The Obelisk Gate (Broken Earth #2)[March 15, 2024]

[Charlie]

Choko wrote: "Just after the first interlude in Ch. 5 ... The first chapter with Schaffa's POV t..."

Schaffa's perspective was wild, he's a strange egg. (view spoiler)[ He made that comment about how he would love Essun's child and he would put him gently in the torture chair. Holy shit that was horrific, sent chills down my spine, it was so sinister, especially the nonchalant way he delivered that line.

I can't believe he killed that family, it was such a waste of life and he didn't seem to find anything wrong with it.

The interlude was weird, was it from Hoa's perspective?

I think Essun needs to get the hell out of the comm honestly. I think if she stays, she'll either end up dead or she'll kill someone. I don't trust Alabaster's plan for her.

RE Nassun - that was so hard to read. I just don't understand. She knows her dad is dangerous, she needs to go back to her mum. I know she's a kid but it makes no sense to blame Essun for her dad's murderous rage. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Oh man, that's a great line to pull out of Schaffa's repertoire... really encapsulates what a chill-inspiring character he is... (view spoiler)[and I don't remember exactly, at this far a remove--but if the Interlude was in second-person "you" then it'd be Hoa.

re: Nassun--her illogical stubbornness... she's so full of rage herself... reminds me a lot of puberty/early teenhood... (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Ah that's a good point about Nassun, she's probably going though puberty and full of angsty hormones. Still doesn't excuse her attitude though.

RE Schaffa, he just really scares the crap out of me.

[Nirkatze]

Charlie wrote: "RE Schaffa, he just really scares the crap out of me."

Amen to that.

I do love how both of these characters--as much as I want to shake some sense into Nassun or am terrified of Schaffa--I love how much depth there is, how we can have these conversations about them and there's so much to pick apart and theorize over...

[Tonari no Emily]

For sure! Very multi-dimensional!

[Charlie]

Yeah they seem so real. Neither of them are good people, but that makes them interesting. Essun did of course start out as a victim of the Fulcrum but she's made choices she has to live with. Again, complex motivations and decisions. N.K. Jemisin writes really complex characters.

[Charlie]

Choko wrote: "Through Ch. 12... [spoilers removed]"

I hate that (view spoiler)[ Schaffa has Nassun! He's so unstable and he clearly should not be around children, ever. I wonder if he recognised her as Essun’s daughter when he first saw her. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Charlie wrote: "Choko wrote: "Through Ch. 12... [spoilers removed]"

I hate that [spoilers removed]"

Good question... I think he must have, somehow...

[Nirkatze]

Updated early post with link to #3 BR.