Reviews with content warning for Transphobia - The World We Make

Reviews tagging 'Transphobia'

The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin

27 reviews

takarakei's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

In the author's note N.K. Jemisin wrote that she had a hard time finishing this series (and switched it from a trilogy into a duology) because the things she wrote about in book 1 became reality. I can totally understand losing motivation, and indeed it was eerie to read about - it really did not seem like fiction.

Unfortunately the struggle was felt while reading. The pace of the book was a bit slow - not a lot happening from each character's pov until towards the end. It felt a little meander-y and I wasn't super engaged overall. The political storyline in particular I did not find super compelling. I did really enjoy the 'interruption' chapters that visited the other cities & really emphasizing just how young the US (and NYC) is. I found the ending to be a bit too tidy also. I really loved the first book, so it's a shame this one didn't quite meet that high bar.

These remain fantastic audiobooks, they really are almost like graphic audios with sound fx! If you're going to read this series and enjoy audiobooks I highly recommend those.

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radioisasoundsalvation's review against another edition

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adventurous funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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quarkie's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Gosh, reading this book reminded me why the previous one was also a 5 star read. Jemisin's writing is pure poetry. It has this amazing lyrical flow to it, such that it is easy to get lost in. I read this book in 2 days. It was amazing.

What I liked: Each character has such a strong point of view, and is so multi-dimensional. They feel so effortlessly real. Jemisin puts them in so many (terrible, awful, amazing, beautiful, human) true-to-life situations, and they respond in a way that feels both real and true to their characters. I feel like I know each character - not that I know a specific individual that is just like them, but they serve as true avatars of not only their boroughs but for their populations. So many of the thought processes and comments that characters make are so relatable, and I see them played out daily. Nothing in the book "just happens" - everything has a cause as well as an effect. The storylines are tight and pacing is great. And I just can't get over how beautifully written it was.

What I didn't like: I think my only complaint was that while some of the pop and political cultural references feel fresh now (in 2024), but I'm not sure how well some of them will age.

Concepts that will stick with me: In a way, this book personifies racism, xenophobia, and gentrification by turning it into a singular entity that can be taken on and beaten. This is a comforting thought. It explores the concept of "personality gentrification", or as I came to think of it, gentrification of the soul. It also deals with what happens what the gentrifier meets with gentrification. It also shows how someone can be seen as "nice" by one set of people (and actually be genuinely nice to them), but also participate in oppressive structures that hurt everyone, including the people they are nice to. It's a haunting exploration of the fragility of xenophobes (especially the well-meaning ones), and the mental and emotional work people have to put in to deal with that.

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brynalexa's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Similar to the The City We Became in that it was slow to start even though I was invested in the characters. I was getting worried toward the end that it was going to end in a marvel-like battle scene at the end which it did not and took a lovely turn. Very interesting concept and world that was very well researched.

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maritareads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The sequel to the Great Cities duology is just as well written as the first. On that front, Jemisin does not disappoint. However it feels like it has a good pace for a majority of the book to get an anticlimactic conclusion. She explained in the acknowledgments that her cup ran over when she was writing the duology and I understand, but it still felt unfinished.

Manny is such a mystery and I wanted to know how he could become two cities at the same time. Who is his family? What is the extent of their abilities? What else don't we know about cities? Will Jemisin ever write a romance? etc.

Another thing that annoyed me was the saving the city through elections plot. Anything else would have been more creative.

I'm curious about who would be my city's avatar though and how they would be embodied. I would love to read a story about Nairobi

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