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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
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:
Yes
adventurous
informative
medium-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
N. K. Jemisin I love you. Schaffa supremacy oops.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Rereading doesn’t always have a happy ending. I have reread many books that just don't hold up, or for whatever reason struck me hard the first time, but subsequent readings leave me cold and slightly confused as to my initial conclusions. There are also times when rereading makes a book SO. MUCH. BETTER! That was the case of book two, “The Obelisk Gate” in the Broken Earth Series by N.K. Jemisin.
I enjoyed this series the first time I read through it about six years ago, but decided this past December to reread it through listening to the audio version and I have not been disappointed. “The Obelisk Gate” picks up from where we leave Essun at the end of “The Fifth Season.” Jemisin continues her form of multiple perspectives and hero journeys that she originates in the first book and we again are taken all over this world, The Stillness.
I don’t want to spoil anything and I feel it would be very easy to spoil, so I will simply say that this book explores the evolution of characters from book one as well as some new characters in in-depth and interesting ways. The end of the world manifests itself in a myriad of ways both literally and figuratively in the case of many of these characters. Jemisin is an exceptional storyteller that keeps me engaged and intrigued to the very end. At the end of each of these two novels, I immediately want to pick up the next and for a reader with deep commitment issues that is saying a lot.
I highly recommend this series if you enjoy fantasy and if you’ve read these books once and enjoyed them but didn’t love them, I invite you to give them another go.
Want more book content? Follow me at thebookwar.com
I enjoyed this series the first time I read through it about six years ago, but decided this past December to reread it through listening to the audio version and I have not been disappointed. “The Obelisk Gate” picks up from where we leave Essun at the end of “The Fifth Season.” Jemisin continues her form of multiple perspectives and hero journeys that she originates in the first book and we again are taken all over this world, The Stillness.
I don’t want to spoil anything and I feel it would be very easy to spoil, so I will simply say that this book explores the evolution of characters from book one as well as some new characters in in-depth and interesting ways. The end of the world manifests itself in a myriad of ways both literally and figuratively in the case of many of these characters. Jemisin is an exceptional storyteller that keeps me engaged and intrigued to the very end. At the end of each of these two novels, I immediately want to pick up the next and for a reader with deep commitment issues that is saying a lot.
I highly recommend this series if you enjoy fantasy and if you’ve read these books once and enjoyed them but didn’t love them, I invite you to give them another go.
Want more book content? Follow me at thebookwar.com
adventurous
dark
slow-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
The book I DNF’d years ago.
Why? Simple - wrong story at the wrong time.
Even back then, I knew it was good. But the spark just wasn’t there.
Fast-forward to today: I finished it.
And now?
Let’s just say I’m questioning a few of my past life choices.
This time around, it hit hard.
Honestly? I think it’s even better than The Fifth Season.
The structure - those alternating chapters, those layered perspectives - just works. There are so many more chapters where we learn different perspectives and the layers are just layering.
Essun. Nassun. I’m in love with both. Their flaws, their pain, their strength, their complicated dynamic. This book gives space for everyone to breathe - and to break.
And then there’s Schaffa and Hoa.
Didn’t expect to care.
Now? I’m fully invested.
And I have to add this—
10% into the book, we hit Schaffa’s chapter. I’m thinking: redemption arc? More depth? I’m curious.
And then—
“Did she not know that Schaffa would love her son like he loved her, he would lay the boy down gently, so gently, in the wire chair.”
WTF, Schaffa.
Just… WTF.
————————
And there are so many more chapters and quotes and twists and everything that make you feel like their world makes sense because the characters are presented as these complex, flawed human beings.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Main character spends lots of the book in a big geode and NEVER licks the crystals. Unrealistic character trait, 5⭐
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Am incredible follow up to an incredible first installment. This continues to be the most creative setting I have read, and the most beautifully complex characters.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes