This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Binti

As one of the Himba people, Binti carries a piece of her homeland with her in the form of clay. Covering her body and hair, the clay is a steadfast reminder of her culture and heritage. As Binti makes her way to the University transport, she will face scorn due to her appearance. Yet she is wise and does not give in to social pressure. Binti is an enriching character, staying true to herself and her beliefs despite the opposition she faces.

But this is where the worldbuilding of Binti’s people ends. Readers are told her family will disown her for leaving the planet, and aside from what she carries on her person, their culture isn't expanded on. There are many moments in Binti where only the surface explanation is given. When Binti begins to form friendships it is told to the reader rather than shown. The connection is not formed quickly enough for the events of the books to emotionally impact the reader.

When Binti faces the Meduse, the story picks up speed and adds an almost horror like quality to the writing. The trauma she endures is told to the reader, and Binti’s reactions are shown, yet the emotional side is not apparent. Physically Binti reacts terrified and lost, but readers are not allowed deep enough into Binti’s thoughts to experience it.

Binti is a quick reading novella with both horror and sci-fi elements. This is a book for readers who enjoy plot development and fast-moving scenes. ( )

A young woman goes against her cultural expectations when she's accepted into a university in space. I loved her bravery, fear, intelligence, and ingenuity. When her ship is attacked by jellyfish-like creatures she is left to fend for herself. It's a beautiful story and reminded me a bit of the later Ender's Game series books. I can't wait to read the next one in the series. ( )

Very interesting and quick read. I wish Okorafor had made it a little longer with some more details simply because it was a fresh idea and fascinating characters. I'm sure the next two books will flesh out more of the world; but this left me wanting more (also the sign of a good writer though). ( )

Wow, I really enjoyed reading this! It's a brief look into a sci-fi world that is inhabited by all kinds of races and beings, but still steeped in familiar issues. Binti is a really interesting character; I truly liked reading about her math mind and "treeing", and this is coming from someone who loathes math. I'm also a HUGE man of the Meduse- they're a cunning, intelligent, and squishy race that I just pictured as giant pastel jellyfish and it made my reading experience 100% better.
The big downside of this book is what everyone seems to be saying: it's too short! I would have loved if this was even just 200 pages instead of its actual 90. The whole thing seemed almost like the sparse framework written up for a longer novel. I'm definitely going to continue this series, but I hope to see it bulked up a bit. ( )

The genre of this novella is called Afrofuturist. I loved the Afro part, but the sci-fi aspect is just not my thing. Nevertheless, the story was well written and highly imaginative. ( )