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. Whereas before, the series could have landed somewhere in the middle between Science Fiction and Fantasy, it now leans more towards fantasy with the concept of magic. The gray color of her eyes is her mothers,but the shape of her face is Jijas. Nassun does not know that it started with the rock. 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. She tries to hide her abilities from her father and pretend like she is trying to cure herself but her father forces her to tell lies about herself. He cannot make himselfreach back, but he does hold still. Jemisin, N.K. He turnsaway from Uche again, gets his own things, and heads outsideto hitch up the horse to the wagon. She did not seeNassun, on her way home from creche, stop and stare in aweand sudden, irrational hope. 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. The Obelisk Gate was anticipated on its debut,[3][4] and reviews were highly positive. 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. He explains how past people used a system of obelisks as a power source. Thats the one inwhich some sort of gaseous emission caused all children born inthe Arctics for several years to have delicate bones that brokewith a touch and bent as they grewifthey grew. Alabaster begins imparting some of his knowledge to Essun concerning the obelisks and the nature of orogeny. After all, a person is herself, and others. It hasn't been too long since I read this, but even so I totally forgot about Essun's arm turning to stone! 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. [I think the answer here lies in the fact that Hoa was the narrator, established about somewhere halfway through the book. Nassun stops on the threshold of the way station, pantingto catch her breath, which makes for a very dramatic entrance. Cookie policy. World-building history can be too technical. She is mostlyunimportant, but there is a reason you must know of her. She does tremble, andhe does feel her tears sliding down his skin. But to answer the question in the recap of someone explaining why Hoa eats rocks, sans TSS spoilers --. Now its just how one knows a lorist: by the lips, andby the stack of polymer tablets they carry, and by the shabbyclothes they tend to wear, and by the fact that they usually donot have real comm names. by N. K. Jemisin. Having no choice, the inhabitants of Castrima prepare for battle. I'm reading TSS, and I've forgotten alot! 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. Her abilities increase to the point where she begins to learn to draw power from one of the obelisks floating nearby, much as her mother had many years earlier. [7], The Obelisk Gate won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2017. Alabaster begins imparting some of his knowledge to Essun concerning the obelisks and the nature of orogeny. Nassun has always been close to her father, due largely to her strict and unforgiving relationship with her mother Essun, who has been secretly teaching her to hone her orogenic abilities in order to avoid detection. But if you want a Unlikely. Neither of them has ever known why she likes it somuch. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Is this the end or is there another book? They avoid talking about what happened back in town, and Nassun looks to blame her mother for it. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I JUST read this scene and had to put down the book bc I was like how tf does this make any sense?. This is super helpful, as I was really looking forward to diving into The Stone Sky once I got home from work. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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 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. [16][17] It won RT Book Reviews' 2016 award for best high fantasy novel.[18]. Since orogeny is hereditary, the Guardians often kill a childs entire family before taking them away. She uses the immense power of the Gate to turn every inhabitant of Rennanis to stone simultaneously. But even then, this adds so much. Her abilities increase to the point where she begins to learn to draw power from one of the obelisks floating nearby, much as her mother had many years earlier. Goodreads Rating: 4.14/5. WebSummary. 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. Because Alabaster can no longer access to what he calls the Obelisk Gate, a punishment for having used it once, he asks Essun to finish what he started. The Obelisk Gate was intended as a central point, to which and through which the entire network could be utilized. I was equally excited to see her response. 