The Great Cities
This urban fantasy series begins with The City We Became, where the soul of New York City manifests in human avatars, one for each borough. When an otherworldly enemy threatens the city’s identity, its avatars must unite to defend it. A sequel, The World We Make, continues this cosmic battle for culture and place. Jemisin uses speculative fiction to tackle racism, gentrification, and resilience in the face of existential threats. It’s a bold, allegorical series about cities as living entities and the people who embody their spirit.
In The City We Became, N.K. Jemisin brings New York City to life—literally. Each borough manifests as a human avatar, tasked with defending the city against an otherworldly force seeking to consume it. When the city’s primary avatar falls into a coma, five individuals must come together to protect their home. Mixing cosmic horror, urban fantasy, and social commentary, the novel explores themes of identity, resistance, and cultural diversity. It’s a love letter to New York and a powerful allegory about cities as living, breathing entities shaped by the people who inhabit them.