The City We Became

Set in present day New York City, this fantasy, adventure takes you on the journey of 5 individuals who wake up one day as the living embodiment of the NYC boroughs. What does that actually mean? Well, that's for you and the characters to find out.

Honestly this was unlike anything else I’ve read, though I found the pace and tone to be somewhat similar to N.K. Jemisin’s other series - The Broken Earth (which I would also recommend if you haven't already). In both that series and this book, she gives you enough information to make the story compelling, and start to build the world but doesn't give you every detail.

Great diversity and cast of characters - clearly created from the mind of New Yorker; pays homage to the city and its eclectic mix of people. Jemisin doesn't mess around when it comes to representation, and does a great job of getting characters who have too long been the sidekick or just not on the page at all to the forefront. This is the first book in what is set up to be a trilogy (warning: the rest are not out yet, so join me in the [not so] patiently waiting club).