Meet New Books
Book Cover

Blackfish City

Save:
Find on Amazon

Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller is a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel set in a world devastated by global warming. The story revolves around the floating city of Qaanaaq near the Arctic Circle, where complex characters from different social classes navigate through a society plagued by inequality, a mysterious disease called the Breaks, and power struggles between crime syndicates and wealthy shareholders. As the plot unfolds, the arrival of a woman with a nanobonded killer whale and a polar bear sets off a chain of events that lead to a rebellion against the corrupt establishment, revealing deep-rooted secrets and challenging the status quo.

The narrative of Blackfish City is characterized by a richly detailed worldbuilding that explores themes of climate change, capitalism, gender identity, and social injustice. Through multiple perspectives and intricate storytelling, the novel delves into the interconnected lives of its characters, offering a thought-provoking portrayal of a society on the brink of collapse, where hope and resilience endure amidst chaos and despair.

Characters:

The characters are diverse and represent a range of social identities and struggles, adding depth to the narrative, although some may feel less developed.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is atmospheric and immersive, featuring multiple perspectives and a fast-paced narrative that brings the city to life.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot unfolds in a floating city amidst climate disaster, intertwining personal stories that reflect societal issues and culminate in significant events triggered by a mysterious arrival.

Setting:

The setting is a vividly constructed floating city in the Arctic, showcasing the effects of climate change and societal collapse.

Pacing:

Pacing varies from slow to fast, with a gradual buildup followed by a rushed conclusion that may leave some narrative threads unresolved.
After the crying, and the throwing up, and the scrolling through his entire contacts list and realizing there wasn’t a single person he could tell, and the drafting and then deleting five separate lon...

Notes:

The novel is set in Qaanaaq, a floating city in the Arctic designed as a refuge from climate change disasters.
Qaanaaq was built by a coalition of nations with private investment.
The city is predominantly managed by AI, with human elections for minor positions.
A new epidemic called 'The Breaks' severely impacts the population, leading to fear and stigma.
In the story, characters experience strange delusions due to the disease, causing them to gain perceived knowledge from others before dying.
The main characters include an orca woman, a polar bear, and a cast of diverse individuals facing various struggles.
The narrative uses multiple points of view, creating a mosaic-like story that eventually converges.
Blackfish City won the 2019 John W. Campbell Award for Best Novel and was nominated for the Nebula Award.
The city experiences extreme inequality, with the wealthy living in the upper sections while the poor occupy the lower sections.
Cultural elements in the city are influenced by various human societies, creating a unique blend of food, music, and art.
The narrative explores themes of social inequality, capitalism, and personal identity, including queer representation and non-binary characters.
Masaaraq, the orca woman, serves as a catalyst for significant changes in the city.
The book combines realism with fantastical elements, blurring the line between technology and magic.
The story critiques capitalism and explores its role in the societal collapse depicted within the narrative.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Blackfish City include themes of disease, death, mental health issues, violence, and social injustice.

From The Publisher:

"One of the most intriguing future cities in years." -Charlie Jane Anders

"Simmers with menace and heartache, suspense and wonder." -Ann Leckie

A Best Book of the Month in

Entertainment Weekly

The Washington Post

Tor.com

B & N Sci-Fi Fantasy Blog

Amazon

After the climate wars, a floating city is constructed in the Arctic Circle, a remarkable feat of mechanical and social engineering, complete with geothermal heating and sustainable energy. The city's denizens have become accustomed to a roughshod new way of living, however, the city is starting to fray along the edges-crime and corruption have set in, the contradictions of incredible wealth alongside direst poverty are spawning unrest, and a new disease called "the breaks" is ravaging the population.

When a strange new visitor arrives-a woman riding an orca, with a polar bear at her side-the city is entranced. The "orcamancer," as she's known, very subtly brings together four people-each living on the periphery-to stage unprecedented acts of resistance. By banding together to save their city before it crumbles under the weight of its own decay, they will learn shocking truths about themselves.

Blackfish City is a remarkably urgent-and ultimately very hopeful-novel about political corruption, organized crime, technology run amok, the consequences of climate change, gender identity, and the unifying power of human connection.

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (9)
Not Interested (1)
 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.