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kittykels's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
It was very close to being a 5 star book. However, I became a bit more confused by the direction of the book as it continued on. Obviously, the fact that the author went in an unexpected direction isn't a bad thing, but I couldn't help but be confused. Perhaps if I read it again in the future, it will make more sense to me.
Despite the confusion, this book was really interesting to read, and I almost felt like it was too short. I will definitely be seeking out more work from this author.
Despite the confusion, this book was really interesting to read, and I almost felt like it was too short. I will definitely be seeking out more work from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Sexual content, Violence, and Medical trauma
novella42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
It means the world to me to see disabled characters in speculative fiction written by disabled authors.
I had the rare experience of talking with the author briefly yesterday in a thread on social media (I feel okay sharing this here because it was in a public post). I mentioned I had picked up Noor recently because friends in disability circles had recommended it. She responded, "Noor was my first time (aside from my memoir) nakedly letting the story be about disability. My forthcoming novel is even MORE so. It’s time. I’m glad that Noor is making it to those circles! Yes!"
Needless to say, I went and found a copy of her 2019 memoir Broken Places & Outer Spaces immediately, since I wasn't aware such a thing even existed. And then I finished Noor. This is another long review, but it's partly to help myself remember details when I bring it up at a book club.
There were some powerful elements at play in Noor. I felt moved by the protagonist's rage and was grateful so much of the story centered on the impact of others on her disability--not just her parents, brother, and romantic partners, but also the systemic factors at play like the government and the corporation that made her prosthetics. The way strangers from different strata of society viewed her disability and her enhancements was very telling.
The way she grapples with her congenital disability and internalized ableism reminded me a lot of my own struggles with the same. I was born with a fragile skeleton. A mess, too.
I had the rare experience of talking with the author briefly yesterday in a thread on social media (I feel okay sharing this here because it was in a public post). I mentioned I had picked up Noor recently because friends in disability circles had recommended it. She responded, "Noor was my first time (aside from my memoir) nakedly letting the story be about disability. My forthcoming novel is even MORE so. It’s time. I’m glad that Noor is making it to those circles! Yes!"
Needless to say, I went and found a copy of her 2019 memoir Broken Places & Outer Spaces immediately, since I wasn't aware such a thing even existed. And then I finished Noor. This is another long review, but it's partly to help myself remember details when I bring it up at a book club.
There were some powerful elements at play in Noor. I felt moved by the protagonist's rage and was grateful so much of the story centered on the impact of others on her disability--not just her parents, brother, and romantic partners, but also the systemic factors at play like the government and the corporation that made her prosthetics. The way strangers from different strata of society viewed her disability and her enhancements was very telling.
The way she grapples with her congenital disability and internalized ableism reminded me a lot of my own struggles with the same. I was born with a fragile skeleton. A mess, too.
I'd always had it coming. In the dark this was all clear. I emerged from the warm protective darkness of my mother's womb poorly made. A mess. And then years later, fate had unmade me. How dare I embrace what I was and wasn't, and build myself?
Sometimes the language around injury, surgery, brokenness, and body horror got to be too much for me and my C-PTSD. I had to rest several times and asked for help from my partner to co-regulate my nervous system before I could continue. But I felt it was worthwhile, for lines like this:
Sometimes when something breaks, things come out of the cracks.
It felt like the concept of kintsugi, only instead of using gold to repair ceramic, this felt more like repairing a body with fury and power, in response to injustice. It tied in with a theme of just wanting to be left alone to repair and rebuild and live your life.
I think my favorite parts were related to the way she embraced her own identity and strengths and gravitated toward others who saw her worth as a human being. My favorite scene was a tiny detail but it rang especially true for me. (Very mild spoilers for one small moment.)
Let me explain. People who are not yet disabled or who haven't dealt with chronic pain seem to see body-based mindfulness as some kind of panacea, but going inward and scanning your body is a terrifying experience when your body is a war zone. Rather than telling the person struggling that they're doing it wrong, that there's something broken with them and they won't be able to find inner peace, I love how this scene skipped right to the solution of turning outward for mindfulness in other ways. I wish more people knew that was an option. In 2019 it took me months of shame and depression to figure out why my repeated attempts at mindfulness and body scan meditations seemed to make everything worse. I only figured it out because I finally tried my luck on a therapist.
