Noor

Noor

  • Downloads:1075
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-11-17 08:50:58
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Nnedi Okorafor
  • ISBN:0756416094
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

From Africanfuturist luminary Okorafor comes a new science fiction novel of intense action and thoughtful rumination on biotechnology, destiny, and humanity in a near-future Nigeria。

Anwuli Okwudili prefers to be called AO。 To her, these initials have always stood for Artificial Organism。 AO has never really felt。。。natural, and that's putting it lightly。 Her parents spent most of the days before she was born praying for her peaceful passing because even in-utero she was wrong。 But she lived。 Then came the car accident years later that disabled her even further。 Yet instead of viewing her strange body the way the world views it, as freakish, unnatural, even the work of the devil, AO embraces all that she is: A woman with a ton of major and necessary body augmentations。 And then one day she goes to her local market and everything goes wrong。

Once on the run, she meets a Fulani herdsman named DNA and the race against time across the deserts of Northern Nigeria begins。 In a world where all things are streamed, everyone is watching the reckoning of the murderess and the terrorist and the saga of the wicked woman and mad man unfold。 This fast-paced, relentless journey of tribe, destiny, body, and the wonderland of technology revels in the fact that the future sometimes isn't so predictable。 Expect the unaccepted。

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Reviews

Minna

Thank you to NetGalley, Daw Books, and the author for a chance to read an ARC of this title。 An honest review was requested but not required。 I'm relatively new to both Afrofuturistic books and Nnedi Okorafor, although I've obviously heard of both and have several of Okorafor's works on my TBR list。 This was terrific and I'm ready to move the other books from my TBR list to my Currently Reading shelf。 I absolutely loved the setting; I felt completely immersed in future Nigeria from the dialect a Thank you to NetGalley, Daw Books, and the author for a chance to read an ARC of this title。 An honest review was requested but not required。 I'm relatively new to both Afrofuturistic books and Nnedi Okorafor, although I've obviously heard of both and have several of Okorafor's works on my TBR list。 This was terrific and I'm ready to move the other books from my TBR list to my Currently Reading shelf。 I absolutely loved the setting; I felt completely immersed in future Nigeria from the dialect and slang to the foods to the places。 The description of the market at the outset was so evocative, I could practically feel the packed dust underfoot。 The two main characters, AO and DNA, were perfect compliments and even though their connection seemed a little rushed, it was so easy to root for them。And yet, some of the themes are so universal: the intrusiveness (increasingly so) of government, the ubiquity and oppressiveness of corporate greed, the magic and ruin of technology, prejudice, classism, ableism, elitism。 Kudos to Ms。 Okorafor for being able to cram so MUCH into this book, in such an organic (ha) fashion。 It was a short book (relatively speaking) but so, so, so good and one I'll be recommending far and wide。ed。 to add: counting towards 2021 PopSugar Reading challenge for category: afrofuturistic book。 。。。more

Judith von Kirchbach

After reading Binti with my 18yo son early this year I was very interested when I saw Nnedi Okorafor has a new novel for adults and I was lucky enough to get an audio copy through @netgalley when I requested it。It is a science fiction/ African futurism novel of that explores the a potential future at the meeting point of bioengineering and destiny as well as humanity in a near-future Nigeria。 Okorafor’s short novel drew me in right away and I had to keep listening。 Dele Ogundiran’s narration add After reading Binti with my 18yo son early this year I was very interested when I saw Nnedi Okorafor has a new novel for adults and I was lucky enough to get an audio copy through @netgalley when I requested it。It is a science fiction/ African futurism novel of that explores the a potential future at the meeting point of bioengineering and destiny as well as humanity in a near-future Nigeria。 Okorafor’s short novel drew me in right away and I had to keep listening。 Dele Ogundiran’s narration adds another layer to the experience。 The vision of the future explored in this book is rather cynical, life has gotten comfortable but the comfort comes at a price。 A single corporation and its surveillance technology has entered all parts of life。 Humans are still quite human which means that patterns of scapegoating and exploitation remain largely unchanged。 But AO whose massively augmented body (after surviving birth defects and a car accident she became a sort of test subject) makes her an outcast learns a unique way to make herself heard。 Which makes Noor a fabulous tale of a designated victim that forces the world to listen。 。。。more

The Captain

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this sci-fi eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。  So here be me honest musings 。 。 。I am a fan of the author's writing having read six of her previous works and I will continue to read new releases and catch up on old ones。 Noor follows the life of Anwuli Okwudili who changed her name to AO - short for Artificial Organism。  She was born with birth defects and made the choice to get augmentations to her body。  She embraces the pain and her choice Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this sci-fi eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。  So here be me honest musings 。 。 。I am a fan of the author's writing having read six of her previous works and I will continue to read new releases and catch up on old ones。 Noor follows the life of Anwuli Okwudili who changed her name to AO - short for Artificial Organism。  She was born with birth defects and made the choice to get augmentations to her body。  She embraces the pain and her choices and is determined to live life on her own terms。  Others call her freak, devil, and worse and see her mechanical legs and arm as abomination。  The day comes where AO protects herself in self-defense and her life is destroyed。The novel follows her journey on the run and the truths she discovers。  I really loved AO as a character。  The pain she suffered, her self-will, and her ability not to see the world through the lens of hatred were admirable。 I love both her body positivity and her realistic viewpoints on human behavior and prejudice。  Not that I wish people weren't so horrible of course。 This novel doesn't shy from the selfish things folks do out of ignorance or selfishness or fear。  But there is good in humanity as well。  I also loved the herdsman DNA and his two awesome cows。The world building is as wonderful as usual。  This book was inspired by the author's visiting an African solar plant。  I loved the solar and wind powered tech。  I loved the desert life and the tech for survival。。  I loved how the big bad corporation controlled the world and how there is a small amount of justice in the end。  This comeuppance may not last long but it is nice to see the maligned and outcast part of society win。  There is always satisfaction in that。  If ye haven't read this author's afrofuturism style before, this is a good place to start。So lastly 。 。 。Thank ye DAW!Side Note: There is going to be a third book in the Akata Witch series out in January 2022。  Cool!! 。。。more

