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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Jemison is prickly, difficult, hilarious, audaciously imaginative, challenging, and generous. Simply put, she can do no wrong. This is one of those books you can’t discuss without spoiling the wonderful universe she builds. So just read it if you like anything fantastical and/or love NYC.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Read for Penrose Book Club.
The author really captures the city of New York and the different cultural and political landscapes of it’s inhabitants. I had a really good time w this.
The author really captures the city of New York and the different cultural and political landscapes of it’s inhabitants. I had a really good time w this.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
NK Jemisin has proven to be one of my favorite authors. This book is written well in a wonderful voice with diverse characters that reflect on our current world. The battles they face feel very salient and bring a science fiction edge to modern societal quandaries.
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's a great premise with really engaging characters, but it dwells too long on description without ultimately giving the universe huge depth.
Maybe my expectations were way too high after The Broken Earth trilogy, and this book is so different, but not my favorite of her books. The first half of the book is wonderful, meeting the avatars of the NY boroughs and loving each of them. The series of interconnected vignettes was exactly what I wanted and loved. Then they all met each other and started talking and the action in the book ground to a halt. In fact, most of the actual action happened off screen or waaay too fast. This is the first book in a new series, and I enjoyed the premise enough to look forward to the next one. Jemisin on a "bad day" is still better than just about anyone else on their best.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
A love letter to New York written in the genre of science fiction.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting book, I do wish that it was a little…darker? Like more of the energy from the beginning. Still it was lovely especially as someone who is interested in NYC but not from a purely historical angle. I got to learn about the spirit of the city in a cool way.
This book was just not my style. I read about 100 pages and couldn't get behind the concept.