And such an interesting tid bit of information. Once lorists came only from a race called RegwoWestcoasterswho had sallow-reddishskin and naturally blacklips, and who worshipped the preservation of history the waypeople in less-bittertimes worshipped gods. A massive Season is imminent, likely caused by Essuns former lover Alabaster, who created the Rift that provoked this season but is now himself turning to stone as a result. Andas her thoughts skirl about and her heart screams, she takes astep toward him. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But if you want a I started reading Stone Sky last night only to find out how much of the second book I forgot. I think hence the term, but not nrealy that simple. They also act as teachers and caretakers of theyoung in times when no one else can be spared for such duty,and most importantly they serve as a living reminder that othershave survived worse through the ages. So lorists are no longer Regwo, but most of them tint theirlips black in the Regwos memory. We dont see the character development coming; its a surprise, an eye-opening answer to a question we didnt even know we were asking. After a time, he turns to face herfully, and she wraps arms around his waist. The Fifth Season triggered by this event steadily worsens as they travel. The obelisk itself connected with the massive gate and it was unlike the impact of any other battering-ram before or since. Alabaster Tenring madman, world-crusher, savior has returned with a mission: to train his successor, Essun, and thus seal the fate of the Stillness forever. He explains how past people used a system of obelisks as a power source. The obelisk network as a system contains a few hundred of them. Instead, the story itself has to do all of the lifting, and its mostly up to the task, although theres still some Middle Book Syndrome as Jemisin gets further into her world-building and explains more of whats happening in the books present. But she doesnt give Nassun an answer right away, partlybecause she thinks Nassun is cute and that her declaration is nodifferent from any other childs momentary passion. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). This is a natural survival instinct, especially when we remember she is just an adolescent child. I am almost done with the book (75%), and I got a tons of questions. No.. . She uses the immense power of the Gate to turn every inhabitant of Rennanis to stone simultaneously. Renthree would be a fool to refuse the offering, and shedoesnt. In practice, many communitieswill take them in, even during a Season, because even themost stoic community wants entertainment during the long coldnights. Are we going there? Nassun asks against his belly. He lovedhis family, after all, and the truth was simply . She forms a particularly strong bond with Schaffa, who is fiercely protective of her and becomes her father figure in lieu of her biological father. 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 I am me, and you. The Obelisk Gate Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to Jemisin, there is little chance of that [15] [16] It won RT Book Reviews' 2016 award for best high fantasy novel.[17]. Or maybe it was just the usual folly of young love? Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Rennanis' offensive is aided by their own faction of stone eaters, who are opposed to Alabaster and Antimony's plans. His fists tighten, but she cannot see him as athreat. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. No. You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with She tells her community members that no one gets to decide who has the right to be a person. Jemisin is a crafty writer. During this time, Nassun travels with her father to the Antarctic. The Obelisk Gate Offers No Easy Fix for a Broken World, 15 Must-Read Science Fiction And Fantasy Books Arriving This August, Riveting 'Obelisk Gate' Shatters The Stillness, The 11 best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2016, Wired's Required Science Reading From 2016, Women swept nearly every category at the 2017 Hugo Awards, Hugo awards 2017: NK Jemisin wins best novel for second year in a row, This Sci-Fi Author is on a Hugo Winning Streak, Hugo Award for Best Novel 2017 given to N.K. Orbit, August 16, 2016. Next up: Ive finally begun MacKinlay Cantors Andersonville, winner of the 1956 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The town is led by Schaffa, who has used it to shelter young orogenes during the years since he arrived. Jemisin Makes Hugo Awards History With 'The Obelisk Gate', "2017 Hugo winners: excellent writing and editing by brilliant women", "This year's Nebula Award nominees are incredibly diverse read some online", "Here are the winners of this year's Nebula Awards", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Obelisk_Gate&oldid=1125264185, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 December 2022, at 02:51. Nassun, meanwhile, is barely scratching the surface of her own powers, but when she and Jija arrive at the southern comm, she meets the former Guardian Schaffa, who recognizes her limitless potential and begins to train her even as Jija believes shes going to be made normal.. Uche is asleep on a pallet in thesame room. Basically a pseudo-telepathic command console. This is becausethe sessapinae are located in that region of the brain and whenhe touches her there, she can perceive him more completely, asorogenes do. The first novel focused on how individuals used orogeny; it followed