Candice

When an incident in a market leads to AI being on the run, she has to find somewhere to hide。 She comes across the unlikely companion of DNA, a herder who also finds himself in some trouble。 Soon they’re on a mission to find safety while also taking down the shady business that has entangled themselves in everyone’s lives。 Nnedi Okorafor always writes entertaining and thought provoking science fiction。 Noor is no exception and fits perfectly in with her other work。 I thought the commentary aroun When an incident in a market leads to AI being on the run, she has to find somewhere to hide。 She comes across the unlikely companion of DNA, a herder who also finds himself in some trouble。 Soon they’re on a mission to find safety while also taking down the shady business that has entangled themselves in everyone’s lives。 Nnedi Okorafor always writes entertaining and thought provoking science fiction。 Noor is no exception and fits perfectly in with her other work。 I thought the commentary around disability was really important and interesting, especially as we ourselves move into a future where technology can essentially help with disabilities yet our society still wants to leave disabled people behind。I really enjoyed this book on audio and thought the narrator did a fantastic job with all these unique characters。Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the audiobook ARC。 。。。more

Elizabeth Gorodezki

I have done a fair amount of hiking this past weekend trying to soak up all the autumn beauty before the never ending doom and gloom of the NE winter is upon us。 Noor ended up being a perfect audiobook companion! Fast paced and imaginative it sucked me right in!I actually started listening to a different audiobook, but alas, it was NOT going for me。 Nothing was wrong with that particular audiobook - ya''ll know I like slower paced literary fiction, but due to some external circumstances I just c I have done a fair amount of hiking this past weekend trying to soak up all the autumn beauty before the never ending doom and gloom of the NE winter is upon us。 Noor ended up being a perfect audiobook companion! Fast paced and imaginative it sucked me right in!I actually started listening to a different audiobook, but alas, it was NOT going for me。 Nothing was wrong with that particular audiobook - ya''ll know I like slower paced literary fiction, but due to some external circumstances I just could not get into it。 Kept rewinding, losing my trail of thought etc。 Noor to the rescue!This was my first book by Nnnedi Oforafor, and honestly I don't know why。 I love West African Fantasy。 It gave me major Children of Blood and Bone vibes。 Except it is not YA - so it actually has some pretty realistic descriptions of the relationships problems etc。 No teenage angst LOL! (unless it's inline with the timeline:) 。The imagery in Noor is simply amazing - I kept picturing some sort of West African Mad Max :Fury Road, and also some of the famous images of the dust storm from Burning Man festival a few years back。 Especially when AO, DNA and his steer were walking towards the Red Eye。 While Noor is a work of fiction, if you listen to it carefully you will easily detect not so subtle criticism of the corruption in the Nigerian government, and big corporations' (I am looking at you Jeff Bezos) exploitation of Africa's people and natural resources。There are also more philosophical questions of the woman's body and which decisions do and do not belong to her (spoiler: they ALL belong to her!), what it means to be human, and the effect of the media's interpretation of the events on people's minds。 The portrayal of AO's body, the choices that she was forced to make, and the ones she made herself, her suffering, and what it feels like not to be able to move are especially good。 Doubly so if you are familiar with the author's, Nnedi Okorafor's own story。 Nationally known star athlete Okorafor had to undergo a spinal fusion surgery at the age of 19 which left her paralyzed waist down。 That was actually how she started to write science fiction。 With intense physical therapy she regained her ability to walk with the help of the cane。 So when you read or listen to the part in which AO describes her pain, and all the angry feelings that she experienced due to her disability, stop and think for a moment。 This is fiction, but those feelings are as real as could be。I did find some parts of the book a bit confusing。 Especially the one about the white wizzard person。。。(what was that ? lol) In addition to that some of the description of the particular technology use (think being completely off the grid but still using phone/tablets/internet etc) could have been thought through a bit more。 This being said, I was a Computer Science major in college so I tend to overthink these things something awful。All in all if you are a fan of African Futurism or just in a mood for a good, fast Sci Fi read I highly recommend you to check out Noor! And the narrator, Dele Ogundiran is fantastic! Thank you Net Galley , the author, and Tantor Audio for my ALC! 3。75 stars 。。。more

Tiffany (OomilyReads)

