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hanz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Grief, Violence, Death, Blood, and War
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The world building, the characters, the technology, the journey.. Impeccable.
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Classism, Death of parent, Child death, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Confinement, Cursing, War, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Medical trauma, Bullying, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Body horror, Murder, Body shaming, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Hate crime
tifftastic87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Binti has a lot of discussions about racism, xenophobia, colorism and sexism within the realm of Afrofuturism. These conversations are always based in reality and I find them at times really well done and at times a little heavy handed, I liked the nuance in Binti though. We analyze some of our preconceived biases about people different than us through the use of an alien race, which was nicely done here.
Binti as a character seemed to actually fit the actions of a teenager fairly well, she wasn't one of the chosen one types that is just "oh so strong." She had a lot of emotions, often crying a lot, but finding her resolve to get the thing done.
The story was surprisingly inclusive of trans folk, which I didn't expect. However, there were still a couple of throw away lines about gay folk that were a little off.
The stories are also extremely connected and have a really good through line.
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Xenophobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Death, War, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Gore, and Confinement
Minor: Infertility and Eating disorder
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor is a set of three novellas in one compendium. Binti is an African Futurist scifi that almost feels like Octavia Butler. I really enjoyed this series. I wasn't so sure at the beginning, but the last book really cemented the five star rating for me.
We follow Binti, a Himba girl who is a master harmonizer and gifted in mathematics. When she is accepted into prestigious Oomza University on a distant planet, she makes the controversial decision to leave her home planet in order to learn. Himba people do not leave and they don't embrace change. They always go inward. On the way to the university jellyfish like aliens, called Meduse, board and kill everyone on the ship except Binti and the pilot. Binti then has to broker peace between the Meduse and the university.
There is so much that happened in three books! I can't even summarize it all and have it make sense. The technology in this book is so cool! Living ships that can survive in space and are sentient. So many non-humanoid aliens! Mathematics is a key part of the story. Binti's story is really about the concept of change. Binti is the embodiment of change for the Himba people. The first to leave her planet and tribe, the first to befriend a Medusan, and the only one of her kind in the end.
There are many messages about learned prejudice, the lies we tell ourselves about people who are different from us, and the constant way humans try to treat others as less. I think a big part of Binti's story is also about intersectionality. How you can be many things at once without losing who you are. All of the cultures that were talked about were fascinating.
Because everything is math, that means everything is connected, everything has already been predicted and foretold in complex equations. Apparently, destiny is just math. I've seen some criticism of these books about there not being enough since they are novella, but I appreciate it when authors can be succinct and still get their point across. However, I wouldn't mind a whole book just about Oomza Uni, that place is fascinating with all the diverse aliens.
The science fiction in this is so great. I cannot recommend it enough.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Gore, Grief, Violence, and Death
chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
These books pack a punch. There is so much reflection on being human and things that reflect our society within this futuristic world and mix of fictional species, cultures and races. How this world could feel so real within such a short space of time. The personal journey Binti goes on and her friendships, relationships with her family etc. is astounding.
The end wrapped up the series so well and I really felt we came full circle. I had an amazing journey and can't wait to read more from this author! 😃💜📚
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, War, and Grief
maximauve's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, War, Death, Grief, Xenophobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
boglord's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: War, Violence, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Dysphoria, Gore, Bullying, Classism, Confinement, Medical trauma, and Genocide
Minor: Mass/school shootings and Emotional abuse
el_pacheco's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Grief and Xenophobia
andyparr's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, and Medical trauma
toriffic's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: War, Body horror, Racism, and Sexism