Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels discussion

Share your thoughts about the second book in this thread.
Please use spoiler brackets if you deem it necessary:
<spoiler> Spoiler Text </spoiler>

This book is a direct continuation of the events described in the first volume if the series. Many questions that were raised are answered almost immediately, or at least are hinted at.

I also like how the intensity is dialed down a notch and how the plot takes front stage.

Finally we get to see what happened to Essun's daughter.

This one was my favorite of the series. I especially liked the part towards the end. It was so crazy and it was a really unique and creative setting.

I don't have time for these. Have fun!

I've read it and liked it very much a few years back. I don't plan to re-read now but may join the discussion

Kristen wrote: "This one was my favorite of the series. I especially liked the part towards the end. It was so crazy and it was a really unique and creative setting."

I agree about the setting, visualizing that in my mind was so great!

How did everyone feel about the revelations about guardians? I liked the idea even though I hope more will be revealed in the last volume.

The dynamic of Nessun and Schaffa's relationship seemed a bit forced, but not without its appeal.

I was so so so uncomfortable with Nessun and Schaffa's relationship.

I actually think one of the aspects of the trilogy I most disliked was Jemisin's decision to revive Schaffa as the main "face" of the antagonist guardian faction. I badly wanted him to stay dead. And the relationship felt forced, and twisted, and like Jemisin twisting the knife she buried in Essun's heart at the beginning of book one.

There was also another point in book three where I was really frustrated and said to myself "did you need to emotionally torture your protagonist THIS MUCH?" But I'll save that for the book three thread! There's sooooo much more to learn in terms of the coming world-building, Art. :)

Kalin wrote: "I was so so so uncomfortable with Nessun and Schaffa's relationship.

I actually think one of the aspects of the trilogy I most disliked was Jemisin's decision to revive Schaffa as the main "face" ..."

I'm with you on that one, but I see how the poetic justice of allowing Schaffa to atone for his sins was tempting to Jemisin. I like how the introduction of the shard didn't seem forced or as a cop out.

Kalin wrote: "There was also another point in book three where I was really frustrated and said to myself "did you need to emotionally torture your protagonist THIS MUCH?""

On the contrary, I found it very necessary to show how tortured both Essun and Nassun were: had their lives been easier, their actions would be completely undefendable. Both Essun and Nassun do horrible things, but since Jemisin has shown how thoroughly they've both been broken, they can't be expected to behave like ordinary people.

Both are still trying to do the right thing, most of the time, in their very twisted way. That's what makes this trilogy so great!

Kateblue wrote: "I don't have time for these. Have fun!"
Kate... you gotta make time for these :P I've rarely seen a more beloved book series.

I loved the shades of darkness in this installment; I feel like Jemisin springboarded off the world she'd already fully furnished and just went straight down to plumb the depths.

I agree that Schaffa was disturbing as a character, (view spoiler)[and Nassun's care for him felt especially uncomfortable, (hide spoiler)] but his inclusion feels essential. (view spoiler)[Adds a bit of oomph to the story; will Nessun redeem him, give too much, or hurt/abandon him so we can get our justice? (I know better than to expect any justice porn from Jemisin though). (hide spoiler)]

There's a great sense of endless scope and endless possibilities. The mysteries unfolding... exciting! (view spoiler)[What's Essun going to do with the moon? What will she become? It seems like her power is limitless by the end, and so too should her daughter's be. Will Nassun destroy the world on her way to finding out whether she and Essun are enemies or not?? More and more insight into Alabaster and the evils and excessive control of the Fulcrum. Hoa is terrifying now. And all that ancient tech... oooooh. (hide spoiler)]

As many have said, it has 'middle book syndrome', but to me it is no worse off for it; just makes me want to read on. I will say that it was so slow at the start, that if I hadn't already been invested, I might not have gotten far (my partner gave up at chapter three). All the momentum of the first book came to a crawl and it took a while to get going. But all was forgiven by halfway through.

I can't even begin to predict how the third book will go - haven't read it yet, saving it as a treat :) I'm sure people who have read it will be shaking their head at my wanton speculations lol

There was some middle-book-syndrome, yes, but relatively little. You could tell that Jemisin had plotted the whole trilogy as basically one book in three parts: just the way it should be done, albeit rarely is.

Sarah wrote: "I agree that Schaffa was disturbing as a character, but his inclusion feels essential."

I also believe that he is essential, his chapters give us a glimpse into who the Guardians really are and why they are so twisted. Still a lot to learn about it, but hopefully everything will be revealed in book 3. And the fact that Nassun is clinging to him - well, he's the only person who accepts who for who she is, and since she's basically lost both her parents, and she is just a little girl, it's natural that she's looking for someone to take their role. By the way, (view spoiler)[it was heartbreaking to learn how Essun has treated her daughter, it's understandable given how she was treated and what she wanted to prepare her for, but damn... (hide spoiler)]

I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as The Fifth Season, but I still really liked it, and I can't wait to read The Stone Sky to finally figure everything out :)