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hanarama's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
CW: racism, death, body horror
The Good:
• Resourceful main character
• Horror into understanding
The Bad:
• Too short
• End is a little too "neat"
You Might Like this if You Like:
• A Memory Called Empire
• Octavia Butler
• Non-humanoid aliens
Binti is the first Himbe to be accepted into a prestigious intergalactic school. Though excited, she is apprehensive about leaving her family. Initially she has some difficulty, but soon starts building relationships with her future classmates.
But then their ship is attacked by the Meduse, a jellyfish-like alien species. Binti and the pilot are the only two left alive following the massacre. As Binti protects herself from the Meduse, she discovers a way to speak to them, and begins to relate to the aliens.
The setting is interesting, but the world building is mainly surface level. The novella is too short for a really in depth exploration of the setting.
The ending also suffers due to length. It feels a bit too neatly tied up and abrupt. It felt as though Okorafor was rushing to finish things up, when the story could have been further developed.
The Good:
• Resourceful main character
• Horror into understanding
The Bad:
• Too short
• End is a little too "neat"
You Might Like this if You Like:
• A Memory Called Empire
• Octavia Butler
• Non-humanoid aliens
Binti is the first Himbe to be accepted into a prestigious intergalactic school. Though excited, she is apprehensive about leaving her family. Initially she has some difficulty, but soon starts building relationships with her future classmates.
But then their ship is attacked by the Meduse, a jellyfish-like alien species. Binti and the pilot are the only two left alive following the massacre. As Binti protects herself from the Meduse, she discovers a way to speak to them, and begins to relate to the aliens.
The setting is interesting, but the world building is mainly surface level. The novella is too short for a really in depth exploration of the setting.
The ending also suffers due to length. It feels a bit too neatly tied up and abrupt. It felt as though Okorafor was rushing to finish things up, when the story could have been further developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, Racism, and Violence
kimberlyb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
I've read this book 2 or 3 times. 1st time in 2018. I rated it 4. Today I finished it again and I'm going to move my rating at to 4.5. Like last time, this time I want to continue with the story. The world that this auction created is interesting.
My main issue is the racism. I looked up red clay on skin and found a few of the words that were used in this books. So I'm gonna assume that the himba in the book are the same as the himba In real life. Now racism is real in real life and in present day. I can't see it being so prevalent in a future with space travel. And the colorism within binti's family and home village doesn't seem realistic. Present day and as far back as the 1960's black people have been trying to decolonize our mentality on how we feel about ourselves. And with the internet it's connecting us across the diaspora. So in the time it would take for us to create space travel and populate a new planet I don't see petty racisms lasting to the extent that was presented in this book.
Also with Binti being so tech important. She and her family made a contribution to her world. Other then that, I liked the story.
My main issue is the racism. I looked up red clay on skin and found a few of the words that were used in this books. So I'm gonna assume that the himba in the book are the same as the himba In real life. Now racism is real in real life and in present day. I can't see it being so prevalent in a future with space travel. And the colorism within binti's family and home village doesn't seem realistic. Present day and as far back as the 1960's black people have been trying to decolonize our mentality on how we feel about ourselves. And with the internet it's connecting us across the diaspora. So in the time it would take for us to create space travel and populate a new planet I don't see petty racisms lasting to the extent that was presented in this book.
Also with Binti being so tech important. She and her family made a contribution to her world. Other then that, I liked the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Minor: Racism
thereaderfriend's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Racism, and Xenophobia
New fav sci fi book. I loved it.skai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Binti is the most lovable character, and the world of this book breathes with colour. I can’t believe such a short book had such an impact on me. Thank you for this beautiful taste of the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Cultural appropriation
rachelwierick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
mmefish's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
syllareads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Binti is the first in a series of novellas by Hugo-Award-Winner Nnedi Okorafor and while I can absolutely see the appeal and was mesmerized by the ideas behind this piece of work, it wasn't exactly for me :c
The novella starts with Binti's journey to a prestigious university as the first of her kind, the Himba (which, btw, are the indigenous people of Namibia! I did not know that the name was real but I'm immensely happy it is, and will proceed to find out more about them now). Armed with not much except a jar of otjize, a mixture of her homeland clay and oil and a traditional way of cleaning and adorning their bodies for her people, she boards the ship that will carry her to her new destination - her new life. Except on the way there, the ship gets boarded by creatures who slaughter her future classmates and leave her stranded on a ship filled with the dead and the creatures themselves, patiently on course for the University - for they have stolen something of these people and they want it back.