5. This Study Guide consists of approximately 70pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - Essun uses the Obelisk Gate to defeat the enemies but the geode is damaged so badly the people of the comm can no longer live there. LibraryThing Rating: 5/5. Plot can become stagnant in order to set-up the third and final book. When Nassuncomes in, theres still not enough carbon dioxide in Jijasbloodstream; hes dizzy, shaky, chilled. WebThe Obelisk Gate Characters Edit Characters in The Obelisk Gate Essun, an orogene woman originally trained at the Fulcrum, but recently living in the small midlats town of Tirimo. Nassun has skipped creche today to come and find her, andto bring an offering. Essuns gone by this point, offto teach the last class of her career as a creche teacher. Its compelling enough to keep me reading, but I thought this was a step down in ambition and in characterization from the first book. 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. This is way more detailed than I was expectingthanks for doing it! And despite the Seasons,of course. He knewstone, and he knew Tirimo, and he knew that veins of igneousrock from an ancient volcano ran all through the surroundingland. Thanks for this! 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, The Guardians also appear to be a group that acquires orogeny, meaning they are not born with it, like orogenes. 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. Jemisin Theres a thing that happens with trilogies. But then Uche wakes up. 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. Shes only eight. WebSummary. Hes a big man. Castrima is saved, but the mechanisms of the geode have been irreparably damaged by the assault, and the comm faces starvation and suffocation if they remain. Theres a thing that happens with trilogies. Thank you for replying! 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. In the morning she heads into Tirimo. Then he smiles atJija, and with the unerring sensitivity of a powerful orogenechild, he orients on Jijas pocket and says, Why is shiny there,Daddy?. He is her father. Jemisin is a crafty writer. Fans of fantasy, science fiction, horror, alt history, and more can all find a home with us. 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. In 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. The obelisks still exist and Alabaster has learned that this network, along with energy from the rift, can be used to draw the moon back into orbit, putting an end to the Seasons. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. The following version of the novel was used to create this study guide: Jemisin, J.N. I started reading Stone Sky last night only to find out how much of the second book I forgot. What she sees frightens her, even if shedoes not understand why. Minutes later, the geode in which Castrima is housed is attacked by forces from Rennanis. Renthree leaves, and that is the end of her part in this tale. 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. Realizes. Basically a pseudo-telepathic command console. The second strongest aspect of this book is its characters. We reserve the right to remove discussion that does not fulfill the mission of /r/Fantasy. So why are they fighting one another? regresses. Orbit, August 16, 2016. Meanwhile, Jija takes Nassun, the daughter he had with Essun to Found Moon, a place Jija had heard could cure orogeny. There was not any one thing that turned Jija against his son,understand. 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. About twenty-fivethousandyears ago, according to the lorists themselves, which most peoplethink is a blatant lie. The plot revolves around their journey to find each other again, and their efforts to discover why Fifth Seasons exist.[2]. During this time, Nassun travels with her father to the Antarctic. Is the world just too far gone? Instead, he was taking the first step in curing the problem. Rennanis' offensive is aided by their own faction of stone eaters, who are opposed to Alabaster and Antimony's plans. The foolish dreamer part.) He is watched over by a stone eater he has named Antimony, who appears to have an adversarial relationship with the mysterious "child" Hoa, now revealed to be a stone eater himself, who accompanied Essun as she fled Tirimo. Amazon Rating: --/5. Finally, they reach the promised settlement: a town called Found Moon, administered by a group of Guardians, though not affiliated with the Fulcrum. Note: this is never explained, on purpose. Guardians a group of humans able to detect and counteract the orogenes abilities seek out young, orogene children. 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. I had no idea "stone sky" was released already but definitely would have been looking for one of these when I found it. Nassun and her father travel further south. Whereas Alabaster and Essun were the strongest orogenes, that torch is now passed to Nassun. He emerges as a completely different person, mentally altered by the near death experience. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Whenyou see her, do not tell her. I get that. The other two visitors turn to stare at her, Jijas normally quietfirstborn, and only their presence stops Nassun from blurtingher intentions right then and there. As if you were going tospend a few nights with Grandma. Jijas mother married againa few years back and now she lives in Sume, the town in thenext valley over, which will soon be destroyed utterly. She grabs his nearer wrist. He lovedhis family, after all, and the truth was simply . 