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A review by themermaddie
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
5.0
4.5 stars
someone talk to me about this fucking BOOK WOW what a weird amazing book. somehow an extremely human story but also deeply steeped in its own non-humanness.
first of all, i would HIGHLY recommend the audiobook. the quality is thru the roof, there are voice effects and an ominous soundtrack and an incredible narrator who does truly amazing voices; this audiobook goes far beyond just reading the book, this is a whole production. i cannot sing its praises highly enough.
this is such a cool concept and story and it's executed SO well. all the characters voices are so distinct and complex and every time it's their pov you are really able get into their head, especially staten island. she was one of the most fascinating characters and her whole arc absolutely did not turn out the way i expected it to. i have so many mixed feelings about her and i love it. vanessa was *chefs kiss*, i didn't see it coming but i'm obsessed with it. i would have really liked to see more of queens's pov, and i felt incredibly blue balled by manny and the primary. give me more, damnit.
it's hard to describe what happens in this book at any point, bc specific things happen but also nothing seems to happen? i feel like that captures the essence of what the story is about anyway tho. so much of the book is exploration of the city as well as its avatars, which is done so well and interestingly! the city is its own character outwith the main characters and it's so fun to see all of them begrudgingly come together to save their city. i love a good reluctant call to action.
i just love this. the weird soft magic system, the unexplainableness of it all. everything is confusing and that's just how it is and you just gotta go with it. incredible.
someone talk to me about this fucking BOOK WOW what a weird amazing book. somehow an extremely human story but also deeply steeped in its own non-humanness.
first of all, i would HIGHLY recommend the audiobook. the quality is thru the roof, there are voice effects and an ominous soundtrack and an incredible narrator who does truly amazing voices; this audiobook goes far beyond just reading the book, this is a whole production. i cannot sing its praises highly enough.
this is such a cool concept and story and it's executed SO well. all the characters voices are so distinct and complex and every time it's their pov you are really able get into their head, especially staten island. she was one of the most fascinating characters and her whole arc absolutely did not turn out the way i expected it to. i have so many mixed feelings about her and i love it. vanessa was *chefs kiss*, i didn't see it coming but i'm obsessed with it. i would have really liked to see more of queens's pov, and i felt incredibly blue balled by manny and the primary. give me more, damnit.
it's hard to describe what happens in this book at any point, bc specific things happen but also nothing seems to happen? i feel like that captures the essence of what the story is about anyway tho. so much of the book is exploration of the city as well as its avatars, which is done so well and interestingly! the city is its own character outwith the main characters and it's so fun to see all of them begrudgingly come together to save their city. i love a good reluctant call to action.
i just love this. the weird soft magic system, the unexplainableness of it all. everything is confusing and that's just how it is and you just gotta go with it. incredible.