The Obelisk Gate

N. K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy takes place on a planet similar to Earth, except the landmasses have coalesced into one giant continent. This continent is ironically called the Stillness; its high level of tectonic activity frequently leads to cataclysmic natural disasters. These periods are known as Fifth Seasons (or simply Seasons). The type and length of disaster varies every time, but many civilizations have fallen because of them. The current governing regime, an empire in practice but not name, has lasted for thousands of years because they have produced a level of geologic stability by oppressing and exploiting orogenes—people born with the ability to sense (“sess”) tectonic activity and redirect kinetic energy to negate (or create) seismic events. Because orogenes have the potential to be dangerous (to individuals and the ruling powers) there is an entire class of people devoted to policing and controlling them called Guardians.

As the second book in a series of three, The Obelisk Gate is less about building to conclusions and more about moving all the pieces into position for the finale. Thus, the novel makes one major structural change. Rather than jumping between different points in Essun’s life, the narrator focuses on two other people who are foundational to Essun’s life: her former Guardian,

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