Okorofor has a way with words, bluntly raining images on the reader in a way that permits no misinterpretation. Her prose is solid, and her imagination welcome. The book flows well, and I enjoyed it as a solid read. 
 That said, I feel like I was expecting more than I got. 
 Earlier this year, I read and enjoyed Okorofor's YA fantasy novel "The Shadow Speaker." While the themes and underlying plot are different, it also can't be denied that Okorofor has a preferred progression and set of themes. Indeed, despite the difference in setting and intent, at times I thought that--had "The Shadow Speaker" been written for adults, it would have been this book. 
 Which brings me to the main problem. Graphic violence and the regular inclusion of sex (consensual and not) do not an adult book make. A story aimed at adults should be able to explore interpersonal relations and deeper themes without simply resorting to gore. 
 Speaking of which, graphic weaponized rape. I lost track of how many times sexual assault (or the threat thereof) was used in this novel as a means of threatening or 'developing' a female character. True, the novel was 'inspired'(?) by an article on the subject, and Okorofor deals with the consequences of it rather explicitly through Onyesonwu, but all of the others? 
 There are better ways to develop female characters, especially when--aside from being told that they've gotten older--their voices don't seem to mature (this goes for all the characters in the novel). 
 It wasn't all bad. The fate of Onyesonwu's Eleventh Year Rite mates was intriguing as they all grew up. Luyu and Binta, especially, I grew to love as characters. 
 By no means did I dislike this book, but I do think it could have been better. As I said at the beginning, Okorofor is a good author, I just wanted more.