The Obelisk Gate (March 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - May & Mina

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the The Obelisk Gate Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on March 18th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 03/18
March 18: Chapter 1-2
March 19: Chapter 3-4
March 20: Chapter 5-6
March 21: Chapter 7-8

Week of 01/22
March 22: Chapter 9-10
March 23: Chapter 11-12
March 24: Chapter 13-14
March 25: Chapter 15-16
March 26: Chapter 17-18
March 27: Chapter 19-20

PARTICIPANTS
~ May
~ Mina
~ Maria

[May]

I'm excited to continue this trilogy!

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

yes, me too! :D

[Maria]

I plan on joining in :D , but I won't get to start it before the weekend

[May]

Maria wrote: "I plan on joining in :D , but I won't get to start it before the weekend"

Welcome!

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

That's okay, the weekend is so near. I planned on starting it today, but I had my nap later than usual so now I'm just not capable of anything and I'm just gonna go to sleep again. And hope that tomorrow the weather is normal so that I can listen to it while traveling, that would help me get back on track.

[May]

I managed to read a few pages of chapter 2. I'm too tired to finish the chapter so I'll catch up tomorrow!

So far, I've learned about the events prior to Essun's husband killing their son and running away with their daughter.

[May]

It's taking some time for me to get used to the second person writing, it's been awhile since I read a book in this format 😂

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Since you @May said you'll look at a summary I decided to do the same instead of skimming the end.. and I read something which surprised me because I don't remember the last point it had: As a side note, Hoa has been following Essun since she was Syenite.

what?? Not only do I not remember it, but I also think I haven't figured that out.. Dammit, now I really have to skim the end. But after that I'm starting the book!

[May]

mina wrote: "Since you @May said you'll look at a summary I decided to do the same instead of skimming the end.. and I read something which surprised me because I don't remember the last point it had: As a side..."

I honestly was surprised when I read that part. Never realized Hoa was following Essun all along

[May]

Don't know how much reading I'm going to accomplish today since its one of those days where I unfortunately have a headache and can't focus on reading 😅

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

May wrote: "mina wrote: "Since you @May said you'll look at a summary I decided to do the same instead of skimming the end.. and I read something which surprised me because I don't remember the last point it h..."

Okay, so I'm not the only one 😅 But now I'm curious when was it mentioned. I would look it up, but I don't know what exactly to search for.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Oh, I hope it's not too bad :/

I just finished chapter 3, and that's where I'm stopping because I would like to just chill for an hour or two tops before going to bed.

I was afraid that the writing will make me feel confused again, and that it'll take me time to get into the story, however that wasn't the case. I actually like the way it's told, which is funny because when I first tried reading the first book that's the reason I DNF-ed it.

I have no idea where Essun is gonna go with her story, but I'm intrigued about the obelisks and what exactly Alabaster wants her to do. Also, I like that we get Schaffa chapters, I read only one of his chapters but I'm already the most interested in his POV for now.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I have yet to listen to chapter 6, but that may happen later today or tomorrow because I finally have a day off. And maybe I'm gonna listen to more than what we have in the schedule 😅 because now, after getting accustomed to the world in book one, things go more faster and easier.

Nassun chapters seem to be my least favorites for now.
ch5(view spoiler)[ I get that she's a child and that she doesn't understand much what's going on, and wants her father to still be her father and to love her, I really understand that.. but boy did it annoy me that she's all Mom didn't want me to tell you EVER. Maybe because I've gotten to know more of Essun than of Nassun I feel annoyed but *shrugs*
But when she used orogeny and got her mind clear to see how Jija is actually feeling towards her being an orogene AND how she decided to manipulate his feelings to survive *chef's kiss* I really liked that. So there's possibility for growth :D (hide spoiler)]

Have you made some progress? @May @Maria

[May]

I didn't end up reading last night, but my goal today is to try to catch up!

[May]

Just finished reading chapter 3 and I'm also interested in Schaffa's POV! I feel his storyline will be the most interesting, especially with his new ability to absorb another's energy with just a single touch.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

🤔🤔 Hmm, I think that ability is not new. I think that's a Guardian thing. Because there's this: This thing is only safe to do with
orogenes, who have more than enough to share. But what happened to him changed him.. and we are yet to see how because we haven't gotten to know him a lot in the 5thS.

[May]

Oh really? I guess I forgot about that part 😂

Tbh I didn't remember who he was at first, until he mentioned Damaya and then I remembered his role

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

At least I think so. It's something I figured out now when I read his chapter (if I'm right), because it's not like we were told a lot of things about the Guardians; they are full of secrets.

