Scan barcode
takarakei's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Transphobia, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia
quarkie's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
Graphic: Sexism, Police brutality, Colonisation, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Racism, and Xenophobia
brynalexa's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Genocide and Deportation
Minor: Blood, Homophobia, Violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Stalking, Cursing, Abandonment, Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and War
benji_dw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you loved The City We Became this story goes deep into the mythos and brings everyone to an epic conclusion.
Moderate: Police brutality and Violence
Minor: Drug abuse
beccaand's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Xenophobia, Violence, Gun violence, Transphobia, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Body horror
Moderate: Police brutality
leweylibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Regardless, all of the great themes from the first book continued just with the added ones of a populist POS candidate running for office and more involvement from other city avatars. I like the overall message that things that bind a place and its people together, even things as seemingly small as a song or a concept or construct, can defeat evil.
I'm not totally sure how I feel about the ending, so I might change my rating based on that later when I've had time to think about it. On one hand, how quick and dismissive it was made me laugh, especially in a sci-fi book with such high stakes lol but another part of me thinks that's an unsatisfying ending to a duology? Idk lol
Lastly
Graphic: War, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Racism, and Police brutality
kirstenf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Racism, Death, Classism, Violence, Police brutality, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings
bookiecharm's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Deportation, Police brutality, Racism, Transphobia, Classism, and Violence
rainbowyeticorn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Xenophobia, War, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Racism, Mass/school shootings, Homophobia, Hate crime, Gun violence, Confinement, and Bullying
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Colonisation, Deportation, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Ableism
I really loved this series so much. The narrator does such a fabulous job bringing all the characters to life. I highly recommend reading the audiobook version over the print version or maybe reading and listening to both at the same time because in my opinion this is the best way to experience this fabulous book!