If you loved
The City We Became
N. K. Jemisin · Book · 2020
If you loved The City We Became, you crave stories where the pulse of a city is a living, breathing character.
Films on the same thread
Superman
Film · 2025
Explores: Heroism, Identity, Alienation.
Like the avatars in The City We Became, this narrative explores the tension between an individual identity and the massive weight of representing a city’s heritage and future.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
David Yates · Film · 2016
Shares a thread with The City We Became: Magical Realism.
The City We Became brings hidden magic to the streets of New York, mirroring how this story reveals a secret, expansive wizarding world operating beneath the surface of American society.
Your Name.
Makoto Shinkai · Film · 2016
Explores: Fate, Interconnectedness, Rural vs. Urban Life.
This film echoes the way The City We Became ties personal identity to physical location, using the metaphysical connection between two strangers to explore the profound impact of urban space.
Miraculous World: New York, United HeroeZ
Film · 2020
Explores: Friendship, Heroism, Cultural Exchange.
The City We Became presents New York as a magical battleground, a sentiment echoed here as young heroes navigate the specific cultural atmosphere and identity of the city.
Series on the same thread
Marvel's Jessica Jones
Melissa Rosenberg · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with The City We Became: Urban Fantasy.
This gritty look at New York City mirrors the grounded, urban-focused struggle found in The City We Became, focusing on how individuals survive and transform within a complex metropolis.
The Magicians
Sera Gamble · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with The City We Became: Urban Fantasy, Magical Realism.
Much like the awakening of urban consciousness in The City We Became, this series deconstructs fantasy tropes to examine how secret, magical systems exist within our own contemporary reality.
American Gods
Bryan Fuller · Series · 2017
Shares 2 threads with The City We Became: Urban Fantasy, Mythic Fiction.
If the mythic urbanism of The City We Became captivated you, this series offers a similar collision of ancient gods and modern landscapes, redefining how we perceive national identity.
What We Do in the Shadows
Jemaine Clement · Series · 2019
Explores: Vampire Life, Fish-out-of-Water, Supernatural Roommates.
The City We Became treats the city as a living entity, a concept reflected in this mockumentary by showing how supernatural beings inhabit and define the specific boroughs of New York.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
The City We Became tackles the weight of history on contemporary identity, a theme explored here through a rigorous examination of the structural forces that shaped the American landscape.
Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness
Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness · Podcast · 2026
Explores: curiosity, self-actualization, mental wellness.
While non-fiction, this podcast mirrors the spirit of The City We Became by prioritizing the importance of individual growth and cultural curiosity within the context of our evolving world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The City We Became a standalone story?
The City We Became is a novel by N. K. Jemisin that serves as the first installment of the Great Cities trilogy. It explores themes of culture, identity, magic, and myths within the contemporary setting of New York City.
What is the primary setting of The City We Became?
The City We Became is set in contemporary New York City. The narrative centers on the boroughs of the city, specifically focusing on Manhattan where a young grad student arrives without any memory of his identity, name, or origins.
Who is the author of The City We Became?
The City We Became was written by N. K. Jemisin. She is a three-time Hugo Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author known for crafting stories involving magic, myths, and complex cultural identities.
What are the core themes explored in The City We Became?
The City We Became explores themes of culture, identity, magic, and myths. The story follows a young man in Manhattan who loses his memory and must navigate the mysterious, beating heart of the city while uncovering his true connection to the urban environment.