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. 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. I read the prologue of The Stone Sky last night and I was feeling a little bit lost. Plus, dont you want to know happens?? Nassun, who is just eight years old whenthe world ends. . WebIn this story of their separate journeys to find one another and to uncover the truth of their worlds terrible, cyclic wracking, Essun and Nassun face even greater challenges than they did in The Fifth Season. 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? Oh this is very appreciated. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. She tells the truth, too. . Dont you? 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. . Just follow the maze and connect the line. 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, set well into the future, on an Earth that is plagued by massive tectonic shifts that result in lengthy Seasons where nearly all life on the surface is extinguished and humans must huddle underground to wait the Season out. Is Mama coming, too?, Something moves across Jijas face, subtle as an earthquake. Uche is asleep on a pallet in thesame room. 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. But no one in Tirimo knows thattheres a potentially excellent diamond mine in the regionnoone, that is, except orogenes. 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! She likes his favorite foods. Jija is standing over his cooling corpse in the den,breathing hard. He touches the back of her head. It turns out that Alabaster is also in Castrima. The comm is sustained by many mysterious functions of the geode that appear to operate by magic, such as air recyclers and climate control; Ykka has deduced that the mechanisms only function when orogenes are present. Another comm is taking over their lands and is preparing a siege on Castrima. 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. Somehow their order, if it can be called anorder, survives despite the First through Seventh Universitiesdisavowing their work as apocryphal and probably inaccurate,and despite governments down all the ages underminingtheir knowledge with propaganda. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. And of the two of her parents, it is Jijato whom Nassun has always been closer. . Similar to the narrative shifts in the first book, the story then moves to Nassun Essuns adolescent daughter. I'm on the last few pages of Wild Seed by Octavia Butler, then I get to start The Stone Sky. Chapter 7 returns to the third person point of view. The Fifth Season triggered by this event steadily worsens as they travel. She cant possiblytake such a valuable gift from a child, not in exchange fora few stories and an apprenticeship that Nassun will probablychange her mind about in a few months. This is great. or ask your favorite author a question with Just started reading The Stone Sky and your recap really helped me remember the story. Two adults fromtown are already at the way station, sitting on a bench to listenwhile Renthree talks, and Renthrees offering cup has alreadybeen filled with brightly colored shards faceted with the quartentsmark. Were deeper into their relationships. Copyright 2011 Curtail Theme on the Genesis Framework. Nassun has no idea what a lorist really does, of course. When the time to vote arrives Essun destroys the ballot box. Father Earth has lost its child. [1], The Obelisk Gate takes place on a single supercontinent, the Stillness, which suffers from catastrophic climate change every few centuries (the so-called "Fifth Season"). The stone eaters represent the limit of what is possible with magic, just as the Obelisk Gate itself does. The plot revolves around their journey to find each other again, and their efforts to discover why Fifth Seasons exist.[2]. These cookies do not store any personal information. Nassunsgone off to creche, too, though shes biding her time tillshe can escape at lunchtime to go find the lorist again. He is rescued by a family of fishermen on the coast. This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Quotes and a Free Quiz on The Obelisk Gate is the second installment of N.K. . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. As the world descends into the new Season, Castrima must collect resources and hunt for food on the surface. 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. I'm not surprised that nk responded (ahem, squee.) Also present in Castrima is Alabaster, Essun's former lover and an immensely powerful Fulcrum 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. Schaffa, Essun's former Guardian, awakens underwater after Essun's devastating counterattack during the climax of The Fifth Season. [13] Moreover, The Obelisk Gates victory came as part of a women-heavy slate of winners at the 2017 Hugos, which included best novel, novella, novelette, and short story. 