5/5

The Big Questions:

• What genre is this in? Urban Fantasy, science fiction

• Are there any swoon-worthy characters? Manny is tall, dark, and dangerous

• Is it spicy? Fade to black

• Is it violent or gory? Inter-dimensional beings causing some massive property damage

• Should I buy, borrow, or pass on this book? If you read the first book, The City We Became, buy it!

Review: N.K. Jemisin’s love letter to New York City is a beautiful portrayal of a found family saving the city they love from outsiders trying to change it and inter-dimensional beings trying to destroy all of reality. I had a blast with cunning and dangerous Manny making moves, gruff Bronca pulling strings, genius Padmini fighting interdimensional beings with math, smooth Brooklyn combating hate with music, kind Veneza reaching out a hand, fearful Aislyn growing a backbone, and beautiful Neek pulling all of NYC together. I loved everything about this sequel to The City We Became as the world building became more complex, the stakes were so much higher, the plot weaving all the boroughs together, and the message of NYC being a soul of its own rang true. Highly recommend!