en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/11134984 Comments by MarieBookwyrm http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/11/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-chapter-13/#IDComment1095180161 I'm kind of bowled over by this chapter. It's hard to know what to say. Jumping back and forth between Nassun and Essun's viewpoints helped ratchet up the tension. The journey to Corepoint was excruciating. I actually thought the group was being attacked by Earth, but it turned out to be stone eaters. And I'm not exactly surprised they lost somebody. Bye, Lerna. I admit, Tonkee's not my favorite character, but I love the way she's obviously amazed by Corepoint yet also immediately trying to figure out things about it. So now that Schaffa's dying, Nassun's given up on her plan of destroying the world and plans to change him into a stone eater, right? And in the process of doing that, she'll change everybody in the world into stone eaters, right? I think I prefer Essun's plan. :) I hope they don't fight each other. Tue, 10 Nov 2020 14:43:36 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/11/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-chapter-13/#IDComment1095180161 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/11/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-zero/#IDComment1095120768 I've got a lot of respect for the group of tuners. Once they're eyes were opened to the ongoing atrocities of Syl Anagist it took maybe a day for them to decide to take action. (I imagine it helped that they actually had the power to destroy civilization.) And Jemisin does a great job of showing the chaos that ensues once Earth gets in on the action. Sat, 7 Nov 2020 14:24:43 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/11/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-zero/#IDComment1095120768 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/10/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-one/#IDComment1094943852 Yeah. Syl Anagist deserves to die. Just the thought that those people are right there, out in the open. Anybody who passed by could see them; and I guess ignore them. It's just sickening. And how long have the Niess been there? Hoa didn't say how long ago the conquest was. Hundreds of years? Thousands? Ugh. Fri, 30 Oct 2020 17:46:43 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/10/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-one/#IDComment1094943852 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/10/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-chapter-9/#IDComment1094846184 I really love all the little things Hoa did to help out on the trip, but most of all that he went back and stayed with Ontrag so she wouldn't die alone. Danel was a Lorist! And now she recognizes history in the making and wants to record it. I wonder how she heard about it, though. When Hoa suggested that Essun could catch the Moon and return it to orbit, there weren't other people around were there? Maybe Essun discussed it with other orogenes? I can't remember. Anyways, I'm looking forward to that adventure. Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:50:40 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/10/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-chapter-9/#IDComment1094846184 https://markreads.net/reviews/2020/10/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-three/#IDComment1094640571 Your rant about railings makes me think of the Star Wars movies, in which so many structures exist that have narrow walkways crossing over deep, deep abysses. As somebody once wrote: Who approves these things? Is there no Space OSHA? :D P.S. I love being able to grip onto railings. Sat, 17 Oct 2020 23:12:09 +0000 https://markreads.net/reviews/2020/10/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-three/#IDComment1094640571 https://markreads.net/reviews/2020/10/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-four/#IDComment1094456342 Just so you know, Mark, moonstone is the name of a gemstone. So Hoa was probably referring to an obelisk. Like the amethyst obelisk, the onyx obelisk, etc. I can't wait to read about the Tuners' excursion, even though I halfway expect something terrible to happen. 'They’re afraid because we exist, she says.' And that just feels all too real. :( Fri, 9 Oct 2020 18:22:39 +0000 https://markreads.net/reviews/2020/10/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-four/#IDComment1094456342 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/09/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-five/#IDComment1094129233 I wonder if the Conductors eventually became the Guardians. It seems like they fill an equivalent role for the tuners: guarding them, but also watching them for any signs of stepping out of line. I do love that the tuners have their own way of communicating, that the humans know nothing about. Kelenli is here to Bring The Revolution! I am all for it, even though it ends up causing the Seasons. I am madly curious about the society of Syl Anagist. I suspect we'll get to learn more about it in future chapters. Fri, 25 Sep 2020 23:02:43 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/09/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-syl-anagist-five/#IDComment1094129233 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/09/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-chapter-2/#IDComment1094086730 Isn't Nassun supposed to be like 11 or 12 at this point? Jesus, this poor kid! Regarding what Nassun plans to do...didn't Steel suggest she catch the Moon and strike the Earth with it? That would be a fairly 'quick and merciful' way to wipe out humans. I have no idea how it would affect stone eaters, but somehow I don't have the impression that Steel wants to die. And, as I expected, it seems Nassun and Essun are going to be pitted against each other. I really hope they end up working together to save the world. Wed, 23 Sep 2020 19:49:29 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/09/mark-reads-the-stone-sky-chapter-2/#IDComment1094086730 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/09/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-interlude-chapter-14/#IDComment1093465670 I have to say, having Hoa reveal to us in the Interlude that he's an ancient and dangerous creature (who casually mentions destroying 3 other stone eaters) and then having the new stone eater show up holding Hoa's severed arm is a pretty effective way of showing how powerful the new stone eater is. I'm just wondering why stone eaters bleed. I thought they were entirely stone, so why would they need blood running through their bodies. Rennanis has an army AND a badass stone eater on their side. Things do not look good for Castrima. (Hey, Jemisin, can Castrima please survive? Essun has had multiple homes destroyed, so it would be nice if this one could hang around.) I'm thinking of those people Essun saw while she was on the road that had pieces of fancy clothing as a mark. And how she saw them talking to individuals on the road and gathering them in groups. I'll bet those were recruiters for Rennanis. I really should have put this at the beginning, but...this society can reattach severed limbs? I am impressed. Wed, 2 Sep 2020 23:35:29 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/09/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-interlude-chapter-14/#IDComment1093465670 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-13/#IDComment1093382034 So, this chapter took a turn I was not expecting. I mean, we got Essun training kids (Sadly, as with Nassun, she's using harsh methods for training. Poor kids.), and discussions with Alabaster about deadcivs and Guardians (who actually don't die during Seasons--how the hell long do they live?), and even with the Tonkee section, at first we're seeing the control room and learning stuff about it. I honestly think Tonkee grabbed the piece of metal so that she'd have something from the control room to study, eve if she was barred from the whole thing. And then, of course, we get that whole body horror section. I believe the metal piece was using magic from the Earth in order to move through Tonkee's body. Was it heading for the base of her neck? Ooo, what if Castrima is where Guardians were first made? So, that last section was frantic and terrifying and gross...and now Tonkee is minus and arm. That could interfere with her studies, if she's allowed to stay. I really hope they don't kick her out. Mon, 31 Aug 2020 13:39:02 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-13/#IDComment1093382034 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-12/#IDComment1093292269 Good point! I completely forgot about the name. Fri, 28 Aug 2020 21:10:21 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-12/#IDComment1093292269 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-12/#IDComment1093280994 Mark, I think the phrase “slower, crueler, yet much more refined.” “Artful,” refers to Alabaster turning to stone. I think if you go back and read it says that what happened to Eitz happened quickly. Due to his telling Nassun how the Guardians (mis)treated orogenes and because he says the thing in his head hurts him because he refuses to force Nassun to do what it wants (I really hope he's telling the truth), I guess I can begrudgingly think better of Schaffa. It seems like he really is trying to change. Schaffa says that they're trying to right an ancient wrong. What if he wants this group to try to 'catch the moon'? What if we've got two groups in different locations tying to bring the moon back into orbit? Would they interfere with each other? I'm definitely curious about this. That first part showing how happy Nassun was to be her natural self was a joy to read! :) Fri, 28 Aug 2020 13:42:15 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-12/#IDComment1093280994 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-7/#IDComment1092628781 Oh, shit! Bad enough that Nassun is having to emotionally tiptoe around her own father because she's afraid of what he might do, but now Schaffa has his slimy hands on her! I wonder if Jija will now die a convenient death. 'His wound got infected. We did what we could, but it wasn't enough. I'm so sorry.' I can't help thinking that if Schaffa does have a way to cure orogenes, it leaves them damaged in some way. What if he's somehow taking orogene powers into himself? I don't even know what he's doing and I still want him dead NOW! Mon, 17 Aug 2020 17:08:45 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-7/#IDComment1092628781 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-3/#IDComment1092297918 When I saw the chapter title I was just: OMG. Schaffa survived! :) Although he ends up not entirely himself anymore. What the heck is that thing that takes him over? It seems like it just eats up most of his memories. Maybe it has to do with whatever was implanted in the back of his neck. What is it that he gets?...consumes?...from orogenes? And from stills, too; but the process kills them. Did he do this before, or is this a result of his takeover by whatever being got him? Schaffa's thoughts on how he loved Syen and would have loved her son just make me feel like Madeline Kahn in Clue: " Flames...flames on the side of my face." I want him dead so much! Also, I'm very much afraid for Eitz. He believes his family will kill him, and he has no idea what happens at the Fulcrum, so meeting a Guardian seems like a good opportunity. But I'm afraid this 'new, improved' Schaffa is going to treat him (and any other orogenes he finds) worse than he did at the Fulcrum. *biting my nails* Fri, 7 Aug 2020 14:17:18 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/08/mark-reads-the-obelisk-gate-chapter-3/#IDComment1092297918 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/07/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-23/#IDComment1092163450 Oh, yeah! I had forgotten about that! Thanks for the reminder. Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:24:49 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/07/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-23/#IDComment1092163450 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/07/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-23/#IDComment1092162834 As it became more obvious in the chapters he featured in just how damaged Alabster was by The Fulcrum, I began to suspect that he was the man in the Prologue who decided to end the world. Well, now that's confirmed. But otherwise I have too many questions: What has Alabster been doing for these past twelve years? Come on, Jemisin, you got me emotionally invested in this guy and now there's this big blank in his history! Did he manage to shrink an obelisk and turn it into that knife/sword thingy, or is that maybe a piece of the obelisk that helps him control it? Do stone eaters only eat pieces of orogenes that they've turned to stone? (Must go a long time between meals.) Or do they, like I assumed from the name, just eat stone from the earth whenever they're hungry? Does Hoa plan to do that to Essun someday? (Please, no!) Does Alabaster want Essun to create a moon? As a place where people (or maybe just orogenes) can live and not be subject to Father Earth? Hopefully, SOME of these questions will be answered in the next book. P. S. When Alabaster told Essun he didn't forgive her for killing Corundrum, I was pissed because he begged her to keep the Guardians from getting their hands on the child whatever it took. But then I thought, if their positions were reversed, if Alabaster was the one who had to do the deed, he probably would have and then never forgiven himself. So that's fair. Fri, 31 Jul 2020 13:45:00 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/07/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-23/#IDComment1092162834 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/07/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-22/#IDComment1092126690 I just love Alabaster taking care of Syenite when she's so depressed. He tells her he understands how she feels, and I'll be the does! Well, since she ended up as Essun at Tirimo, we knew the happy times on Meeov couldn't last. I was a little afraid Syenite would end up leaving the island and her family; but I was a lot afraid that Meeov would be destroyed somehow. Alas. That bit of narration by Hoa is pretty confusion to me. Just have to keep reading. :) I really, really hope Schaffa is dead now! Wed, 29 Jul 2020 20:17:58 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/07/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-22/#IDComment1092126690 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/07/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-21/#IDComment1092126389 I honestly assumed that Binof had been killed. I figured the Guardians would question her, discover that she sneaked out of her home and nobody knew she had come to the Fulcrum, and they would decide it was okay to kill her. That would leave a mystery for her family, but not one that led to the Fulcrum. In this chapter, Tonkee mentions how rich her family is, so I guess the Guardians figured it would be too risky to kill her. At any rate, I had no idea. But now that we know: I don't care how fascinating orogenes are to an academic, tracking somebody for close to their entire life is SUPER CREEPY! Wed, 29 Jul 2020 19:59:27 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/07/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-21/#IDComment1092126389 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/06/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-8-interlude/#IDComment1091408975 Oh. My. God. After reading the first Syenite chapter, I suggested that if the story followed their journey we could get some interesting conversations between Syen and her (then unnamed) companion. Well, I guess I was right. We got Alabaster proposing that there should be some other way of running society. Syen, who recognizes how she's been oppressed by the Fulcrum in some ways, still seems to have absorbed their attitude of 'this is the way things have to be'. That's understandable if she was basically raised by them. But it's not just conversations. The revelation of how node maintainers are created and how they're treated is just...Horrible. Outrageous. Immoral. I can't think of words bad enough. No wonder the guy in the prologue decided to destroy that society. It deserves it. Fri, 26 Jun 2020 18:59:33 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/06/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-8-interlude/#IDComment1091408975 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/06/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-4/#IDComment1091209411 I have to admit, I had no idea what Syenite's 'assignment' really was until she told the 10 ringer she was there to screw him. I guess the long trip Feldspar was talking about was arranged so they'll have plenty of time together until Syenite is sure she's pregnant. I wonder if we'll get to see them on their travels. Since the 10 ringer doesn't seem enthralled with the system, they might have some interesting conversations. Of course they could also be just enduring each other until they get the job done. And that would be sad for both of them. Wed, 17 Jun 2020 17:04:47 +0000 http://markreads.net/reviews/2020/06/mark-reads-the-fifth-season-chapter-4/#IDComment1091209411