The World We Make was a very neat ending to the Great Cities Duology.

We’re following the avatars of New York (and a few special guests) as they prepare for a final battle against the Enemy (who has infiltrated their home in newer, crueler ways) in order to save the world. 

It was easy to jump back into this larger-than-life, not-so-subtle world. I really love the concept and humor and the unapologetic tone. However, the prose felt wearier. Based on the context of the past few years & the Author’s Note, I know that the metaphor aspect became trickier to balance as so much of the content was literally happening. And that this series was initially planned as a trilogy. 

I felt as though the world was a little flatter and a little more gimmicky, and the plotlines felt a little too clean & rushed.

Because everything had to wrap up, the POVs felt unbalanced. I craved so much more from the other characters that I’d adored in the first novel. There were also some fascinating tidbits from the other city avatars AND about Manny’s family that I was desperate to explore. I would love to read a short story collection about the awakenings of the other avatars. 

The ending for me was far too neat, and too escapist compared to the more thoughtful & nuanced setup of the first book.

CW: racism & racial slurs, xenophobia, violence, hate crime, transphobia, homophobia, acephobia, police brutality, gun violence, body horror, classism, deportation, classism, car accident

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