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A review by barrettbooks
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
N.K. Jemisin is honestly one of my most trusted writers in terms of sheer quality but also just...boldness? Like I love a big swing and this book definitely feels like a massive swing. The basic premise — New York City is coming to life, literally, and it has human avatar(s) to hold, protect, and channel it and also to fight against the mysterious and powerful Enemy that uses both massive tentacles and legal hostile takeover techniques — is a lot. The fact that Jemisin is weaving so much reality in with the sci-fi is impressive. The book tackles the heart and character of New York City. It celebrates the beautiful, ideal sides: a multicultural city that welcomes immigrants, the communities that have grown and built themselves over decades, the art that New Yorkers (especially Black New Yorkers) have created, revolutionized, and poured out into the world. It also does not shy away from the negative aspects of New York: the xenophobia and racism that exists and in some cases thrives there, the gentrification which threatens the very communities and culture that form the soul of NYC.
It's a lot to weave together. Throw in that there are half a dozen different POVs and it has the potential to be a whole mess. But it isn't. The characters are compelling, even the ones I doubted at first. The different points of view are expertly arranged to pace the story. The narrative is revealed quickly enough to grab interest, slowly enough to keep you curious and not be confusing (mostly.) Jemisin makes very good use of naïve characters to give extremely natural exposition. It's just masterfully done.
I want to end on talking about the characters. I love them. When the first POV went away I was initially disappointed because I loved his voice so much, but I grew to love the others as well. I was so excited that there was an Indigenous lesbian elder among the main ensemble. It was delightful for there to be multiple Black characters, including queer Black characters. But beyond identity, I loved the characters themselves. I love Bronca's anger and pride and care, I loved Veneza's brightness and fierceness. And I loved Manny so much, in ways I cannot fully describe, one Manny gender for me please, thank you. I don't have the space to discuss all the characters but even the ones who do terrible things are crafted in such a rounded way. I am so excited to read more about them in the sequels. I loved this book. :)
It's a lot to weave together. Throw in that there are half a dozen different POVs and it has the potential to be a whole mess. But it isn't. The characters are compelling, even the ones I doubted at first. The different points of view are expertly arranged to pace the story. The narrative is revealed quickly enough to grab interest, slowly enough to keep you curious and not be confusing (mostly.) Jemisin makes very good use of naïve characters to give extremely natural exposition. It's just masterfully done.
I want to end on talking about the characters. I love them. When the first POV went away I was initially disappointed because I loved his voice so much, but I grew to love the others as well. I was so excited that there was an Indigenous lesbian elder among the main ensemble. It was delightful for there to be multiple Black characters, including queer Black characters. But beyond identity, I loved the characters themselves. I love Bronca's anger and pride and care, I loved Veneza's brightness and fierceness. And I loved Manny so much, in ways I cannot fully describe, one Manny gender for me please, thank you. I don't have the space to discuss all the characters but even the ones who do terrible things are crafted in such a rounded way. I am so excited to read more about them in the sequels. I loved this book. :)