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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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Transphobia, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia
mementomoriiv's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
rnbhargava's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25
I really loved this sequel. My minor issue with it is that some aspects of it just kind of end a bit conveniently. Some parts, that’s amusing. Others, it felt like a slightly hastened storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Colonisation, Death, Gaslighting, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Car accident, Misogyny, Classism, Confinement, Deadnaming, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
There are scenes where cities are put at risk en masse. There’s examples of characters that are clearly analogous to far right, kind of racist, supposedly religion based politicians. The idea of the soul of a city, the distinct things that give them personality is a big theme in this. The avatars are emblematic in the best ways possible. I overall love this duology. Frankly, I kind of hope Jemisin still makes it into a trilogy one day.adavis16's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Xenophobia, Cursing, and War
niakantorka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What a wonderful ending to this duology.
I loved to get back to these characters, especially Neek’s, Brooklyn’s and Padmini’s povs were super intriguing to me. Veneza, Bronca and Manny were good fun too. Admittedly, I still had the most trouble with Aislyn whom I found so whiny. Even R’lyeh was more compelling in her alienness than Aislyn in her pearl-clutching mediocrity. Yeah, sorry, she was from start to finish the only character I found seriously lacking and that was probably done on purpose. Same with most of the lackey villains who were so one dimensional which perfectly showed that they couldn’t even think for themselves and had to get the ‘help’ of R’lyeh‘s tentacles.
Another highlight were the cities we met here. Istanbul and London were so charming and made me laugh while Paris and Tokyo made me roll my eyes. The summit was definitely a great idea.
This book was equally fast paced than its predecessor but I was better prepared this time. A huge plus (in my opinion) was the ending: it didn’t contain multiple twists in a short amount of time. After many fights and lots of things happening it ended with huge bang and then it was done and the happily ever after could start. That that (the hea) wasn’t elaborated in great detail was also a plus for me as epilogues can be fickle things.
Honestly, this book was just perfect to me.
I loved to get back to these characters, especially Neek’s, Brooklyn’s and Padmini’s povs were super intriguing to me. Veneza, Bronca and Manny were good fun too. Admittedly, I still had the most trouble with Aislyn whom I found so whiny. Even R’lyeh was more compelling in her alienness than Aislyn in her pearl-clutching mediocrity. Yeah, sorry, she was from start to finish the only character I found seriously lacking and that was probably done on purpose. Same with most of the lackey villains who were so one dimensional which perfectly showed that they couldn’t even think for themselves and had to get the ‘help’ of R’lyeh‘s tentacles.
Another highlight were the cities we met here. Istanbul and London were so charming and made me laugh while Paris and Tokyo made me roll my eyes. The summit was definitely a great idea.
This book was equally fast paced than its predecessor but I was better prepared this time. A huge plus (in my opinion) was the ending: it didn’t contain multiple twists in a short amount of time. After many fights and lots of things happening it ended with huge bang and then it was done and the happily ever after could start. That that (the hea) wasn’t elaborated in great detail was also a plus for me as epilogues can be fickle things.
Honestly, this book was just perfect to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence
radioisasoundsalvation's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Transphobia, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia
quarkie's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation and Cursing
Moderate: Gaslighting, Gun violence, Homophobia, Murder, Racism, Police brutality, Xenophobia, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Transphobia, Colonisation, and Violence
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Mass/school shootings, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, and Death
salemander's review against another edition
5.0
just as fun and entertaining as the first one! the world building and creation of these amazingly complex and interesting characters is incredible. the jokes were still a little cheesy but they helped keep what could be a very dark book at times a lot more hopeful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Police brutality, Colonisation, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Racism, and Xenophobia
brynalexa's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide and Deportation
Minor: Blood, Homophobia, Violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Stalking, Cursing, Abandonment, Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and War
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence and Toxic friendship