The City We Became (Great Cities #1)

 

The City We Became by NK Jemisin is the first in their Great Cities series. 

As a man arrives in Manhattan he forgets who he is but he can feel the city around him. He knows that something in the city does not belong and he feels sure it is up to him to fight it. 

This is happening to one person in each borough. As the city fights to become alive, it will need those who are true to it to help. 

In the Bronx, an artist whose family has been here since before Columbus sets up a photo exhibit of graffiti that captures the essence of the city. In Brooklyn, a rapper come city official fights gentrification of her home. In Queens, a mathematics student originally from from elsewhere fights to protect her borough. And in Staten Island, a young woman will have to decide between two options - both of which are scary.

Jemisin has created a series for people who love, not only NYC, but cities and their personalities. This novel has science fiction elements but reads as magical realism with an interdimensional twist. A fun read.

Jemisin, NK. (2020). The City We Became. New York: Orbit.