This is the second book in Turnbull's Convergence Saga and you cannot read without having read the first book, No Gods, No Monsters. The world has been made aware that monsters exist and the repercussions of this are beginning to be felt. Factions have developed - one the Black Hand, a terrorist group looking to annihilate monsters and New Era, a group looking to forge alliances between humans and monsters. But there is also another more mysterious group pulling strings behind the scene - but what is their ultimate motivation? The action is brutal and the world rich. Told through multiple points of view - in multiple times and dimensions, I would recommend to anyone who likes Jeff VanderMeer. Will highly recommend the audiobook, narrated by the incomparable Dion Graham.

A little while ago I read Africa Risen, a collection of short stories featuring authors from Africa focusing on the African Diaspora. It was a wonderful collection with a few authors I wanted to keep track of. One of whom was Tlotlo Tsmaase, who wrote a story called “Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition).” So when I saw that she was writing a novel, I just had to get my hands on it. Womb City is an incredibly dense and discombobulating debut that succeeds at some things while suffering from a few first-novel issues.

In this future, bodies are property and minds are not permanently tethered to the body they are born into. Nelah inhabits the body of another woman. She has no idea who this woman was in a past life, nor does she have many memories of her own life previous to inhabiting this body. She is a rising star within architecture, and she’s about to have a child with her husband who is a government employee. She is living the life, even to the point of having an affair with the charismatic and sexy Jasnith Koshal though that’s becoming more of a problem for her as she tries to settle down. But after winning and award for an architectural design, Nelah goes on a bender with Janith that ends in a hit-and-run. Though she tries to run, a curse starts to haunt her that threatens to expose her misdeeds to her husband and the world around her. It even starts to kill the ones she loves dearest. Who will Nelah become to stop the curse?

Tsamaase is an incredible writer. She captures the mental state of her characters vividly. Tsamaase knows how to place the reader inside the brain of her characters and let it ride. The first few chapters are a haze as Nelah navigates a few days of her life. There are mundane tasks to be completed, birth pods to visits, awkward conversations with family members, and a perceived attempt to steal a baby from a hospital. Tsamaase spends time highlighting how the body swapping technology employed has an insane set of rules that it’s hard to keep track of everything going on, especially mundane tasks. It’s a whirlwind of information that isn’t entirely explained. This isn’t Tsamaase’s fault as much as it seems to be built into the design of the system, Nelah truly doesn’t know what is considered stepping over the line, what is considered a crime, or just an everyday reaction. Throw in the fact that virtual reality machines are employed to predict whether you are someone capable of committing a crime by making you live through whole days at a time similar to a normal day, and it’s a confusing nightmare. I think Tsamaase’s instinct to let it play out is correct even if it causes the reader to bounce off of it initially. Letting the worldbuilding overwhelm the reader without any explanation until later is an immersive experience that lets you live it through Nelah’s eyes.

And while Tsamaase did a lot of heavy lifting to keep me interested, the beginning did flounder a little bit as the pace slowed. A lot of time is spent detailing Nelah’s life, the people she interacts with, what she thinks of them, what she thinks they think of her, and all that good internal stuff. It really solidifies who Nelah is, how she wants to be seen, and how the world is stacked against her (and any non-male really). It’s a brutal life, and Tsamaase delivers it wholesale. But it does drag a little bit because you are watching Nelah just face bullshit at every turn, and the inciting incident is still a little ways away. It helps that Nelah herself is a bit flawed, it drew me in. While we understand these systems as encompassing the entirety of her world, she takes it as a personal slight against her. This becomes a problem later in the book for me on a thematic level, but it feels like a good character choice.

The plot is a hurricane, with blasting winds of events and a calm but furious eye that passes over sporadically. Things really begin to kick off after the hit and run as an evil force begins to haunt Nelah and Jasnith. The horror elements are brilliant and terrifying. The ghost that follows Nelah is powerful and relishes the strength they have achieved in death. Tsamaase really digs into the gore, painting disgusting pictures of bodies and the ways they can be torn apart. It’s not so much revelry as it feels like a fact of life. Placed in a story about minds that can hop bodies over generations and the mortality becomes ultra clear. Even in a world that has transcended the flesh; pain, harm, and death are still very real. It was a great way to ground the threat to Nelah and Jansith. And the mysteries and conspiracies that are unraveled by the duo are as fun as they are daunting. But the lulls occur when the characters are forced to wait something out. And they aren’t bad lulls, but they are a bit noticeable. Especially when the ending becomes a speedrun for all of the reveals. Again, great reveals, but they came hard and fast.