The overall ideas, as I have already said, were beautiful and intriguing. I was especially glad to see the end play outwhen Binti helps them recover the Stinger of their chief. It was such a pivotal moment and the way the importance Binti's culture was for her was emphasized was very impactful and full of joy. However, the overall pace was still too fast for me. I didn't have time to fully process any emotions apart from a few appreciative nods, and yet it still felt like a lot of time had passed in the novella itself. I was expecting for it to be fast-paced, given that it's barely 90 pages, but I was sadly really not a fan of how it played out in the end.
I would still recommend this novella, given that it's fairly short, because for the ideas it carries, and I might very well pick up book two anyway after this! <3
The novella starts with Binti's journey to a prestigious university as the first of her kind, the Himba (which, btw, are the indigenous people of Namibia! I did not know that the name was real but I'm immensely happy it is, and will proceed to find out more about them now). Armed with not much except a jar of otjize, a mixture of her homeland clay and oil and a traditional way of cleaning and adorning their bodies for her people, she boards the ship that will carry her to her new destination - her new life. Except on the way there, the ship gets boarded by creatures who slaughter her future classmates and leave her stranded on a ship filled with the dead and the creatures themselves, patiently on course for the University - for they have stolen something of these people and they want it back.
The overall ideas, as I have already said, were beautiful and intriguing. I was especially glad to see the end play out
I would still recommend this novella, given that it's fairly short, because for the ideas it carries, and I might very well pick up book two anyway after this! <3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Death
Minor: Racism
jmcordero's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Xenophobia
Minor: War
clea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
3.25
I found the setting and overall story arch of this novella very interesting. But I would've loved to get more explanations, to learn more about the planets and the aliens living there. The "world-building" felt a bit superficial to me.
Even for a novella, the pacing was very rapid. Therefore, the plot seemed rushed and the characters lacked a bit of depth, I couldn't really connect to them.
But it is still an engaging, quick read with relevant themes and interesting ideas.
Even for a novella, the pacing was very rapid. Therefore, the plot seemed rushed and the characters lacked a bit of depth, I couldn't really connect to them.
But it is still an engaging, quick read with relevant themes and interesting ideas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Racism and Gore
nmcannon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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
5.0
Binti was an impulse borrow from the library. Like speculative fiction fans the world over, I know Nnedi Okorafor is a master at the craft, a true magician with her words, and her ability is never more apparent than in this small novella.
Far in the future, Binti is a genius “harmonizer” among the Himba people. In other words, she has a talent for bringing nature, numbers, and people into harmony. Though the Himba people are highly talented engineers, they rarely interact with the neighboring Khoush people, and they’re thought to be “savages” on the outskirts of society (while somehow also producing the planet’s most advanced tech—listen, prejudice doesn’t make sense). It’s absolutely unheard of for a young Himba woman to travel in space or attend the prestigious Oomza University. Yet Binti does both. Things seem to be going well right up until the alien Meduse begin ritualistically slaughtering everyone on the ship, except for her.
Okorafor does so much in such a little page count. The world-building is top-notch, especially with the aliens and technology. Neil Gaiman wasn’t kidding when he said readers will fall in love with Binti—I love her too. She carries and draws strength from Himba culture, and Himba culture, in turn, saves her. She’s wise and knowledge, but also incredibly young and fragile, and Okorafor doesn’t shy away from that. I’m lucky I found this series so late, because I can immediately continue reading Binti’s adventures.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Racism, and Xenophobia