I liked it but:

- The chapters were sooo long, I listened to the audiobook and every chapter was at least an hour. It made me feel like I wasn't making any progress in the book, so it was tough for me to stick with it. 

- Could be a dealbreaker for you: there's so much racism, and its VERY prominent (one of the POV characters is a racist) so if that's too much for you don't read this book. It was kinda of off-putting for me (a Black Woman), I don't feel like a lot of reviews addressed this. I don't feel like it was put in there willy nilly tho, it was very purposeful.

- Nothing really happened,

they each experience something weird happen earlier that day, half of them meet up, then the next day they meet another one, come up with a plan (that doesn't work), they meet "the heart" then they have the "final battle"  and that's the end

the plot literally happens over 2 days max and it's mostly them running around confused. 

- The ending was anti-climatic 

- The sound effects seemed to be thrown in at random

- The narrator has a beautiful voice but the accent she uses for some of the characters sound like the accent I do when I make fun of New Yorkers so I couldn't take it seriously lol

- It throws me off that New York would be the first city to become like this in the US, there's a lot of distinct cities in the US so if anything I would think New York would maybe the oldest or the most intense but the only??? IDK about that 

Gentrification and racism personified? Yes please! 

A remarkably diverse and fascinating novel. I’ve never been to New York and I doubt I’ll ever be able to afford to. But this makes me want to.

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: 

 

There’s something about NK Jemisin’s endings that make me want to go right back to page one as soon as I’m done. She also loves to end a book underground. I read that people feel the character introductions are a slog but I completely disagree- the character introductions and them finding each other IS the plot. I loved how the world building and plot were so expertly weaved into the character work. I was sad to be introduced to Queens last because I liked being in her head quite a bit.  I’ll be picking up the sequel ASAP. 

Far from my usual genre but so glad I gave this a chance. I think this is a book that is definitely a top tier experience listening to the audio book as it really does immerses you into the story. I think this will really resonate with anyone who’s lived in the city, but I feel like the descriptions would help most get into the story. I often forget Staten Island is a part of the city, and as I learn more about it, I can see why. I’m hoping for some massive character development for her in the next book but I’m also not holding my breath. One thing I wish we did have was more exploration of the other POVs. I feel like we got a lot from the Bronx and Staten Island, and a lot of Manhattan in the beginning, but we still don’t really know why Manny was chosen to be the city, especially if he was just getting there. I would have loved to get more POV from Brooklyn and Queens, and even Jersey City (which was such a fun little addition!!!). Excited to read the next one.