Noor written by Nnedi Okorafor, narrated by Dele OgundiranPUB DATE: Nov 16, 2021Noor means “light” in Arabic。In the not-too-distant future Nigeria, AO (Anwuli Okwudili) was born with multiple deformities and instead of dying as her parents hoped, she survived。 At age 14, she was in a car accident that further disabled her。 With each augmentation that she required; others looked at her as more machine than human, but she embraced her body。 She felt her life was close to normal as much as anyone w Noor written by Nnedi Okorafor, narrated by Dele OgundiranPUB DATE: Nov 16, 2021Noor means “light” in Arabic。In the not-too-distant future Nigeria, AO (Anwuli Okwudili) was born with multiple deformities and instead of dying as her parents hoped, she survived。 At age 14, she was in a car accident that further disabled her。 With each augmentation that she required; others looked at her as more machine than human, but she embraced her body。 She felt her life was close to normal as much as anyone without augmentations until one fatal day when she visited her local market。AO goes on the run & meets DNA, a Fulani herdsman who is also on the run & his two remaining cattle。 This is a complex intricate sci-fi journey with romance elements that was exciting, inventive & unpredictable。 A criticism of allowing mega-corporations to infiltrate our every need & controlling the narratives we see。I listened to this audiobook solely without a chance to read with my eyes & I was lost for many parts but as the characters persevered in their journey, I persevered in my listening。 I couldn’t look up some of the words because I simply can’t spell & possibly these are made up terms in this sci-fi world。 I did get to learn about the nomadic Fulani people & their culture, they are primarily Muslim & speak Pular。 I really liked this story of AO & DNA。 Dele Ogundiran @delebiz has a great rich voice & lent authenticity to the story。Thank you Libro FM, Tantor Audio, Daws Books for the ALC! 。。。more

Pile By the Bed

Author Nnedi Okorafor proudly wears the Afrofuturist tag in her latest stand along novel Noor。 At one point going so far as to provide some exposition using the transcript of a podcast called The Africanfuturist。 In Noor, Okarafor, plays with a bunch of cyberpunk traditions – cybernetic body parts, enhanced mental connection to technology, rampant corporations more powerful than governments - and drops them into an African, more specifically Nigerian context。AO Oju lives in the Nigerian city of Author Nnedi Okorafor proudly wears the Afrofuturist tag in her latest stand along novel Noor。 At one point going so far as to provide some exposition using the transcript of a podcast called The Africanfuturist。 In Noor, Okarafor, plays with a bunch of cyberpunk traditions – cybernetic body parts, enhanced mental connection to technology, rampant corporations more powerful than governments - and drops them into an African, more specifically Nigerian context。AO Oju lives in the Nigerian city of Abuja, having moved there from Lagos to live with her boyfriend Olaniyi。 But Olaniyi has now left her and, on her own, she falls prey to growing prejudice against her。 That prejudice is due to the cybernetic enhancements that she has received while growing up – one arm and both legs having been replaced by cybernetic limbs。 Following some hostility in the markets, she lashes out, killing five men and has to go on the run。 On her journey she finds a kindred spirit in Dangtoe Nuhu Adamu (or “DNA”), a traditional herdsman also wanted for a murder that he was pushed into。 The two go on the run together, pushing deep into the deadly, constant sandstorm known as the Red Eye to find both an oracle and a secret refuge city。 Along the way discovering both the extent of AO’s powers and the depth to which they and the community had been deceived by the faceless villain of the piece - Ultimate Corp。As noted above, much of the plot of Noor feels like an update of the some classic cyberpunk tropes。 But Okorafor deploys these to consider some particularly African issues。 The corruption of farmers by corporations selling them genetically modified crops, the demonisation of those who are trying to hold on to a traditional way of life, and the converse use of religion to create fear of technology。 She does this all within a propulsive story, a roadtrip and romance with a resilient heroine at its core。 。。。more

Elyse

NetGalley Audio ARC。

Kathy

Good science fiction set in Nigeria of the future covering class。 Race。 AI, etc。

Shannon

I was provided an arc via Netgalley, all opinions are my own。 This story was a bit confusing at times 。 The plot jumped around quite a bit。 Nnedi Okorafor's books previously, her writing is complex and full of meaning。 I've gone back and re-read several of her works and gained a much deeper and richer experience on the second read。 I feel like Noor will be the same way。 I just finished it and I feel like I need to read it again to gain the full appreciation for the work itself。 I also feel that I was provided an arc via Netgalley, all opinions are my own。 This story was a bit confusing at times 。 The plot jumped around quite a bit。 Nnedi Okorafor's books previously, her writing is complex and full of meaning。 I've gone back and re-read several of her works and gained a much deeper and richer experience on the second read。 I feel like Noor will be the same way。 I just finished it and I feel like I need to read it again to gain the full appreciation for the work itself。 I also feel that on the second read I'll already have a handle on certain situations and characters。Our main character AO, as she prefers to be called, was disabled at birth。 She was fitted with with prosthetics, but a car accident at 14 injured her arms and legs even further。 She was then outfitted with cybernetics much to her parents horror。 AO accepts that she is human and part machine and rejoices in her dual nature。 Society on the other hand does not really accept her with her robotic arms and legs。 This causes people to lash out at her for no reason other than she is different。 She is often asked "What kind of woman are you?" When this question leads to a physical altercation in a market, AO flees the scene and runs to the desert where she meets DNA。 They are drawn to each others and are able to find comfort in their differences and the struggles they both face。 DNA is a cattle herder, and when his herd is attacked, he and AO end up on the run from the authorities。 As they run, AO begins to develop abilities that she finds are linked to her prosthetics and the corporation that is after her and DNA。 This is a little more violent and mature than Okorafor's other works。 I think that plays along nicely with the social commentary regarding self acceptance, body shaming, and the anti-capitalist theme to the story。 The big corporation, Ultimate Corp, has rooted themselves in everyday life and has influence over everything。 It brings up a good social commentary discussion about big corporations and the power they wield and the impact they have on society and culture。 We've seen this before where a big corporation has overstepped and played with the lives of people in books and movies before and I think that plotline was really interesting。 It took a while to get to that part of the story and the truth behind what was really going on。I thought the world building was really excellent。 The descriptions of the Red Eye, The Hour Glass, and other places and events in the book were really well done。 This was a really interesting African-futurism book that blended futuristic sci-fi with cultural aspects。 I actually really look forward to reading it again to experience the full effect of the author's message and story。 。。。more

