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ameliabee33's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.75
Like with most of Okorafor's work, this is another short story that is complex in plot and characters.
I saw a review saying that reading/listening to this book was like reading a tale of an origin of a god, and honestly yeah that is basically it. We get the origin story of Fatima, and how she walks with death. She is a child, confused as to why this power is given to her and eventually doesn't want the answers. She just wants a home, a place that where she can go to stop running. The majority if the time there are some people that are nice to her, because she can do things for them like euthanasia or be a bodyguard of sorts. However no one really, truly wants her to stay, and that sadness permeates throughout the book.
Afrofuturism is such a cool genre and Okorafor is excellent at writing it.
I saw a review saying that reading/listening to this book was like reading a tale of an origin of a god, and honestly yeah that is basically it. We get the origin story of Fatima, and how she walks with death. She is a child, confused as to why this power is given to her and eventually doesn't want the answers. She just wants a home, a place that where she can go to stop running. The majority if the time there are some people that are nice to her, because she can do things for them like euthanasia or be a bodyguard of sorts. However no one really, truly wants her to stay, and that sadness permeates throughout the book.
Afrofuturism is such a cool genre and Okorafor is excellent at writing it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Child death
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is my 4th book from Nnedi Okorafor (I read the Binti trilogy), and I loved it maybe more than the previous books from her. Fatima/Sankofa had such a challenging life, and I was so invested that I wish this was not just a novella, but a little longer. Okorafor really knows how to write a story that is engrossing and pulls you in that you want to know more. Such a quick read that for me was totally worth it. I will continue to look forward to whatever Okorafor writes!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Terminal illness and Sexism
amanda_mh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
5.0
I think what I love about this story is that there are no answers. Yes, that is what most people don’t like to hear, but nothing is truly ever explained and that’s the beauty of it. It is a gripping, emotional, contemplative story about a young girl followed by the shadow of death. It’s a short sci fi read on the surface but incredibly powerful, and real.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
araehop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
A gem of a story, perfect pacing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Violence, Gore, Bullying, Abandonment, and Murder
krys_kilz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This novella was recommended to me by my favorite librarian and it really blew me away! The world building alongside Sankofa's complex and melancholy character hooked me from the start and I finished this book in one sitting. I have so many questions especially after the ending. It was ambiguous, but what it implied - at least to me - was fascinating.
This almost reads as an anti-futurist work of science fiction, which is really different than anything within the genre that I've read before. The character's name - Sankofa - obviously introduces themes of the past in the present and future and a movement away from linear time. The ending also reminded me of Afropessimist concepts of ending/destroying the world in order to start again.
This book also raises really interesting questions about grief, storytelling, agency and belonging.
I am left with many questions, which is simultaneously exciting and frustrating. This definitely feels like a book I could return to and get even more out of the second read through. I am also really excited to dive into Okorafor's other work!
This almost reads as an anti-futurist work of science fiction, which is really different than anything within the genre that I've read before. The character's name - Sankofa - obviously introduces themes of the past in the present and future and a movement away from linear time. The ending also reminded me of Afropessimist concepts of ending/destroying the world in order to start again.
This book also raises really interesting questions about grief, storytelling, agency and belonging.
I am left with many questions, which is simultaneously exciting and frustrating. This definitely feels like a book I could return to and get even more out of the second read through. I am also really excited to dive into Okorafor's other work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Death, and Child death
freckled_frog_boi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Physical abuse, Child death, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Grief, and Gore
sparklefarm's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Nnedi Okorafor packs a punch in this novella. Set in a not-too-distant-future Ghana, our main character is a girl blessed/cursed with unique abilities. Filled with tragedy and heart, and exploration of family and home. Excellent audiobook narration by Adjoa Andoh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Child death
montereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Car accident
Moderate: Fatphobia
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Vibrant and dark and get straightforward and honest, as all I've read by Nnedi Okorafor is. I love the way she builds her world - futuristic science fiction that feels extremely accessible with magical characters who are who they are. They're formidable Nigerian women like Sankofa, kind and brave and fierce and struggling with all the odds stacked against them. They always persist, like Sankofa. Nnedi Okorafor's writing is strong and compelling, easily able to bring the reader into a story and I loved it. Another fantastic work, and I expect no less.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Animal death
Minor: Physical abuse and Grief
jpellwood's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent