The Obelisk Gate

In Castrima, a comm inside a geode where orogenes live openly under Ykka's leadership, Essun learns from Alabaster, who is turning to stone, what the obelisks are and about the silver energy beneath orogeny, which he calls magic. Meanwhile, Nassun's father takes her south in search of a cure and reaches a community where Schaffa, his memory gone, looks after orogene children. Nassun learns fast and grows attached to him. When her father tries to kill her, she turns him to stone. Castrima is besieged by the rival comm Rennanis. Essun connects every obelisk in the world, forms the Obelisk Gate and turns the invaders to stone. Alabaster dies, fully petrified, and the damaged Castrima has to leave.

1. Behind the scenesBack-to-back Hugos

   The book won the Hugo for Best Novel in 2017, a year after The Fifth Season. Jemisin was the first author in more than two decades to win the category two years in a row.

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2. Behind the scenesFull-time writer

   In May 2016, months before this book came out, a Patreon campaign let Jemisin, who worked as a mental health and career counselor, start writing full time.

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3. Behind the scenesOne story in three parts

   Jemisin said writing the trilogy felt like writing one story rather than three books. She kept lots of notes to track a complicated web of relationships and eons of time.

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4. SetupThe silver glow

   Watch for the silver threads Nassun starts to see beneath orogeny. They look like a small detail, but they sit at the center of questions the series still has to answer.

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