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. Instead, Nassun meets Schaffa, her mothers Guardian who encourages Nassun to grow in her skills. [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. The town is led by Schaffa, who has used it to shelter young orogenes during the years since he arrived. Unfortunately, the atmosphere in Castrima, a comm that includes many orogenes, has become charged against them. Shewas once Renthree Breeder Tenteek, but that was before shefell in love with a lorist who visited Tenteek and seduced thethen-youngwoman away from a boring life as a glass-smith. Ykka, the comm's leader, is an orogene herself, and due to her influence, orogenes are permitted to live openly alongside others. This is really helpful!! ), knew of the word and its importance to Essan, and occasionally used it to describe the adventure's of Nassun. This point, to which and through which the entire network could be utilized of Stone eaters who... Opt-Out of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with your.. Is, except orogenes is herself, and others can become stagnant in order to the. Not understand why dizzy, shaky, chilled meets Schaffa, Essun 's devastating counterattack during climax. Really helped me remember the story then moves to Nassun but there is a blatant.... Detailed than I was really looking forward to diving into the new Season, Castrima collect... Jija had heard could cure orogeny know happens? his knowledge to Essun concerning the obelisks and the was! Why Hoa eats rocks, sans TSS spoilers -- want to know happens? night to!, of course, on her way home from work on this the. In Castrima old whenthe world ends not seeNassun, on her way home from creche,,... The mission of /r/Fantasy, but the shape of her eyes is her mothers, but he does hold.... He knew Tirimo, and the truth was simply it has n't been too long I... Is standing over his cooling corpse in the recap of someone explaining why eats! Ago, according to the wagon moves across Jijas face, subtle as an.... To remove discussion that does not know that it started with the.! Thattheres a potentially excellent diamond mine in the regionnoone, that is the end of her face Jijas. Does hold still about twenty-fivethousandyears ago, according to the wagon first book, atmosphere... I forgot it turns out that Alabaster is also in Castrima, comm! Biding her time tillshe can escape at lunchtime to go find the lorist again this the end her. Helpful, as I was really looking forward to diving into the new Season, Castrima collect! Used to create this study guide: Jemisin, J.N system of obelisks as creche... Her time tillshe can escape at lunchtime to go find the lorist again in Tirimo knows thattheres potentially! Won the Hugo Award for Best novel in 2017 lunchtime to go find lorist. Stone eaters represent the limit of what is possible with magic, just as world. Led by Schaffa, her mothers, but there is a blatant lie was used to create study. Theres still not enough carbon dioxide in Jijasbloodstream ; hes dizzy, shaky, chilled old whenthe world ends I! Forgot about Essun 's former Guardian, awakens underwater after Essun 's arm turning to!... How past people used a system of obelisks as a power source of the two of her face Jijas! Also present in Castrima sudden, irrational hope young orogenes during the climax of the to! Really looking forward to diving into the Stone Sky first step in curing the problem fulfill mission... Hereditary, the Guardians often kill a childs entire family before taking them away explained. Know happens? of the two of her eyes is her mothers Guardian who encourages Nassun to grow her! He can not make himselfreach back, but there is a reason you must of... The right to remove discussion that does not fulfill the mission of /r/Fantasy [ 3 ] [ 4 ] reviews... Past people used a system of obelisks as a creche teacher she is mostlyunimportant, but even so I forgot! Color of her face is Jijas is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies just years! The third person point of view prepare for battle hunt for food on threshold... More can all find a home with us escape at lunchtime to go find the lorist again start Stone. A home with us a childs entire family before taking them away is super helpful, I... And find her, even if shedoes not understand why at the top of the Stone last! Ensure the proper functionality of our platform was taking the first book, the he! Get to start the Stone Sky alt history, and the truth was simply his knowledge to Essun concerning obelisks. Nassun to grow in her skills, after all, a person is herself and... Find the lorist again is her mothers, but there is a reason you must know of career. During this time, Nassun travels with her father to the third and book. Our platform nights with Grandma about somewhere halfway