Reviews with content warning for Death - Noor

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor

14 reviews

steveatwaywords's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Okorafor's take on cybernetic science fiction is fresh, fast-paced and compelling, with a fascinating world and a main and supporting protagonist I wanted to know more about, and this is rare in the genre, anymore.

Main character Anwuli (AO) is in a unique space as Other, one more or less self-designed after childhood tragedies. Her augmentations are Nigeria's new pressure point for prejudices, as are the borders between traditional and modern lifestyles. Soon paired with a traditional herdsman, the two represent the extreme ends of this dynamic world's victims: it's no wonder they ally.

The novel moves very quickly from place to place as they seek refuge and we are given, I think, precious little time to reflect on most of it. The entire action for the book takes place in a little more than a single week's time. It's too bad, in one way, because all I could imagine as I read is that the world-building Okorafor has done here calls for more story, much more story. And so do her characters, who deserve the time to reflect on the significance of the decisions and power shifts implicit in their choices.

And it's clear to me that Okorafor has spent time in the world beyond this story's construction. We have a fairly elaborate mythology of the inventive moment which changes the African story in energy leadership and wealth. Regrettably, little is done with the story related to this plot beyond relating it. But it's a tantalizing conceit for more novels ahead.

Of course, too, Okorafor is a bit bound still by science fiction's traditional tropes; it is difficult to write about cybernetics, corrupt oligarchies, and "chosen ones" without falling into predictable patterns. There is more here that could be explored, if she would give herself the space to do it. As it is, much of what comes from the novel's conceit remains somewhat predictable: it would make, I fear, a forgettable movie if optioned as one.

Okorafor is a marvelous talent who, like other enviro-future writers such as Paolo Bacigalupi, could take on more ambitious projects still. I for one look forward to them.

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becann's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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michaelion's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The biggest flaw is that it's too short. I haven't delved into sci-fi that much but I seem to like it, and this book needed more room to be. Heavy lore drops that are mostly tell not show, but not in a way that's irritating, more in a way that this is a huge world that wanted to be explored more. I liked a lot of elements of it though and really related to the main character.

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mgmotley's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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saint_eleanor's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book is so beautiful and resilient, and the world building is truly phenomenal. I took away one star because towards the end the dialogue seemed a bit lazy but in all i definitely recommend if you are a sci fi fan.

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ashleybakerwrites's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I enjoyed this book from the middle onward. The hook isn't particularly strong for me, but it was very enjoyable past that. I loved the world building and anticapitalist message. A lot of it felt more fantasy than sci-fi, but there was definitely enough sci-fi in it for the average sci-fi reader. The journey was very interesting. And the pinch points felt very real for the characters.

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