Jill Elizabeth

This is the first Nnedi Okorafor book that I have not enjoyed, and I cannot figure out why。 The premise is just as intriguing as all of her others。 The cover and story form made me think of Remote Control, which I just finished and absolutely loved。 The characters are as original as in all of her other novels, as is the setting and the sense of magic and mysticism that pervades the story。 It addresses aggression and violence against those who are different, and seeks to right wrongs - again as w This is the first Nnedi Okorafor book that I have not enjoyed, and I cannot figure out why。 The premise is just as intriguing as all of her others。 The cover and story form made me think of Remote Control, which I just finished and absolutely loved。 The characters are as original as in all of her other novels, as is the setting and the sense of magic and mysticism that pervades the story。 It addresses aggression and violence against those who are different, and seeks to right wrongs - again as with most of her other books - in a way that I continue to find resonant and engaging。 Yet somehow I just never found my way into this one。From the opening pages it felt different than all of her other books that I've read, and while I can't pinpoint why, the difference was strong enough that it made the read uncomfortable and not enjoyable for me。 I'm in the vast minority here, so definitely check this one out for yourself, but this one just did not work for me, much to my great disappointment。。。Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy。 。。。more

Tracy

I found this quite fascinating, and with a lot of recognizable influences。。。。a little Star Wars, a little Dune, I believe there was at least one Bond movie that touched on the influences in Africa。 For such a short story it tells itself well and thoroughly。 I really liked the characters and hope that someone is keeping an eye on West Africa!

Kip Kyburz

A slim book with big ideas。 Touches on afrofuturism, colonialism, capitalism, mega-corporations, race, technology, disability, and more。 AO is a woman on the forefront of transhumanism and DNA is a traditionalist maligned by the world at large due to actions taken by a few。 They are brought together by trauma in this eco-techno-thriller。 The alternate futures that Okorafor is capable of dreaming up are again wonderfully rendered and feel as real as the present。

Shona

A weird and interesting story。 A Little disappointing。 Not a fan of the style or theme, and found the main character (AO) unlikeable。 Did like her sidekick, DNA, though, and his way of life and the politics around that were interesting。

Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows)

My second books by Okorafor。 The first being REMOTE CONTROL, which I absolutely loved。 NOOR is a fantastic story of AO who is basically part machine。 She has to leave home and in her journey, meets DNA, and the story then takes off with their adventures as they get to know each other and she starts to find her way。 There's absolutely something about Okorafor's writing that is just gorgeous。 This story delves into what we still see today with consumerism, classism, racism, artificial intelligence My second books by Okorafor。 The first being REMOTE CONTROL, which I absolutely loved。 NOOR is a fantastic story of AO who is basically part machine。 She has to leave home and in her journey, meets DNA, and the story then takes off with their adventures as they get to know each other and she starts to find her way。 There's absolutely something about Okorafor's writing that is just gorgeous。 This story delves into what we still see today with consumerism, classism, racism, artificial intelligence, going to space。。。 while also delving into the human side of relationships and learning that there are shades of grey to any and all things。The narrator is fantastic and I would absolutely recommend listening to this story。 While this is science fiction, I do wonder about own voices readers and their thoughts on the prosthetics and disabilities of AO。 AO's character herself is fascinating and multilayered and I enjoyed her relationship with DNA。 I think they learned a lot from each other and allowed readers to learn of the culture within。While I may not have loved this as much as Remote Control, I certainly would recommend this and I most definitely will be picking up more from this author。3。5 stars rounding up。 。。。more

Tar Buendía

This book is amazing。 I was really excited about 'Noor' and yet I didn't expect I would love it so so much。 'Noor' is the story of AO and ADN, two completely different persons navigating prejudices while travelling through Nigerian dessert。 It encompases all the best things of a road narrative plus a lot of mixed science fiction/reality written in superb style。 And it has a cow and a bull I love with all my heart even if they don't have that much 'camera time'。 The only reason I don't give the f This book is amazing。 I was really excited about 'Noor' and yet I didn't expect I would love it so so much。 'Noor' is the story of AO and ADN, two completely different persons navigating prejudices while travelling through Nigerian dessert。 It encompases all the best things of a road narrative plus a lot of mixed science fiction/reality written in superb style。 And it has a cow and a bull I love with all my heart even if they don't have that much 'camera time'。 The only reason I don't give the five out of five stars rating is because of a part in the beggining, when you are starting to get hooked, and a worldbuilding explanation appears as if it where a podcast。 It was cool enough that it would have been awesome if published appart but, in the book and in that moment, it broke the pace for me。 Annyway I highly recomend it。 Thank you RAW and Netgalley for the opportunity! It has been an awesome ride。 ______________Pasando al español。 Este libro es estupendo。 Estaba bastante esperanzada, quería engancharme a Okorafor y lo he conseguido。 Aquí vais a encontrar la historia de AO y ADN, dos personas completamente diferentes que se ven sin embargo empujadas a navegar infinidad de prejuicios y malos tratos。 Cuando se ven forzados a huir a través de un desierto con una vaca y un toro a los que quiero con todo mi corazón, y eso que no salen mucho, la ciencia ficción y la realidad actual se van mezclando de una manera estupenda。 Si no le doy las cinco estrellas es por un momento, cuando aún te estás haciendo a la historia, en el que todo se corta para hacerte una explicación del mundo como si fuese un podcast que me dejó un poco desenganchada。Muy muy recomendable y si queréis saber más podéis leer mi reseña en gorgonas。comhttps://gorgonas。com/2021/11/08/resen。。。 。。。more

