Reviews

This is a short sci fi/fantasy novella by the same author who wrote Akata Witch (which I enjoyed). I wasn’t disappointed. This story will stay with me, partly because I can feel my brain picking it apart to find a deeper meaning. Is it just a tragic story of a cursed child? Or is it a David and Goliath story of old world and religion vs new tech? East vs West? This feels a bit like a fractured fairy tale, except it’s one that I am not familiar with. I’ll be googling Ghanaian fairy tales next, trust me!

timinbc's review against another edition

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5.0

Another clever use of the novella format, with what feels like a full novel done in deft strokes, with exactly the right details omitted. Fatima/Sankofa is quite believable despite her odd talent. And I liked the way we didn't edge slowly into discovering her talent, as so many other authors have; it hit hard, and it hurt.

She ends up on a sort of vague Quest (hey, ya gotta use SOMEthing as the plot framework) that is also believable and compelling.

There's sociopolitical commentary here, too, gently introduced and gradually ramped up.

I loved her name for the fox, but the reader can discover that in due course.
Wondered if there is any connection with the similar foxes in Korean and other Asian stories.

And that ending, somewhat ambiguous but somehow right.

fantaseareader's review against another edition

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emotional sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

copascribe's review against another edition

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5.0

In this sci-fi novella, Sankofa is doomed to wander Ghana as the "adopted daughter of death." Feared by the people, she travels between villages with dirt huts and robotic cops/drones as she searches for "the seed." Okorafor's writing is beautiful, I really liked the world she built, weaved with native culture and futuristic ideologies. Without flowery language, she captures a story with layers tackling privacy, safety, and freedom. While tales are invented about our main character, a pharmaceutical-turn-tech company acts as Africa's newest colonizers and is also searching for "the seed."
Overall, I really enjoyed reading about Sankofa's journey (and finally reading something that let me critically think about the story and draw my own conclusions without being lectured at). Beautifully written and highly recommended.
4.5 stars

catofbones's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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