Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - The City We Became

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

43 reviews

bi_n_large's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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? Yes

4.5

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sj_54's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced

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

2.25

One part 'Everyone in New York hates each other! And traffic!'
Two parts 'New York is just the best!'
And one part 'Are you sure you noticed the racism? Let me repeat it again over an extra 10 pages just to be sure. And then apply every racial stereotype to the other characters so you're aware they're not white.'

With a couple of ageist and fatphobic comments to round it all out.

Also the twist at the end? Absolutely predictable.

Seriously we're introduced to Veneza with about a million references to the fact she lives in Jersey which 'isn't part of New York reeeeeally, but kinda is at heart' and then she just happens to be the only non-city who hangs around?

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therainbowshelf's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful medium-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? Yes

5.0

The avatars of New York and its boroughs find themselves awakened all at once. Yesterday, they weren't New York, just New Yorkers, and today they're facing an uncertain future, racism, gentrification, and an interdimensional being that wants them dead, all while figuring out how to be a city filled with millions of people. I absolutely loved this book, and it quickly slid onto my favorites list.

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samusc's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was incredible. N. K. Jemisin has woven a distinct fantasy love letter to NYC.
I wouldn't trust any other author to nail characterization perfectly for people representing each borough. I'm (regrettably) from Staten Island, and my parents from Brooklyn, so I loved the nods throughout this work. I'd die for Bronca. I knew this would be wonderful from the moment I saw the Brooklyn neighborhood shout outs on the map.
The concept of diverse people fighting fascist entities from another universe preying on folks already leaning into gentrification and racism is genius. Moments when the borough avatars break down barriers amongst themselves to work together are immensely satisfying.

The twist near the conclusion was perfectly executed, and the family oriented beach scene made me sob.

I'm so excited for the next book in this series.

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entazis'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? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was fun, engaging, high on action and non-Euclidean weirdness ;)

Also, I listened to the audibook and the narrator Robin Miles did such a great job with vocal modulation, not to mention that the book has different audio effects which makes the production quite epic.

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aardwyrm's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

I've never not loved a Jemisin book, but this is a new height of craft for her. I've been to New York all of once, but you still feel the place in your bones even as a despised tourist. The ramping of tension, the unfolding of worldbuilding, and the balance of fright are all masterful.

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