I remembered his name because I think I couldn't remember it in the beginning in 5thS 😅

[May]

Just finished chapter 5! (view spoiler)[ What annoyed me about Nassun was how she wants to get as far away from her mother and she wanted to put all the blame on her. I understand why she prefers her father more, but I would have thought that since Essan is aware of her abilities that she would rather go to her mother. Not to her father who killed her baby brother...

But I liked how she manipulated her father when she realized her survival depends on it! I like how smart she is to trick her father about her abilities. (hide spoiler)]

[May]

Just finished chapter 6 and now I'm caught up!

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

ch5 (view spoiler)[yes! I guess she feels like Essun making her learn about orogeny and control, and how not to tell anyone especially her father is something her mother exaggerates and is not really needed. Everyone as a kid doesn't like being treated like that, even if it is for the better, but also as a kid you don't know what IS better just how it makes you feel.
And Jija killing Uche is something.. that hasn't registered in her mind, and she started blocking it.

Yes! The manipulation made me feel impressed. (hide spoiler)]

I haven't read to chapter 6 yet.. later today I'll do so.

[Maria]

I started yesterday and finished chapter 6. It took about 1.5 chapters to get back into the writing style and POV, but then I started to remember how much I enjoyed it in 5th Season.

about Hoa following Essun for quite some time...end of the 2nd last chapter in 5th Season, there is a passage where Hoa tells us that. I had to re-read it to pick that up, as it's a subtle shift in the tone of the narrator. It's something that stuck in my head (view spoiler)[Now, after the Interlude, I wonder if he plans on eating Essun one day, like Alabaster and Antimony. (hide spoiler)]

I think Nassun will be an interesting character. I'm curious how her reunion with her Mother will play out, as clearly Essun was strict and not the "fun" parent. :) (view spoiler)[That is a typical for a child traumatized by a parent they love, i.e. they can't quite process what their parent did, but then are obviously still very attached. Survival instincts kick in and they start figuring out how to manipulate the parent to stay safe. Personally, I can't wait for Essun to kick Jija's butt. Or maybe Nassun will end up doing it, but, he needs his butt kicked. (hide spoiler)]

And more information about Schaffa! Sounds like whatever it was that saved him, gave him some sort of amnesia. (view spoiler)[The energy thing with his hand on the of their head....he did that with Damaya when they first met, but wasn't explained it was an energy transfer. However, mysterious Guardian secrets....it's apparently really easy for them to kill! Makes you wonder what kind of guardians they really are? (hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

@Maria
You know I was wondering the same! Is Hoa following Essun with the endgame of eating her.. also why are they eating orogenes? how is Alabaster turning to stone? What do they want with orogenes in general? So many questions..

Nassun has potential for me to like her chapters too, but in the beginning of her chapter I wasn't at all impressed. I too wait for Essun to kick Jija!

I think that whatever was in the obelisk saved him. Or I have my things mixed up. When did he end up in the water when Syanite called the obelisk or later? Either way, obelisk ppl are one of the many things we don't know much about, but didn't Syanite feel its anger when she tried to pull power from it? That's why I'm thinking that.

[May]

I'm questioning that also! The fact that Hoa is so protective of Essun makes me think that he's hoping to keep her for himself. Alabster's case is also a mystery.

I just read chapter 7 and (view spoiler)[ I kind of wasn't expecting the moon to be an actual community. I thought Jija was just following this rumor and they'd end up not finding the location. It's good to see Nassun find a way to help her father after the steel rod was stuck in his leg. Also, it's interesting that Schaffer found Nassun, First he found her mother along time ago and now he finds her. (hide spoiler)]

[May]

I read chapter 8 and I wish it didn't just end with Alabster finally agreeing to explain everything to her. I wanted some answers but now I have to wait for the next time we get Essun's POV. (view spoiler)[ It's interesting how Essun realized that the way she treated her daughter when trying to teach and protect her is the same way Alabster treated her all along. Now that she noticed this, I think if she gets the chance to guide Nassun then she would learn to be more gentle with her. (hide spoiler)]

[Maria]

In Ch8 I had a "ha!" when Essun wondered if the stone-eaters were waiting for more of them to turn to stone so they could eat them. We're on to something....I still don't know what the eating is about, but I did wonder if Alabaster wielded so much power that he's turning into a stone-eater now? Are oregenes and stone-easters related?

