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llayaz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cannibalism
bookwormfr_t0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
This book in the series focuses more on character development and layering on top of the knowledge developed in the first book. I've really enjoyed how Jemisin has structured her books thus far in this series, the chapters intermittently changing point of view or character focus, it was great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
filmscore's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
sugarpal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A stunning follow-up to The Fifth Season. Jemisen’s world remains intricate and immersive, her writing highly skilled, though her pacing is on the slower side. Also, I would give a strong content warning for an abusive relationship, specifically child abuse. Jemisen worked as a psychologist and therefore has a horrifyingly real perspective on the psyches of both abuser and abused.
Unlike the first book with its three perspectives, this novel mostly follows two POVs, the main one written in second person like in The Fifth Season, the other in third, with some interludes. (I did find the second person narration more intrusive in this installment, but as I suspected there is a narrative reason for it, so.) Slight spoiler concerning the content warning: one perspective is that of the abuser, the other of their victim, so you really see both sides of the story. The telling rang absolutely true to me, because Jemisen is incredibly sympathetic to both characters, but that’s also why I think this book could be hurtful to someone with trauma in that area. But then, it’s just an incredibly dark book. I advise caution.
On with the actual review, then. Obviously, one of the main focuses of this book is abuse, especially child abuse. Jemisen really examines the abusive cycle, how victims become abusers, how they imitate what they know, how people can do terrible things to people they really do love, and that just because they do them out of love doesn’t make them excusable. I really love (and hate) how balanced Jemisen is with her characters, how she sympathizes with them but never sugarcoats things, and lets the reader decide what they can condemn or forgive. And when, exactly, does a person change enough to redeem themself? Can they ever –– can they choose to become someone new?
Of course, because this is an N.K. Jemisen book, there’s so much more. Between the usual sci-fi/fantasy considerations of morality, murder and survival and sacrifice, Jemisen also thoroughly examines the natures of bigotry and oppression, exploitation and dehumanization. Though these subjects are often touched on superficially in stories, as an African American woman, Jemisen brings an incredibly important and urgent perspective, and she makes it personal. Despite this trilogy’s setting in a far-future post-racial survivalist dystopia, it is a thorough indictment of the status quo.
I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as the first, but then that bar was sky-high. Still an incredible novel — I highly recommend.
Unlike the first book with its three perspectives, this novel mostly follows two POVs, the main one written in second person like in The Fifth Season, the other in third, with some interludes. (I did find the second person narration more intrusive in this installment, but as I suspected there is a narrative reason for it, so.) Slight spoiler concerning the content warning: one perspective is that of the abuser, the other of their victim, so you really see both sides of the story. The telling rang absolutely true to me, because Jemisen is incredibly sympathetic to both characters, but that’s also why I think this book could be hurtful to someone with trauma in that area. But then, it’s just an incredibly dark book. I advise caution.
On with the actual review, then. Obviously, one of the main focuses of this book is abuse, especially child abuse. Jemisen really examines the abusive cycle, how victims become abusers, how they imitate what they know, how people can do terrible things to people they really do love, and that just because they do them out of love doesn’t make them excusable. I really love (and hate) how balanced Jemisen is with her characters, how she sympathizes with them but never sugarcoats things, and lets the reader decide what they can condemn or forgive. And when, exactly, does a person change enough to redeem themself? Can they ever –– can they choose to become someone new?
Of course, because this is an N.K. Jemisen book, there’s so much more. Between the usual sci-fi/fantasy considerations of morality, murder and survival and sacrifice, Jemisen also thoroughly examines the natures of bigotry and oppression, exploitation and dehumanization. Though these subjects are often touched on superficially in stories, as an African American woman, Jemisen brings an incredibly important and urgent perspective, and she makes it personal. Despite this trilogy’s setting in a far-future post-racial survivalist dystopia, it is a thorough indictment of the status quo.
I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as the first, but then that bar was sky-high. Still an incredible novel — I highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
rainbowwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Cannibalism
redthistle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
The Broken Earth trilogy is by far the strangest, most complex, and thought provoking series I have ever read.
I found the first in the series to be a real struggle to get through and while I was glad I read it I didn't find I enjoyed myself all that much. When I started the second in the series (this book) I was nervous I would feel the same way but was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this one much more.
I think that is because Essun was my favorite character in Fifth Season and in Obelisk Gate she gets a lot more development and many more chapters.
I really loved seeing her relationship with Hoa develop in this book as he is my other favorite character.
I also really loved getting to meet Nassun as well and learn about her and see her develop along her own journey.
I personally feel like this series really is more like one novel split up. I think if you read the first it only works if you continue the entire thing, the first makes infinitely more sense the further you read into the series.
NK Jimisin is a genius, her writing is a masterpiece of science and poetry that leaves you feeling lost and found at the same time. I
I found the first in the series to be a real struggle to get through and while I was glad I read it I didn't find I enjoyed myself all that much. When I started the second in the series (this book) I was nervous I would feel the same way but was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this one much more.
I think that is because Essun was my favorite character in Fifth Season and in Obelisk Gate she gets a lot more development and many more chapters.
I really loved seeing her relationship with Hoa develop in this book as he is my other favorite character.
I also really loved getting to meet Nassun as well and learn about her and see her develop along her own journey.
I personally feel like this series really is more like one novel split up. I think if you read the first it only works if you continue the entire thing, the first makes infinitely more sense the further you read into the series.
NK Jimisin is a genius, her writing is a masterpiece of science and poetry that leaves you feeling lost and found at the same time. I
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
laguerrelewis's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
If you’ve already started this series you know why it’s great. Everything I loved from The Fifth Season is expanded upon here, and new elements are just as excellent and appreciated. I’m picking up book three literally right now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and War
Minor: Sexual content
maelikesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
3.75
This book explores some amazing themes and is beautifully written. I love the characters and their dynamics and the commentary on love, parenthood and growing up in an oppressive world. However, the slow pace did make it harder to get through and enjoy it. I’m glad I read it, and I will be reading the final book in the trilogy, but it wasn’t the most enjoyable of reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Sexual content
purple_rose_kat93's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Terminal illness, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Blood and Cannibalism
danielle_sips_tea's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent