logo

61 pages 2 hours read

The Stone Sky

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
N. K. Jemisin

The Stone Sky

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017
Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Stillness

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin, Essun and her daughter Nassun, both powerful orogenes with the ability to manipulate seismic energy, are on separate yet intertwined journeys. Essun seeks to return the moon to its proper orbit to end the catastrophic Fifth Seasons, while Nassun, traumatized and seeking vengeance, aims to destroy the world. Their paths converge as they grapple with their powers and the fate of the earth. The story includes themes of bigotry, enslavement, exploitation, and trauma.

Dark

Mysterious

Challenging

Emotional

Fantastical

Reviews & Readership

4.5

163,811 ratings

86%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

N. K. Jemisin’s The Stone Sky, the gripping finale of the Broken Earth trilogy, is lauded for its masterful world-building, complex characters, and profound themes of survival and resistance. Critics praise its imaginative narrative and emotional depth. However, some readers find the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s a compelling and thought-provoking conclusion.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Stone Sky?

A reader who enjoys The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin would likely be a fan of complex fantasy worlds, deeply developed characters, and social commentary through speculative fiction. Comparable to readers of The Broken Earth series and The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, they appreciate intricate storytelling and emotional depth.

4.5

163,811 ratings

86%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Character List

Essun

The protagonist addressed by the narrator, who is strong-willed and grapples with significant personal challenges including her inability to use orogeny without consequences. She is torn between her dedication to a community called Castrima and her desire to reunite with her daughter.

The daughter of Essun, she is a young orogene with an intuitive grasp of her powers. Nassun struggles with her difficult upbringing and complex family relationships while seeking acceptance and understanding.

A former Guardian with a troubled past, who has taken on a protective role towards Nassun. He experiences significant personal growth and re-evaluates his actions and loyalties.

A stone eater who has been a steadfast companion to Essun, whose backstory involving significant historical events is revealed throughout the narrative. As the narrator, he seeks to preserve Essun's essence through his storytelling.

Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Stillness

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.