THE PLOT: ‘The Obelisk Gate’ by N.K. Jemisin is science-fiction fantasy about the end of the world. In a distant future, Sanze – the world-spanning empire for a thousand years – collapses as a great rift tears the continent in two and sends a huge ash-cloud into the sky. Essun’s quest to find her missing daughter, Nassun, has failed. Yet Essun has found shelter in a community which harbours another person from her past. Alabaster Tenring, destroyer of the world, is dying and has a request only Essun can grant. But will following his wishes mean Essun loses her daughter for good?

SUMMARY: You know I’m obsessed with this fantasy series so let’s cut to the chase; you’re not going to read this until you’ve read the first one. So go back and find my review of ‘The Fifth Season’. Now. If you’re still reading, I can assume you’re wondering whether to continue the series. Well, I can only give an emphatic “yes!” N.K Jemisin does not fumble the bag. This series is building towards something so epic, it’s a pleasure and privilege to read such intricate world-building and storytelling. Fair warning, there is a fair bit of set-up for the final book. But I wholeheartedly trust that the author has fully plotted the trilogy and I am fully enjoying the ride.

GOOD BITS: The climax of this novel is so good, it’s a master-class in writing. Everything comes together with so much drama, my heart was literally pounding for the last fifty pages. But let’s rewind. I love that we get Nassun’s POV in this book. I won’t say too much because I’m wary of spoilers, but her storyline is so interesting and it’s extremely satisfying to get her perspective after knowing Essun has spent the first book searching for her. I also love the way minor characters from the first book are weaved into Nassun’s storyline.

NOT SO GOOD BITS: This book is a bit slower than the previous one because you don’t have the three different storylines / timelines. The characters are generally static (e.g. Essun in Castrima) so there’s physically less movement on the page. However, I think it’s just necessary build up for the middle book of a trilogy. There’s a fair bit of explanation and set up, but the ending suggests the final book is going to be action-packed.

OVERALL: I’m not a huge SFF reader so I don’t have a ton of comps. But I’d recommend this book to fans of ‘The Parable of the Sower’ by Octavia Butler, ‘The Lies of Locke Lamora’ by Scott Lynch, and ‘The Poppy War’ by R.F. Kuang. If you want to completely lose yourself in a book, buy this trilogy ASAP.

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