BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

The Obelisk Gate
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate Paperback - 2016

by N. K. Jemisin

Add to wish list
This seller has earned a 4.29 of 5 Stars rating from internet customers.
4.29 / 5 (190937 total reviews)

About this book

2017 Hugo Award Winner for Best Novel. 

Reader reviews for The Obelisk Gate

Review summary

This seller has earned a 4.29 of 5 Stars rating from internet customers.
4.29 / 5 (190937 total reviews)

Readers largely praised The Obelisk Gate for its ambitious worldbuilding, thematic heft, and nuanced character work—especially the addition of Nassun and the complex reframing of Schaffa. Many found the second-person narration immersive, though a notable minority felt it became tiring in heavier doses. Common critiques cited a slower, exposition-heavy pace and a clear “middle-book” setup, with Essun’s arc seen as more static than Nassun’s. Even skeptics lauded the emotional payoff and the strong finale, and several recommended reading the trilogy in close succession to track its intricate plot. Overall sentiment skewed positive: emotionally resonant, diverse, and intellectually daring, though tempered by pacing and info-dump concerns.

Readers say this book is:
immersivecomplexthought-provokingslow-burnexposition-heavyemotionally resonantambitiousworldbuilding-richpolarizing POVstrong finale

Write a review for this book

There are no reviews for this book yet. Be the first to write a review!

Your review will be anonymous unless you login or create an account first.

Overall rating
Remember: You’re rating the book as a work, not the seller or the condition of the specific copy you purchased!

Important Terms and Guidelines

  • Please focus on the book’s content and context. Also, add any personal comments as to how you enjoyed the book. Substantiate your likes and dislikes. You may make comparisons to other books.
  • Reviews must be at least 140 characters in length.
  • Please do not reveal critical plot elements.
  • This is not a help line. Contact customer support if you need help.
Your review must not include:
  • Obscenities, discriminatory language, or other insulting language not suitable for public domain
  • Advertisements, “spam” content, or references to other products, offers or websites.
  • Email addresses, URLs, phone numbers, physical addresses or other contact information.
  • Overly critical comments about other reviews or reviewers
  • Time-sensitive material (i.e. promotional tours, seminars, lectures, etc.)
  • Availability, price, or alternative ordering/shipping information

From the publisher

Essun's missing daughter grows more powerful every day, and her choices may destroy the world in this "magnificent" Hugo Award winner and NYT Notable Book. (NPR)

The season of endings grows darker, as civilization fades into the long cold night.

Essun -- once Damaya, once Syenite, now avenger -- has found shelter, but not her daughter. Instead there is Alabaster Tenring, destroyer of the world, with a request. But if Essun does what he asks, it would seal the fate of the Stillness forever.

Far away, her daughter Nassun is growing in power -- and her choices will break the world.

N. K. Jemisin's award winning trilogy continues in the sequel to The Fifth Season.

Details

  • Title The Obelisk Gate
  • Author N. K. Jemisin
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Later Printing
  • Pages 448
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Orbit, New York, New York
  • Publication date 2016-08-16
  • Features Maps
  • ISBN 9780316229265 / 0316229261
  • Weight 0.85 lbs (0.39 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.1 x 5.7 x 1.3 in (20.57 x 14.48 x 3.30 cm)
  • Category Fiction - Fantasy
  • Library of Congress subjects Mothers and daughters, Fantasy fiction
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2016016502
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

Citations

  • Kirkus Reviews, 07/01/2016, Page 0
  • Library Journal, 07/01/2016, Page 63
  • Publishers Weekly, 06/27/2016, Page 0

About the author

N. K. Jemisin is a Brooklyn author who won the Hugo Award for Best Novel for The Fifth Season, which was also a New York Times Notable Book of 2015. She previously won the Locus Award for her first novel, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, and her short fiction and novels have been nominated multiple times for Hugo, World Fantasy, Nebula, and RT Reviewers' Choice awards, and shortlisted for the Crawford and the James Tiptree, Jr. awards. She is a science fiction and fantasy reviewer for the New York Times, and you can find her online at nkjemisin.com.
Back to top↑

More Copies for Sale

Show all copies
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth)

by Jemisin, N. K

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
More Than Words Inc.
Item price
A$4.37
A$4.23 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit. Used - Good. A sound copy with only light wear. Overall a solid copy at a great price!
Add to wish list
Item price
A$4.37
A$4.23 Delivery to USA
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth)

by Jemisin, N. K.

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
Schwabe Books
Item price
A$6.15
A$6.33 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit, 2016-08-16. Paperback. Very Good. 1.2600 8.1900 5.4300. The binding shows minor wear and dents, but the copy is in otherwise clean condition.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$6.15
A$6.33 Delivery to USA
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)

by Jemisin, N. K.

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
11
Seller
Evergreen Goodwill
Item price
A$6.91
A$5.63 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit, 8/16/2016 12:00:01 A. paperback. Good. 1.3000 in x 8.3000 in x 5.5000 in.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$6.91
A$5.63 Delivery to USA
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)

by Jemisin, N. K.

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
Evergreen Goodwill
Item price
A$6.94
A$5.63 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit, 8/16/2016 12:00:01 A. paperback. Acceptable. 1.3000 in x 8.3000 in x 5.5000 in.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$6.94
A$5.63 Delivery to USA
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth)

by Jemisin, N. K.

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
Open Books
Item price
A$6.98
A$5.63 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit, 2016-08-16. Paperback. Very Good. 1.2598 in x 8.1890 in x 5.4331 in.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$6.98
A$5.63 Delivery to USA
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth)

by Jemisin, N. K

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
Housing Works Bookstore
Item price
A$7.42
A$5.61 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit. Used - Very Good. Minimal wear to cover. Pages clean and binding tight. shelf wear. bumped edges. Paperback.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$7.42
A$5.61 Delivery to USA
Obelisk Gate, The
Stock photo: cover may vary

Obelisk Gate, The

by Jemisin, N.K

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Very Good +
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
Cozy Book Cellar
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$8.43
A$8.43 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit, 2016-08-16. Trade Paperback. Very Good +. Trade Paperback. Very Good +FREE Media Mail Shipping on all U.S. orders over $ 35.00
Add to wish list
Item price
A$8.43
A$8.43 Delivery to USA
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)

by Jemisin, N. K.

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
Wonder Book
Item price
A$12.83
A$5.63 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$12.83
A$5.63 Delivery to USA
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)

by Jemisin, N. K

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Edition
Reprint
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
Ergodebooks
Item price
A$17.59
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit, 2016-08-16. Reprint. paperback. Used: Good. 5.50x1.55x8.25. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$17.59
Free Delivery to USA
The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)
Stock photo: cover may vary

The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, 2)

by Jemisin, N. K

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Good
Edition
Reprint
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780316229265 / 0316229261
Quantity available
1
Seller
Ausvora INC
Item price
A$18.26
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Orbit, 2016-08-16. Reprint. paperback. Good. 14x3.9x21. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$18.26
Free Delivery to USA
Show all copies
Back to top↑

Please wait a moment while we load the requested page.