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    The Obelisk Gate

    by Jemisin, N.K.
    “The Obelisk Gate” by N.K. Jemisin is the second installment in the acclaimed Broken Earth trilogy, a groundbreaking fantasy series exploring power, survival, and systemic oppression. Set in a world plagued by catastrophic climate events called Fifth Seasons, the story follows Essun, a woman with earth-manipulating abilities, as she searches for her missing daughter amidst societal collapse. The narrative delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the cyclical nature of oppression, while expanding on the mysterious obelisks and their connection to the planet’s turmoil. Jemisin’s innovative world-building and layered characters make this a standout work in contemporary fantasy, continuing the trilogy’s exploration of trauma and revolution.

    The Obelisk Gate con­tin­ues N.K. Jemisin’s Hugo Award-win­ning Bro­ken Earth tril­o­gy, plung­ing read­ers deep­er into a world rav­aged by apoc­a­lyp­tic cli­mate dis­as­ters. As the Fifth Season—a cat­a­stroph­ic cli­mate event—unfolds, the sto­ry fol­lows:

    • ​Essun, a griev­ing moth­er and pow­er­ful oro­gene, who seeks refuge in the under­ground comm of Castri­ma while hunt­ing her daughter’s kid­nap­per.
    • ​Nas­sun, Essun’s miss­ing daugh­ter, whose emerg­ing pow­ers draw her into a dan­ger­ous fac­tion with world-alter­ing ambi­tions.
    • ​Alabaster, Essun’s for­mer lover, whose dying act could either save human­i­ty or doom it for­ev­er.

    As civ­i­liza­tions crum­ble and ancient forces awak­en, Jemisin mas­ter­ful­ly explores oppres­sion, sur­vival, and the ter­ri­fy­ing price of pow­er. The novel’s rev­o­lu­tion­ary sec­ond-per­son nar­ra­tion and geo­log­i­cal mag­ic sys­tem cement its sta­tus as a land­mark in spec­u­la­tive fic­tion.

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    Author

    • Jemisin, N.K.

    Author Introduction

    • N.K. Jemisin, a Hugo Award-winning author, is renowned for her groundbreaking contributions to speculative fiction. “The Obelisk Gate” showcases her mastery of world-building and complex narratives.

    Description

    • “The Obelisk Gate” by N.K. Jemisin is the second installment in the acclaimed Broken Earth trilogy, a groundbreaking fantasy series exploring power, survival, and systemic oppression. Set in a world plagued by catastrophic climate events called Fifth Seasons, the story follows Essun, a woman with earth-manipulating abilities, as she searches for her missing daughter amidst societal collapse. The narrative delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the cyclical nature of oppression, while expanding on the mysterious obelisks and their connection to the planet’s turmoil. Jemisin’s innovative world-building and layered characters make this a standout work in contemporary fantasy, continuing the trilogy’s exploration of trauma and revolution.

    FAQs

    • What is “The Obelisk Gate” about?
    • • “The Obelisk Gate” is the second book in N.K. Jemisin’s acclaimed “Broken Earth” trilogy. It continues the story of a world plagued by catastrophic climate events and follows Essun, a woman with extraordinary powers, as she navigates a fractured society and uncovers deeper mysteries about the planet’s fate.
    • Who is the author of “The Obelisk Gate”?
    • • The book is written by N.K. Jemisin, a Hugo Award-winning author known for her groundbreaking work in speculative fiction, particularly in the fantasy and science fiction genres.
    • Is “The Obelisk Gate” part of a series?
    • • Yes, it is the second installment in the “Broken Earth” trilogy, preceded by “The Fifth Season” and followed by “The Stone Sky.”
    • What themes does “The Obelisk Gate” explore?
    • • The novel delves into themes of survival, oppression, power, and resilience, set against the backdrop of a world undergoing constant geological and societal upheaval.
    • Why is “The Obelisk Gate” highly regarded?
    • • The book is praised for its intricate world-building, complex characters, and Jemisin’s unique narrative style. It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2017, further cementing its reputation as a standout work in modern fantasy.
    • Do I need to read “The Fifth Season” before “The Obelisk Gate”?
    • • Yes, “The Obelisk Gate” builds directly on the events and world established in “The Fifth Season,” so reading the first book is highly recommended to fully appreciate the story.

    Quotes

    • “The world is ending. It’s always ending. But we don’t have to end with it.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate
    • “Power is not a tool. It is a tide, and you must learn to swim.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate
    • “Survival is its own victory.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate
    • “The earth is not your enemy. It is your mother. And she is dying.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate
    • “Change is the only constant. Adapt or be forgotten.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate
    1. Chapter 1: Nassun, on the rocks
      2,462 Words
    2. Chapter 2: you, continued
      2,352 Words
    3. Chapter 3: Schaffa, forgotten
      2,247 Words
    4. Chapter 4: you are challenged
      1,973 Words
    5. Chapter 5: Nassun takes the reins
      2,039 Words
    7. Chapter 6: you commit to the cause
      2,603 Words
    8. Chapter 7: Nassun finds the moon
      2,326 Words
    9. Chapter 8: you’ve been warned
      2,565 Words
    10. Chapter 9: Nassun, needed
      2,548 Words
    11. Chapter 10: you’ve got a big job ahead of you
      2,560 Words
    12. Chapter 11: Schaffa, lying down
      2,359 Words
    13. Chapter 12: Nassun, falling up
      2,409 Words
    14. Chapter 13: you, amid relics
      2,395 Words
    15. Chapter 14: you’re invited!
      2,512 Words
    16. Chapter 15: Nassun, in rejection
      2,331 Words
    17. Chapter 16: you meet an old friend, again
      2,267 Words
    18. Chapter 17: Nassun, versus
      2,176 Words
    19. Chapter 18: you, counting down
      1,936 Words
    20. Chapter 19: you get ready to rumble
      2,210 Words
    21. Chapter 20: Nassun, faceted
      2,152 Words
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    Ongoing July 22, 2025Jul 22, '25 47.3 K Everyone

    Quotes

    “The world is ending. It’s always ending. But we don’t have to end with it.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate

    “Power is not a tool. It is a tide, and you must learn to swim.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate

    “Survival is its own victory.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate

    “The earth is not your enemy. It is your mother. And she is dying.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate

    “Change is the only constant. Adapt or be forgotten.” — N.K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate

    FAQs

    What is “The Obelisk Gate” about?

    • “The Obelisk Gate” is the second book in N.K. Jemisin’s acclaimed “Broken Earth” trilogy. It continues the story of a world plagued by catastrophic climate events and follows Essun, a woman with extraordinary powers, as she navigates a fractured society and uncovers deeper mysteries about the planet’s fate.

    Who is the author of “The Obelisk Gate”?

    • The book is written by N.K. Jemisin, a Hugo Award-winning author known for her groundbreaking work in speculative fiction, particularly in the fantasy and science fiction genres.

    Is “The Obelisk Gate” part of a series?

    • Yes, it is the second installment in the “Broken Earth” trilogy, preceded by “The Fifth Season” and followed by “The Stone Sky.”

    What themes does “The Obelisk Gate” explore?

    • The novel delves into themes of survival, oppression, power, and resilience, set against the backdrop of a world undergoing constant geological and societal upheaval.

    Note