While the catastrophes in N.K. Jemisin’s famed Broken Earth trilogy—each of which won a Hugo Award for best novel—threatened those living in a far-off future, in The City We Became she imbues modern New York City with vivid fantasy. It is under attack from the Enemy, a representation of white supremacy. (The novel alludes to famed early 20th-century science fiction author H. P. Lovecraft’s racism and hate for the city.) The avatars that, to their surprise, represent and must protect the five boroughs thus bond together to try to fight off the Enemy—making their diversity their strength in the face of dark forces that sometimes feel less fantastical than familiar.
Buy Now: The City We Became on Bookshop | Amazon
More Must-Read Stories From TIME
- Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade, Undoing Constitutional Right to Abortion
- What the Supreme Court’s Abortion Decision Means for Your State
- The Failure of the Feminist Industrial Complex
- The Fight Over Abortion Has Only Just Begun
- Column: How Stereotypes Shape the Language People Use
- Everything We Know About Beyoncé's New Album, Renaissance
- Homes Made from Straw or Fungi Can Now Get You a Cheaper Mortgage in the Netherlands
- Going on Vacation This Summer? Welcome to the 'Revenge Travel' Economy
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