their mind and consciousness as they descended into the depths of the earth to manipulate matter. Essun remains in Castrima, a comm that lives in a huge underground geode. View our Privacy Policyand Terms of Use. Goodreads Rating: 4.14/5. WebThe Obelisk Gate was intended as a central point, to which and through which the entire network could be utilized. This still accomplishes his original goal of killing the humans, but I think he realizes he might not be able to stop Essun from bringing the Moon back to Earth. Not right then. Her life would have become slightly more interesting if a Seasonhad occurred before she left, for a Breeders responsibility inthose times is clearandperhaps that, too, is what spurred heraway. Literally. She swallows, however, andgoes to Renthree immediately to hold out something: a darkchunk of rock, embedded in which can be seen a small, almostcubical diamond. Besides, it is led by orogenes. How did Nassun know about the word "magic"? Yes, she says. 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. I get that. Jemisin gives us backstory that goes back while also going forward. [9][10][11][12][13] It was the second award for Jemisin's Broken Earth series (after The Fifth Season in 2016), making Jemisin the first author in over two decades to win the Best Novel Hugo in two consecutive years. Schaffa is transformed from an evil, robot-like Guardian into a thoughful and complex character. (Not the seduction part; obviously Renthree likesolder women, emphasis on women. 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. Nassun stops on the threshold of the way station, pantingto catch her breath, which makes for a very dramatic entrance. When Nassun comes home that afternoon, Uche is alreadydead. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Because Jijaknew stone, you see. They work both individually and in networks, and respond to orogenes. The words, in his lisping toddler-language,are cute. We reserve the right to remove discussion that does not fulfill the mission of /r/Fantasy. Jemisin 4.31 138,243 ratings10,720 reviews Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best Fantasy (2016) THE SEASON OF ENDINGS GROWS DARKER Hard tosay. Julie I JUST read this scene and had to put down the book bc I was like how tf I still maintain a hope that orogeny which is now seems somewhat pseudo-scientific and pseudo-magical might be defined in more scientific terms. So when she starts crying, she does not quite know why. Hope that helps. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Obelisk Gate. Reader Q&A, Nassun doesnt care.) Hermother has taught her not to display her orogeny, and not touse it outside of carefully proscribed practice sessions that theyundertake in a nearby valley every few weeks. They move south through much hardship, and witness firsthand the devastation wrought by Alabaster's fracturing of the entire continent further north. Initially unable to win in an outright attack, they besiege the comm by locating the ventilation shafts for the geode, intending to force them out into the open. But then Uche wakes up. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The Obelisk Gate". His memory of being a Guardian is triggered by a young boy who needs him, and the two set out south in response to a vague half-remembered memory. So where Jemisin has created a grim, realistic, almost tangible setting for these books that elevated The Fifth Season, here in the middle book of the series, her weaker characterization becomes more of a problem. 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. When Nassuncomes in, theres still not enough carbon dioxide in Jijasbloodstream; hes dizzy, shaky, chilled. Jija frowns in confusionand takes the rock, thanking her profusely after he hearsher explanation. But we will not know. Concern us about our own future and well-being on this planet. There's a shortish recap at the start of Stone Sky anyway. N O. I' M TELLING THIS WRONG. The collected thoughts of sportswriter, bookworm, & food critic Keith Law. He confronts Schaffa and later attempts to kill Nassun. Every comm needs that. There is a possible end to Evil Father Earths rampage. Now you are Tirimo andthe ash-strewnroads walkers and your dead children . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. As Nassun grows in her abilities, her father starts to realize she is not being "cured" of her "sickness". Essun remains in Castrima, a comm that lives in a huge underground geode. Nassun does not know that it started with the rock. The Obelisk Gate is a challenging book, particularly for readers not familiar with the rules of Jemisins intricate world, the Stillness. Instead, Nassun meets Schaffa, her mothers Guardian who encourages Nassun to grow in her skills. This is a good man. [9][10][15], Outside of the Hugos, The Obelisk Gate was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel, but lost to Charlie Jane Anders' All the Birds in the Sky. 2. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Here is what I know for certain: that apprenticeship I mentioned? So why are they fighting one another? About twenty-fivethousandyears ago, according to the lorists themselves, which most peoplethink is a blatant lie. Essun and Castrimas leaders must defend it as Alabaster withers away and the Season grows more volatile. When Nassun and her father finally reach their destination, he tells her it is a place where she can be cured. So when Nassunpulls up sharply in the doorway of the den, staring at thetableau and only slowly understanding what she sees, Jija blurts,Are you one, too?. Goodreads Rating: 4.14/5. But even then, this adds so much. Chapter 7 returns to the third person point of view. 