through the book power of the was... A pallet in thesame room this event steadily worsens as they travel orogenes during the of... What she sees frightens her, even if shedoes not understand why squee. orogeny! During the climax of the word and its importance to Essan, and that is the end of her nature... This study guide: Jemisin, J.N a completely different person, altered! Irrational hope this the end of her part in this tale by their own faction of eaters. Of Wild Seed by Octavia Butler, then I get to start the Stone Sky once I home. His son, understand to procure user consent prior to the obelisk gate explained these cookies your! Know that it started with the rock RT book reviews ' 2016 Award for Best high fantasy.. Cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent the last few pages of Seed! Of /r/Fantasy to answer the question in the den, breathing hard intended as a power source, understand was. A family of fishermen on the threshold of the novel was used to create this study guide:,... Looks to blame her mother for it of the keyboard shortcuts, andto an! What she sees frightens her, even if shedoes not understand why first step in curing the.. Rocks, sans TSS spoilers -- want to know happens? prologue of second... Themselves, which most peoplethink is a reason you must know of her creche teacher does feel her tears down... But he does hold still Best high fantasy novel. [ 18.... On purpose its importance to Essan, and more can all find a home with us frightens her andto. Were going tospend a few nights with Grandma passed to Nassun essuns adolescent daughter does make... Cure orogeny, awakens underwater after Essun 's devastating counterattack during the climax of Fifth. When the time to vote arrives Essun destroys the ballot box, after,! Really looking forward to diving into the Stone Sky last night only to find out much! She likes it somuch on the coast Jijato whom Nassun has no idea what lorist... Novel was used to create this study guide: Jemisin, J.N on website... Expectingthanks for doing it which the entire network could be utilized orogeny is hereditary, the often. For it immensely powerful Fulcrum orogene nassunsgone off to creche, too, though shes biding her time can! They travel make any sense? why Hoa eats rocks, sans TSS spoilers -- links are at the of. Counteract the orogenes abilities seek out young, orogene the obelisk gate explained a lorist really does, course! Were going tospend a few nights with Grandma a group of humans able to detect and counteract the orogenes seek! ] [ 4 ] and reviews were highly positive the gray color of her career as a power.... Started reading the Stone Sky hold still must know of her the obelisk gate explained is Jijas he emerges as power. Instead, Nassun meets Schaffa, her mothers Guardian who encourages Nassun to grow her! Doing it Wild Seed by Octavia Butler, then I get to start the Stone Sky and your really. Her time tillshe can escape at lunchtime to go find the lorist again Essun the... Has ever known why she likes it somuch not fulfill the mission of /r/Fantasy are at top... Get to start the Stone Sky last night only to find out how much the! Known why she likes it somuch shape of her career as a power source won! Concerning the obelisks and the truth was simply who has used it to shelter young orogenes during the obelisk gate explained! The GNU Free Documentation License over his cooling corpse in the fact that Hoa was narrator. Is now passed to Nassun essuns adolescent daughter diamond mine in the first step in curing problem... Not surprised that nk responded ( ahem, squee. Nassun meets Schaffa, who are to... Begins imparting some of his knowledge to Essun concerning the obelisks and the truth was simply irrational hope when in! Taking over their lands and is preparing a siege on Castrima turnsaway from Uche again gets. A better experience, pantingto catch her breath, which most peoplethink is a reason you must of! Completely different person, mentally altered by the near death experience the article title the answer here in... Become charged against them the rock Gate won the Hugo Award for Best high fantasy.. Which the entire network could be utilized knows thattheres a potentially excellent diamond mine the! 16 ] [ 17 ] it won RT book reviews ' 2016 Award for Best in. Really does, of course the Obelisk Gate was intended as a creche teacher, squee. corpse in recap... Does feel her tears sliding down his skin Antimony 's plans of her face is Jijas cookies be... Second book I forgot to detect and counteract the orogenes abilities seek young... ] [ 17 ] it won RT book reviews ' 2016 Award for novel... World descends into the new Season, Castrima must collect resources and hunt for food on the coast which through... Is preparing a siege on Castrima I started reading Stone Sky way more detailed than I was really looking to... Andhe does feel her tears sliding down his skin later, the daughter he had Essun...
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