Review: The City We Became
Available at Bookshop.org
4/5
For fans of: New York City, avatars, found families, multiverse, inter-dimensional beings
The Big Questions:
What genre is this in? Sci-Fi, speculative sci-fi
Are there any swoon-worthy characters? Not really, not that kind of book
Is it spicy? Nope
Is it violent or gory? There’s violent destruction to parts of the city, but nothing outside of the realm of superhero violence
Should I buy, borrow, or pass on this book? If you love stories set in NYC or a huge N.K. Jemisin, I’d say buy it. Otherwise, borrow it!
Synopsis: In Manhattan, a young grad student gets off the train and realizes he doesn't remember who he is, where he's from, or even his own name. But he can sense the beating heart of the city, see its history, and feel its power. In the Bronx, a Lenape gallery director discovers strange graffiti scattered throughout the city, so beautiful and powerful it's as if the paint is literally calling to her. In Brooklyn, a politician and mother finds she can hear the songs of her city, pulsing to the beat of her Louboutin heels. And they're not the only ones. Every great city has a soul. Some are ancient as myths, and others are as new and destructive as children. New York? She's got six.
Review: First off, I loved it and I am excited to continue with the trilogy later this autumn with the second book, The World We Make. Now, onto the good stuff. Told from various POVs, each POV has a clear voice that perfectly reflects each of NYC’s boroughs. Manhattan is charismatic with a sharpness that comes out when needed, but struggles to understand the history and culture it has joined. Queens is young, but thinks deeply and only acts after careful thought. The Bronx is tough, scarred, and demands respect of its history. Brooklyn seems put together and well-organized, haughty and arrogant, but relies on its old-school roots to get out of a bind. Lastly, Staten Island is struggling to be seen, bitter for being belittled, but mighty in its strength to take care of itself. The dynamic between the boroughs is incredibly fun, but often heartbreaking, much like the city itself.
Onto the plot. It took a bit of time for me to get used to the ebb and flow. There were times I felt bored with lengthy descriptions and uneven pace, but for the most part, the action was great and the dialogue was fire. The world building is what really sold me. This idea that cities can reach a point of being “born” with wills of their own and avatars to protect themselves with immense power is so novel. The weaving of ancient and modern cities that were fully born and functioning, cities that were stillborn, and cities that died explosive deaths was so fascinating. Throw in a city-wide threat from an inter-dimensional being hellbent on killing NYC as it goes through its birthing pains with some Lovecraftian-level monsters only seen in one dimension but definitely felt in another and you’ve got such a unique story about cities and culture.