This was an enchanting story - a love letter to New York City - packed with witty prose and earnest characterization. 

 

We’re following the avatars of NYC: essentially the souls of the city. They were once normal humans, but now have become superpowered protectors. They’ve got to find each other, figure out how their powers work, and defend New York against an ancient evil from another universe before it faces destruction.

 

 

It’s not a subtle book. While it has some moments of nuance, the writing and the characters are bold & in your face. The philosophy is crystal clear. It’s blunt and it sometimes dips into the stereotypical (especially in its portrayal of antagonists and its references to the city). 

 

At times things feel a little gimmicky - I can see readers feeling like the tone is condescending or preachy. But I do think this is a story that contains both vibrancy and thoughtfulness, both tender moments and aggressive moments, and both passionate philosophies and more nuanced takes.

 

The chapters are quite long, but the story has a great rhythm to it that keeps the pace flowing. It feels very episodic.  

 

It’s weird. It’s often funny. It’s haunting. It’s got extra-dimensional beings, harsh dissections and subversions of Lovecraft, and a sweet coming-of-age throughline. I truly enjoyed it.

 

CW: death, xenophobia, racism & slurs, homophobia, misogyny, sexual assault, violence, hate crime, abuse, antisemitism, sexual harassment, police brutality, colonization, body horror, transphobia, classism, panic attacks, islamophobia, genocide, war