@Mina
I don't think it was the obelisk that saved him. Obelisks have stone-eaters inside (I'm presuming since the garnet one had one, they all do) and stone-eaters and Guardians don't get along. I think it was his implant...which still hasn't been fully explained yet, but Ch9 (view spoiler)[seems to confirm that whatever is in the back of his head has an unusual hold over him, and he's no longer like other Guardians. Interesting that Nassun can "see" it (hide spoiler)] My theory is that the Guardians and Stone-Eaters were once at war a long time ago, and they are the ones that broke things. But I'm super curious to find out how Guardians are "made"

@May
Didn't enjoy the chapter cliff-hanger either :) (view spoiler)[it is a little spooky that Schaffa also finds Nassun, and how much Essun treated Nassun exactly how she was treated....and if Schaffa has put 2 and 2 together yet (hide spoiler)]

[May]

@Maria: After reading chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ I feel like Schaffa will figure it out soon, especially when Nassun mentioned how her mother broke her hand to teach her, just like what he did to Essun back then. I also find it interesting the Nassun can see whatever is holding Schaffa and causing him pain. (hide spoiler)]

[May]

Just read chapter 10 and things are slowly starting to make sense. (view spoiler)[ Now I get why Alabster did what he did for the sake of ending the seasons. It's interesting to see how Father Earth is upset that the moon was taken away from him and that's why the seasons started. The only way to stop it is by having the moon aligned with the Earth and killing a bunch of people in the process. Either way, many people will die. I can't imagine how Essun is going to handle this seeing as how Alabster suffered from what he did as a ten-ringer... (hide spoiler)]

[May]

Also (view spoiler)[ I wasn't expecting the stone eaters to have once been actual people and to have lived a long time. Its strange to think of young Hoa being very old 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Although I said I'll finish chapter 6 yesterday.. I didn't 😅 But I listened to it today when I was going to work.

CH6 😲 I like this:
“The Moon is something this world used to have, Essun. An object in the sky, much closer than the stars.” He keeps switching between calling you one name and another. It’s distracting. “Its loss was part of what caused the Seasons.”

CH7 😲 Shaffa
😂😂 "He's not alone in there"
I'm expecting the moon to be an actual moon.. not a com.. but I guess we can have both.

I read chapter 9, and I'll see if I'll read chapter 10 later after my nap. But.. maybe Shaffa already knows about the Essun-Nassun connection, because a) Nassun is Fulcrum trained and b) it's a too big of a coincidence, impossibility, for someone that was Fulcrum trained to break their daughters hand as part of training.. like Shaffa did to someone..

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

CH10 I like how Father Earth is an actual thing not only a story! So far I'm liking this book a lot, I'm almost half way and I already wanna ask you guy when are we reading the third book?
Also, yikes, orogenes really did screw up.
Stone eaters being people *mind blown*

CH11(view spoiler)[ Surprise, but also not much.. Shaffa is an orogene. I really like where things are going. Also, I was right, I was thinking that maybe his memories of Damaya haven't been returned, but that he remembers something because he remembered the hand breaking lesson when Nassun told him about it. (hide spoiler)]

CH12(view spoiler)[ Damn, Nassun is super strong. She sessed the moon, right? And the ability to turn into stone? 😲 (hide spoiler)]

[May]

I'm enjoying this book also! And I'm free to read book 3 anytime next month.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Great! I'm gonna add it to my April buddy reads in the Nomination thread. In theory I should be able to read it after the 10th if all goes according to the plan with my fantasy BR.

[Maria]

Ch10 starts explaining things, finally! If stone-eaters are people...so many questions....I don't think I understand who all the three sides are. One is certainly the original oregenes, another one is the ones that want to make things right...the third is Father Earth?

Ch11 (view spoiler)[I'm starting to feel sorry for Schaffa. He didn't seem to have a choice to become a Guardian, and that now he is trying to to make up for things? (hide spoiler)] It'll be interesting when Essun and Schaffa meet again in the future.

Ch12 (view spoiler)[I think Alabaster is the only one to have sessed the moon so far? By whatever trajectory/orbit correction he already made. I think Nassun accidentally connected to the sapphire obelisk and that's why she had the power to turn Eitz into stone....that's at least what I got out of it. Maybe the ability to turn a person to stone is specific to her? Also had the impression the sapphire is headed her way...like Essun calling the topaz and onyx...and that the stone-eaters? Hoa? noticed. (hide spoiler)] I'm glad somebody put Jija in his place...see if he stays there :)

I would definitely be interested in a buddy read for the third book too!

