Reviews

The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin

fantasynovel's review against another edition

5.0

NK Jemisin is the best science fiction/fantasy author alive.

lorenzo_taiarol's review against another edition

4.0

5 motivi per cui dovreste leggere "La terra spezzata" -> https://youtu.be/cWbISkIDXtk

night0wl_23's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

The world and character building in this book is truly remarkable, so many layers of storytelling with beautiful writing and breathtaking narration. 

I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook, I don’t think reading it myself would’ve given this story the justice the narrator does. 

This is a must read for any fantasy, sci-fi and dystopian book lovers. Possibly the best series I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. 

condnelson's review

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

spoopysteve's review

emotional tense 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

4.75

isaacanator's review against another edition

3.0

I can’t tell if I like this series. I do and I don’t. It’s so different. Different is refreshing but also unsettling.

obiterocelot's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring tense 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

4.75

Read if you love: complex characters, unique magic systems, the end of the world, shiny rocks, detailed world building, volcanoes, earthquakes, doomsday prepping, super saiyan hair, uncanny valley, the Horizon games.

Avoid if you love: happy families, the easy life, people being nice to each other, wide open spaces, knowing everything that’s going on.
—————

I really don’t think this suffered from the usual middle child syndrome like many 2nd books of a trilogy do. Now you finally see Essun as a complete character, we are almost starting off with her in a whole new light. And the inclusion of Nassun helps forge something unique.

If you thought the last one was emotional, you are going to struggle through this one. Alabaster will break your heart all over again.

looloolibby's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

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

4.0

morganrae5601's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Such an interesting concept. Dystopian with a unique magic system, complex societal structure, grief and loss, and survival. I can't quite figure out how it will all end.

This isnt an easy book to read and I do agree with other reviews that mention the change in POV from first to second feels a bit jarring and does impact the flow but I think its intentional. This is not a comfortable story full of racism, classism and persecution. 

haleybrown's review against another edition

4.5

Listening to this as an audiobook made it fly, also made the sentence structure make more sense. I think I would still like it if I read it with my eyes, but maybe felt more frustrated by the slower sections. 
Hoa is my favorite. 
It was great to see Nassun discover more about her mother throughout her journey, maybe to the point of understanding why/how she was raised. Very interesting.