Reviews

Edge of Here by Kelechi Okafor

taliyah19's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

rhianh's review

adventurous challenging emotional reflective 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

pwalusimbi's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.5

I felt myself identifying with a lot of the characters in this book in so many different ways. Kelechi has a way of introducing you to certain characters and leave you longing to meet them again and you are subsequently introduced to them as whole individuals. 

My favourite of the short stories is Broom and will hold it as a reminder of who I belong to. 

Even when I didn't identify with the characters I wanted the best for them. 

I felt so seen by this book and I'm inspired to step into this world with my eyes wide open to the love that is around. 

sindyreadsbooks's review against another edition

medium-paced

5.0

thebookishmindset's review

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5

francesmthompson's review

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

maddb_96's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Enjoyed the concepts and themes but every time I was excited by her introducing a really interesting concept I felt like it never went anywhere. Not much felt new to me and the dialogue was cringe. I loved the representation and diversity though, I really wanted to like it more but I found it hard to follow and was confused about how it got from 1 thing to another so quickly and randomly

maybak's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny inspiring mysterious reflective fast-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

5.0

Wow, I loved listening to Edge of Here narrated by the author, Kelechi Okafor.

The closest thing I’ve read that resembles this is The Deep by Rivers Solomon. I say resembles because I think Edge of Here has its own distinct vibe.

It’s a collection of eight short stories written with a savant mix of dystopia, futurism, folktales and contemporary fiction. I like the large palette of characters and the nods to Nigerian culture.

My favourite short stories are: UteruStar, Ally-Chip, Blue and Councilwoman.

I just love how we seem to time travel between the past, present and a scary but all too plausible technology-fuelled future.

Okafor skillfully weaves contemporary themes such as activism, racial and social justice, performative allyship, and ethical concerns surrounding technology into her stories.

Her writing style is lively, at times lyrical. I can’t wait to see these stories brought to life on our screens. Let’s just pray they don’t whitewash the beautifully written characters in which Okafor has undeniably poured so much love into.

This might be my favourite book of 2024. Time will tell.

sammiisammii_'s review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

bluedaisies's review

hopeful inspiring reflective

4.0