Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - The City We Became

It always takes me a few chapters to get settled in for a Jemisin book. She just drops you into the fantasy world completely from the very first sentence you read, and good luck figuring it out; which you always do, because she’s just that good at worldbuilding. But it takes a while to *get* it, which is why I often have to go back and re-read the beginning of the book knowing what I know after having interiorized it. The City We Became was no different in that regard, but ho boy wasn’t it a ride. And I loved it.

I mean, a proud Black female writer, with her unapologetically queer protagonists of colour, doing the things that this book does with Lovecraftian motifs and horror — all the while referencing Lovecraft as the ridiculous bigot he was? You just know Lovecraft would’ve hated it, and that just makes it so much better. The hard truths about living as a queer person of colour in America are never concealed, and in fact quite openly protested; the fact that bigotry and hatred are tendrils of the Enemy won’t be lost on anyone. And the intricate lore built around the cities is simply a treat to read. I really wish I could understand all the references to New York history and culture better, since I’ve never been and truthfully know rather little — but that’s not even a problem. I enjoyed myself deeply regardless.

I was actually hoping for a standalone this time, but it’s a trilogy again — and hey, you won’t catch me complaining.

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bookphile's review against another edition

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adventurous informative reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This book is fascinating. It explores so many interesting topics and themes, everything from race, prejudice, cities, family, love, friendship, what it means to be from somewhere, what it means to belong somewhere. It does start off a bit confusing, but as with all Jemisin books it's a puzzle that you have to stick with until the picture starts coming together and then you can't put it down.

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innerweststreetlibrarian's review

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adventurous dark funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

Such an excellent book, I’m sad it’s over but very happy to see the author has plans for two more in the series! The quality of the writing is excellent, the characters interesting and well developed, the story was unpredictable enough to keep me interested.
I really enjoyed the magical realism and it feels like a beautiful love letter to New York. So excellent!

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sj_54's review

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dark slow-paced

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

2.25

One part 'Everyone in New York hates each other! And traffic!'
Two parts 'New York is just the best!'
And one part 'Are you sure you noticed the racism? Let me repeat it again over an extra 10 pages just to be sure. And then apply every racial stereotype to the other characters so you're aware they're not white.'

With a couple of ageist and fatphobic comments to round it all out.

Also the twist at the end? Absolutely predictable.

Seriously we're introduced to Veneza with about a million references to the fact she lives in Jersey which 'isn't part of New York reeeeeally, but kinda is at heart' and then she just happens to be the only non-city who hangs around?

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therainbowshelf's review against another edition

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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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for_esme_with_love's review

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adventurous funny 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

4.5

I loved Jemisin's short story collection How Long 'Till Black Futures Month, and was so excited to hear that she expanded the first story into a full book! The City We Became follows the avatars of five different NYC boroughs as they attempt to combat an evil force that uses police, real estate, and neonazi groups to wage war against the city. Chock-full of insider New York jokes and cheeky symbolism, it is a exciting adventure that does not bother to disguise its larger commentary. At its heart, The City We Became is a love letter and a challenge to a vibrant, frustrating, magical city.

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malloryfitz's review

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adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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