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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
amyteurhour's review against another edition
2.5
Content warning: ableism, violence/gore, medical trauma, fatphobia
I thought the writing went by quick and easy to read--filled with action--but the story itself was hard to follow. I felt that the worldbuilding wasn't very consistent. There would be points where we got a bunch of description and backstory on the tech in the scene, and then parts where it for a different piece would be mentioning the same thing over and over but not actually saying what it did.
I thought the writing went by quick and easy to read--filled with action--but the story itself was hard to follow. I felt that the worldbuilding wasn't very consistent. There would be points where we got a bunch of description and backstory on the tech in the scene, and then parts where it for a different piece would be mentioning the same thing over and over but not actually saying what it did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Violence, Gun violence, Fatphobia, 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
liter_aly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: War, Body horror, Violence, and Ableism
almostqualified's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Animal death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
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
mgmotley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Ableism, Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Drug use, Grief, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, and Cursing
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
kitwhelan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Nnedi has done it again! I loved this story of a disabled woman making her own fate against all circumstances. The plot was action packed and I never knew exactly where it was going. The characters were entire people who I felt I knew after a short time. As usual with her writing, it contains deep and profound observations about humanity, how we build our societies, and hope for the world we could live in. 10 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Ableism