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eiver517's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
sephyy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
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
biblioemily's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. I wish I had read the author's note first, as it provided helpful context, but I did ok without it. Positives: the cover artwork, interesting premise, almost non-stop action, learning more about a portion of Nigerian history, etc. Not-so-great: I felt slightly detached from the narrative and the characters at all times, and occasionally found the details of the plot difficult to follow. Overall, I'm glad I read it, and I'm glad this book exists! I think I'd recommend it to 8th graders as well, with a caveat about the amount of violence.
criticalreader's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting afrofuturism book, dealing with a lot of series themes of what it means to be human, what is a just cause and how one identifies.
Set in a futuristic Nigeria where augmentations, androids etc are common place and uses the Biafra war of independence where Igbo people created Biafra and were fighting Nigeria for independence, but set it in the future. I liked how it portrayed the actions of both sides and showed how war makes villains of all. I enjoyed reading about the psychological impacts of the war on the main two girls, and other interesting side characters and following their paths. At times it felt like things were too connected/too coincidental but I am intrigued to see where this goes in later novels.
Set in a futuristic Nigeria where augmentations, androids etc are common place and uses the Biafra war of independence where Igbo people created Biafra and were fighting Nigeria for independence, but set it in the future. I liked how it portrayed the actions of both sides and showed how war makes villains of all. I enjoyed reading about the psychological impacts of the war on the main two girls, and other interesting side characters and following their paths. At times it felt like things were too connected/too coincidental but I am intrigued to see where this goes in later novels.
lilacs4b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.75
heyuhleee's review
4.0
I fell in love with these complex characters. This book took me a minute to get into, but once I was invested (and researched the civil wars in Nigeria) I dove in headfirst. Mech suits and "good" versus "evil". In war can anyone truly be "good"? As humans, is anyone truly "evil"? Are we only trying to save what's "ours"? These are questions I asked myself throughout this book. I cannot deny the horrors that happened and the needless war, but this book seems to want you to inquire. Each character is a two-sided coin. If you enjoy sci-fi/fantasy with advanced tech and strong female characters, chances are you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
booksintheirnaturalhabitat's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a lot, and you really need to read it in the right head space.
I'd describe this book as slower-moving, one that you really have to think about and process. Read the information from the author first. It will give you a better grasp on the depth of what this book really brings and help everything make more sense.
While I usually write in-depth reviews, I don't think I can do this book any justice by attempting to explain it. Just read it, mull it over, and you will see what I mean.
I'd describe this book as slower-moving, one that you really have to think about and process. Read the information from the author first. It will give you a better grasp on the depth of what this book really brings and help everything make more sense.
While I usually write in-depth reviews, I don't think I can do this book any justice by attempting to explain it. Just read it, mull it over, and you will see what I mean.
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
I had this in my queue forever. I started it twice before, but my brain wasn't in the right state to really concentrate on a story which such complex politics as this has.
I'm finally back to normal reading, and able to devour this story. I absolutely loved the different setting, the deep dive into cultures so very far from my own, the SciFi elements and fantastic mech battles!
Sisters as main characters and central conflict are always a big plus for me, so that was another big draw
There's mysteries, plenty of secrets, lies and a dark past, which always the story intriguing and engaging.
The politics side was really nuanced and as so often with civil wars there's moments you can understand either side. I personally got lost every so often, but I've never had a head for politics - that bit of genes fully went to my brother. If you like your factions, tribes, manoeuvring detailed and not always clear as a mountain lake, this will be ideal for you.
If you're like me and just read on, hoping it will all make sense as the bigger picture, you will still get a good and engaging story that has enough strings throughout the plot to keep you on track.
This is basically the story of the Nigerian civil war, but put into the future and padded up with futuristic technology. It's still horrid to read about everything from child soldiers, violence, death, loss, grief, hate, revenge and manipulation.
Knowing this is based on real history makes it even harder. It was very well handled in my eyes, and as hard as it was, it was fascinating to read about how war shapes everyone it touches, but in the end it's still a choice to let it rule you, or not.
I'm finally back to normal reading, and able to devour this story. I absolutely loved the different setting, the deep dive into cultures so very far from my own, the SciFi elements and fantastic mech battles!
Sisters as main characters and central conflict are always a big plus for me, so that was another big draw
There's mysteries, plenty of secrets, lies and a dark past, which always the story intriguing and engaging.
The politics side was really nuanced and as so often with civil wars there's moments you can understand either side. I personally got lost every so often, but I've never had a head for politics - that bit of genes fully went to my brother. If you like your factions, tribes, manoeuvring detailed and not always clear as a mountain lake, this will be ideal for you.
If you're like me and just read on, hoping it will all make sense as the bigger picture, you will still get a good and engaging story that has enough strings throughout the plot to keep you on track.
This is basically the story of the Nigerian civil war, but put into the future and padded up with futuristic technology. It's still horrid to read about everything from child soldiers, violence, death, loss, grief, hate, revenge and manipulation.
Knowing this is based on real history makes it even harder. It was very well handled in my eyes, and as hard as it was, it was fascinating to read about how war shapes everyone it touches, but in the end it's still a choice to let it rule you, or not.