The City We Became

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin, 437 pages

New York City is on the cusp of coming to life. Through all the multiple universes, that singular city we all know as New York is attempting to be born and claim its place among the great cities, including Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Paris, and London. But the Enemy is fighting hard to stop this city from taking hold, and so it is up to the five boroughs as represented by human avatars that embody the soul of each borough to fight of the Enemy and help New York really take root as a living, breathing entity.

This book is about as far as possible from Jemisin's Hugo-winning Broken Earth trilogy, but that doesn't mean its any less amazing. The boroughs' avatars are stereotypes, yes, but loving ones that pay tribute to the history and soul of the city. It's a love letter to NYC, one that celebrates the city's attitude, its quirks, and its diversity. I loved this book, and I can't wait for the next book in this trilogy.