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draculaura21's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi is a book that takes a horrific event in history and turns it into a futuristic story to bring awareness to the world in a way that draws you in and makes you want to learn more about the actual history of this war. Like so many other readers that will be drawn to this book by the beautiful cover and promise of a new adventure, I came into this knowing nothing about the Biafran War. While the word Biafran seemed familiar, I would not have been able to tell you one single detail about this even in history but this book has me yearning to learn more. I appreciate the Author's Note at the end of the book that directs the readers to further reading about this.
Onyii and Ify are two characters that could not be less alike - one a strong leader that will do anything for the people she loves and the other a studious follower intent to believe what she is told in order to survive and attempt to enjoy her life. But throughout the book, they both are thrown into situations they struggle to handle, they both grow into women stronger than they themselves could have imagined, and they both make decisions they never would have expected to be forced to make. Two desperate but strong women show us the struggle of life during war times and what that can turn you into, but also how redemptive everything can turn out to be. War Girls is a beautiful and educational story that every girl should read.
Onyii and Ify are two characters that could not be less alike - one a strong leader that will do anything for the people she loves and the other a studious follower intent to believe what she is told in order to survive and attempt to enjoy her life. But throughout the book, they both are thrown into situations they struggle to handle, they both grow into women stronger than they themselves could have imagined, and they both make decisions they never would have expected to be forced to make. Two desperate but strong women show us the struggle of life during war times and what that can turn you into, but also how redemptive everything can turn out to be. War Girls is a beautiful and educational story that every girl should read.
cadyly's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lovely, complex book. It has so much to say about sisterhood, war, moral agency, and personal freedom. It's a lot to unpack.
I read it through pretty quickly for the plot, but I will re-read it again to ponder the themes more closely.
There was so much sadness in this book. But - given that it is based on real-world war between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra - it makes sense in a tragic way.
I am really glad there is a sequel; that ending!
I read it through pretty quickly for the plot, but I will re-read it again to ponder the themes more closely.
There was so much sadness in this book. But - given that it is based on real-world war between Nigeria and the Republic of Biafra - it makes sense in a tragic way.
I am really glad there is a sequel; that ending!
tinynavajo's review against another edition
5.0
A fictionaliztion of the actual Nigerian Civil War where the eastern part of Nigeria breaks away.from Nigeria and proclaims themselves Biafra. Only this war takes place in the near future, where climate change and nuclear disasters have damaged most of the world, and we follow two War Girls as this war not only defines their lives it defines who they are to each other.
Onyii and Ify, two sisters who are brought together and torn apart by war, we see that while their whole lives may have been defines by this war, they dream of hope and peace and someday having it for themselves.
Onyii and Ify, two sisters who are brought together and torn apart by war, we see that while their whole lives may have been defines by this war, they dream of hope and peace and someday having it for themselves.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe I waited so freaking long to dive into this wonderful book. Pretty sure the reason why is because I was rejected to read the eARC but details. In War Girls, you will meet Onyii and Ify. They are sisters who were living in a forest until the day that they weren't. Onyii ends up joining the military and Ify is off to a university.
Even though I dove into the audiobook, I will say that it did take me a while to get into everything that was happening. Mostly because I feel like a lot was happening and my brain just wasn't catching up in time. So I had to pause and rewind a couple of times until the coffee kicked in. Once that happened, well, the book flew by for me and I started to fall in love with everything in it.
For one thing, this has an amazing sisterly bond. It's hard to realize that they would still be so close and fight for one another when they are completely separated. Some times people drift away but these two didn't and that's what I really enjoyed. Plus the action was kind of amazing as well.
In the end, I need to get my hands on the second book because there's no way I'm going to walk away from this series now.
Even though I dove into the audiobook, I will say that it did take me a while to get into everything that was happening. Mostly because I feel like a lot was happening and my brain just wasn't catching up in time. So I had to pause and rewind a couple of times until the coffee kicked in. Once that happened, well, the book flew by for me and I started to fall in love with everything in it.
For one thing, this has an amazing sisterly bond. It's hard to realize that they would still be so close and fight for one another when they are completely separated. Some times people drift away but these two didn't and that's what I really enjoyed. Plus the action was kind of amazing as well.
In the end, I need to get my hands on the second book because there's no way I'm going to walk away from this series now.
arhgee's review against another edition
5.0
Really loved this book. Anyone who read and loved Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds will love this book.
phantom_25's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the audio book. Felt draggy at places, but I loved the sister dynamic and relationship. Worldbuilding and basis was solid. Can recommend, but personally I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.
lacy30twin1's review against another edition
3.0
This book was enjoyable. It wasn't the page Turner I expected it to be. It is loosely based on the Nigerian War in the mid-to-late 60s. This book moreso tells of the atrocities during a futuristic civil war. While this book shows what both sides did to win the war, it's clear who is the good guy.
The ending was as happy an ending you could expect from a war book. I wish there would've been closure as to how the war ended and whether the land was recoverable from nuclear warfare.
The ending was as happy an ending you could expect from a war book. I wish there would've been closure as to how the war ended and whether the land was recoverable from nuclear warfare.
ammbooks's review against another edition
4.0
"If you are dying of thirst, one drop of that dirty water will feel like the best water you have ever tasted. When you are dying of thirst, you will drink it all without question. And after so much thirst, you will not even listen to those who are trying to tell you that there is another well twenty feet away.” Pretty much says it all for any type of prejudice. Heart wrenching and loved the female perspective of child soldiers. But so sad that these types of conflicts are ongoing worldwide.