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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
I cried multiple times reading this because the characters were so inspiring and so lovable that I was just happy to be hearing from them. 10/10 recommend the audiobook, the narrator should have won an award and the audio effects added to the story in such an amazing way. This is my new favorite book.
Soaked in Lovecraftian lore, The City We Became is about what happens when cities become so vibrant, populous, and unique that they come alive. New York City's turn has finally come, and this time, the Enemy is better prepared than ever to fend off its birth. When the avatar for New York barely manages to fend off the Enemy - losing the Williamsburg Bridge in the process - five new avatars are awakened, one for each borough, to help defeat it.
This was a distinct disappointment for me. While I've not rated any of Jemisin's works 5-stars yet (I've read the first two in the Broken Earth Trilogy), I was really prepared to love this. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I've not read any Lovecraft, but I think that fans of his will appreciate this in a way that others may not. From the get-go, the writing style did not vibe with me. Although I read the words on the page, something about the way it was written was hard for me to process. The character I cared for the most was barely shown. I understand that this is meant to be a love letter to NYC and I have never been, but I thought (with the exception of the Bronx) that there wasn't shown of the characters; they just WERE their boroughs, and that was enough explanation. I did like Staten Island's plot line, but I felt like the end of it was unfinished. I'm still unsure exactly what was going on, it was kind of nightmare-like, but not in the way that [b:Bunny|42815544|Bunny|Mona Awad|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544742360l/42815544._SY75_.jpg|58221942] was both of those things that was compelling. I loved how diverse this was - nearly every character was BIPOC and quite a few were queer. There was a lot of discrimination addressed throughout the story on multiple occasions which I thought was done well, especially the critique of non-inclusive "feminism". Despite how well that particular aspect was done, this book did very little for me in terms of enjoyment. I was under this impression that this was a standalone book (and still believe that it should have been because how will this be a series???) but now that I'm well-informed I can safely say that I will not be continuing on in this series.
This was a distinct disappointment for me. While I've not rated any of Jemisin's works 5-stars yet (I've read the first two in the Broken Earth Trilogy), I was really prepared to love this. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I've not read any Lovecraft, but I think that fans of his will appreciate this in a way that others may not. From the get-go, the writing style did not vibe with me. Although I read the words on the page, something about the way it was written was hard for me to process. The character I cared for the most was barely shown. I understand that this is meant to be a love letter to NYC and I have never been, but I thought (with the exception of the Bronx) that there wasn't shown of the characters; they just WERE their boroughs, and that was enough explanation. I did like Staten Island's plot line, but I felt like the end of it was unfinished. I'm still unsure exactly what was going on, it was kind of nightmare-like, but not in the way that [b:Bunny|42815544|Bunny|Mona Awad|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544742360l/42815544._SY75_.jpg|58221942] was both of those things that was compelling. I loved how diverse this was - nearly every character was BIPOC and quite a few were queer. There was a lot of discrimination addressed throughout the story on multiple occasions which I thought was done well, especially the critique of non-inclusive "feminism". Despite how well that particular aspect was done, this book did very little for me in terms of enjoyment. I was under this impression that this was a standalone book (and still believe that it should have been because how will this be a series???) but now that I'm well-informed I can safely say that I will not be continuing on in this series.
Brilliant world building, incredible characters, and an unparalleled and original story telling.
N.K. Jemisin is also incredibly good at making anyone born Caucasian incredibly uncomfortable as she forces us to see the inequalities and injustices from the perspective of those who live through them on a daily basis. The story is fiction, the concept downright insane at times, but the look beneath the bleached white surface we choose to see to the shadowy and harsh reality so many people face is anything but imaginary. And I freely admit that I, a lower middle class LGBTQIA white girl, still flinched more then once as some of the hits struck a wee bit close to home.
If you ever loved a place so much it felt alive woven into your soul, this is definitely not a story that will disappoint.
N.K. Jemisin is also incredibly good at making anyone born Caucasian incredibly uncomfortable as she forces us to see the inequalities and injustices from the perspective of those who live through them on a daily basis. The story is fiction, the concept downright insane at times, but the look beneath the bleached white surface we choose to see to the shadowy and harsh reality so many people face is anything but imaginary. And I freely admit that I, a lower middle class LGBTQIA white girl, still flinched more then once as some of the hits struck a wee bit close to home.
If you ever loved a place so much it felt alive woven into your soul, this is definitely not a story that will disappoint.
Excellent first two acts but the finale was a bit weak. Hoping the next "Great Cities" book builds on the structure from this one, because it's a really interesting universe.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Slow plot, other than that a great, bizarre story. A modern fantasy set in New York.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
“He pretends to be less special than he is, because the world has punished him for loving himself. And yet he does. He knows he’s more than whatever superficialities strangers see and dismiss.” Is that what the city of New York is like?"
Was this basically a non-cliched love letter to New York City? Yes, and it was wonderful!
Was this basically a non-cliched love letter to New York City? Yes, and it was wonderful!