March 2024’s Newsletter: Book Recommendation for “The City We Became” by N.K. Jemisin
Are you looking for a new urban fantasy?
Are you into abstract magic and a taste of cosmic horror?
Do you like diverse representation and morally grey characters?
Do you hate bigots?
Check out “The City We Became” by N.K. Jemisin, the first book in an adult urban fantasy duology.
“The City We Became” Summary
Anyone who lives in a city long enough knows that cities have a soul. What we don’t realize is that sometimes they even come alive.
When New York City is born, it doesn’t have the usual singular avatar, but five: the primary, and four boroughs. This split leaves NYC weakened and scattered. It’s perfect ground for an ancient evil to take root and fester. The four boroughs must unite beside the primary before the enemy destroys their beloved city… and every living city on Earth.
Cities as Magic
The magic system is incredibly unique. This is a world where cities are living organisms, represented and protected by their avatar. Each avatar has powers representing their city’s identity. Or, in NYC’s case, their borough’s. For example, Brooklyn is a former rapper who freestyles her way through the hordes of monsters. The idea of a person embodying a city’s essence– both the good and the bad– is such a fascinating concept, and N.K. Jemisin writes it beautifully. You can tell she has a lot of love for New York and its diverse cultures.
I also loved the lovecraftian, cosmic horror aspect of the magic system. Cities are physical things that we understand, and that contrasts with the otherworldly abominations who seek to destroy it. Even the protagonists are a little comic horror-ish. They are human, but also vast, living cities that cross the borders of realities. It’s quite different from the paranormal werewolves-vampires most urban fantasies feature, and it’s refreshing to read something new.
All gushing aside, the magic system is also rather complex. The protagonists aren’t all clear on what’s happening at first, and so neither is the reader. It might take readers a while to understand what’s going on and how the magic system works.
Stick with it! The story is fantastic, and it’s worth a little puzzling.
The Characters Feel Real
Every one of N.K. Jemisin’s characters in “The City We Became” feel real. The protagonists– and even the minor characters– each have distinct personalities, which is shown by their actions and reactions, their fleshed-out backstories, and their narrations. As an author, I can assure you how challenging this is! (There’s a reason N.K. Jemisin is one of the most decorated fantasy authors around.)
Not only do the characters have diverse personalities, but diverse identities as well. Whether it be race, culture, gender, or sexual orientation, “The City We Became” captures NYC’s diversity. (I was particularly pleased when a protagonist came out as ace in the second book!)
Because N.K. Jemisin is writing realistic characters, there are almost no outright villains. Everyone is the hero of their own story, so everyone has reasons for acting the way they do. Even the lovecraftian antagonist has the capacity for friendship and pity. This leaves the cosmic-horror puppet-masters and the fascist racists as the only true evil.
Vivid Descriptions
I haven’t read a lot of N.K. Jemisin, but I love the way she writes. Her descriptions are so vivid, it’s like I could step through the page right into her world. That’s impressive, given much of the magic system is abstract. And yet, I had no trouble visualizing people being both a physical person and the embodiment of a city, or the other-wordly lovecraftian abominations that defy our laws of physics.
N.K. Jemisin has beautiful writing, but never feels bogged down or overly wordy. Clearly, I need to read more of her works.
In Conclusion…
Abstract magic systems, fantastic descriptions, and characters who feel real. If you’re interested in an adult novel that diverges from the classic paranormal tropes for an original spin on urban fantasy, give “The City We Became” and its sequel “The World We Made” a try.
Want more fiction recommendations? Check out my Ultimate Compendium of Fantastic Fiction Books to help you find your next great read.