WOW.
THIS is a love letter to New York City.
In her acknowledgements, the author writes that this "is my homage to the city. Hope I got it right."
Damn straight, she did.
Now, I have been to the city several times but in no way am I a New Yorker. I like New York for a weekend, but I don't understand New York. Jemisin, however, she got it going ON for NYC. I am sure there are so many references and tongue in cheek lines that I missed about the personality of New York and all of the boroughs. A real New Yorker will get it, and maybe disagree with some of the stereotypes she irresistably uses here to portray her characters, but give her grace.
What Jemisin has accomplished here is a multi-layered universe; a world we recognize and can't comprehend; and a loyalty/determination/protectiveness that bring all involved to the brink - of what, they cannot even fathom.
Ok, enough mumbo jumbo. This is the story of survival, of teamwork, of Trust and the suspension of belief. New York has been born, in the form of a young graffiti artist. He does not believe or understand what is happening to him, even with his older, wiser guide to teach him how to be "born." And of course, danger lurks. The Enemy wants to crush NYC and all nearby. How can one boy stop her?
Oh, but New York is so much more than one. The boroughs come into awareness and struggle to save themselves and New York. Each is very different and somewhat representative of the borough where they live - a Native American gay woman who runs an Art Gallery in the Bronx, tough as sheeee-yit and with some of the best one liners and put downs, as you'd expect. Brooklyn is a councilwoman with a wild past. Queens is an immigrant who is the hope of her family. Manhattan has forgotten his name. And isn't there a fifth borough?
Meh.
Oh yeah, Staten Island. Whatever.
I loved everything about this novel. The premise, the characters, the characterization, the super snappy dialogue, the descriptions of driving in New York, of living in New York, and mostly, of LOVING New York.
Maybe we needed a story where we work together against a common enemy right now. Maybe we needed to be reminded that we are better together. Maybe this is just so good because there is SO much to talk about (Aislyn and her mom, Aislyn and her Dad, Bronca and Veneta's relationship, Manny's memories, Brooklyn's fight song, dancing, Hong Kong, white fronds and other white things, finding your inner power, the Use of Capitalization, and what the hell is Manhattan's name anyway??).
Even if you think this "genre" is not for you, I encourage you to give this one a go. The Prologue is very confusing but made SO much more sense when I went back and reread it after I finished. Chapter One will have you hooked. Enjoy the ride.
Welcome to the party, indeed. (a great last line.......!)
Oh, and PS, this is the first in a trilogy, so don't think it ALL ended pretty.......
