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ak97x's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Slavery, Xenophobia, War, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Gun violence
kat_smith24's review
adventurous
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Racism
choicepotatoes_oldo20230731's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
STAR RATING
---
★★★☆☆
enjoyable enough
★★★☆☆
enjoyable enough
NUMERICAL RATING
---
3.25
this book has so much potential; i wanted to enjoy it so much more than i actually did
3.25
this book has so much potential; i wanted to enjoy it so much more than i actually did
REVIEW
---
I never thought I would wind up reading Binti more than once, but I recently discovered Robin Miles and was curious to know if I'd enjoy her fiction narration just as much as I enjoyed her narration of Caste.
As it turned out:
I never thought I would wind up reading Binti more than once, but I recently discovered Robin Miles and was curious to know if I'd enjoy her fiction narration just as much as I enjoyed her narration of Caste.
As it turned out:
- Miles' narration of Binti confirmed her as one of my favorite audio book narrators
- It may have something to do with the above bullet point, but Binti is arguably better as an audio book than an ebook
Although Binti was, for the most part, enjoyable, there were a couple of things I found off-putting:
We don't learn much about Binti, the ship, or the university during the montage. I also didn't form any real or lasting emotional connection to her shipmates (although, I will admit, I was absolutely prepared to).
Because of this, the murder of everyone on the ship was anti-climactic. Had it been set up differently, it could have been a highly emotional moment that pulled me further into the story and caused me to feel great conflict about Okwu throughout the remainder of the book. Instead, I was left feeling underwhelmed and--quite frankly--more betrayed than if I'd formed deep connections with those side characters only to have them cruelly ripped away from me.
The second off-putting thing, I only really realized after finishing the second book in the series:
Binti doesn't feel like a whole story that stands on its own. It's more complete than the second book, but in retrospect, it feels like a very detailed backstory whose primary purpose is to strengthen the third and final book in the series.
It's true that both the first and second book go a long way towards making the third as strong as it is, but I'm wondering whether both books couldn't somehow have been integrated into the third, as opposed to being two very fleshed-out fragments of backstory in a three-part novella.
All that said, I appreciate this book more the second time through, and especially while reading the third book in the series for the second time. I'm no longer convinced this won't be a book I'll return to, and I'm more convinced to try reading some of Okorafor's other books a second time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
lahars_little_library's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Genocide
grizzlysnack's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Xenophobia, and Racism
Minor: Confinement and War
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The unique story of a human girl traveling to an alien planet for a chance to study at the most prestigious school in the galaxy. On her way there, however, Binti's ship is attacked by an enemy ship. Left as the only survivor, Binti must draw on the gifts of her people and the strength she has within to try and make amends amongst the galaxy.
I have not read much sci-fi in the past, so I was glad to take a small story as a starting point. I thought for the length of the story the world-building was strong and created a vivid picture in my mind while listening. I thought the struggles were unique and interesting, and I found the ending to be satisfying. I know there are more books in this series, however, I am not sure yet if I will be continuing.
I have not read much sci-fi in the past, so I was glad to take a small story as a starting point. I thought for the length of the story the world-building was strong and created a vivid picture in my mind while listening. I thought the struggles were unique and interesting, and I found the ending to be satisfying. I know there are more books in this series, however, I am not sure yet if I will be continuing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Racism
walkie_check's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Classism, Grief, Kidnapping, Death, and Murder
Minor: Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Kidnapping, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, and Xenophobia
maecave15's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Racism and Racial slurs
celey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.75
An incredible, futuristic vision of what it means to leave home and find your place and identity. Imaginative and beautifully written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Racism
fenemiestolovers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
Really enjoyed the exploration of themes like home, culture, war, and destiny. The author was able to say so much so beautifully in so few pages. Can’t wait to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, Death, Murder, Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Religious bigotry