Reviews with content warning for Cannibalism - The Obelisk Gate

Wowowowowwowowowwwwww! Truly masterful fantasy writing. I am in awe of Jemisin's mind. This is technically a reread, but I honestly remembered even less than the first book which I reread last month. Now going into the third book which I've never read I cannot imagine how this is going to end, but I can't wait!

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leguinstan's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I am just amazed at how this series breathes new life into the epic fantasy genre AND the apocalyptic genre. The magic system is unlike anything I've read in other fantasy novels and the world-building is beautifully done *chef's kiss*. You really get a good sense of how the setting influences the behavior of individuals and the social mores of larger communities. I have a hard time picturing any of the characters existing in other fictional universes.

One of my biggest pet peeves in (post-)apocalyptic stories is the abundance of cartoonishly self-serving characters. I'm happy to say this is very much NOT the case in this series. While several character act in a self-serving manner I never got the sense that any of these characters were inherently selfish and each individual self-serving act is understandable considering the past experiences and current circumstances of these aforementioned characters.

I also love how there are not just two, but several groups in this novel with opposing goals and priorities. It's not just Essun and her allies vs. a singular group in direct opposition to her plans. I also really like that we got a better understanding of the stone eaters in this novel.

My only complaint about The Obelisk Gate in particular is that the pacing drags during the many discussions between Essun and Alabaster. Luckily the relationship and history between the two characters are absolutely fascinating and their discussions are very relevant to the plot. Regardless, a fantastic follow-up to The Fifth Season!!

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frankieclc's review against another edition

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5.0

1st book I've read in ages that didn't have second book syndrome

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onthesamepage's review

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Fools. That’s what you get for pissing off my rogga.

Reading this series reminds me of all the things I love about epic fantasy. The complexity, the constant confusion as you learn new things about the world and the characters that completely change your perception of what is going on, the feeling that the characters have massive impact on their world, and that their choices may save it or break it. This is why I once loved reading series like The Wheel of Time. Jemisin manages all of this with truly stunning writing, a diverse cast of characters that make me feel all sorts of things for them even when they do terrible things, horrors that are written into the story in such a way that it feels almost accidental, except she doesn't waste a word and is definitely highlighting the kind of themes I love to read about. And it's only 3 books long. I'm honestly in awe.

Even as the characters are grappling with a new season and all that entails, there is a lot of room for Jemisin to showcase humanity, the good and the bad. One of the things that I thought she really highlighted well are cycles of abuse. Essun was abused by her guardian Schaffa, and by the Fulcrum, and she passed that on to Nassun. It was interesting to see how both Schaffa and Essun now regret the choices they made and the harm they did, and how Nassun, even though she understands that her mother is the way she is because of the Fulcrum and Guardians like Schaffa, somehow doesn't blame Schaffa for Essun's abuse (and in fact loves him like a father), but blames her mother for the way her father turned out.

As with the first book, there are so many mysterious hints dropped in the narrative. Some of those do get explained, but for the rest I only have a lot of wild theories as to what is going on. That is part of the fun for me, and I trust Jemisin to deliver a cohesive whole that will explain everything by the end.

This is an experience unlike any other, and I completely understand why each book won the Hugo award.

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