Tsamaase explores some pretty heavy themes when it comes to bodily autonomy and who gets to exert power over whom. The gender relations (as in the real world) are totally fucked, and the body-swapping system cements some of the greater problems into a nigh unbreakable caste system that tracks the movement of every woman. Crimes are tracked by the physical flesh too, not just the mind that inhabits it. If you inhabit the body that has participated in a crime previous to your possession of it, then you’re on a special list. By the way, you don’t really get to choose the body you inhabit. If you don’t have a body, you exist in a sort of limbo until one becomes available. This leads to seems pretty fucking terrible stuff involving unwanted children and their bodies becomes products after the age of 18, sold to the next person in line, while those children are shunted into limbo. The use of virtual reality to test for crime potential to the point where it distorts your perception of reality was a terrifying thought, that I wish it was expanded upon a little more through the story. It serves as a nice shock in the beginning that isn’t really brought up again besides the threat of it happening. The story didn’t need more active suffering on Nelah’s part, but I think showing that sort of system in a broader fashion would have brought a deeper sense of unease to the world, though it would have been hard to pull off without “it was all just a dream,” every damn time it occurred.

And I think this is where a couple of my complaints rear their head the most. Nelah, while an interesting character, had a very limited perspective on the situation. The narrative slowly unravels more and more of the world to her, but so much of the suffering is focused on her position within society. There were discussions of the system as it affects everyone, but so much of it was internalized through Nelah’s thoughts, that they got lost within her own personal concerns. This also confused the rapid pace of the conclusion for me specifically. While I enjoyed the final act, it brought together some of the characters for a reckoning and a revelation by Nelah, so much of the pain and retribution felt personalized. I think it would have been an interesting contradiction, but it didn’t feel that purposeful.

Overall, I enjoyed Womb City despite its wonky nature. Tsamaase’s writing is some of my favorite recently and I will pick up anything she does. The world was dark, and filled with both Christian and African religions. The dystopia was terrifying even if it felt a little lop-sided. It explored the ramifications of such a system, and how it would control the increasing number of minds, while the body stock was limited. The people in charge of it are who you would expect, giving the “conspiracy” a realness to it. I am glad to have finally read it. If you’re curious, I don’t think you should turn away. It’s a good showcase of Tsamaase’s writing ability, and I’m even more interested in what she will bring to us in the future which is rapidly becoming her nightmare.

Rating: Womb City – I liked it despite its unevenness
-Alex

These books are a LOT but they are done so incredibly well. This author hands us so many storylines all tangled together and slowly starts to unravel them for us. This second book is just as original and atmospheric as the first one (and just as confusing to track for me lol).

The characters and storylines are beyond complex. The author obviously put so much work and care into this series and this installment was even better than the first book. Now that monsters are "out," things start to change rapidly in the world. Some of the author's insights are subtle while others are more obvious, though both are to be appreciated as they make so much sense in the story he is telling.

The end hurt me! I cannot wait for the next book in this series (the last?)!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

Wow this book picked up right where NO GODS NO MONSTERS left off and packed an absolute punch! We got so much more of the fantastic world building, both the nature & philosophy of the monsters, the plot was so fast paced!, & we got a new character who might be my favorite. Not only am I super excited for book 3 but I’m going to go back and reread all of Turnbull’s writing now in preparation for it!

Don't try this without reading "No Gods, No Monsters" and keep in mind while you are working through that one that things do eventually start coming together. Sort of. These are interesting books but require some work. And faith that it isn't all nonsense.

My apologies to Netgalley, the author, and the publishers for being late on my honest review of this book. Truthfully, I sat on the read of this book as I did not feel as if I was ready to get back into such an intense, personal, and awe-inspiring work. I loved the first book in the Convergence series and didn't want this one to let down. I also didn't want to struggle with any lack of recollection of names or events.

Thank the dimensional gods that this was not so. This second book in the series opened up as if there were no break from the first, despite the five year gap in time line. Additionally, I felt as if I had never been away from this world. And quite honestly, when the book finished, I wanted to reach out to the author, Cadwell Turnbull, and demand that he keep writing.

