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simoneandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
In many ways, this book read more like a military fantasy than it did a science fiction novel. I mean, it's definitely science fiction. The detailed descriptions of their mechs, the technology called "Accents" built into their brains, and even going up to space were definitely signs of a well-built hard science fiction novel. But something about Tochi Onyebuchi's writing that makes this feel so much more than that. Perhaps it's because of his keen ability to get into the souls of these characters and bring together a world built on real life situations. Set in the future, but inspired directly by the Nigerian/Biafrin Civil War as well as other components like child soldiers, Tochi Onyebuchi really captivated me with this story.
I love this so much and I think it's because of how the story progresses. It starts off with these two young people, Ify and Onyii. In the beginning they're both on the same side of a pretty gruesome war. But when an explosion puts one of the girls on the other side, you get this really interesting glimpse as to how both sides of a war think and act. I really loved this aspect especially since there's always the good vs. evil dichotomy in fantasy and science fiction novels. But when both sides have a perspective, you get a much deeper idea of how complicated and frustrating war really can be for either party.
Ify and Onyii are also still very young and impressionable, so you can see how this dichotomy affects their decision making. I love that you see their growth as the book moves and it reminded me a lot the kinds of decisions a young person has to make that may affect everyone around them. And how the decision they make will affect not only them, but their friends and their community. As the book draws closer to them finally meeting each other again, you can see how their decisions play out and how the people they learned to trust may not be the people they should trust. It made the story so complex especially while they're fighting a war. You want them to be on the good side, but how can you tell that? Do you follow the people who say this is good or do you make the judgment yourself? Just something that I thought about.
The action in this book was so good! I loved the usage of mechs because I feel like I only see them in Japanese anime or the Transformers movies (lol). Even though I enjoyed seeing them used in the book, there's definitely that menacing feeling that giant mechanical robots can only bring. It brings a real sense to how dark this war is. And to speak to that, there was so much darkness in the story as well. Everything from the child soldiers to the quick judgments on who are traitors to the lack of resources to the climate change to betrayal and loyalties to the young android-esque child suicide bombers to the pain and suffering and loss of everyone you knew just brought out the real sadness and horrors of war. If the real Nigerian/Biafran Civil War was similar to what Tochi Onyebuchi writes in this novel, then all I can say is that it sounded so devastating. War is cruel and it's definitely prevalent here.
I think the only thing I wasn't a fan of was the slow burning middle parts. I think that they definitely added to the story, but this wasn't action packed from beginning to end. There was definitely some political and military intrigue that needed to happen, but it was a little too dry for me.
Overall, super intriguing story that really got my attention and I can't wait for Rebel Sisters to be out! I've already got my e-arc of it and will definitely be reading it in the upcoming months!
I love this so much and I think it's because of how the story progresses. It starts off with these two young people, Ify and Onyii. In the beginning they're both on the same side of a pretty gruesome war. But when an explosion puts one of the girls on the other side, you get this really interesting glimpse as to how both sides of a war think and act. I really loved this aspect especially since there's always the good vs. evil dichotomy in fantasy and science fiction novels. But when both sides have a perspective, you get a much deeper idea of how complicated and frustrating war really can be for either party.
Ify and Onyii are also still very young and impressionable, so you can see how this dichotomy affects their decision making. I love that you see their growth as the book moves and it reminded me a lot the kinds of decisions a young person has to make that may affect everyone around them. And how the decision they make will affect not only them, but their friends and their community. As the book draws closer to them finally meeting each other again, you can see how their decisions play out and how the people they learned to trust may not be the people they should trust. It made the story so complex especially while they're fighting a war. You want them to be on the good side, but how can you tell that? Do you follow the people who say this is good or do you make the judgment yourself? Just something that I thought about.
