kers_tin's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
catpingu's review
4.0
Another review linked it online for free (officially by Tor Books, mind you!) and so I went through.
The beginning is something we've seen bore, the story of birth at the beginning of [b:The City We Became|42074525|The City We Became (Great Cities, #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585327950l/42074525._SY75_.jpg|54760675]. It's that last part that tells us which city is being born next.
The beginning is something we've seen bore, the story of birth at the beginning of [b:The City We Became|42074525|The City We Became (Great Cities, #1)|N.K. Jemisin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1585327950l/42074525._SY75_.jpg|54760675]. It's that last part that tells us which city is being born next
Spoiler
Los Angelespar3's review
3.0
3 Stars. The writing is brilliant. But I didn’t care for the unbelievable story and didn’t like the MC.
Read: 2/26/23
Quotes:
- “What good does it do to be valuable, if nobody values you?“
- “ The world can’t hurt you if you just ignore everything that’s wrong with it; well, not until it kills you anyway.”
Link:
https://www.tor.com/2016/09/28/the-city-born-great/#more-228649
Read: 2/26/23
Quotes:
- “What good does it do to be valuable, if nobody values you?“
- “ The world can’t hurt you if you just ignore everything that’s wrong with it; well, not until it kills you anyway.”
Link:
https://www.tor.com/2016/09/28/the-city-born-great/#more-228649
f1utterby3's review
2.5
I've read The Inheritance Trilogy and the Broken Earth Trilogy and have been itching to get into the Great Cities series. I had The City We Became on my virtual shelf when I saw that this short story is a precursor to it.
I think I had pretty high expectations, but overall found it a bit "meh"? There's some truly beautiful writing in here and it seems at times to be a love letter to NYC (my hands-down favourite bit being the fight between our protagonist and the enemy).
But, I'm not sure how I felt about it as a standalone story. I don't think I really felt invested in the story until the enemy appeared and even then, the idea of the "enemy" was a bit vague and incomplete for me.
I can't say I feel more invested or amped to read The City We Became after reading this, but I'll still get around to it sometime this year.
I think I had pretty high expectations, but overall found it a bit "meh"? There's some truly beautiful writing in here and it seems at times to be a love letter to NYC (my hands-down favourite bit being the fight between our protagonist and the enemy).
But, I'm not sure how I felt about it as a standalone story. I don't think I really felt invested in the story until the enemy appeared and even then, the idea of the "enemy" was a bit vague and incomplete for me.
I can't say I feel more invested or amped to read The City We Became after reading this, but I'll still get around to it sometime this year.
nikshelby's review
I didn't rate this short story.
I admire N.K. Jemisin. I enjoyed "The City We Became" (particularly when read by the audio narrator, Robin Miles).
This short story is a prequel to that.
But, I don't get it. I don't quite understand it.
I admire N.K. Jemisin. I enjoyed "The City We Became" (particularly when read by the audio narrator, Robin Miles).
This short story is a prequel to that.
But, I don't get it. I don't quite understand it.
titusfortner's review
2.0
One of the 2017 Hugo nominations for short story.
I just didn't connect with this one. Perhaps if I lived in New York City I would find more to like?
I just didn't connect with this one. Perhaps if I lived in New York City I would find more to like?
anaiira's review
4.0
I wanted to start the year of reading with something bold and hopeful. Something with magical realism that confronts the realities of politics and situations these days, but confronts them head-on, with bravery and stubbornness, not blind to the truth, but daring in spite of it.
dem437's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
thereaderintherye's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0