The Obelisk Gate Book Review

Today, we will be reviewing the second book in the Broken Earth Trilogy, The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin. Find out what we thought of this epic sci-fi novel and if you should read it!

There will be spoilers for the first book in the series so if you haven’t read The Fifth Series and don’t want any spoilers, stop reading now. We will try to limit the spoilers as much as possible but some things can’t be avoided.

The Obelisk Gate Summary

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. We are told of Nassun’s perspective of finding her father after he murders her younger brother. But he is unable to force himself to kill his daughter, his favorite child, and instead takes her along with him and leaves Tirimo to cure her.

We get to understand Nassub’s upbringing in this novel and her close relationship with her father. But this new change means that Nassuv must learn fast if she plans to survive. Eventually, they both arrive at New Moon, a small colony run by Schaffa and they create a bind as Nassun learns how to harness her true power.

Essen is still in Castrima, an underground comm and settles there as she figures out what to do next. At the comm, she is reunited with Alabaster but he is changed and slowly dying. His body is slowly shutting down but he plans to teach Essen how to harness the power of the obelisks and bring an end to the seasons once and for all.

But disaster strikes Castima as they are caught up in a battle for survival with another, more powerful comm. It is up to Essen and her new friends to ensure that the people of Castima don’t die, no matter the cost.

Commentary

After reading The Fifth Season, I was curious how Jemisin was going to tell the story in the second book. Without spoiling much, I will say that the point of views plays a big part in The Fifth Season. In book two, we get to see Essun in a different light as we hear of Nassun’s experience being raised strictly.

I loved the second book as much as the first one and enjoyed the two different narrations and settings. Castrima is a fascinating place and we get to learn of its history and purpose. Jemisin doesn’t lose a step and makes sure the novel is action-packed as well as explaining the world that the characters inhabit a bit more and why it is the way it is.

Winner of the Hugo Award

It comes as little surprise that this book won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2017 and Jemisin became the first author to win the award in consecutive years in over two decades. She does go on to win the award for all three books in the series, becoming the first person to ever win an award for every book in a trilogy.

Conclusion

If you enjoyed the first book, then you will surely love this book. Jemisin doesn’t miss a step and continues the story without anything feeling forced. We do get a different narration with Nassun and it changes how we perceive Essun even if we understand her reasoning behind her decisions.

I am excited to see how this novel concludes and can’t wait to binge read the book in a couple of sittings. Only after finishing the series will I think about where this fantasy book ranks on my all-time favorite list of fantasy books. I recommend the Broken Earth Trilogy to anyone who loves fantasy novels and worldbuilding novels because Jemisin is as good as the best fantasy writers to ever do it.  

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