The action in this book was so good! I loved the usage of mechs because I feel like I only see them in Japanese anime or the Transformers movies (lol). Even though I enjoyed seeing them used in the book, there's definitely that menacing feeling that giant mechanical robots can only bring. It brings a real sense to how dark this war is. And to speak to that, there was so much darkness in the story as well. Everything from the child soldiers to the quick judgments on who are traitors to the lack of resources to the climate change to betrayal and loyalties to the young android-esque child suicide bombers to the pain and suffering and loss of everyone you knew just brought out the real sadness and horrors of war. If the real Nigerian/Biafran Civil War was similar to what Tochi Onyebuchi writes in this novel, then all I can say is that it sounded so devastating. War is cruel and it's definitely prevalent here.
I think the only thing I wasn't a fan of was the slow burning middle parts. I think that they definitely added to the story, but this wasn't action packed from beginning to end. There was definitely some political and military intrigue that needed to happen, but it was a little too dry for me.
Overall, super intriguing story that really got my attention and I can't wait for Rebel Sisters to be out! I've already got my e-arc of it and will definitely be reading it in the upcoming months!
kralaa's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the blending a real world events and science fiction elements. I thought the concept of this book was so cool and loved reading a science fiction book set in Nigeria. I didn't really buy the romance elements in the book but it didn't take up a lot of the story so it didn't take too much away from it. I listened to this book and had a little difficulty getting used to the time jumps but the story was still really compelling and interesting. I do wish the story was told in a more adult format as opposed to YA but that's just because that's my own personal taste. I loved the relationship between Onyii and Ify and really enjoyed seeing the ups and downs of the relationship.
ashkitty93's review
4.0
Well that ending broke my heart. And Tochi's author's note was beautiful.
I still think I might have had an easier time with a hard copy of this book; I loved Adepero Oduye's narration, but I felt myself zoning in and out at various times. I tend to drag myself into sci-fi books kicking and screaming, and then I end up mostly enjoying myself. Such was the case here. I'll probably track down an ebook or physical copy of book 2.
If you're a fan of Shuri, I think you'll love Ify and Onyii.
I still think I might have had an easier time with a hard copy of this book; I loved Adepero Oduye's narration, but I felt myself zoning in and out at various times. I tend to drag myself into sci-fi books kicking and screaming, and then I end up mostly enjoying myself. Such was the case here. I'll probably track down an ebook or physical copy of book 2.
If you're a fan of Shuri, I think you'll love Ify and Onyii.
elenikin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Tough to get through and sometimes hard to follow, but it was an interesting dystopian future story taking olatin Western Africa. The mix of African mythology, actual historical events, and sci-fi tech was interesting.
litagentsaritza's review against another edition
4.0
Like many Americans taught in the US about World History through a colonizer lens, I had no clue about the Nigerian Civil War. Nor had I been introduced to the conflicts of those on the African continent. I’ve found that I learn about history through genre fiction titles including WARGIRLS.
Despite never knowing much about the conflicts, I connected to the story through its protagonists. These sisters face so much and overcome even more that you forget that this fictional story is based on real-world events.
Add to it the futuristic technology (including giant mechs) and a setting that’s as picturesque as it is frightening, and you have an incredible epic of a tale!
Despite never knowing much about the conflicts, I connected to the story through its protagonists. These sisters face so much and overcome even more that you forget that this fictional story is based on real-world events.
Add to it the futuristic technology (including giant mechs) and a setting that’s as picturesque as it is frightening, and you have an incredible epic of a tale!
manaledi's review against another edition
4.0
Very solid Nigerian SF/F. I appreciated the extractive industry dependency theory and TRC discussion.
jennchandler's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. This was... interesting. Kind of felt like an action movie - all fighting and violence with no heart. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters and so had a hard time getting through this.
chchchazley's review against another edition
5.0
This is an epic story of loss and sacrifice and family. It's bigger in scope than what I usually find in YA, and the title seems almost trivializing - these are child soldiers, and the deaths in story are almost entirely the deaths of children and young adults. There are twists, but they're not twists for twists' sake. They're what happens when you have people thinking deeply about themselves and their world.
I wouldn't say I enjoyed this book, exactly, but I'm extremely glad I read it. It broadened my worldview in the way the best literature always does.
I wouldn't say I enjoyed this book, exactly, but I'm extremely glad I read it. It broadened my worldview in the way the best literature always does.