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  • The City We Became

  • By: N. K. Jemisin
  • Narrated by: Robin Miles
  • Length: 16 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (149 ratings)

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The City We Became

By: N. K. Jemisin
Narrated by: Robin Miles
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Publisher's Summary

Winner of Best Fantasy at the Audie Awards.

Winner of the BSFA Award for Best Novel.

Shortlisted for the Hugo Awards.

Nominated for the Nebula Awards.

Five New Yorkers must band together to defend their city in the first book of a stunning new series by Hugo award-winning and New York Times best-selling author N. K. Jemisin.

Every city has a soul. Some are as ancient as myths and others are as new and destructive as children. New York City? She's got five. 

But every city also has a dark side. A roiling, ancient evil stirs beneath the earth, threatening to destroy the city and her five protectors unless they can come together and stop it once and for all.

©2020 N. K. Jemisin (P)2020 Hachette Audio UK

Critic Reviews

"A glorious fantasy, set in that most imaginary of cities, New York." (Neil Gaiman on The City We Became)

"The most celebrated science fiction and fantasy writer of her generation...Jemisin seems able to do just about everything." (New York Times)

"Jemisin is now a pillar of speculative fiction, breathtakingly imaginative and narratively bold." (Entertainment Weekly)

What listeners say about The City We Became

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not for me

I found the narration painful. The female narrator was so over the top that it really detracted from the story. Most have said it’s genius but I couldn’t listen anymore and had to turn it off a return it. Even though it is fiction I struggled with the first person lead characters obvious racism towards white people. Harder to stomach considering the current climate. Racial vilification being wrong goes for everyone. I can appreciate that a lot of work has gone into it by the writer and narrator but it’s not for me. Take a listen to the sample never know it may be your cup of tea.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Captivating performance

Let's get this out the way first. Robin Miles narration (apart from a mildly dodgy English accent) is phenomenal. Its a captivating performance that makes this Audible the equivalent of a can't put down read through the night page turner.

The story itself is whimsical, a love letter to New York and a good rollicking roller-coaster of a ride. Its not perfect - Aislyn is a shemozzle of a character - inconsistent and slightly clumsy. Bel is more a stereotype (in his britishness)... And his turn of phrase is awkward and inauthentuc.

Is there a theme? Gentrification, homogeneity, the evil of white western culture? If so, its sits mainly in the background raising its hand every now and then while for the most part the quite frankly bat shit crazy metaphysical multi dimensional universe acts the class clown demanding your attention.

I guess its no coincidence that the all the white characters are evil. Racist, The Enemy, basically just wrong. And while its engaging, thought provoking and entertaining to be immersed in diversity the viewpoint is at times grating and occasionally tiresome.

But overall. Its a thumping good listen. Im a big fan.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not worth your time or credits

Story is less then original. Fight scenes boring. Too much swearing. Racist against white people.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional

An exceptionally good audiobook. The novel itself was brilliant - compelling, well written, and a thoughtful insight into New York culture. The production quality of the audiobook was the best I have heard, with sound effects and music that were well-timed without being excessive. I cannot praise this audiobook highly enough.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a masterpiece (in a good way)

don't really have the words to state how good this is. just makes me smile so much! Jemisin's best work so far. and the performance & sound design are so beautiful, this is the way an audiobook should be done.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

Engaging, entertaining, educational. I was absolutely stunned by the performance, and post production. The story is unique and heartfelt. The characters are loveable and relatable. 10/10 will listen again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

New York, New York

Another great SF book by Jameson and another great narration by Robin Miles. You will never think of cities in quite the same way ever again - they live and it is us who make them live

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

5 stars

N.K. Jemisin went for the throat. This was so good! Wonderfully executed, with distinctive characters and relationships.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

No dip

Action packed and grips from start to finish. Good representation of PoC and queer community.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting story. Great narration

The book stands alone by itself but looking forward to seeing where it goes in the sequel. Robin Miles is amazing as always. Not broken earth, but that is a very very very high bar to pass.

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