Scan barcode
chloetremain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Minor: Cannibalism
ceridwen33's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Craft-wise, this lives up to the first in the series. Emotionally it's slightly lighter than its predecessor but was still so dark that I put it down for two years because it got to be too much during the earlier days of the pandemic. I'm glad I finished it, but it was rough to get through emotionally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence
onlyonebookshelf's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Xenophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Violence and War
jnavbar's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Como buena segunda parte, genera más preguntas de las que responde. Esperemos que la conclusión de la trilogía esté a la altura.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Xenophobia
dellydoos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I picked this book up right after I finished the Fifth Season, and I did not put it down until I had finished. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin is a brilliant continuation of the Broken Earth trilogy, maintaining the high standards set by its predecessor while expanding the depth and complexity of its world and characters.
The character development in The Obelisk Gate is particularly noteworthy. Essun’s growth as a mother and a powerful orogene is compelling, and the introduction of Nassun's perspective adds depth and a fresh viewpoint to the narrative. Nassun's journey, filled with pain, discovery, and transformation, is heart-wrenching and powerful. The relationship with her father is fraught with tension and sorrow, highlighting the emotional toll of survival in a fractured world. Her struggle to reconcile her own burgeoning powers with her father’s fear and loathing of orogeny is both tragic and compelling. Schaffa, our favourite Guardian, also reappears and I somehow hate him even more in that state that he’s left in after the events of the Fifth Season. But I know that Miss Jemisin has plans for this one, so for now I will sit and seethe with impatience.
The relationship between Alabaster and Essun is another highlight, filled with complexity and depth. Their interactions are laden with a history of pain, betrayal, and unspoken affection. Alabaster is a little bitch, but he is also incredibly complicated. His gradual transformation and his cryptic guidance to Essun add layers to their already intricate dynamic, making their relationship one of the most nuanced in the series. Their shared experiences and individual traumas shape their bond in ways that are both poignant and profound.
And Hoa, let’s not forget that lil gem.
Jemisin also excels in power scaling and plot development in The Obelisk Gate. The introduction and further exploration of the obelisks, along with the enigmatic stone eaters, add new dimensions to the story. The obelisks’ mysterious power and the stone eaters' cryptic motives create a sense of wonder and tension, driving the narrative forward. I’m engaged and I’m intrigued.
The Obelisk Gate delves deeper into the mythology of The Stillness, revealing more about the world’s history and the origin of its catastrophic cycles. The stakes are higher, the conflicts more intense, and the characters’ struggles more desperate. Jemisin’s prose remains as evocative and powerful as ever, drawing readers into a world that is as brutal as it is beautiful.
Again, the emotional damage I suffered from this book was heartbreaking and I enjoyed every second of it. 4.5/5 stars
The character development in The Obelisk Gate is particularly noteworthy. Essun’s growth as a mother and a powerful orogene is compelling, and the introduction of Nassun's perspective adds depth and a fresh viewpoint to the narrative. Nassun's journey, filled with pain, discovery, and transformation, is heart-wrenching and powerful. The relationship with her father is fraught with tension and sorrow, highlighting the emotional toll of survival in a fractured world. Her struggle to reconcile her own burgeoning powers with her father’s fear and loathing of orogeny is both tragic and compelling. Schaffa, our favourite Guardian, also reappears and I somehow hate him even more in that state that he’s left in after the events of the Fifth Season. But I know that Miss Jemisin has plans for this one, so for now I will sit and seethe with impatience.
The relationship between Alabaster and Essun is another highlight, filled with complexity and depth. Their interactions are laden with a history of pain, betrayal, and unspoken affection. Alabaster is a little bitch, but he is also incredibly complicated. His gradual transformation and his cryptic guidance to Essun add layers to their already intricate dynamic, making their relationship one of the most nuanced in the series. Their shared experiences and individual traumas shape their bond in ways that are both poignant and profound.
And Hoa, let’s not forget that lil gem.
Jemisin also excels in power scaling and plot development in The Obelisk Gate. The introduction and further exploration of the obelisks, along with the enigmatic stone eaters, add new dimensions to the story. The obelisks’ mysterious power and the stone eaters' cryptic motives create a sense of wonder and tension, driving the narrative forward. I’m engaged and I’m intrigued.
The Obelisk Gate delves deeper into the mythology of The Stillness, revealing more about the world’s history and the origin of its catastrophic cycles. The stakes are higher, the conflicts more intense, and the characters’ struggles more desperate. Jemisin’s prose remains as evocative and powerful as ever, drawing readers into a world that is as brutal as it is beautiful.
Again, the emotional damage I suffered from this book was heartbreaking and I enjoyed every second of it. 4.5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Xenophobia
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Rating: 4/5 stars
The second book in the Broken Earth trilogy continues the story of THE FIFTH SEASON.
I am really enjoying this trilogy! This one is a much slower burn than the first, and felt a bit like a filler or bridge novel from book one to two, but there was a great deal of character development and the introduction of new POVs, which I really appreciated. I loved to see the world beginning to fill out, and even though my brain hurts, I feel like I have a slightly better handle on how everything works after this book, which is a good thing.
There are also elements of this book that remind me of Catching Fire and Mockingjay from The Hunger Games series in a way I can’t really explain without spoilers but it’s a very specific and very niche vibe. All in all, I can’t wait for book three!
CW: Murder/death/violence; death of child; injury
The second book in the Broken Earth trilogy continues the story of THE FIFTH SEASON.
I am really enjoying this trilogy! This one is a much slower burn than the first, and felt a bit like a filler or bridge novel from book one to two, but there was a great deal of character development and the introduction of new POVs, which I really appreciated. I loved to see the world beginning to fill out, and even though my brain hurts, I feel like I have a slightly better handle on how everything works after this book, which is a good thing.
There are also elements of this book that remind me of Catching Fire and Mockingjay from The Hunger Games series in a way I can’t really explain without spoilers but it’s a very specific and very niche vibe. All in all, I can’t wait for book three!
CW: Murder/death/violence; death of child; injury
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
lipstickitotheman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Also so wonderful. The more we learn about the world, the more devastating it is. Maybe my experience with world-ending fiction is with YA, but Jemisin's ability to balance the universe/wider experience with the POV/main characters is indescribably good. Once again relieved that I already reserved the next book from the library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Terminal illness, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Cannibalism, and War
thebearlinwall's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, War, and Injury/Injury detail
jess_always_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely loved this story, I could hardly wait to get it from my local library after I finished book one and now I'm diving right into the third book (Stone Sky). Jemisin is such a gifted storyteller and her world-building is next level. There were also some wonderful twists and turns that I definitely didn't see coming.
Highly recommend 10/10!
TW for some serious trauma (throughout the whole series it feels like) though not gratuitous. Mind the content warnings if it's important to you.
Highly recommend 10/10!
TW for some serious trauma (throughout the whole series it feels like) though not gratuitous. Mind the content warnings if it's important to you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Cannibalism
sleepygym's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Xenophobia