Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - The City We Became

Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

112 reviews

therainbowshelf's review against another edition

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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georgiakirkegard's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-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

4.0

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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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sylviehelen's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

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

5.0

N.K. Jemisin did it again and I am in AWE

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swordsandsapphicsyay's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

5.0

N. K. Jemisin's imagination is unparalleled. The concept of having people become avatars of cities that are born, and otherworldly forces at work that want to stop this process from happening, is brilliant. The world-building and the characters are so well-developed. These people are unique and have their charming qualities and quirks, but they're also human beings that suddenly became boroughs of New York and they have flaws that they recognize as being there. Jemisin also brilliantly wove throughout the story core issues that attack the fundamentals of being a person that isn't privileged with being straight, white, male, etc. Racism, sexism, homophobia, white supremacy and colonialism, are just a few key issues that are prominent in these characters' navigation of both New Yorks. I wish I could say more but the scope and brilliance of this story just has me searching for words and coming up short, so just read this story to find out how amazing it is.

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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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onemamareads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/the-city-we-became

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sfbookgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny informative tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

This is my first book by N.K. Jemisin and I can’t wait to add more of her books to my shelf. The City We Became is magical, hilarious, and a big love letter to New York City. In present-day NYC, each of the five boroughs is represented by an avatar, a real person. Together, they must come together to fight against a white, evil serpent creature threatening to tear their city apart.

The story is crazy, weird, and a bit confusing at times. I definitely recommend this book to more well-versed sci-fi and fantasy readers as it takes some patience to understand the world that Jemisin has built. Nevertheless, I had so much fun reading this book, and I think I would have really, REALLY enjoyed it if I was a New Yorker. (New York friends: Please read this book). Jemisin tackles many important issues like gentrification and racism with a modern sci-fi twist that will keep you simultaneously nodding *YES* and laughing your face off. Also, make sure to brush up on your knowledge of H. P. Lovecraft before delving into this one. Your efforts will be rewarded.

P.S. Hi Ms. Jemisin, can you write one about San Francisco next?

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny informative tense slow-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

4.25

This book was really inventive and interesting. I read the short story that formed the base of this novel, and I like the way it was expanded. I have never read a book with a Lenape character, and it is so important that one was included. This was beautifully diverse and funny overall.

It was also super intense. The white supremacist groups and individuals mobilized by the enemy hit very close to home. I also observe that the book was clearly in conversation with Lovecraft. The ending was

definitely a deus ex machina, but I still liked it. I just hope there isn’t a contingent trying to have a redemption arc for Aislyn but I mean cmon there probably is one isn’t there.

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