Theresa

Noor (audiobook)by Nnedi OkoraforThe third book in the series that I have read。 I found the author remarkably detailed, her idea of a future Africa is amazing。 The idea that mankind in the first world has destroyed the environment of the entire world。 Then those wealthy enough left, but those remaining exploited in a colony nature those who remain。 This book actually expands the idea, bringing the development of power usage and how they replicate power on a environmentally depleted world。 The id Noor (audiobook)by Nnedi OkoraforThe third book in the series that I have read。 I found the author remarkably detailed, her idea of a future Africa is amazing。 The idea that mankind in the first world has destroyed the environment of the entire world。 Then those wealthy enough left, but those remaining exploited in a colony nature those who remain。 This book actually expands the idea, bringing the development of power usage and how they replicate power on a environmentally depleted world。 The idea that Africa is at the for front of scientific development, from power replication, controlling an eternal sand storm, to robotics。 It is an interesting look at the change of interpretation of people and their own expectations。 Nnedi Okorafor is an amazing author, only elevated by her use of empowerment of those who are repressed。The reader has a remarkably interesting voice, her voice is exquisite and beautiful to listen to。 。。。more

Tammy

The nitty-gritty: Another fantastic entry into the Africanfuturism subgenre, Noor blends sci-fi tech with interesting characters and an intriguing African desert setting。I’ve read enough Nnedi Okorafor books now to recognize her particular writing style, and Noor not only embraces that style, but it’s full of the author’s brilliant, futuristic ideas and social commentary。 If you’ve never read Okorafor’s books before, Noor would be a great place to start。 As with most of her books, this one is se The nitty-gritty: Another fantastic entry into the Africanfuturism subgenre, Noor blends sci-fi tech with interesting characters and an intriguing African desert setting。I’ve read enough Nnedi Okorafor books now to recognize her particular writing style, and Noor not only embraces that style, but it’s full of the author’s brilliant, futuristic ideas and social commentary。 If you’ve never read Okorafor’s books before, Noor would be a great place to start。 As with most of her books, this one is set near Lagos, Nigeria, and the main character is a young, misunderstood African girl with enough grit and determination to survive in a world that doesn’t want anything to do with her。Anwuli Okwundili, or AO as she prefers to be called, is more machine than human。 AO was born with severe birth defects—a shriveled arm and two stumps for legs—but when she turned fourteen, Ultimate Corp offered her cybernetic upgrades to repair her body。 Now AO lives a fragile existence: people fear and hate her because of her appearance, and so she’s careful to stick to familiar places where people know her。But one day in her favorite market, a group of men attack her, and AO fights back, killing all five men before she’s realized what she’s done。 AO takes off into the desert, hoping to escape the authorities, but the desert has its own challenges。 A perpetual dust storm called the Red Eye threatens anyone who goes near it, but AO is desperate。 When she runs into a Fulani herdsman named DNA and finds out that he’s also running away from a terrible event, they team up to keep each other safe。 Their journey takes them into the heart of the Red Eye itself, where AO will discover her true nature。Okorafor’s visions of futuristic Africa are always so interesting, and this time she sets her story on the vast, dusty plains of Northern Nigeria。 The world-building in Noor is fantastic。 The Red Eye is a constant threat to those who live nearby, and I don’t want to spoil the story by revealing certain things about it, but trust me, it's pretty cool。 The government has developed a machine called an anti-aejej that can protect users from the sand, and people often carry personal anti-aejejs with them when they go outside。 Huge Noors—which relate to the book’s title—act as wind turbines to create electrical energy for distant cities。 I loved the idea of “wireless energy transfer,” invented by a woman named Zagora, who AO idolizes。 Her idea allows all the energy gathered from solar farms to be wirelessly transferred to cities。 Okorafor explains that she got many of her ideas for the story from visiting a solar plant in Africa called the Noor Solar Complex。 Finally, AO and DNA discover a large anti-aejej deep in the desert called the Hour Glass, a hidden structure that moves every hour and is a sanctuary for people like AO and DNA who are on the run。AO is such a great character。 She’s always felt like an outsider because of her body modifications, but she loves the way she looks and feels, so she tries to ignore the stares and taunts。 I love this exploration of body positivity with a science fiction spin, it was so well done。 The only thing that seems to set her off is when people say things like “What kind of woman are you?” They see her as more robot than human, and she hates that because she’s still human in the ways that count。 AO has also suffered years of living with intense pain while her body adjusted to her cybernetic limbs, and she’s become stronger because of it。I liked DNA as well。 He has a steer and a cow that follow him everywhere, the two remaining members of his herd。 I’m a sucker for animals in stories, especially when they are loved by their owners, and you can tell DNA loves his cattle。 He and AO made a great team。 They are both in desperate straits, driven to survive, and despite their differences, they worked well together。Okorafor imagines Ultimate Corp—a huge company that can supply you with everything you need and then some—as a stand in for Amazon。 I always get a kick out of stories that skewer Amazon, and I especially loved that AO finds a way to get back at Ultimate Corp in the end。 My only hesitation in rating this higher is that the plot meanders quite a bit。 This is more or less a “quest” plot, as AO and DNA journey into the desert to avoid the authorities, and there was even one part that reminded me of the Wizard of Oz, when they are sent to meet a “wizard” named Baba Sola who dispenses wise advise while smoking pot with AO。 (lol) I’d be hard pressed to tell you exactly what AO and DNA are trying to accomplish, other than to keep one step ahead of the authorities they are convinced are coming after them。 The two go from place to place without a clear plan, although at the end they do accomplish something pretty big, but it sort of comes out of nowhere。 I really liked the way the author had AO go through some trials (she starts having extremely painful headaches and visions) so that she could emerge on the other side stronger than she was in the beginning of the story。 The two also uncover a big secret that Ultimate Corp is hiding, and that realization plays a big part in how the story ends。The ending is rather dramatic, and I loved the way things came together。 And I have to say, best last line in a book I’ve read in quite some time! Nnedi Okorafor leads the pack when it comes to Africanfuturism, and this is a great example of the subgenre。Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy。 。。。more

