Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi

6 reviews

zombiezami's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

I read this for a book club. It was hard for me to get into, but I did eventually get there. The part I liked best about this book was the worldbuilding. I especially enjoyed the author's approach to imagining tech that really doesn't work the way you want it to, or that you have to McGyver to make useful, or that wasn't made with you in mind. Even in other dystopias involving inadequate technology, I feel that Onyebuchi's approach is uniquely nuanced. 

All of the big emotional inflections in the book definitely hit, for example, "

Chinelo's death, Agu's death, finding out that Onyii killed Ify's mother and lied about where she came from

. Even so, there were a lot of characters, in my opinion, and I kept forgetting who was who.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Gun violence, Death, Blood, Child death, Chronic illness, Torture, Hate crime, Murder, Confinement, Cursing, Violence, War, Death of parent, Body horror, Bullying, Abandonment, Medical content, Stalking, Animal death, and Addiction

Moderate: Racial slurs, Islamophobia, Drug use, Drug abuse, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Cancer

Minor: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Colonisation, and Sexism

mandkips's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War, Death, Child death, and Slavery

Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, Animal death, and Death of parent

Minor: Misogyny and Racism

bookcaptivated's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Death, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, War, Genocide, Colonisation, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, and Slavery

Minor: Cancer, Misogyny, Racism, and Vomit

jordansmith's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Drug use

goblingirlreads's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a really difficult book for me to review. After thinking for awhile I've decided to go with the solid 4/5 rating.
Let's talk about what makes this book amazing: This is a sci-fi is based on a real conflict: The Biafran War, also known as the Nigerian Civil War. The book has incredible world-building. I had a complete picture of how war was waged in this world through the use of droids, child soldiers that are fully synth, soldiers having augmented parts that replace what human parts they've lost in battle and of course the mecha that are piloted in huge epic battles. I grew to really love the characters. The world was incredibly bleaI but I felt it gave a clear picture of how war affects people, soldiers, children, entire countries, the planet

That said, I had a huge issue with the pacing in the book. The first section of the book was absolutely perfect to me but the second section jumped back and forth between two characters in two different locations. The chapters were so short that it felt a little whiplashy and like I couldn't get really excited about one story before it jumped back to another. Finally, the third section could have been its own book and felt extremely rushed. I wish this book had spent a little more time in the editing phase to smooth out some of these pacing issues because overall it's incredible and has so much to offer.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Drug use and Animal death

azrah786's review against another edition

3.75

In a future where much of the earth is uninhabitable due to a radiation-heavy climate, world superpowers have colonised the stars. Though those without the power to escape are confined to the dying planet. In the midst of a civil war, Nigeria is one such nation.
Reflecting Nigerian history, War Girls gives us a glimpse of a war-torn country divided on the basis of race, religion, resources and power. At the centre of the story are two sisters torn apart onto the opposing sides of the conflict, who step up to fight for the peace that has unjustly been snatched from them.

Tochi Onyebuchi has provided us with a heart-wrenching book which shows how war blurs the lines between right and wrong, truth and lies. Onyii, forever battle ready and Ify, always curious about the world around her were both beautifully strong and determined protagonists. I loved their relationship along with the relationships they held with those around them.

The story is action-packed from start to finish and full of sci-fi elements that had me in awe. From the technologically advanced systems and lifestyles of the future Nigerian cities (very much reminiscent of Wakanda), to the evolution of humanity involving bionic limbs and implants. Battles being waged using highly advanced weaponry and humanoid mechs which reminded me of Power Ranger Megazord battles! I am forever fascinated in how authors depict future societies and worlds and my sci-fi nerd heart loved these elements!!

I really enjoyed this book but I did have a slight issue with the pacing towards the end as the events that occurred over the last 50 or so pages felt slightly rushed. Also with how things round up I'm intrigued to see where the story goes in the sequel.

Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Cancer