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A review by blogginboutbooks
War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
4.0
WAR GIRLS was inspired by the Nigerian Civil War that started in 1967. I knew nothing at all about the event or even about Nigeria, honestly, going into this book. Onyebuchi's aim in writing this novel is to shine a light on a historical event few people know about, showing the devastating effects of war on a people, a country, and especially on children. I think Onyebuchi accomplishes his goal with this novel, which is vivid, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking.
At 422 pages, WAR GIRLS is a chunkster. Although it definitely could have used some chopping, there's plenty of action to keep the story moving along. In fact, it's mostly action. I read the book in a couple of days, propelled through the pages by its short, fast-paced chapters and Onyebuchi's cinematic storytelling. I'm not much for sci-fi, but the Iron Man-ish tech in this story is really cool. I got confused at times, especially when it came to the differences between red-bloods, Augments, synths, cyberization, etc., but I actually enjoyed reading about it all, which surprises me since robots and such are really not my thing at all. Although her part in the novel is sadly miniscule, the android Enyemaka might actually be my favorite character in the book.
Maybe it's not too surprising in a war book, but WAR GIRLS is very much plot-driven, with not enough time spent on character development. As the star of the show, Onyii gets the most "screen" time and is thus the most complex member of the cast. While she's sympathetic and likable in her devotion to and protection of her war sisters, her crafting still isn't intricate enough for her to feel like a real person. Ichy's character development is even thinner. I still liked these two and wanted the best for them, but I didn't feel as emotionally invested in their plight as I wanted to. It was even more difficult to feel connected to any of the minor characters since they all blend together in one almost faceless lump. With no distinct personalities, I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. Since I didn't know them, I didn't care about them, and their deaths made little impact on my reader heart.
On the whole, I enjoyed WAR GIRLS. It's diverse; it has a strong, empowering feminist vibe; it's engrossing and action-packed; and it's thought-provoking. Richer character development and deeper connections between cast members would have given the story some much needed emotional depth. A more focused plot within the war framework would have helped the tale feel more focused and immersive as well.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I'm rounding up.
At 422 pages, WAR GIRLS is a chunkster. Although it definitely could have used some chopping, there's plenty of action to keep the story moving along. In fact, it's mostly action. I read the book in a couple of days, propelled through the pages by its short, fast-paced chapters and Onyebuchi's cinematic storytelling. I'm not much for sci-fi, but the Iron Man-ish tech in this story is really cool. I got confused at times, especially when it came to the differences between red-bloods, Augments, synths, cyberization, etc., but I actually enjoyed reading about it all, which surprises me since robots and such are really not my thing at all. Although her part in the novel is sadly miniscule, the android Enyemaka might actually be my favorite character in the book.
Maybe it's not too surprising in a war book, but WAR GIRLS is very much plot-driven, with not enough time spent on character development. As the star of the show, Onyii gets the most "screen" time and is thus the most complex member of the cast. While she's sympathetic and likable in her devotion to and protection of her war sisters, her crafting still isn't intricate enough for her to feel like a real person. Ichy's character development is even thinner. I still liked these two and wanted the best for them, but I didn't feel as emotionally invested in their plight as I wanted to. It was even more difficult to feel connected to any of the minor characters since they all blend together in one almost faceless lump. With no distinct personalities, I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. Since I didn't know them, I didn't care about them, and their deaths made little impact on my reader heart.
On the whole, I enjoyed WAR GIRLS. It's diverse; it has a strong, empowering feminist vibe; it's engrossing and action-packed; and it's thought-provoking. Richer character development and deeper connections between cast members would have given the story some much needed emotional depth. A more focused plot within the war framework would have helped the tale feel more focused and immersive as well.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I'm rounding up.