In many ways, Binti resembles the kind of “exceptional child goes to exceptional school” story that has become popular in the post-Potter age. But Nnedi Okorafor‘s Afrofuturist novella has much more to offer readers than a trite fantasy. It’s the story of 16-year-old Binti, a member of the Himba people, who defies her family’s wishes to attend Oomza Uni, the Harvard of intergalactic schools. When tragedy befalls her transport ship, Binti is the sole survivor, and must face off against the Meduse, an alien race who have a legendary conflict with the founders of the university. Continue reading
Tag: Science Fiction
Mooncop: A Review
A sparse, bittersweet romance for misfits, Mooncop is the graphic novel I can’t stop recommending. Without much in the way of dialogue or narration, Tom Gauld‘s lovely little tale crafts a toast to endings and beginnings that is infinitely memorable. Continue reading
The Martian: A Review
A series of improbable and unfortunate events leave an astronaut stranded on the Red Planet in Andy Weir‘s The Martian. The novel is a unicorn in fiction, the rare title that can impart scientific accuracy without losing readers who lack the education to follow along. Continue reading
Annihilation: A Review
Years after a mysterious border shut Area X off from the rest of the continent, the Southern Reach research organization has sent in a dozen expeditions. When Jeff VanderMeer‘s Annihilation opens, readers know little about the four experts making the twelfth trek. By the time the novel closes, we hardly know more, but the ride along is a Lovecraftian trip that shouldn’t be missed. Continue reading
Dead Space, Martyr: A Review
+Video game tie-in novels aren’t known for being big-L Literature, and you won’t spot B.K. Evenson‘s Dead Space, Martyr on any awards lists. That’s a shame, too, because Evenson’s novel is a unicorn — a visceral, horrific unicorn. Dead Space, Martyr is a damn good work of fiction that transcends franchise appeal. Continue reading