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valpyre's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
[audiobook]
this was an intensely compelling, emotional story -- i admit that i don't have enough historical/cultural knowledge to completely get all the nuance, but i knew it was there. the story was dynamic and in my opinion, balanced action well along with emotional resonance and exposition through the POVs of the two main protags. i know the blurb likens it to Black Panther, but personally, it reminded me a lot of Horizon Zero Dawn, with the use of technology that was shown, along with the ongoing climate crisis.
this was an intensely compelling, emotional story -- i admit that i don't have enough historical/cultural knowledge to completely get all the nuance, but i knew it was there. the story was dynamic and in my opinion, balanced action well along with emotional resonance and exposition through the POVs of the two main protags. i know the blurb likens it to Black Panther, but personally, it reminded me a lot of Horizon Zero Dawn, with the use of technology that was shown, along with the ongoing climate crisis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Death, and War
Minor: Cancer
sljordan313's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I fell so easily into this story. It's based in the future but is about the Nigerian Civil War. It's not history ladden, but character driven with a mix of plot. Onyii and Ify found a way into my heart and I found myself thinking of them and missing them long after I finished the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
secanno's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Medical trauma
Minor: Animal death
goblingirlreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a really difficult book for me to review. After thinking for awhile I've decided to go with the solid 4/5 rating.
Let's talk about what makes this book amazing: This is a sci-fi is based on a real conflict: The Biafran War, also known as the Nigerian Civil War. The book has incredible world-building. I had a complete picture of how war was waged in this world through the use of droids, child soldiers that are fully synth, soldiers having augmented parts that replace what human parts they've lost in battle and of course the mecha that are piloted in huge epic battles. I grew to really love the characters. The world was incredibly bleaI but I felt it gave a clear picture of how war affects people, soldiers, children, entire countries, the planet
That said, I had a huge issue with the pacing in the book. The first section of the book was absolutely perfect to me but the second section jumped back and forth between two characters in two different locations. The chapters were so short that it felt a little whiplashy and like I couldn't get really excited about one story before it jumped back to another. Finally, the third section could have been its own book and felt extremely rushed. I wish this book had spent a little more time in the editing phase to smooth out some of these pacing issues because overall it's incredible and has so much to offer.
Let's talk about what makes this book amazing: This is a sci-fi is based on a real conflict: The Biafran War, also known as the Nigerian Civil War. The book has incredible world-building. I had a complete picture of how war was waged in this world through the use of droids, child soldiers that are fully synth, soldiers having augmented parts that replace what human parts they've lost in battle and of course the mecha that are piloted in huge epic battles. I grew to really love the characters. The world was incredibly bleaI but I felt it gave a clear picture of how war affects people, soldiers, children, entire countries, the planet
That said, I had a huge issue with the pacing in the book. The first section of the book was absolutely perfect to me but the second section jumped back and forth between two characters in two different locations. The chapters were so short that it felt a little whiplashy and like I couldn't get really excited about one story before it jumped back to another. Finally, the third section could have been its own book and felt extremely rushed. I wish this book had spent a little more time in the editing phase to smooth out some of these pacing issues because overall it's incredible and has so much to offer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death and Drug use
azrah786's review against another edition
3.75
In a future where much of the earth is uninhabitable due to a radiation-heavy climate, world superpowers have colonised the stars. Though those without the power to escape are confined to the dying planet. In the midst of a civil war, Nigeria is one such nation.
Reflecting Nigerian history, War Girls gives us a glimpse of a war-torn country divided on the basis of race, religion, resources and power. At the centre of the story are two sisters torn apart onto the opposing sides of the conflict, who step up to fight for the peace that has unjustly been snatched from them.
Tochi Onyebuchi has provided us with a heart-wrenching book which shows how war blurs the lines between right and wrong, truth and lies. Onyii, forever battle ready and Ify, always curious about the world around her were both beautifully strong and determined protagonists. I loved their relationship along with the relationships they held with those around them.
The story is action-packed from start to finish and full of sci-fi elements that had me in awe. From the technologically advanced systems and lifestyles of the future Nigerian cities (very much reminiscent of Wakanda), to the evolution of humanity involving bionic limbs and implants. Battles being waged using highly advanced weaponry and humanoid mechs which reminded me of Power Ranger Megazord battles! I am forever fascinated in how authors depict future societies and worlds and my sci-fi nerd heart loved these elements!!
I really enjoyed this book but I did have a slight issue with the pacing towards the end as the events that occurred over the last 50 or so pages felt slightly rushed. Also with how things round up I'm intrigued to see where the story goes in the sequel.
Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars
Reflecting Nigerian history, War Girls gives us a glimpse of a war-torn country divided on the basis of race, religion, resources and power. At the centre of the story are two sisters torn apart onto the opposing sides of the conflict, who step up to fight for the peace that has unjustly been snatched from them.
Tochi Onyebuchi has provided us with a heart-wrenching book which shows how war blurs the lines between right and wrong, truth and lies. Onyii, forever battle ready and Ify, always curious about the world around her were both beautifully strong and determined protagonists. I loved their relationship along with the relationships they held with those around them.
The story is action-packed from start to finish and full of sci-fi elements that had me in awe. From the technologically advanced systems and lifestyles of the future Nigerian cities (very much reminiscent of Wakanda), to the evolution of humanity involving bionic limbs and implants. Battles being waged using highly advanced weaponry and humanoid mechs which reminded me of Power Ranger Megazord battles! I am forever fascinated in how authors depict future societies and worlds and my sci-fi nerd heart loved these elements!!
I really enjoyed this book but I did have a slight issue with the pacing towards the end as the events that occurred over the last 50 or so pages felt slightly rushed. Also with how things round up I'm intrigued to see where the story goes in the sequel.
Final Rating – 3.75/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Violence
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
War Girls depicts the complex and evolving relationship between two sisters in the middle of a futuristic war as we learn about their pasts and they struggle to dream of a future. Book CWs for body horror, murder, war, child soldiers.
This book is a strange kind of visceral, paying attention to dirt and grime as much as it depicts sensory extension through technology. It's mainly from the perspective of two child soldiers in a futuristic Biafran/Nigerian war, each cyberized in different ways. Onyii's augmentations are mostly physical, replacing body parts which have been taken or lost while fighting. Ify's augmentations expand her world, letting her extend her senses and gain a sense of control over her surroundings. It did a good job of communicating the experience of using technology in a visceral way rather than getting bogged down in exactly how the future-tech worked.
There's a theme of child soldiers growing up to direct new children to be soldiers, themselves contributing to the same violence that wrecked their childhoods. Sometimes they are still children while directing even younger children on how to kill. This was absolutely on purpose and it's woven through the whole book. They are also trying to, successfully or not, grapple with what that means. It's filled with grief and anger, and what happened and what could have been.
Early on the book has a lighter narrative tone, it shifts to become grimmer later on as they are older, more aware of the toll of the violence they're taking part in. The early book isn't any less gruesome than the later sections, but the framing subtly shifts to more fully realize the horror around them as Onyii and Ify grow up. For me the turning point was when the abd are introduced, from that point on the self-awareness ramps up.
It's very good and I highly recommend it. The characters are fantastic and strong; the relationship between Onyii and Ify is complex and becomes more nuanced throughout the book; and it has a good balance between showing some of the horrors of war and having many moments of joy to keep from being too depressing to read. It's probably not a good book for cheering up, but you should definitely read it when you're in the right headspace for something emotionally complicated.
This book is a strange kind of visceral, paying attention to dirt and grime as much as it depicts sensory extension through technology. It's mainly from the perspective of two child soldiers in a futuristic Biafran/Nigerian war, each cyberized in different ways. Onyii's augmentations are mostly physical, replacing body parts which have been taken or lost while fighting. Ify's augmentations expand her world, letting her extend her senses and gain a sense of control over her surroundings. It did a good job of communicating the experience of using technology in a visceral way rather than getting bogged down in exactly how the future-tech worked.
There's a theme of child soldiers growing up to direct new children to be soldiers, themselves contributing to the same violence that wrecked their childhoods. Sometimes they are still children while directing even younger children on how to kill. This was absolutely on purpose and it's woven through the whole book. They are also trying to, successfully or not, grapple with what that means. It's filled with grief and anger, and what happened and what could have been.
Early on the book has a lighter narrative tone, it shifts to become grimmer later on as they are older, more aware of the toll of the violence they're taking part in. The early book isn't any less gruesome than the later sections, but the framing subtly shifts to more fully realize the horror around them as Onyii and Ify grow up. For me the turning point was when the abd are introduced, from that point on the self-awareness ramps up.
It's very good and I highly recommend it. The characters are fantastic and strong; the relationship between Onyii and Ify is complex and becomes more nuanced throughout the book; and it has a good balance between showing some of the horrors of war and having many moments of joy to keep from being too depressing to read. It's probably not a good book for cheering up, but you should definitely read it when you're in the right headspace for something emotionally complicated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Body horror
CW for body horror, murder, war, child soldiers