Anyway. Seeing this phenomenon depicted so easily and clearly felt absolutely wonderful and affirming.
The book felt a little uneven at times with choices I didn't understand, both by the characters and the author, but then again I am not Nigerian or Nigerian American. Just because I don't fully understand it, doesn't mean it's not an understandable choice.
I'm very glad this book exists, and very glad to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, Drug use, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Body horror, Ableism, Violence, Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Colonisation, Sexism, Classism, Blood, Chronic illness, Medical content, Abandonment, Grief, Misogyny, Gun violence, Murder, Hate crime, Self harm, Dysphoria, Gore, and Bullying
Moderate: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Genocide, War, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Child death, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
cody_crumley's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, and Classism
becann's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Ableism, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content
city_girl_writer's review against another edition
fast-paced
3.5
This was a really fast and short book. This was my first adult Dr. Okorafor book and gotta read more of her sci-fi novels. The concept of this futuristic Nigeria was creative and unique to me, and the story was interesting. The characters...were good but not the strong aspect for me. A.O. and D.N.A. develop romantic feelings for each other and I couldn't quite believe their attraction. Nonetheless, I enjoyed listening to this via audio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Sexual content
michaelion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The biggest flaw is that it's too short. I haven't delved into sci-fi that much but I seem to like it, and this book needed more room to be. Heavy lore drops that are mostly tell not show, but not in a way that's irritating, more in a way that this is a huge world that wanted to be explored more. I liked a lot of elements of it though and really related to the main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, War, Murder, Self harm, Body shaming, Blood, Death, Violence, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Deadnaming, Genocide, Gore, Animal death, Classism, Colonisation, Police brutality, Body horror, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Car accident, Drug use, and Sexual content
saint_eleanor's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
This book is so beautiful and resilient, and the world building is truly phenomenal. I took away one star because towards the end the dialogue seemed a bit lazy but in all i definitely recommend if you are a sci fi fan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
nuh_thaan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
This book doesn't get an official 4 only because I felt the audiobook was difficult to follow. I loved the narration and felt submerged in the culture and atmosphere, but it was easy to get lost because the names and other things were not common to me.
However, the story as a whole and the things that happened caught my attention every time I listened to the book. That being said, I know the book is good and I was entertained, I just think having the physical book would've been beneficial in following the storyline completely.
The sci-fi aspects as AO continued to develop fascinated me. The action felt almost like a movie, so it was easy to re-engage during each listening session. Not necessarily something I'd likely have on my shelf, so in happy I had the audio, but the physical book would've assisted in the reading experience for me personally.
However, the story as a whole and the things that happened caught my attention every time I listened to the book. That being said, I know the book is good and I was entertained, I just think having the physical book would've been beneficial in following the storyline completely.
The sci-fi aspects as AO continued to develop fascinated me. The action felt almost like a movie, so it was easy to re-engage during each listening session. Not necessarily something I'd likely have on my shelf, so in happy I had the audio, but the physical book would've assisted in the reading experience for me personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and War
tigerlark's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
If you like Dune, Black Panther, and The Terminator, you will like this! It's action packed and has a good message. Plus, I didn't see the ending coming. I only wish Okorafor had tacked on one more chapter or an epilogue as I felt it ended too quickly. But I'd love to see this turned into a movie!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Medical trauma
Moderate: Sexual content
laserdiscreader's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Quite a whirlwind of a story. I really enjoyed the story and characters themselves. There were times I had to reread paragraphs because things moved so quickly that I didn't fully grasp what was happening. Okorafor's writing is somehow detailed while feeling incredibly condensed, especially in tense scenes where the main character is describing her experience. It's not necessarily bad, I think it's just been a while since I've read similar prose.
Overall, an enjoyable quick read that will certainly have you reflecting the impact of corporations on the lives of everyone they "serve".
Overall, an enjoyable quick read that will certainly have you reflecting the impact of corporations on the lives of everyone they "serve".
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Sexual content