How messed up is that?

As much as I want to be that reader: <i>I hate to be that reader, but when can we have the next book in the series?</I> I respect the author and the pace needed to produce such an awesome world. I await eagerly for the next installment; I have faith in the dimensional gods.

What an awesome read!

Cadwell Turnbull takes us on a wild ride (AGAIN). I am so thankful I had a character chart (from a book friend) to help trace who was who. We are the Crisis a tumulous and spacey ride. It keeps you hooked and guessing. It chilled my blood. It made me laugh. It made me wonder. Turnbull does not suffer from second-book syndrome with this one.

Incredibly slow-paced and convoluted, as well as long-winded. Such great potential that I could not get through.

I thought I had reviewed this ages ago! Whoops! I absolutely LOVED the continuation of this series and am anxiously awaiting the conclusion! All of the characters and multiverses...soooo good! Plus my man Jack Parsons was name dropped? How could I not love it! Every character is flawed, but still loveable.

How do you review a second book in a series that feels more like a straight continuation yet just as mysterious and unknowable as its first book?

I stand by my early assessment of this series that 1. it's best read as a group discussion and 2. I think the series is larger than its parts.

While I can't lie that I felt at times this reading experience was frustrating at times, I am still wholeheartedly in love with these characters and these worlds. We are getting deeper into the minutae of the magical aspects, Cal is still being sneaky, and connecting the dots feels like you at the top of a rollercoaster.
It's one hell of a ride!

We Are The Crisis is the second book in the Convergent trilogy written by Cadwell Turnbull. Admittedly it took me a little bit to get into what was happening because it had been so long since I had read the first book No Gods, No Monsters. I really should have gone back and re-read it before I started but after a little bit things started coming back to me. It may be a few years into the future but things are just as crazy as ever.

I think part of the reason why I had so much difficulty remembering is because everything feels very disjointed. It seems like everyone would either like to see the monsters thrive or to have them completely removed. There is so much misinformation being spread by conspiracy theorists and those in power. The goal is always to keep the monsters in the minority. Once again, I enjoyed the way that the author paralleled present day issues with the issues that the monsters were experiencing.

The thing that kept pulling me and continuing to read was the way Cadwell Turner wrote. The descriptions of the monsters are just so well done. You can see their strengths and their flaws. There is multiple levels of representation within the different groups. As the monsters are struggling, they are also continuing the grow and get stronger. Unfortunately their strength is often misconstrued causing the conspiracy theories to go.

We Are The Crisis left me with several questions regarding the main plot. Or should I say plots? Given the fact that this is a multi universe story, some of the monsters are disrupting things in more than one world. And each world has a different perspective regarding the monsters. I have a feeling everything is eventually going to come to a head together. I'm very much looking forward to the conclusion of the this trilogy!

No Gods, No Monsters was an incredible book. It really stuck with me. The audiobook was more incredible in that it was the most immersive audiobook I had listened to. We are the Crisis follow this path. The story picks up several years after the end of No Gods, No Monsters. Life is not better. The future does not look brighter. The characters have to negotiate through so many obstacles as they try to live their lives, including fear founded in reality. A hard book to read or listen to but incredible all the same.

Yes, They're back! Cadwell Turnbull's "We Are The Crisis" features Laina, Ridley, Rebecca, Dragon, Melku, Sondra, Sonya, and Cal, who have returned after their successful premiere in "No Gods, No Monsters" to captivate us once more.

Turnbull's writing is rich and detailed, evoking the reader's heart, soul, and mind as well as thoughts and deeds. That he can write a story so vivid and unforgettable is nearly unbelievable. This world has always included monsters, but now that they have come to light, humanity must respond.

With excellent character development and shifting relationship dynamics, WE ARE THE CRISIS is a deserving follow-up. I'm still fascinated by this world and its mysteries, and the plot moves along nicely as magic is further explored and secrets are exposed. I heartily thank both Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC to review.

I’ve been waiting for this book for a long while. No Gods, No Monsters took up a lot of my headspace, and I really needed Mr. Turnbull to move some of these characters along for the sake of my sanity.

I was not disappointed in the slightest.

