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steveatwaywords's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
4.0
Okorafor's take on cybernetic science fiction is fresh, fast-paced and compelling, with a fascinating world and a main and supporting protagonist I wanted to know more about, and this is rare in the genre, anymore.
Main character Anwuli (AO) is in a unique space as Other, one more or less self-designed after childhood tragedies. Her augmentations are Nigeria's new pressure point for prejudices, as are the borders between traditional and modern lifestyles. Soon paired with a traditional herdsman, the two represent the extreme ends of this dynamic world's victims: it's no wonder they ally.
The novel moves very quickly from place to place as they seek refuge and we are given, I think, precious little time to reflect on most of it. The entire action for the book takes place in a little more than a single week's time. It's too bad, in one way, because all I could imagine as I read is that the world-building Okorafor has done here calls for more story, much more story. And so do her characters, who deserve the time to reflect on the significance of the decisions and power shifts implicit in their choices.
And it's clear to me that Okorafor has spent time in the world beyond this story's construction. We have a fairly elaborate mythology of the inventive moment which changes the African story in energy leadership and wealth. Regrettably, little is done with the story related to this plot beyond relating it. But it's a tantalizing conceit for more novels ahead.
Of course, too, Okorafor is a bit bound still by science fiction's traditional tropes; it is difficult to write about cybernetics, corrupt oligarchies, and "chosen ones" without falling into predictable patterns. There is more here that could be explored, if she would give herself the space to do it. As it is, much of what comes from the novel's conceit remains somewhat predictable: it would make, I fear, a forgettable movie if optioned as one.
Okorafor is a marvelous talent who, like other enviro-future writers such as Paolo Bacigalupi, could take on more ambitious projects still. I for one look forward to them.
Main character Anwuli (AO) is in a unique space as Other, one more or less self-designed after childhood tragedies. Her augmentations are Nigeria's new pressure point for prejudices, as are the borders between traditional and modern lifestyles. Soon paired with a traditional herdsman, the two represent the extreme ends of this dynamic world's victims: it's no wonder they ally.
The novel moves very quickly from place to place as they seek refuge and we are given, I think, precious little time to reflect on most of it. The entire action for the book takes place in a little more than a single week's time. It's too bad, in one way, because all I could imagine as I read is that the world-building Okorafor has done here calls for more story, much more story. And so do her characters, who deserve the time to reflect on the significance of the decisions and power shifts implicit in their choices.
And it's clear to me that Okorafor has spent time in the world beyond this story's construction. We have a fairly elaborate mythology of the inventive moment which changes the African story in energy leadership and wealth. Regrettably, little is done with the story related to this plot beyond relating it. But it's a tantalizing conceit for more novels ahead.
Of course, too, Okorafor is a bit bound still by science fiction's traditional tropes; it is difficult to write about cybernetics, corrupt oligarchies, and "chosen ones" without falling into predictable patterns. There is more here that could be explored, if she would give herself the space to do it. As it is, much of what comes from the novel's conceit remains somewhat predictable: it would make, I fear, a forgettable movie if optioned as one.
Okorafor is a marvelous talent who, like other enviro-future writers such as Paolo Bacigalupi, could take on more ambitious projects still. I for one look forward to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Animal death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
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
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
doesntread's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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 is going to stick with me for a very long time. It is the real kind of science fiction, with imaginative rich world building that help us process the issues (privacy, renewable energy, natural disasters, and corporate exploitation for example). We experience the drama of this world through AO and DNA, two very different but similarly tortured characters. They are excellent foils for each other, and I quickly found myself rooting for them.
AO is a disabled character who feels real. I am thankful that the author is speaking from experience here because it really really adds to the richness of AO as a narrator. Technology is not a cure that erases all disability in the future, but something that has pros and cons. Taking a psych med might help you but might have side effects too. AO speaks similarly at the beginning of the book about her high-tech sci-fi treatments. If you are disabled and/or chronically ill oh my god please please at least check out the first chapter of this book, it will feed your soul.
