A review by bookedbykiki
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

4.5

Rating: 4.5/5 

Genre: fiction, contemporary, fantasy, adventurous, mysterious, medium-paced 

CW: racism, xenophobia, sexual harassment, sexual assault, homophobia, police brutality 

For my first urban fantasy, this book did NOT disappoint. But Jemisin could never disappoint me. 

I tend to be a binge reader. Always trying to get to the end as fast as I can, but something about Jemisin books makes me what to sit and savour the ideas. Maybe its the beautiful prose, or maybe its the unimaginable magic and rules she slowly reveals to us in her books. Whatever it is I’ll ALWAYS be here for it. 

The City We Became is both a love letter and critical analysis of New York City and their institutions. When as ancient evil tries using the existing evil within the city as a tool, a unlikely group of people is left to figure out what is going on. 

Having visited NYC for the first time last year, it was so interesting being able to see aspects of the city I experienced myself and things I’d learned through my chats with @bigbooklover69 about urban spaces. 

I think so much can be pulled and leaned from this book to be applied to any city. The city is the people that make it and the culture they create together. It’s a divinely beautiful thing that many (often those with power) could give less of a fuck if it can’t be capitalized off of. 

I highly recommend for those interested in: 
  • Wanting to try an urban fantasy
  • Black future focused fiction
  • BIPOC queer representation
  • NYC social commentary
 
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