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radioisasoundsalvation's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship
quarkie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gosh, reading this book reminded me why the previous one was also a 5 star read. Jemisin's writing is pure poetry. It has this amazing lyrical flow to it, such that it is easy to get lost in. I read this book in 2 days. It was amazing.
What I liked: Each character has such a strong point of view, and is so multi-dimensional. They feel so effortlessly real. Jemisin puts them in so many (terrible, awful, amazing, beautiful, human) true-to-life situations, and they respond in a way that feels both real and true to their characters. I feel like I know each character - not that I know a specific individual that is just like them, but they serve as true avatars of not only their boroughs but for their populations. So many of the thought processes and comments that characters make are so relatable, and I see them played out daily. Nothing in the book "just happens" - everything has a cause as well as an effect. The storylines are tight and pacing is great. And I just can't get over how beautifully written it was.
What I didn't like: I think my only complaint was that while some of the pop and political cultural references feel fresh now (in 2024), but I'm not sure how well some of them will age.
Concepts that will stick with me: In a way, this book personifies racism, xenophobia, and gentrification by turning it into a singular entity that can be taken on and beaten. This is a comforting thought. It explores the concept of "personality gentrification", or as I came to think of it, gentrification of the soul. It also deals with what happens what the gentrifier meets with gentrification. It also shows how someone can be seen as "nice" by one set of people (and actually be genuinely nice to them), but also participate in oppressive structures that hurt everyone, including the people they are nice to. It's a haunting exploration of the fragility of xenophobes (especially the well-meaning ones), and the mental and emotional work people have to put in to deal with that.
What I liked: Each character has such a strong point of view, and is so multi-dimensional. They feel so effortlessly real. Jemisin puts them in so many (terrible, awful, amazing, beautiful, human) true-to-life situations, and they respond in a way that feels both real and true to their characters. I feel like I know each character - not that I know a specific individual that is just like them, but they serve as true avatars of not only their boroughs but for their populations. So many of the thought processes and comments that characters make are so relatable, and I see them played out daily. Nothing in the book "just happens" - everything has a cause as well as an effect. The storylines are tight and pacing is great. And I just can't get over how beautifully written it was.
What I didn't like: I think my only complaint was that while some of the pop and political cultural references feel fresh now (in 2024), but I'm not sure how well some of them will age.
Concepts that will stick with me: In a way, this book personifies racism, xenophobia, and gentrification by turning it into a singular entity that can be taken on and beaten. This is a comforting thought. It explores the concept of "personality gentrification", or as I came to think of it, gentrification of the soul. It also deals with what happens what the gentrifier meets with gentrification. It also shows how someone can be seen as "nice" by one set of people (and actually be genuinely nice to them), but also participate in oppressive structures that hurt everyone, including the people they are nice to. It's a haunting exploration of the fragility of xenophobes (especially the well-meaning ones), and the mental and emotional work people have to put in to deal with that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Deportation
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
salemander's review against another edition
5.0
just as fun and entertaining as the first one! the world building and creation of these amazingly complex and interesting characters is incredible. the jokes were still a little cheesy but they helped keep what could be a very dark book at times a lot more hopeful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
brynalexa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Similar to the The City We Became in that it was slow to start even though I was invested in the characters. I was getting worried toward the end that it was going to end in a marvel-like battle scene at the end which it did not and took a lovely turn. Very interesting concept and world that was very well researched.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide and Deportation
Minor: Cursing, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Stalking, Abandonment, and War
le3713's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I particularly enjoyed this one on audio (with minor dramatizations that enhanced the experience), and found myself with a better grasp of what was going on and investment in the plot than I did with the first book. I'm not sure what I thought about the ending - not quite what I expected. I enjoyed some of the little details in this book like Istanbul's cats! .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
maritareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? No
3.75
The sequel to the Great Cities duology is just as well written as the first. On that front, Jemisin does not disappoint. However it feels like it has a good pace for a majority of the book to get an anticlimactic conclusion. She explained in the acknowledgments that her cup ran over when she was writing the duology and I understand, but it still felt unfinished.
Manny is such a mystery and I wanted to know how he could become two cities at the same time. Who is his family? What is the extent of their abilities? What else don't we know about cities? Will Jemisin ever write a romance? etc.
Another thing that annoyed me was the saving the city through elections plot. Anything else would have been more creative.
I'm curious about who would be my city's avatar though and how they would be embodied. I would love to read a story about Nairobi
Another thing that annoyed me was the saving the city through elections plot. Anything else would have been more creative.
I'm curious about who would be my city's avatar though and how they would be embodied. I would love to read a story about Nairobi
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Racism
Moderate: Transphobia
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence and Toxic friendship
beccaand's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Police brutality
leweylibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
tense
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
4.75
I still think the first one was better, but this was such a solid 2nd book. My only complaint is that I wish there had been more character development with all of the characters rather than the focus on just a few. I especially wanted more about Neek and Manny since they clearly were being set up to be in a closer relationship. I just didn't really feel like it made sense for them to based on what we did see from them. But it was cool seeing a lot of the other ones really start to come into their full selves and use their citiness to their advantage or at least for us to see how it affects and plays into their lives.
Regardless, all of the great themes from the first book continued just with the added ones of a populist POS candidate running for office and more involvement from other city avatars. I like the overall message that things that bind a place and its people together, even things as seemingly small as a song or a concept or construct, can defeat evil.
I'm not totally sure how I feel about the ending, so I might change my rating based on that later when I've had time to think about it. On one hand, how quick and dismissive it was made me laugh, especially in a sci-fi book with such high stakes lol but another part of me thinks that's an unsatisfying ending to a duology? Idk lol
LastlyManny better stay in Manhattan dang it because I don't want one of Chicago's avatars being someone who doesn't even want to be here and who sees Chicago as the second choice to New York 🙃 Especially since I felt like I identified so much with Manny in that he fell in love with the city he was new to so quickly.
Regardless, all of the great themes from the first book continued just with the added ones of a populist POS candidate running for office and more involvement from other city avatars. I like the overall message that things that bind a place and its people together, even things as seemingly small as a song or a concept or construct, can defeat evil.
I'm not totally sure how I feel about the ending, so I might change my rating based on that later when I've had time to think about it. On one hand, how quick and dismissive it was made me laugh, especially in a sci-fi book with such high stakes lol but another part of me thinks that's an unsatisfying ending to a duology? Idk lol
Lastly
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Toxic friendship, and War
kirstenf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, and Classism