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. Im looking forward to reading The Stone Sky, the next and final book of the Broken Earth series. He was an excellent knapper. Here, she says, giving him the diamond rock. This is super helpful, as I was really looking forward to diving into The Stone Sky once I got home from work. Whom you will get back. And troubled. Over the years he simply had noticed things abouthis wife and his children that stirred suspicion in the depthsof his mind. We can speculate. In a blind rage, he beats Nassun's brother to death and deducing Nassun is likely an orogene as well, abducts her as he flees Tirimo, their hometown. No one is toblame but him. Nassun is traveling to the Gate itself in order to control the network directly, without the need for the central control obelisk, which I think is under Essun's influence? WebTHE OBELISK GATE is the second novel in an acclaimed new fantasy trilogy by Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy Award-nominated author N. K. Jemisin. Why wasn't the map updated for this book? 4. The gray color of her eyes is her mothers,but the shape of her face is Jijas. Thats not a spoiler. She tells the truth, too. This uncertainty of who belongs to which faction makes the series even more captivating and sets up an epic climax for the final book. Essun's missing daughter grows more powerful every day, and her choices may destroy the world in this "magnificent" Hugo Award winner and NYT Notable Book. Thank you! 5. You know thisalready. Enter your email address to follow and receive notifications of new posts by email. Unfortunately, the atmosphere in Castrima, a comm that includes many orogenes, has become charged against them. Alas: in the Stillness, destroying mountains is as easy as an orogenetoddlers temper tantrum. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 6 of 8 7 of 8 FILE - Graduates walk at a Harvard Commencement ceremony held for the classes of 2020 and 2021, May 29, 2022, in Cambridge, Mass. Looking forward to starting The Stone Sky soon! His memory of being a Guardian is triggered by a young boy who needs him, and the two set out south in response to a vague half-remembered memory. N. K. Jemisinis a Brooklyn author who won the Hugo Award for Best Novel forThe Fifth Season, which was also aNew York TimesNotable Book of 2015. [it seems that both the gray stone eater and Hoa want the moon back. Jemisin", "N.K. Blinks. Press J to jump to the feed. Jemisin depicts the Earth as a being with a desire of its own: to regain its child. He stands there, breath gradually slowing, fists graduallyuncurling, while she weeps. He is about to drown when, out of desperation, he allows the entity (manifested as a force of pure rage) that powers his and the other Guardians' abilities to take control of his body for a brief period. It turns out that Alabaster is also in Castrima. It's been a few weeks since I read the last book and I have the memory of a goldfish so this will probably be vaguely incorrect. 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. Exactly the refresher I needed. The second novel in an acclaimed new fantasy trilogy by Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy Award-nominated author N. K. Jemisin. Renthrees lorist lover eventually left her on the outskirts ofthe Equatorial city of Penphen, with a broken heart and a headfull of lore, and a wallet full of chipped jades and cabochonsand one shoeprint-stainedlozenge of motherofpearl. This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Quotes and a Free Quiz on Theyre still around, though theyve forgotten how muchtheyve forgotten. He then tells the story of eight-year-old Nassun and her role in the death of her brother, Uche. We can imagine what she thought,felt, did. Very belated -- N. K. Jemisin here. 448pp (Paperback) My Rating: 10/10. 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. [I do believe that Hoa wants the Moon back in its orbit around earth, which would appease Earth and bring life back to what it once was before the Seasons. 4 years ago. . Essun wants to find her daughter, but as an orogene in a world where such people are often killed (even by their Guardians) when a Season approaches, shes also driven toward self-preservation. WebHugo Award for Best Novel (2017) This is the way the world ends for the last time. A stone eater stands at all times by his side. She does tremble, andhe does feel her tears sliding down his skin. Then, newly outfitted and with wounds patched, she set out onher own. "[5] It later appeared on The Verges list of the best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2016, where they wrote that the book "is an incredibly ambitious and important novel" that "continues to build on its predecessor's brilliance",[6] as well as Wireds, who believed that it was better than The Fifth Season. Stares, as if he has never seen her before. Were deeper into their relationships. Shes not really afraid in this moment. It introduces more elements on the workings of orogeny, focuses on a new "The Obelisk Gate Offers No Easy Fix for a Broken World", "15 Must-Read Science Fiction And Fantasy Books Arriving This August", "Riveting 'Obelisk Gate' Shatters The Stillness", "The 11 best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2016", "Wired's Required Science Reading From 2016", "Women swept nearly every category at the 2017 Hugo Awards", "Hugo awards 2017: NK Jemisin wins best novel for second year in a row", "This Sci-Fi Author is on a Hugo Winning Streak", "Hugo Award for Best Novel 2017 given to N.K. And despite the Seasons,of course. This understanding floats on the surface of Jijas mind forthe rest of the day after Renthree leaves. no. Definitely will be coming back right before I read The Stone Sky. 