A review by nmcannon
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring tense medium-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

5.0

 Binti was an impulse borrow from the library. Like speculative fiction fans the world over, I know Nnedi Okorafor is a master at the craft, a true magician with her words, and her ability is never more apparent than in this small novella. 

Far in the future, Binti is a genius “harmonizer” among the Himba people. In other words, she has a talent for bringing nature, numbers, and people into harmony. Though the Himba people are highly talented engineers, they rarely interact with the neighboring Khoush people, and they’re thought to be “savages” on the outskirts of society (while somehow also producing the planet’s most advanced tech—listen, prejudice doesn’t make sense). It’s absolutely unheard of for a young Himba woman to travel in space or attend the prestigious Oomza University. Yet Binti does both. Things seem to be going well right up until the alien Meduse begin ritualistically slaughtering everyone on the ship, except for her. 

Okorafor does so much in such a little page count. The world-building is top-notch, especially with the aliens and technology. Neil Gaiman wasn’t kidding when he said readers will fall in love with Binti—I love her too. She carries and draws strength from Himba culture, and Himba culture, in turn, saves her. She’s wise and knowledge, but also incredibly young and fragile, and Okorafor doesn’t shy away from that. I’m lucky I found this series so late, because I can immediately continue reading Binti’s adventures. 

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