BOOK TALK: Decolonization & "The Obelisk Gate" by N.K. Jemisin

[@bookswithwings]

omg Adriana you literally made me cry, decolonization is something that I think about often an I think it's something that I think so many latinx people can understand because we've been taught to oppress ourselves like you said. That's why this series is so important to me and it resonates in so many ways and thank you for putting it into words and sharing your thoughts that are so intelligent and valuable. Thank you for this incredibly thought provoking review 💜

[@perpetualpages]

+BooksWithWings Thank you so much! I'm glad what I said was resonating with you. I think a lot of POC are hyperaware of de/colonization and how it continues to effect us, so I really wanted to focus on that in this review. Thank you as always for the kind words ❤

[@itowilltube]

Awesome review this is my favorite series and it's because when i read the word #RAGA i didn't understand...but you do understand! The precise nature and power behind the words she employs start like a subtle shake that grows to a true sieszmic event that crushes all pretense of ignorance and idealism. The author shatters her own world and ours at same time.

[@toastEDmrshmello09]

Thanks for these comments. On other reviewer’s videos, commenters seem so hateful and close-minded. Coming from a place where my life is endangered just because of my skin color and socioeconomic status, I deeply relate to these books. I guess everyone isn’t going to get it or WANT to get it. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@ThatsSoPoe]

Another amazing analysis of the series! What you said about parents inflicting the same cycle of oppression on their children, and their inability to see the greater world beyond the confines of the system that subjugates them, reminds me so much of Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Thanks for drawing all these parts of the story together in such a concise discussion!

[@JamesChatham33]

Excellent review! The way Jemisin handles the complex topics and themes ingrained in this series with such grace and poignancy is just remarkable. I cannot wait for The Stone Sky!

[@perpetualpages]

+James Chatham Thanks, James! Agreed. She makes it feel so seamless, which is the mark of a great writer who's worked their ass off. Queen 👑

[@AnjiLK1]

I'm reading through the series so many years after its release so I'm delighted to find such an insightful analysis!

[@ICHMUSSMALPIPI]

This review was recently mentioned on the podcast overdue, I'm happy I checked this out :)

[@dareisayit]

I loved this series. Such a good review! I am reading her DREAMBLOOD series and I am loving it too. I think that it deals with religion and the way that a person's devotion can be challenged. How religion can be corrupted and those devout can be used as weapons and their actions can be weaponozed with religious justification. *Hopefully that made sense*

[@perpetualpages]

+Charmingly Floyd Thank you! Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I love what she achieves in the Dreamblood duology in showing how the institutions we identify with can become corrupt and be used against us. Gotta read the second one soon!

[@LetsReadSFF]

Sounds like the metaphor just gets deeper and deeper. My life's biggest regret is that I haven't read this yet.

[@perpetualpages]

Oh it does. Get on it, Brock! TSS is out soon!!

[@michelleabramowitz273]

Yes! What an amazing review! You really got to all the points and you explained the deeper message so wonderfully!

[@perpetualpages]

+Michelle Abramowitz Thank you so much!

[@scout1113]

Great review!!!!!! I love this series I wish I had other people who I could talk to bout it but this review was helpful

[@perpetualpages]

Thank you so much! Lol I know what you mean, but the beauty of the online book community is that you can find a lot of people willing to chat about NKJ's brilliance! 📚❤📚❤📚

[@KatieLovestoRead]

Okay, you have framed the story in an interesting way, I don't think I really thought about it in that way when I read it but now I'm definitely going to be focusing on this aspect on my reread of it before The Stone Sky comes out. I think why I didn't love this one as much as book one was because the details of book one weren't fresh enough in my mind so I won't make that mistake second time around and plan to reread both before tackling The Stone Sky :) As always a fantastic and thought provoking review Adriana!

[@perpetualpages]

+Katie Loves to Read Thank you, I appreciate that. I find that as a QPOC, I connect to NKJ's work in a way that many reviewers fail to acknowledge, so I try to make a point of unearthing the way Jemisin connects her story to our world in my reviews. I'm glad it came across! Definitely recommend reading the books back to back, because The Obelisk Gate seamlessly picks up where TFS left off and it's such a good transition. I expect nothing less from The Stone Sky!

[@oldreddragon1579]

So far I am impressed with this series. Your review hits the nail on the head too.

[@perpetualpages]

+Old Red Dragon _The Stone Sky_ Will not disappoint! And thank you!

[@isabeau8907]

I love your reviews! Gonna go read this book now

[@perpetualpages]

+isabeau Thank you! And glad to hear it ^__^

[@Elterrordelosescritores]

"Fuck, man. If that's not real life, I don't know what is". TOTALLY LOVED this review, I have to get reading. xD She just won the Hugo award for this book as well. Best novel of 2017! ❤

[@perpetualpages]

+Laura Entre Mundos Literarios Yes, I heard about her second Hugo win! Much deserved, and very exciting in regards to the legacy of this amazing trilogy! And thank you ❤

[@LykaiosFaolan]

Brilliant review and analysis, I really agree with everything you've said! This series is so subtly doing so many great things and I can't wait for 'The Stone Sky' either! (also thank you for the subtitles!)

[@perpetualpages]

+lykaiosreads No problem! Always happy to subtitle my videos 😄 And thank you so much for the kind words. Ahhhhh, TSS is now only roughly a month away! I can't wait!

[@chrismaloy]

Thank you. New subscriber here. I love your review and viewpoints on this book. I didn't think about the vicious cycle of violence Essun inflicted on her own child the way you brought up or how the oppressed become the very agents of hate in an oppressive system. Very enlightening. Keep it up.

[@perpetualpages]

Thank you! 📚

[@kandirussell5024]

Amazing review! Very accurate!

[@elustran]

Excellent review! I'm decompressing from reading the trilogy and I would love to hear what you have to say about The Stone Sky, but don't see a review anywhere?

[@gameoftomes14]

Amazing review! I'll have to check out this author.

[@perpetualpages]

+GameOfTomes Channel Thank you! And yes, N.K. Jemisin is absolutely worth looking into.

[@xerxiusmaximus]

Do you WRITE... if not, then you are depriving this world of such untapped resources that we know not to look for because how would we ever see to discover YOU--!

[@kyleejoy1181]

Xerxius Eighth 👏🏾👏🏾... The world is waitiing