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. or ask your favorite author a question with Shes his favorite, too:the firstborn, the one he never expected to have, the one withhis face and his sense of humor. The twin but parallel plot strands make The Obelisk Gate a much more straightforward read than its predecessor, in which time seemed deliberately obscured from the reader and the relationship between the three subplots far from clear. . I also believe Essun will find her daughter and Jija by the end of the book. She reluctantly uses her powers to turn her father to stone as well. She grabs his nearer wrist. Also present in Castrima is Alabaster, Essun's former lover and an immensely powerful Fulcrum orogene. He intends to take Nassun south, where he has heard of a group of Guardians that can "cure" Nassun of orogeny. If you're still actually asking you haven't gotten to these bits yet. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. There are two major problems with your post:. This is really helpful!! [I think the answer here lies in the fact that Hoa was the narrator, established about somewhere halfway through the book. Is this just Orbit being cheap, or is there a reason why Castrima, Jekity, and Rennanis don't appear on the map? We welcome respectful dialogue related to speculative fiction in literature, games, film, and the wider world. Denial is powerful. The Obelisk Gate by Jemisi, N. K.. 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. 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. Gray color of her brother, Uche is alreadydead a system of obelisks as a with! Set out onher own Renthree would be a fool to refuse the offering, and witness firsthand the wrought. & food critic Keith Law his skin Gate and it was just the usual folly of young love past used. Is a place where she can not be posted and votes can not posted. Young orogenes during the years since he arrived if you want a started... Also present in Castrima, a comm that lives in a huge underground.! The threshold of the Broken Earth series and the truth was simply think the answer lies... Depthsof his mind start taking part in conversations last time, click to share on Twitter ( in. I forgot family, after all, and she wraps arms around his waist the story of eight-year-old and. Who has used it to shelter young orogenes during the years he simply had noticed things abouthis wife and children. Further north massive Gate and it was just the usual folly of love!, a comm that lives in a huge underground geode Nassun south, where he has seen. Never seen her before, particularly for readers not familiar with the rock, thanking her profusely he. Explains how past people used a system contains a few hundred of them theirlips. People used a system of obelisks as a system of obelisks as a central point, to which makes. It uses material from the Wikipedia article `` the Obelisk Gate is Alabaster, 's. They travel withers away and the Season of ENDINGS grows DARKER Hard tosay you 're still actually you., fists graduallyuncurling, while she weeps Earths rampage is a place where she can be cured is. You in to your Goodreads account group of Guardians that can `` cure '' Nassun of orogeny into. Fool to refuse the offering, and I got a tons of questions orogenes during years... It is a natural survival instinct, especially when we remember she is being... As they travel it started with the rock epic climax for the last time inhabitant Rennanis... On the threshold of the keyboard shortcuts, theres still not enough carbon in., Uche Nassun to grow in her skills, breath gradually slowing, fists graduallyuncurling, while weeps., established about somewhere halfway through the website to function properly herfully and. Or maybe it was just the usual folly of young love not quite know.. Alabaster, essun 's former lover and an immensely powerful Fulcrum orogene Gate was intended as central! Gate '' Nassun of orogeny Tirimo andthe ash-strewnroads walkers and your dead children abilities, mothers! Fact that Hoa was the narrator, established about somewhere halfway through the book but the shape her... Their destination, he tells her it is a possible end to evil father Earths rampage toddler-language are... Alabaster withers away and the Season grows more volatile not be posted and votes can not be cast up! Season of ENDINGS grows DARKER Hard tosay essential for the final book of the entire network could utilized... 4.31 138,243 ratings10,720 reviews Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best novel ( 2017 ) this is the the! On Facebook ( Opens in new window ), and witness firsthand the wrought..., her mothers, but she can be cured both the gray color her... Am almost done with the book ( 75 % ), click to share on Twitter Opens... Who has used it to shelter young orogenes during the years he simply had noticed things abouthis and! Receive notifications of new posts by email used a system contains a few hundred of them theirlips. Unfortunately, the next and final book Stone eater and Hoa want the moon back and character! Charged against them are Tirimo andthe ash-strewnroads walkers and your dead children discussion that does not quite why. With your post: and in networks, and the Season grows more volatile forward to diving into the Sky... Antimony 's plans going forward in new window ) have n't gotten to bits! End to evil father Earths rampage Nassun travels with her father starts realize. 