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

CH13 (view spoiler)[ Oh, the metal thing that went into Tonkee is the thing the Guardians have in their sessapinae? Or at least something very similar because Father Earth can control it. I'm still impressed that the actual Earth is an enemy to the humans and is more than a story. (hide spoiler)]

Interlude (view spoiler)[ I'm really intrigued about Hoa and his history. (hide spoiler)]

[May]

Just finished chapter 12 and I am shocked! (view spoiler)[ Wasn't expecting Nassun to have the power to turn people to stone! And she can do it instantly! I wonder if she'll gain any other powers and what Schaffer has planned for her now that he knows some of her abilities. I'm also glad that Schaffer stood up to Jija. (hide spoiler)]

As for the third side of the conflict, I also think Father Earth is one of them.

[May]

mina wrote: "CH13 [spoilers removed]

Interlude [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[That's what I'm assuming also. Father Earth is controlling them through those metal pieces. It's cool how the Earth is the main enemy in this book!

As for the interlude, same here! I'm interested in learning more about Hoa. (hide spoiler)]

[May]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[ The stone eater from Rennanis is creepy. He just appears out of nowhere hoping they would surrender and join their community while holding Hoa's arm. I'm glad to see that Essun was able to help him reform by feeding him stone. I wonder what they will do now that the other community know they won't last long on their own. (hide spoiler)]

I might read ahead if I end up finishing the things I need to do today!

[Maria]

ch14..okay you can't drop a bombshell at the end like that and expect a person to not keep reading :) I finished ch16...(view spoiler)[ Essun made "friends" with Hoa a long time ago... (hide spoiler)]

ch13 (view spoiler)[ I agree, I think the metal thing that went into Tonkee is the same as what is implanted in the Guardians, and it seems to be Father Earth controlling it (hide spoiler)]

ch14 (view spoiler)[the grey stone-eater is definitely creepy and bloodthirsty (hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I like that I don't have to put spoiler tags to discuss chapter 14 at least.

CH14
*I like how Essun is listening to the world not sessing, and how she used the obelisk to see the army.

* When the stone-eater appeared and she said it was male and had a familiar arm with "the jacket that you bought a lifetime ago on the road." I thought it was Alabaster, and I was shocked and impressed, and I liked the idea so much. What I mean I thought Alabaster turned into a stone-eater, don't ask me why exactly I thought that since Antimony is eating him, and I thought that the arm he was holding was his.. again don't ask me why he would have the same clothes from 20 or more years ago 😅

* Omg Hoa! So I listen to the book while walking to the bus station and I stop when the bus gets at the station, I usually stop it close to the time when he should get to my station. So today I had to stop at the worst moment. I had 4 more minutes till the end, and I got to the part where she fed him the stones and shimmering stuff started happening. I really wanted to know what happened to him because I like him.

* Another thing I noticed you guys haven't commented in your spoilers for chapter 14, but was mindblowing for me is WHO Hoa actually is. The Garnet obelisk dude! The one that she reached to in Allia (was that the name), when we followed her as Syenite! That actually explains the thing Hoa said in book one that he's been following her.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

CH15 Is where I have questions and I'm confused so hopefully you guys aren't 😂 and can explain it to me(view spoiler)[

*what exactly did Nassun do at the Fulcrum? The thing Shaffa asked: “Did you do this to help us, then?” Is he talking of her trying to attack the orogene or... because I thought it had something to do with her connecting to the obelisk but nothing was said that happened after that.

* The confusing thing for me is now, and maybe I'll get it when I type it down but either way... So Father Earth hates orogenes because they pushed the moon or something.. the Guardians are made by putting an implant into orogenes, and then the Guardians control the other orogenes not to get too powerful and discover the truth that they messed up stuff and that because of them there are Seasons. Right?

Now the confusing part for me is the Father Earth talking to them through the implant, right? But is he controlling them when they are "normal" Guardians or when they get compromised like Shaffa and Umber. I have a problem distinguishing which is "right" and which is "wrong" (hide spoiler)]

[Maria]

@Mina: That was my Ch14 bombshell...Hoa was in the garnet obelisk! I couldn't stop reading there. Ch16 somewhat explains how he ended up in the obelisk (view spoiler)[ but he doesn't want to explain fully and give Essun ideas LOL (hide spoiler)]

Personally, I think Essun is capable of far more, but her beliefs and her training about what she can/cannot do I think hold her back. Very cool she could use the obelisk to see things. Big change from when she was afraid of them, and they could potentially fry her, to being comfortable using them as a tool and no longer noticing how much power is there.

I'm suspecting since Nassun hasn't been conditioned by the fulcrum, she might be doing some of this kind of stuff naturally already, i.e. in turning Eitz to stone on instinct and that floating/intuitive thing she does. Maybe she'll be more powerful than her mother? Maybe oregenes are really supposed to be this powerful?

