Book #108 of 2021: Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor I think the conclusion to this novella could have had a little more punch to it, but overall it offers a great character study of a young girl afflicted by an extraterrestrial artifact with the involuntary power to kill anything around her when physically threatened. As …
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Book #50 of 2020: Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor (Akata Witch #2) This second novel in the Akata Witch duology has a messier and more episodic plot than its predecessor, but it also feels more like a fully-formed fantasy vision rather than just an #ownvoices West African take on Harry Potter. (Although as with that …
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Book #21 of 2020: Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (Akata Witch #1) This middle-grade series debut has some terrific #ownvoices African-inspired fantasy worldbuilding, but it lags behind in matching that with any significant narrative development or character arcs. So much of the novel consists of either pure exposition about the setting or else the protagonist …
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Book #158 of 2018: Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor (Binti #3) I’ve enjoyed the characters and Afrofuturism concepts of the Binti novellas, but this last book in Nnedi Okorafor’s sci-fi trilogy is the only one that’s really soared for me. Although just as short as the previous volumes, it lacks their abruptness, and …
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Book #118 of 2018: Binti: Home by Nnedi Okorafor (Binti #2) I continue to love the Afrofuturism implicit in this setting, and Binti herself is a compelling character caught between worlds. But these novellas keep not quite working for me. Everything in the plot feels very abrupt, with many moments either not set up well …
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Book #31 of 2018: Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View edited by Elizabeth Schaefer In honor of the 40th anniversary of the first Star Wars movie, this book presents 40 short stories retelling the events of that film from the perspective of various minor characters — from Jawas to stormtroopers to the thing …
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Book #262 of 2017: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (Binti #1) There are not enough black heroines in science fiction, and Binti is a welcome addition to their ranks. I especially liked how her people’s cultural traditions played an integral role in this character’s journey, and how she ended up as something of an alien ambassador …
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