On the Banks of the River Lex by N.K. Jemisin

Humanity is gone. Starbucks is back. Even Death is confused.

On the Banks of the River Lex by N.K. Jemisin boasts a fantastic premise and some truly rich world-building. Unfortunately, the story itself isn't quite on par. Even though I just read this, it’s already slipping from my memory, which isn’t exactly a great sign.

The setup is undeniably cool: humanity is long gone, leaving behind only forgotten gods, mythical creatures, and, apparently, the undying spirit of capitalism (yes, there’s a whole scene about Starbucks reopening). At the heart of it all is Death—literally—who wanders through an empty New York City like an aimless goth kid in a world with no Hot Topic. The story tries to be a poetic meditation on mortality, but the execution is a bit hit-or-miss.

During one of his excursions, Death encounters a surprisingly resilient octopus that seems to rekindle his faith in life’s ability to endure and adapt. Honestly, I found myself rooting for the octopus more than anything else. In the end, the atmosphere and concept shine, but the narrative doesn’t quite leave a lasting impact. Even though this was disapppointing, I am still excited to read more stories from Jemisin's collection.