Afrofuturist Sci/Fantasy Fairytale

This was a great, engrossing Sci/Fantasy novella with a likable protagonist and very Neil Gaiman-esque fairytale vibe.

THE GOOD

Despite being a short story, there is a surprising amount of story told, as well as great character development. I feel like I knew Sankofa’s character very well. We experience her coping with grief, a terrible power over death, and the superstition surrounding her powers. The most striking thing was her ability to take everything in stride. I wish I were half so resilient myself.

Mervyn Peake?? I listened to the audiobook, and I couldn’t help a squeal of delight when I first heard the name she gives her companion, the fox. I had to hear it several times to be sure, but it sure sounds like she named her fox Mervyn Peake? What a wonderful and unexpected reference to the Gromenghast series, which I just read last year. A lovely nod to an important writer in the Fantasy genre, and totally unexpected. Now it makes me want a pet fox name Mervyn Peake, LOL.

World Building: I loved the very Afrofuturist vibe of the world, somewhere between Fantasy and SciFi. The world building was slow and subtle, but vivid. A nice change of pace from typical European-centric Fantasy settings.

Narrator: the narrator was great, though oddly her American accents were not quite right. They had a slight African lilt to them, but this is just a nitpick. Great overall.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD

Abrupt Ending: About the time I was really getting into the story it ends abruptly. And the ending is kind of vague, leaving you scratching your head over what just happened.

THE VERDICT

A lovely novella that wold have garnered a five star rating from me were it not for the unsatisfying ending. Hopefully this is due to more stories to come –maybe a trilogy, like Binti? More please!

11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Amazing is not a strong enough description

This book was everything I didn’t know I wanted in a book. Beautifully written and the narrator did such a wonderful job!! I was a thousand percent satisfied with this book and will be searching for more pieces by this author. ♥️♥️

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Perfect!

I loved the story! I loved the narrator! It was a fantastic book. Nnedi Okorafor's work shines, like all her work. Get lost in her worlds you will not regret it.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Engaging story

This well written tale pulls you into the journey of the main character. The narrator gives an excellent performance. If 6 stars were available, I would give them. A must read on any list.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

Another hit from Okorafor!

I love Nnedi Okorafor. I discovered her with “Binti” and this one is just as fresh and engrossing. It’s quite unlike anything I’ve read before and just draws you into her world. She has an masterful narrative voice and a writing style that miraculously makes you really feel part of the life of a young African girl from a small village who comes across strange alien powers.

What really makes this story shine is the narration. Adjoa Andoh’s performance is masterful, lending voice and emotion to the character in a way that is music to the ears. I would put her in my top ten narrators I’ve heard. I highly recommend this short tale as well as all of Nnedi Okorafor’s work!

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

amazing story

this was wonderful. the narration really helped me with the pronouciations of unfamiliar words. the story was beautiful and strange, it broke my heart several times and filled me with hope at others.

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Short, Sweet and deadly

Loved the story and the narrator really brought you into this world. you follow a young girl with an incredible ability and see how she over comes it.

Okorafor and Andoh do it again

I love everything I've read by Nnedi Okorafor and everything I've listened to by Adjoa Andoh. Both are brilliant at their crafts. Hooked till the end.

sci-fi meets folklore

I enjoyed the mixture of sci-fi and folklore. I hope there is a sequel.

AWESOME

I loved it! I wasn't disappointed except for wanting MORE. May a continuation of this character AND story be in OUR FUTURES. Thank you.