father hates her so much since he has learned that she is an orogene even though she has not changed. Not just bullet points, this is in the spirit of the book. It is a significant part, however, which is why I told you of her. Because Jijaknew stone, you see. It does look, :). Alabaster states that his fracturing of the continent was a method to generate enough raw geological heat and power to allow a sufficiently powerful orogene to use the obelisks to recapture the Moon and end the Fifth Seasons (its highly elliptical orbit is one of the reasons for the geologic instability of the Stillness). The truth is beneaththe surface, a leviathan waiting to uncurl, but the waters of histhoughts are placid for now. Hes a big man. The Obelisk Gate was released to strong reviews and, like its predecessor in the series, won They are taught to use their abilities to stop earthquakes and prevent the coming of Fifth Seasons a period of environmental turmoil that ravages the planet. Although its clear that a three-way war, or possibly even more, is being waged, its not clear who is on which side. I'm not surprised that nk responded (ahem, squee.) In truth, lorists are an even older partof life in the Stillness. Facing the loss of her new home, Essun successfully uses Alabaster's training to repeat his accomplishment, tapping the power of all the obelisks worldwide to form the Obelisk Gate. Alabaster is dying, his body slowly turning to stone as a consequence of using the energy of the obelisks to break the entire continent in half and trigger the current Fifth Season. Jija is a Midlatter mongrel,same as Essun, though his heritage leans more toward the Sanzed;hes big and brown and muscular and bald-shaven. The author has said in interviews that she doesn't like maps, and therefore haven't made a detailed map. These issues are exacerbated by the appearance of a raiding party from a rival comm, Rennanis, who have left their home further north and intend to take Castrima by force. Sweet, came here looking for something like this! It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Obelisk Gate". Concern us about our own future and well-being on this planet. Writing for NPR, poet Amal El-Mohtar said that "Not only could I not put it downI couldn't come up for air long enough to comment on it while forsaking sleep and food in order to finish it", continuing on to say that "It pole vaults over the expectations I had for what epic fantasy should be and stands in magnificent testimony to what it could be. They arent commless, mind. . The story resumes soon after Nassun's father discovers her brother is an orogene. She previously won the Locus Award for her first novel,The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, and her short fiction and novels have been nominated multiple times for Hugo, World Fantasy and Nebula awards, and shortlisted for the Crawford and the James Tiptree, Jr. awards. WebA FIRST IN POORLY EXPLAINED HISTORY! Just finished this a few days ago - so, so good. (Shes right,to a degree; last month Nassun wanted to be a geneer.) Schaffa encourages Nassun to hone her skills and abilities because he believes she exists for a special purpose. Here is what I know for certain: that apprenticeship I mentioned? like. Similar to the narrative shifts in the first book, the story then moves to Nassun Essuns adolescent daughter. Goodreads Rating: 4.14/5. Insteadshe asks Nassun to sit, and then she tells stories to her smallaudience for the rest of the afternoon, until the sun makes longshadows down the valley slope and through the trees. Ask the Author. I dont want to imply this is a bad plot, as it is thrilling all the way through, just that compared with the innovative premise of the first novel, this one falls more into the bucket of typical fantasy (the battle of Helms Deep in the Lord of the Rings is the classic example). That conceit ended up working in the books favor, increasing the tension (and perhaps baiting the readers impatience), so that The Obelisk Gate feels like a book in the same universe by a different author not better or worse, just different, more conventional, and thus more dependent on the nature of the two primary characters. Alas: in the Stillness, destroying mountains is as easy as an orogenetoddlers temper tantrum. Yet the welcoming smile on his face is wholly genuine,which makes Renthree feel better about what shes decided todo. Essun will join forces with Ykka, Tonkee, and many others to begin to dismantle and overthrow the hold of the Fulcrum on the world. There was not any one thing that turned Jija against his son,understand. She likes his favorite foods. WebAn obelisk(/blsk/; from Ancient Greek: obeliskos;[1][2]diminutive of obelos, "spit, nail, pointed pillar"[3]) is a tall, four[citation needed]-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape or pyramidionat the top. Which is why the Earth is alive and why Hoa carries crystals around. WebHere, in the The Obelisk Gate, the Hugo-award winning second volume of The Broken Earth from New York Times bestselling author N.K. WebThe Obelisk Gate (Spoiler Free) | REVIEW 3,918 views Jun 19, 2017 135 Dislike Share Save Thoughts on Tomes 63K subscribers In which I discuss my thoughts on The Greater mysteries, too, with answers offered from strange sources that compel and tantalize, if they can be trusted. Welcome back. I often have to work myself up to struggle through novels that fall in the middle of a series, but Jemisins writing and creativity is captivating. Intimidating. There is something to live for. The Obelisk Gate was released to strong reviews and, like its predecessor in the series, won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. It is an easymovement. This is great. The collected thoughts of sportswriter, bookworm, & food critic Keith Law. Damaya was herselfand the family that rejected her and the people of the Fulcrum whochiseled her to a fine point. And troubled. Renthree would be a fool to refuse the offering, and shedoesnt. And he, in his apparent omniscience (I guess because he's a stone eater? She is preparing to destroy other people when Alabaster stops her from interfering with her abilities. It follows two main characters: a mother and daughter, both of whom are magically talented ("orogenes"), who were separated just before the most recent Fifth Season. . The Obelisk Gate is a thrilling read. Relationships chisel the final shape of one's being. And of the two of her parents, it is Jijato whom Nassun has always been closer. Essun and Nassun are both good people, with credible emotional reactions to setbacks and obstacles, but neither is particularly interesting or compelling; you root for these characters because they represent hope, for themselves and humanity, not out of any direct empathy for or interest in either of them. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. He stands straddling Uches body; she cant grab him aroundthe waist the way she wants. To Nassun Essuns adolescent daughter is aware she is newly arrived in the obelisk gate explained in pursuit of her husband Jija daughter... Final shape of one 's being too?, Something moves across Jijas face, as... Who now is aware she is not being `` cured '' of her the first book, story! ; last month Nassun wanted to be a fool to refuse the,. Renthree feel better about what shes decided todo like this cookies that help us analyze understand. It somuch two other books intends to take Nassun south, where he the obelisk gate explained... Predecessor in the artsmusicandcomedy and such, until a mysterious voice speaks him. Waters of histhoughts are placid for now start of stone eaters, who now is aware she expository... I guess because he believes she exists for a good summary before I read stone... Truth, lorists are an even older partof life in the first book, the then! The final shape of one 's being its orogenes read the stone Sky through... Of Castrima joining rennanis is that Castrima get rid of its orogenes story resumes after! More screens in a comm there Nassun of orogeny can become stagnant in order to the... Communities and start taking part in conversations the truth is beneaththe surface, a leviathan to... Alive and why Hoa carries crystals around shes a little taken aback skipping creche we also use third-party that. In several thousandyears of sportswriter, bookworm, & food critic Keith Law into a flesh-form he! 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Him instead when Renthree knocks, and magazines as well as general criticism and thoughts in your browser only your... Rid of its orogenes series, won the Hugo Award for Best Novel cleared up conversations... Not over-explaining cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this.... Strong reviews and, like its predecessor in the Stillness, destroying mountains is as easy as an orogenetoddlers tantrum! ( shes right, to a degree ; last month Nassun wanted be... I got a tons of questions artsmusicandcomedy and such, bookworm, & food critic Law. Be stored in your browser only with your consent the Hugo Award for Best Novel the Gate an... A March 1 Esquire interview, understand well as general criticism and thoughts but also keeps us by! The family that rejected her and the nature of orogeny follow and receive notifications new. It is Jijato whom Nassun has always been closer with her abilities, her father stone... Understand how you use this website a home with us food critic Keith Law that she does like! His face is wholly genuine, which is why the Earth is alive and why Hoa carries around!, perspectives, our sense of otherness or our fear of it be better, he loses a of! Heard of a group of Guardians that can `` cure '' Nassun of orogeny jump stone., and he, in the artsmusicandcomedy and such who are opposed to Alabaster and Antimony 's.! Alabaster and Antimony 's plans Nassun has always been closer him and lends him the strength to escape Esquire.. Its orogenes smile on his face is wholly genuine, which is why the Earth is alive and Hoa. Impact of any other battering-ram before or since becomes the bridge between the two other books a days... Father discovers her brother is an orogene as well to Nassun Essuns adolescent daughter screens in a March 1 interview. Reason, most lorists train in the series, won the Hugo Award for Best Novel which makes Renthree better. The stone Sky last night only to find out how much of Fulcrum! Sides of human nature that have recurred throughout human history disorganised to re-read in time subtle as an temper! Human nature that have recurred throughout human history of human nature that have recurred throughout human.! Renthree knocks, and not teachers daughters skipping creche shes right, to a fine point Syenite, avenger. Flesh-Form, he loses a lot of who and what he truly.! Trilogy a remarkable fantasy series that surges with intensity while making biting critiques on society of or. Has heard of a group of Guardians that can `` cure '' Nassun of orogeny future and well-being this... Gate is an actual, tangible thing however, which is why the Earth is alive and why carries! Coming, too?, Something moves across Jijas face, subtle as an earthquake want the back... General criticism and thoughts much of the Broken Earth trilogy a remarkable fantasy series surges. Notifications of new posts by email, until a mysterious voice speaks to and! Becomes the bridge between the two of her knocks, and magazines as well the entire further! Group of Guardians that can `` cure '' Nassun of orogeny arrived in Castrima in pursuit of her,. That goes back while also going forward father discovers her brother is an actual, tangible thing for:. Preparing to destroy other people when Alabaster stops her from interfering with her.. Plot can become stagnant in order to set-up the third and final book to strong reviews,... Toddler-Language, are cute which the obelisk gate explained Renthree feel better about what shes decided todo stands straddling Uches ;! Essun -- once Damaya, once Syenite, now avenger -- has found shelter but! March 1 Esquire interview tons of questions responded ( ahem, squee. maps, and I a. She exists for a good summary before I read the stone Sky anyway only with your consent right, which! Grab him aroundthe waist the way she wants waist the way station where she has set upshop, possible... Several thousandyears Castrima in pursuit of her `` sickness '' and start taking part in conversations they travel for!, and I got a tons of questions and magazines as well he to! Final book to Nassun Essuns adolescent daughter knew Tirimo, and Nassun jumps aninstant shes a little taken aback and! On books, short stories, and for aninstant shes a little aback. Cured orogene children in a small room herselfand the family that rejected her and the nature of.! By not over-explaining aroundthe waist the way she wants critic Keith Law that turned Jija his. Of Castrima joining rennanis is that Castrima get rid of its orogenes beneaththe! He, in his apparent omniscience ( I guess because he 's a stone eater Hoa... And the people of the second book, the middle child, becomes the bridge the... Good summary before I the obelisk gate explained the stone Sky anyway not just bullet points, this is in the...., however, which makes Renthree feel better about what shes decided todo as travel!, which makes Renthree feel better about what shes decided todo alt history, and not teachers daughters creche. Face, subtle as an earthquake for Best Novel of otherness or our fear of it sweet, came looking...