ollie

thanks to Netgalley for giving me a free eARC audiobook for this review!The protagonist of "Noor" is A。O。: a woman who chose to be cybernetically enhanced with advanced prosthetics after being born with congenital limb defects。 The book is about, generally, the culture clash between new technology and ways of life vs。 tradition, with a strong air of anti-corporate anti-capitalism。In general I like the idea of the book, but honestly-- I found it kind of slow and found the pacing to be strange。 Th thanks to Netgalley for giving me a free eARC audiobook for this review!The protagonist of "Noor" is A。O。: a woman who chose to be cybernetically enhanced with advanced prosthetics after being born with congenital limb defects。 The book is about, generally, the culture clash between new technology and ways of life vs。 tradition, with a strong air of anti-corporate anti-capitalism。In general I like the idea of the book, but honestly-- I found it kind of slow and found the pacing to be strange。 The ending was interesting enough to bump this up to 3 stars for me but I hoped to like it more。The plot: (view spoiler)[ AO is run out of town after she is hate-crimed in the public market, she fights back, and kills the attackers in defense。 In the desert, she meets a Fulani herdsman, DNA, who just had the same thing happen to him。 They're chased down at first for being murderers, but then, after a showdown with the huge corporate private police, for AO's new ability to control machines and for uncovering the company's past and current conspiracies。 (hide spoiler)]I liked: the plot as described above, I think the events were good, I like the theme of progress vs。 tradition, I enjoy when Nnedi Okorafor uses her future sci-fi books to highlight existing African culture and how it might progress into the future (as she did with the Himba in Binti and the Fulani here)。 The setup of the title of the book and the long "podcast" story at the beginning had me thinking at about 80% in, "why did they tell me all that" and so then the payoff at the end was great。I didn't like: the pacing, generally, there is a lot of wandering in the desert, there are plot threads that are kind of introduced right as they're needed ("there was a rumor about a city in the middle of the red storm eye。 oh wait here we are")。 I think some of these issues are resolved more in Okorafor's novels (which have more space to breath obviously) or in her novellas of smaller scope- thinking again of Binti #1 which took place almost entirely on one ship。 Bintis #2 and #3 actually I think suffer from a lot of this same problem。 Also just in general, perhaps I'm missing the point here but i thought the names were just kind of cheesy, i think you can name One Character "Ao for Autobionic Organism" or One Character "DNA。, those are my initials but that's what I go by," but then at the point where it's like "AO looked at DNA。 Where were GPS and Carpe Diem" I'm like。 Is this necessaryIn re: the audiobook narration itself-- I didn't find it notably BAD but I also didn't find it very notably GOOD。 In general I think that Délé Ogundiran did a FINE job, I like her general cadence and she's very legible as a speaker, but I think that she did not do such a great job of 1) differentiating between two characters when doing dialogue, or also 2) putting a lot of emotion behind the (many) impassioned speeches taking place in this book。 there was, I felt like, a lot of "she said 'you go girl' " delivered in a very flat affect。 This isn't like a terrible audiobook crime, I've seen it a lot, but since I am reviewing the audio as well as the book I felt like I'd throw it in there: Nnedi Okorafor has done better before for narratorsSummary: eh? fine book? Similar tone and structure to others by the author; if you're a fan of hers, you'll probably like it, if you're looking for something really new and different to her previous stuff, this isn't quite that。 。。。more

Bethany

Noor is an African-futurism book with some really interesting ideas and very meandering storytelling。 I'll be honest that this isn't my favorite thing from Okorafor, but you should know that I listened to this as an audio review copy which may have impacted my experience。 I found the story difficult to follow at times and maybe a physical copy would have been helpful。 This is nothing against the narrator because she did a great job, I just felt like I missed key details along the way。 (like what Noor is an African-futurism book with some really interesting ideas and very meandering storytelling。 I'll be honest that this isn't my favorite thing from Okorafor, but you should know that I listened to this as an audio review copy which may have impacted my experience。 I found the story difficult to follow at times and maybe a physical copy would have been helpful。 This is nothing against the narrator because she did a great job, I just felt like I missed key details along the way。 (like what exactly is this Noor? Were we ever told? Did I somehow miss that?) That said, there were definitely elements I liked! This is set in a futuristic Nigeria and follows a woman named AO who was born severely disabled and has a lot of biotech components, for which she faces discrimination。 It's worth noting that Okorafor is herself disabled which lends added weight to the way that experience is described。The big bad is a global biotech company with fingers in many places。 We follow AO on a journey of sorts after her engagement is broken off。 A lot of seemingly random things occur, but a lot of it does come together at the end, even if it takes awhile to get there。 One element I found entertaining is the subversion of the "magical negro" trope by instead having this mystical white man appear and offer the main characters wisdom on their journey。 And also marijuana。 Setting a white character as the exotic other in this way is an interesting choice。 Overall I had mixed feelings on this one。 I had kind of a confusing reading experience, even with frequently going back to re-listen to sections that lost me, but I can't tell if that's because of the audiobook or the narrative itself。 But I appreciated some of what the book was trying to do。 I received an audio review copy of this book via NetGalley。 All opinions are my own。Content warnings include sexual assault, violence, death, ableism, mention of letting disabled children die, and more。 。。。more

