sunflowerjess's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Amazing! I loved this story of a young woman growing into her own badassery.
completecollectedkate's review
5.0
I loved this. The world-building is incredible and the characters are so compelling and distinct from each other. I couldn't help imagining it as an animated Studio Ghibli style movie, probably because Zahrah would fit in with their protagonists, and also because the scenery in this book is gorgeously detailed.
So highly recommended, especially for people who prefer standalone books to series. (That's the one advantage this has over Akata Witch, which I love but that was so good that it's hard to wait for a sequel.) I'm sure Nnedi Okorafor could write sequels further down Zahrah's timeline because she created a huge world for these characters, but it's also wrapped up so wonderfully as its own story.
So highly recommended, especially for people who prefer standalone books to series. (That's the one advantage this has over Akata Witch, which I love but that was so good that it's hard to wait for a sequel.) I'm sure Nnedi Okorafor could write sequels further down Zahrah's timeline because she created a huge world for these characters, but it's also wrapped up so wonderfully as its own story.
wayfaring_witch's review against another edition
4.0
Every time I placed this book down, my mind was flooded with the vivid imagery of the Ooni Kingdom and the surrounding jungle. This was almost surprising since as I was reading the writing often felt simple and straightforward. I enjoyed following Zahrah as she learned more about herself and her abilities as a dada girl. I especially enjoyed many of the quirky jungle creatures, my favorite being the Speculating Speckled Frog! 2018 Reading Women Challenge: A fantasy novel written by a woman of color
oxtailandcabbage's review
5.0
Doctor Okorafor is a talented story teller. This is one of her first published novels. The world building is rich here. If you love adventure stories, sentient forests and mysterious libraries, then this book is for you. I felt right at home. The pacing is quite fast, you forget you're just a reader and not actually part of this world. I love the dreadlocks rep in this.
sridevi93's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
catpingu's review against another edition
5.0
In an alternate universe where technology is actually grown from plants and Earth is considered a fairy tale, Zahrah is just a teenage girl who is just finding out that the legends and folklore behind her dada-locks, plants growing out of her head, are actually true.
At first she is afraid of her new-found power, but she is encouraged by her best friend Dari to practice and harness it. Dari is fascinated with Zahrah's hair, even as children, and is even more intrigued by the fact that Zahrah, as a Windseeker, can now fly from treetop to treetop like a witch!
But one day, while practicing in the Forbidden Greeny Jungle, with its many dangerous and poisonous animals, Dari receives a fatal bite from a warsnake, and the only curable disease is found in the egg of one of the most dangerous animals known, Zahrah is willing to do anything to help the only person who has supported her for years...
With help from various friends, Zahrah is able to find her true self within the depths of the Greeny Jungle, and the cure for Dari's incurable disease.
At first she is afraid of her new-found power, but she is encouraged by her best friend Dari to practice and harness it. Dari is fascinated with Zahrah's hair, even as children, and is even more intrigued by the fact that Zahrah, as a Windseeker, can now fly from treetop to treetop like a witch!
But one day, while practicing in the Forbidden Greeny Jungle, with its many dangerous and poisonous animals, Dari receives a fatal bite from a warsnake, and the only curable disease is found in the egg of one of the most dangerous animals known, Zahrah is willing to do anything to help the only person who has supported her for years...
With help from various friends, Zahrah is able to find her true self within the depths of the Greeny Jungle, and the cure for Dari's incurable disease.
nedge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
dreamersmind's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-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
3.25