[May]

Oh yes I forgot to mention that part! I was shocked to see that Hoa has been following her as that obelisk all along.

[Maria]

Ch15 and Nassun (view spoiler)[Nassum connected to the sapphire turned everyone to stone...but somehow she did it selectively as she didn't touch the two Guardians. I think that is what Schaffa was asking, if she did that to help them. I thought she just had a really emotional reaction to the idea that the fulcrum taught people to be wrong (since she realized the hand-breaking thing is done to all oregenes who are fulcrum trained), so her mother was taught to be wrong and that's why her mother didn't love her. So instinctualy she eliminated the "wrong" (hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I just noticed that I haven't finished chapter 15 😅 I'll do it in the morning because I don't feeling like now. Also, I may finish the book tomorrow because I see that I don't have much of the audio left.. and let's be honest things are getting more and more interesting.

@Maria
Yes, it's nice to see her freeing herself from the shackles the society put on her as an orogene. Nassun being stronger so early in her life is probably because she's not Fulcrum trained, at least not fully.. We met Yika and she's powerful too even though she had no formal training.

Omg.. I just finished reading your msg, because I read a passage and than answer to it and then move one. So yeah, I agree like I said. By the looks she is more powerful than Essun, but also like you said she's doing some stuff naturally and Essun has been made to fit a Guadian's mold. Orogenes had to be this powefull before too, because the moon is in the sky, and they probably needed a lot of power to mess all up and push it away or whatever they did with it.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

@Maria about the spoiler in CH15.. I hadn't noticed that she did that 😲 Okay, so she may be more powerful than Essun

[Maria]

Ch15 and guardians (view spoiler)[I think that Father Earth is holding a grudge against oregenes because they pushed the moon out of it's orbit. Why???? This broke the earth and that's what created seasons, which I understood was Father Earth punishing everyone on earth because they lost his child, i.e. the moon. I think vindictive was the word.

From what I understood guardians are made as children when they get that implant inserted. There was something about a type of oregene that becomes a guardian in the first book, but I can't remember what that was.

I think the main purpose of the guardians is to control the oregenes. Which Schaffa seems to be deviating from. Umber and Schaffa were both called compromised when they went to the Antarctic fulcrum....but compromised how, I"m not sure. Maybe Father Earth can access those devices, but isn't the orginator? The one burrowing into Tonkee said "hello little enemy" to Essun, but was that Father Earth? or somebody else?

And then the grey stone-eater is mixed up in it, and he is clearly not on the same side as Schaffa or Hoa. (hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Maria wrote: "Ch15 and guardians"
(view spoiler)[
I understood the Father Earth hate towards orogenes and punishment for all humans. And okay to the Guardians being made when they were children but 😲😲 for there being a specific kind of Orogene to become a Guardian. I probably haven't noticed that since I don't remember it. Now I'm curious what it is. Hopefully we'll find out.

That's exactly why I'm confused with the implants. Are the Guardians following/hearing Father Earth before, or is the compromised when they start listening to him. Or maybe it is like you said that Father Earth has access to the implants but isn't the originator... Okay, I'm thinking of something but it's jumbled so lemme try and make it more reasonable..

The Fulcrum is putting the Orogenes in a small box so that they don't discover what they can do and so that they don't become eg. Alabaster. If they don't discover more they wouldn't know how the training and the believes of humans are wrong, and how they are hurting more instead of helping the Earth.. well Alabaster hurt more when creating the rift but he's "the end justifies the means" and I get that.
If Fulcrum stopping this end game then Fulcrum against Father Earth, hence Fulcrum is controlled by a third party or something.. and the wasn't the original Fulcrum made by some Orogenes that were afraid of too powerful Orogenes that could do what the Orogenes did to piss of Father Earth. Maybe the original Orogenes or the Sanze (which may be the same, because I haven't fully understood the people they have) are in the implants the Guardians get.. and when they are compromised Father Earth takes over and makes them help him ??? somehow? because we haven't seen what exactly compromised Guardians do.

The implant talking to Essun and calling her enemy shouldn't be surprising if it's Father Earth because to him every Orogene is an enemy. (hide spoiler)]

[May]

I read chapter 15 and I was a little confused also 😅 (view spoiler)[ I also think Schaffa was asking if Nassun turned the orogenes into stone for them.
As of now, I feel like the Guardians are all controlled by Father Earth, but I think in Schaffa's case, he's controlled more. I remember in this chapter, Nassun noticed the silvery things to not be constantly active in Umber but in Schaffer, he's always dealing with it. (hide spoiler)]