Bradley

I enjoy Afrofuturism novels mainly for the grand scope of differences it offers us readers, subverting expectations and combining very different idea-points。 In other words, a lot of them give us some great worldbuilding。Disability, redefining yourself, transhumanism, and becoming a cyborg in a culture, or at least surrounding culture, that goes all superstitious and crappy on you? Check。 Being a victim of circumstance but not willing to bow down to your culture's expectations? Check。Give us som I enjoy Afrofuturism novels mainly for the grand scope of differences it offers us readers, subverting expectations and combining very different idea-points。 In other words, a lot of them give us some great worldbuilding。Disability, redefining yourself, transhumanism, and becoming a cyborg in a culture, or at least surrounding culture, that goes all superstitious and crappy on you? Check。 Being a victim of circumstance but not willing to bow down to your culture's expectations? Check。Give us some wonderful energy-tech, an adventure, and a light-touch romance between a herder and a cyborg girl, and the novel ran pretty smoothly for me。 The subtext is, of course, quite easy to follow。 It's not just being wired differently from your people, but having to deal with a mash of conflicting worlds, too。 Read into it whatever you like, but it's pretty universal。I'm glad I got to read this。 。。。more

USOM

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher。 This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest。) One of my favorite elements of Noor has to be the world building。 Okorafor always has a great world building seed。 That kernel of an idea which the entire book revolves around and only expands throughout the story。 For Noor I loved how in this high tech world her body modifications make others see her as a 'demon'。 That there's this line of 'too much'。 And where does that line for (Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher。 This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest。) One of my favorite elements of Noor has to be the world building。 Okorafor always has a great world building seed。 That kernel of an idea which the entire book revolves around and only expands throughout the story。 For Noor I loved how in this high tech world her body modifications make others see her as a 'demon'。 That there's this line of 'too much'。 And where does that line for us, for society, for our family? But aside from the fantastic and thought provoking world building (especially all the corporation politics!!) I loved the characters。I knew I was going to love AO。 I love how fiery she is, how strong, but also how much she is shaped by her past。 By the treatment of her family, by the circumstances of her accident, and by the world's scorn。 At the same time, I found DNA's character fascinating。 The ways their positions seem so different on paper, but how they are united by their places as "outsiders"。 All of their interactions made for a gripping character dynamic。 And finally, what I loved in Noor were the twists and turns。full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind。com/revi。。。 。。。more

Bibliophile

My first from this author, and this little hardcover surely packs a punch。

Andreas

Synopsis: This very short novel is set in a near-future Nigeria, governed by an overreaching government under the influence of a highly innovative mega-corporation “Ultima Corp” which clearly resembles Amazon, just shying away from naming it。 The narration follows main protagonist AO, short for Anwuli Okwudili or in her own words “Artificial Organism”。 AO is a cyborg who was born disabled, later on injured in a car accident, and has now large parts of her body replaced by mechanical parts and en Synopsis: This very short novel is set in a near-future Nigeria, governed by an overreaching government under the influence of a highly innovative mega-corporation “Ultima Corp” which clearly resembles Amazon, just shying away from naming it。 The narration follows main protagonist AO, short for Anwuli Okwudili or in her own words “Artificial Organism”。 AO is a cyborg who was born disabled, later on injured in a car accident, and has now large parts of her body replaced by mechanical parts and enhanced with lots of AI augmentations。 Others call her a freak, her own parents don’t like her transformation, but she embraces it all。 When she goes to a local market in Abuja, a couple of men attack her, demonizing her cybernetical implants。 Defending herself, she kills them inadvertently and has been on the run since then。 She goes completely offline and tries to escape across the deserts of Northern Nigeria。She teams up with a Fulani herdsname calling himself “DNA” who is wrongfully accused of terrorism but only wants to protect his last two remaining cows。 He knows a lot about the devastating huge cyclone called “Red Eye” in the desert where they hope to find a safe haven。 AO develops some superhero forces enabling her to control devices and AIs。 Suddenly, her flight doesn’t seem as hopeless as before。Review: Okorafor is a well-renowned author, always writing about the African continent, the people and the culture there。 Africanfuturism is her topic, and I really liked her novella Binti (review) with a follow-up novelette Binti: Sacred Fire (review)。 In Noor, she did it again, this time embracing the Cyberpunk subgenre to its fullest。 It’s easy to see that mega-corporations like Amazon will go to subvert states by blackmailing them with huge amounts of money。 I always thought about the dangers for countries like the U。S。 or Western European states, but this novel focuses on Nigeria。 Rich with natural resources and projected to become one of the most densely populated countries in the world, it is also bothered by one of the most corrupt governments in the world misusing power and most of the population lives below poverty level。 Average life expectancy at just 53 years is one of the lowest in the world。 Enough room to project a cyberpunkish near future。The author ticks off all the Cypberpunk checkbox tropes。 Most of them have been featured elsewhere, and maybe better。 One is new, and that’s where the author shines and is absolutely worth reading: the combination with Africanfuturism。 The novel started slow with several interleaving stories-within-stories exposing the setting。 I didn’t buy into the technological projections like wireless energy transfer over large distances or the superhuman interactions with those AIs。 They gave the novel a touch of Fantasy, so don’t expect Hard SF here。 Similarly, the Red Eye cyclone is more a fairy tale than dystopian CliFi。 We have to give the author a lot of room to draw her setting。 Then, the action starts off and speeds up to a feverish pace。 I didn’t like the main protagonist much。 Her tendency to suicide put me off, as did some other of her (non-) reactions。 Add to that many wooden dialogs and sometimes confusing narrative structure。 In the end, it was a lukewarm reading experience。 I liked parts of the setting a lot, but the author failed to reach me with a lot of unbelievable elements which felt too artificially constructed。 。。。more