Plot-wise, this book is fast paced and stays pretty tense throughout, though there are times of rest for our heroes as they find shelter for a bit while on the run. This is a very hopeful book, but it is the kind of hope that is generated through very very bleak moments, making it even stronger. I really adore this book.
AO is a disabled character who feels real. I am thankful that the author is speaking from experience here because it really really adds to the richness of AO as a narrator. Technology is not a cure that erases all disability in the future, but something that has pros and cons. Taking a psych med might help you but might have side effects too. AO speaks similarly at the beginning of the book about her high-tech sci-fi treatments. If you are disabled and/or chronically ill oh my god please please at least check out the first chapter of this book, it will feed your soul.
Plot-wise, this book is fast paced and stays pretty tense throughout, though there are times of rest for our heroes as they find shelter for a bit while on the run. This is a very hopeful book, but it is the kind of hope that is generated through very very bleak moments, making it even stronger. I really adore this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Hate crime, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Xenophobia and Animal death
The book holds your hand through it as you gradually get more information of the hate crime that triggers the events of the book. There is not a sexual violence component. If an ableist hate crime with some misogynistic and racial components is a trigger, proceed with caution, but know you are in good hands with the author and it is never trauma porn or left unresolved. Chronic illness:juniperbranches's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
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
‘So why revere the aesthetics of traditional beauty? It's like worshipping a god who cannot see you. It is choosing to never be celebrated. I wanted to be celebrated.’
Noor is the final book in this months Black authors book bag. AO is a physically disabled woman that was able to re create her damaged legs and arm with the help of cybernetic technology. Her implants are crucial to her survival and comfort, but because of them she is looked down on, shunned, and occasionally faces violence. One day it all goes wrong and she is run out of her local market. Unsure of where to turn she takes refuge outside of the city, in Nigeria’s vast deserts, where she befriends a herdsman and his cattle who is filled with his own dark secrets. The two travel the desert into the eye of a massive dust storm caused by ongoing climate change, seeking answers to problems of racism, ecology, poverty, late stage capitalism and disability justice.
My little synopsis isn’t remotely enough to communicate everything this slim volume contains. This is a story, but it’s also a critique of the way our world operates. I cannot say enough good things, go read this book.
Noor is the final book in this months Black authors book bag. AO is a physically disabled woman that was able to re create her damaged legs and arm with the help of cybernetic technology. Her implants are crucial to her survival and comfort, but because of them she is looked down on, shunned, and occasionally faces violence. One day it all goes wrong and she is run out of her local market. Unsure of where to turn she takes refuge outside of the city, in Nigeria’s vast deserts, where she befriends a herdsman and his cattle who is filled with his own dark secrets. The two travel the desert into the eye of a massive dust storm caused by ongoing climate change, seeking answers to problems of racism, ecology, poverty, late stage capitalism and disability justice.
My little synopsis isn’t remotely enough to communicate everything this slim volume contains. This is a story, but it’s also a critique of the way our world operates. I cannot say enough good things, go read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Xenophobia, Violence, and Animal death
vegabela's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Animal death, Ableism, Violence, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Car accident, Grief, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death, Colonisation, Car accident, and Hate crime
tinyflame4's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Hate crime, Sexism, Chronic illness, and Racism
Moderate: Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Colonisation
Minor: Genocide, Abortion, Car accident, Classism, Death, Animal death, and Misogyny
nolalee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Noor is a standalone, wildly inventive and imaginative near future in West Africa. With nods to our current time, the story is grounded in reality while blasting off into a futuristic world of cybernetics, surveillance, drones and desert dweller hackers. The plot had some holes that needed more time to be fleshed out before the book ended. Noor feels more like a novella or short story, but maybe that adds to the mystery of AO.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Animal death, Medical content, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical trauma
Minor: Body horror and Blood