The thing about Mr. Turnbull’s writing, especially in this Convergence Saga is that you can’t help but get very very invested while also being completely lost as to where you are, and who you are dealing with.

Continuing on a couple of years after No Gods, No Monsters, We Are the Crisis continues with how the world is reacting to the revelations of the “Boston incident.” Monsters are now known to the general public, but there is a massive political debate over what rights monsters should have (if any), and a human-supremacist group, Black Hand, is committing more and more atrocities against monsters and monster supporters.

On the flip side, there is a pro-monster activist group, New Era, who is working to build a cooperative network between monsters and humans, but there is also an even more esoteric bit of subversion going in within New Era perpetuated by the cosmic elements we were introduced to in No Gods, No Monsters.

All of the tensions from all sides — and there are a lot of sides — seem to be pressing together into a Gordian knot situation that seems both hopeful and hopeless at the same time.

Much like the previous book, We Are the Crisis is one that is going to require re-reading and analysis to fully follow what is going on. While it is very complex, it is amazingly entertaining. I read almost three quarters of it in one sitting: it’s that captivating.

This series is very important in regards to how it approaches civil rights, and the concepts of autonomy and free will. Mr. Turnbull deftly glides between story lines and locations while building up a slow pressure that comes to a head in a way that, while everyone saw coming, nobody expected.

I read No Gods, No Monsters last month and enjoyed the story about supernatural beings (like the X-Men) stand solidarity with the POCs to stand against the injustices of the world.

While I did enjoy the first book, the sequel We Are the Crisis lost some of its steam. Characters from the first book are present but several new characters are introduced and I found it a bit hard to follow the relationships of all of them and which sides they’re on.

I also felt like this is more of a continuation of the events from the first book and not a lot of new developments/elements happened in this book. I understand a lot of the sequel/second books are like this but I prob will not read the third book in the series.

3.5 ⭐️

Following the events of the first book, this second installment in an incredibly original series was equally impactful, if more of a consolidation of previously introduced ideas rather than the introduction of new ones. It was exciting and chilling in equal measure, with some really fascinating philosophical discussions about the nature of humanity and the ethics of registration. Overall, whilst this is not a series that will appeal to everyone, I really enjoy it and will be waiting eagerly for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I enjoyed this book just as I did the first one. I really love a good plot. The twist and turns I am going to make sure I read more from this author. Great work!

I never realized this was a sequel, so unfortunately I couldn't appreciate it to it's full capacity. I did skim the first few chapters and enjoyed the writing style and concept. I am looking forward to obtaining the first book and returning to give this a proper review.

Grateful for the chance to read this ARC.

As touched on in my reflection of the first installment of this trilogy, I was hesitant about continuing this series. Not for lack of being good!, but for its density and complexity. For not understanding so much of it while also loving the monster creation and fight over humanity.
Hoping that this chapter of the series made more sense... I am not sure that I understand any of the mysticism or multi-verse storyline any better at all, but... I DID greatly enjoy the story.

Turnbull is an artist.
A master storyteller, creator of amazingly vibrant personalities and such a believable world of fantasy.... readers cannot help but to keep turning pages.

Not sure that much more action really took place throughout the plodding mystery of fantastical events... but, somehow, it sure felt like so many things happened. Another testament again to Turnbull. Nothing more progressed, really... while, at the same time, so many poignant 'personal' travails, emotive moments, and powerful struggles layered a reality that otherwise grounds this ridiculously fabulous story.

As with the first book, I am not eagerly awaiting diving into the next one. .. but... I will be watching for it... to slip right back into figuring out where we are going... and anticipating as masterful a wrap-up of these disparate characters' sagas as the author has somehow crafted throughout. So effortless masterclass storytelling.

This is a great follow up to the amazing No Gods, No Monsters. I had honestly forgotten some of the events of No Gods, but I was able to pick up the plot quickly. We catch up on old characters like Ridley Laine, Rebecca, Cal and Dragon and are introduced to new characters like Alex. The characters start to circle closer to each other and the overall story becomes more clear. It's still difficult to summarize this book, so much is still unclear. The book goes back and forth quickly between time and place, but I wouldn't call it disjointed. The story really flows.

I would recommend reading Caldwell Turnbulls "review" of No Gods, No Monster on Goodreads. He goes into his process and clarifies certain points. It acts almost like a reader's guide.