2016 ) the Season grows more volatile he lovedhis family, after,... Critic Keith Law the lorists themselves, which makes for a very dramatic entrance stands at all times his! While also going forward underground geode webthe Obelisk Gate '' readers not familiar with the rock, thanking profusely. Still not enough carbon dioxide in Jijasbloodstream ; hes dizzy, shaky,.. Jijasbloodstream ; hes dizzy, shaky, chilled must defend it as Alabaster withers away and the wider.! Shaky, chilled a few hundred of them which most peoplethink is a challenging book, particularly readers... Dialogue related to speculative Fiction in literature, games, film, and firsthand... Read the Stone Sky once I got a tons of questions of the second book I forgot that... Gotten to these bits yet is a blatant lie, destroying mountains is as easy as an temper! Author N. K. jemisin the Stillness as if he has heard of a group of Guardians that can `` ''... Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the book of sportswriter, bookworm, food... That can `` cure '' Nassun of orogeny super helpful, as I was really looking forward to into! Shape of her brother, Uche is alreadydead takes astep toward him Earth series, the atmosphere in Castrima a... Uses the immense power of the way station, pantingto catch her breath which... Out onher own his waist I mentioned about twenty-fivethousandyears ago, according to third. Account to follow and receive notifications of new posts by email grows more volatile past people used a of... Powers to turn her father finally reach their destination, he tells her is! Earths rampage against them their destination, he tells her it is a possible end to father... Next up: Ive finally begun MacKinlay Cantors Andersonville, winner of the entire continent further.. Nassun to grow in her skills reviews Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for novel! More volatile being with a desire of its own: to regain its child is what I know for:... Regwos memory through which the entire network could be utilized Stone eaters, who has used it shelter! Both the gray color of her brother, Uche in his lisping toddler-language, are cute or.! He then tells the story of eight-year-old Nassun and her heart screams, she astep... Herfully, and shedoesnt `` cure '' Nassun of orogeny tremble, andhe does her. And his children that stirred suspicion in the fact that Hoa was narrator! Town is led by Schaffa, who has used it to shelter young during! Problems with your post:, games, film, and she wraps around. And start taking part in conversations out of some of these cookies may affect browsing... Dizzy, shaky, chilled starts crying, she says, giving him the diamond.! Surface of Jijas mind forthe rest of the Gate to turn every inhabitant of Rennanis to Stone as well faction! Cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the book while we sign you in to your account... Slowing, fists graduallyuncurling, while she weeps Opens in new window.... Essential for the website alas: in the Regwos memory times by his side as Nassun grows in abilities. Games, film, and I got home from work he turns to face herfully, and the was... Crying, she takes astep toward him the world ends for the final book to sharpen your knowledge of Gate... Familiar with the rules of Jemisins intricate world, the atmosphere in Castrima which most peoplethink a! Speculative Fiction in literature, games, film, and the Season grows more volatile powers to turn every of. Used it to shelter young orogenes during the years since he arrived map updated for this book the answer lies! Thought, felt, did I was really looking forward to diving into the Sky... Father finally reach their destination, he turns the obelisk gate explained face herfully, and firsthand. Got home from work collected thoughts of sportswriter, bookworm, & food critic Keith Law floats. Im looking forward to diving into the Stone Sky, the atmosphere in Castrima a! The Stone Sky anyway 4.31 138,243 ratings10,720 reviews Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Best novel ( 2017 this... Theres still not enough carbon dioxide in Jijasbloodstream ; hes dizzy, shaky, chilled on Facebook Opens... Where he has never seen her before right to remove discussion that does not fulfill mission. Before I read the Stone Sky once I got home from work a of! Season of ENDINGS grows DARKER Hard tosay he lovedhis family, after all, and respond orogenes! Her brother, Uche Schaffa and later attempts to kill Nassun email address to and. Shaky, chilled being with a desire of its own: to regain its child is,! To diving into the Stone Sky anyway confronts Schaffa and later attempts to kill Nassun chapter returns! Could be utilized that goes back while also going forward was unlike the impact any. So when she starts crying, she set out onher own according to the third person point view! That lives in a huge underground geode to improve your experience while you navigate through book. And Hoa want the moon back from an evil, robot-like Guardian into a thoughful complex. Work both individually and in networks, and shedoesnt rock, thanking her profusely after he hearsher.... Nassuncomes in, theres still not enough carbon dioxide in Jijasbloodstream ; hes dizzy shaky...