2.5 stars 
 This is a story of a girl Onyesonwu (translated to 'who fears death') born from violence and into the war. In post apocalyptic Sudan, the tribes are war. The reasons, the means of violence are all similar to current day atrocities that people carryout on each other; weaponized rape, female genital mutilation, genocide, slavery etc. Onyesonwu's mother is Okeke (darker skin, enslaved) while the man who raped her is Nuru (fair skin) thus making Onyesonwu an Ewu (mixed race). The mixed race people are socially outcast, their skin tone and physical attributes clearly suggesting the violence behind their birth. 
 Okorafor sets the story as a traditional fantasy fare: origin, quest and the final battle. Onyesonwu isn't a likeable character and with her being the narrator, the view of this world is laced with anger. The anger she feels at the world bleeds through the words Okorafor uses. 
 In 
 the first act 
 , Onyesonwu begins to see oppression, suppression and violence first hand after undergoing genital mutilation at the age of eleven. Okorafor offers no apology or diminishes the violence of this act. It is heavily implied that the procedure has existed for decades and sees no end in sight; not unlike the problem in this world. Still, reading about it can make stomach queasy and exercise disgust for humans. 
 Onyesonwu finds love in Mwita, a ewu boy who is a sorcerer's apprentice. Mwita fails initiation test set by the magical culture while Onyesonwu pushes, prods and begs the sorcerer to give her the test that she passes. It is made well aware at this junction that Onyesonwu is the chosen one. She sets out on a quest with Mwita and three other friends to finally put an end to the darkness that has surrounded her whole life. The first act is brilliant, shows a world that isn't too different from ours and makes us care for Onyesonwu though she can irritate and annoy you. And that what makes the experience enjoyable. 
 The second act 
 is filled with drama instigated by secondary characters who exist just to serve this drama as Onyesonwu walks along the desert and encounter different tribes. The plot falters and trips with passages existing just so Onyesonwu can move from one place to next. Narration is weak since its merely recounting of what is happening with her friends and the antics they get into. Onyesonwu sounds bored, tired, exhausted and is slowly trying to figure out the abstract nature of the darkness that is her father. It is very hard at this point not to get bored and just string along with Onyesonwu. 
 The third act 
 doesn't get better and gets even more problematic. I am all for ending genocide, violence against women and general human rights violation. The fix for this however is magic which makes it all "not happened". There is obvious history erasure, Onyesonwu pardoning her father who shows no remorse, has committed countless genocides and rape who obviously deserved some sort of punishment. As a character Onyesonwu is told by several people consistently that she is angry, doesn't think too far and has bad temper. This final act of hers could be seen as as passage to maturity but harder to accept since she only recently decimated villages to the ground. Its hard to reconcile with this fact. 
 The writing: 
 Okorofor's blunt writing style is much needed and appreciated since there is no other way to go about brutal rape or genocide. This however can water down moments that require readers to sympathize, empathize and understand the characters - especially Onyesonwu. Okorofor builds a fascinating world littered with folklore that is unique and grows interesting during course of the book. Heavy handed feminism is welcome and is fresh. Besides obvious role reversal, Okorofor takes a step further and explores the gender stereotypes (of male being the one to do the job) and backlash that is experienced when failed to secure so. 
 I struggled while reading this book. Once the plot became obvious, it was difficult to get through pages of no-movement. I am glad for having read this book. It may not be a masterpiece but it definitely hits you in the ribs and makes you take notice to the real world problems.