Samantha Fondriest

Cool world and premise, but I felt so removed from the characters that I was never able to connect to them or really care about what happened to them。 Not my favorite from Okorafor (I’ve adored other works by her - if you haven’t checked her out, please do!) but still a quick, solid read with some really enjoyable worldbuilding elements。 I personally didn’t love the audiobook narrator (I both read my eARC and listened to parts on audio) and if you were debating between which format to pick, I’d Cool world and premise, but I felt so removed from the characters that I was never able to connect to them or really care about what happened to them。 Not my favorite from Okorafor (I’ve adored other works by her - if you haven’t checked her out, please do!) but still a quick, solid read with some really enjoyable worldbuilding elements。 I personally didn’t love the audiobook narrator (I both read my eARC and listened to parts on audio) and if you were debating between which format to pick, I’d suggest print。Thank you to Netgalley, Libro。fm, and the publisher for advanced copies of various formats of this book。 All opinions are, as always, my own。 。。。more

Adam

Full disclosure, I got an ARC from Netgalley。This was a frustrating book for me。 When it focused on personal relationships and personal lives, it was VERY good - but the overall narrative felt kinda generic。 I did like it, mostly, but it was also mostly okay。I LOVE her short stories, so I'll continue to read her work。 Full disclosure, I got an ARC from Netgalley。This was a frustrating book for me。 When it focused on personal relationships and personal lives, it was VERY good - but the overall narrative felt kinda generic。 I did like it, mostly, but it was also mostly okay。I LOVE her short stories, so I'll continue to read her work。 。。。more

Starlah

As a big fan of Nnedi Okorafor, I picked this one up immediately! We follow AO, who goes by the initials of her given name。 While she is shopping in a near-future Nigerian market, a bloody run-in turns her into a target then a fugitive。 So, AO flees her home for the desert in hopes of avoiding capture。 While out there, she meets alone herdsman called DNA and his two cows。 We follow the two as they decide to embark into the Red Eye together。I enjoyed this novel! And even though the first half see As a big fan of Nnedi Okorafor, I picked this one up immediately! We follow AO, who goes by the initials of her given name。 While she is shopping in a near-future Nigerian market, a bloody run-in turns her into a target then a fugitive。 So, AO flees her home for the desert in hopes of avoiding capture。 While out there, she meets alone herdsman called DNA and his two cows。 We follow the two as they decide to embark into the Red Eye together。I enjoyed this novel! And even though the first half seemed to lack direction, I enjoyed the pacing and there is this abrupt violence to AO and DNA's meeting and alternations with suspicious and aggressive people that make for a bold introduction to the story and characters。I loved the themes and conversation posed in this story。 It's criticism on overreaching government and its conversation on taking down corporate, capitalist interests。 As well as privacy, environmentalism, corporate power structures。 But at the end of the day, this was a compelling story about two people just trying to survive in a world seeking to destroy them。 As usual, Okorafor really knows how to pack a short piece of speculative science fiction full。I'm interested to hear how folks with physical disabilities and prosthetic limbs feel about AO's body alterations and disabilities and that representation。 。。。more

Clinton Tallman

My cousin Alex told me about a hacker named METRONET CREDIT SOLUTION, who is an expert on credit repair and how he deleted negative reports on his credit such as IRS, liens and even boosted his score from 440 to a whopping 800。 He gave me his contact and I also followed him up, and guess what? It worked for me too。 The guy is fast and reliable。 You can reach him through METRONETCREDITSOLUTION@GMAIL。COM or text on +1。205。518。3032。 I bet you, metronet will fix your credit within 8 working days。

Nicole

I really liked Nnedi Okorafor's last title, Remote Control。 I LOVED Noor! This book is one of the best Sci-Fi titles I have read in years。 I felt the characters were realistically developed, the science is not only possible, but likely。 I felt that Nnedi brought the dust storm to life。 Excellent book。 If you like Sci-Fi, you will love this story! I really liked Nnedi Okorafor's last title, Remote Control。 I LOVED Noor! This book is one of the best Sci-Fi titles I have read in years。 I felt the characters were realistically developed, the science is not only possible, but likely。 I felt that Nnedi brought the dust storm to life。 Excellent book。 If you like Sci-Fi, you will love this story! 。。。more

Diane

I should have known better when I started this book that I wouldn't be able to put it down till I finished it! I am a fan of Nnedi Okarafor and once again she doesn't disappoint。 In Noor, the main character who has renamed herself AO, and due to her crippling disabilities at birth and later a car accident, augments her body with enhancements and implants。 There are many layers to peel back in this story from technology, climate change, and the effects big corporations have on society。 The narrat I should have known better when I started this book that I wouldn't be able to put it down till I finished it! I am a fan of Nnedi Okarafor and once again she doesn't disappoint。 In Noor, the main character who has renamed herself AO, and due to her crippling disabilities at birth and later a car accident, augments her body with enhancements and implants。 There are many layers to peel back in this story from technology, climate change, and the effects big corporations have on society。 The narrator did a great job and my only complaint is I wasn't ready for the story to end。Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy。 。。。more