In “The City We Became,” Hugo Award-winning author N. K. Jemisin crafts an urban fantasy suffused with creativity and confrontational politics, exploring themes of identity, culture, and community through the lens of a living, breathing New York City. With this novel, Jemisin imagines cities as living entities, their souls embodied by human avatars who arise to protect them in times of existential threat.

The narrative unfolds through the experiences of five distinct characters, each representing a borough of New York City. Manhattan is portrayed by a young, amnesiac grad student; the Bronx by a Lenape gallery director attuned to the city’s artistic whispers; Brooklyn, a savvy politician and mother; Queens, a young mathematical prodigy; and Staten Island, an ambivalent young woman caught between familial pressure and the broader needs of her city. These avatars are drawn together by the incipient emergence of their city’s soul, tasked with protecting it against a mysterious otherworldly force that seeks to usurp or destroy it.

Jemisin’s prose is vibrant and dynamic, evoking the bustling diversity of New York with a palpable sense of place and energy. The city’s pulse and vibrancy leap off the page, with Jemisin using a rich palette of cultural references and sensory descriptions that anchor the fantastical elements in a familiarly gritty reality. The narrative structure mirrors the complexity of New York itself, with each character’s story intertwining in a tapestry as diverse and interconnected as the city’s own demographics.

Thematically, the novel probes deep into the bedrock of urban existence, examining issues of racism, gentrification, and cultural appropriation. Jemisin does not shy away from depicting the city’s struggles with these issues, leveraging them to fuel the conflict and growth of her characters. Each avatar faces personal and collective battles that reflect broader societal challenges, turning the city’s literal fight for survival into a compelling metaphor for social justice.

“The City We Became” is also notable for its celebration of diversity, not just in terms of race and heritage, but in lifestyles and ideologies. The novel’s queerness is layered and integral, woven into the fabric of the narrative in a manner that enriches the story and provides a deeper resonance with the themes of identity and self-discovery.

However, the sprawling nature of the story, while ambitious, can at times feel unwieldy. The multiplicity of viewpoints and the rapid shift between narratives demand constant attention, which might challenge some readers. Moreover, while the ending sets the stage for further exploration in expected sequels, it may leave those looking for immediate closure a bit unsatisfied.

Overall, “The City We Became” is a bold and imaginative ode to New York City, filled with as much heart and chaos as the metropolis it portrays. N. K. Jemisin continues to push the boundaries of the fantasy genre, infusing her considerable narrative skills with acute social insights and a clear love for the urban tapestry of New York. It is a provocative, compelling read that resonates with the vibrancy and vitality of the city it embodies.