Noor

Nnedi Okorafor

With Lagoon set in Lagos, Noor is set in the north (Abuja and into the desert). Far future Nigeria means that there is less direct "culture" here than near-future Lagoon and more likely remnants of culture to inform the story. A cybernetic woman (named OA) and a traditional herdsman (named DNA) are coincidentally thrown together in a series of traumatic events. They are on the run from the government, and more dangerously, from the Ultimate Corporation (imagine Amazon or Apple 30 years in the future). Each is learning how naive they were, and how much power they actually have to change the future of the country they love. The plot is thin and a bit too convenient, but it is a quick read and a not-so-unbelievable portrayal of "Ultimate Corporation". 

3 stars (out of 4)

A Closed and Common Orbit

Becky Chambers

Book 2 of the Wayfarers series

Set in the same world as the ...small angry planet we get the backstory on Pepper (the tech), and the next chapter for Pepper and Lovelace (the sentient AI). This is a 2 character story, with 2 supporting characters. And it is outstanding. Lovelace is an infant in many ways, learning to grow into a new body. Too smart and not smart enough, booksmart not streetsmart, etc. And damaged goods psychologically. So it makes all the sense in the world as we learn of Pepper's origin and how she also was raised by a ship AI, that these two are learning how to be people together. Chambers is a master craftswoman. 

4 stars (out of 4)

Lagoon

Nnedi Okorafor

I found this book on a list of fascinating near future sci-fi. Actually, on the list was Noor by Okorafor, but that wasn't available at my library. Glad I got this one. Set in modern day Lagos, Nigeria - alien first contact is made and the novel tells the story of the first week or so after first contact. The aliens are not violent, looking to colonize. But they are looking to move in and become part of the earth's biota. It is super fun to get a window into Lagos culture, as the story is really just a revelation of its priorities, lifestyle and social groups of the city. The situations that develop throughout the storytelling are dramatically different than stories you can imagine would be told if first contact with this particular species occurred in the west, or Asia, etc. The specific and particular culture of Lagos is what makes this novel fascinating. At the same time, even though the culture is so different than my own experience, this very fact lets me see what kinds of reactions are part of the human experience. 

4 stars (out of 4)

To Be Taught, if Fortunate

Becky Chambers

I was reminded of Chambers the other day and her Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet when I came across her stuff at Powell's. This little novella is another character story that probes what life is when traveling in space. Yes, the science is pretty good, but that just means we don't have to be distracted by silly-ness when exploring the reality of exploration. The characters here are 4 explorers who have been sent on a mission to explore 3 planets and a moon around a "nearby" red dwarf. The way the science works, the mission is 16 years (4 years per planet) with 28 years travel to earth each way, and a definite "return to earth" mission spec. It is just a glimpse, but the emotional stress and self awareness that comes along with a journey like this starts to peak out, which I think is what Chambers wanted. She really is worth reading.

3 stars (out of 4)

City of Brass

S.A. Chakraborty

Book 1 of The Daevabad Trilogy

A fantasy story set in the east, with eastern mythology. I loved it. With a traditional fantasy novel, the author can pull out elves and dwarves and assume that I have a basic understanding of the people, maybe adding their particular twist. In this case, no characters are known to me since this is the world of the Daeva (Djinn) where there are Marids and Peris and Ifrits and ??? All new to me, at least. Like traditional fantasy, this story follows a young (not yet acknowledged) hero on a journey with her mysterious benefactor as they are pursued by certain death. When they arrive at safety (the shielded City of Brass) not all is as safe as one would hope as the political machinations lead to a whole new set of dangers. I love that this is straight up, standard fantasy and completely new all at the same time.

4 stars (out of 4) 

Darius the Great is Not Okay

Adib Khorram

Darius is a high school kid in Oregon. His mom is Persian and therefore Iranian culture has been at least part of his culture. He describes himself as a 'Fractional Persian'. Like his Dad, Darius is on meds for depression, and other than the meds, really the only thing they have in common is the hour each night they spend watching an episode of Star Trek together. When the family plans a trip to Iran to visit his grandparents, Darius is simultaneously excited and nervous. Most of the book takes place in Iran, and follows the development of Darius identity, his family relationships, his illness and his friendships. I really liked this story telling and found the treatment of mental illness atypical for fiction. It was not overly dramatic, but became a part of life, which I imagine is how most people look at their mental health. I like the moderately nerdy Darius and the relatively muted tones throughout. Seems like an authentic life. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Zara Hossain is Here

Sabina Khan

Zara Hossain is a Pakistani teenager going to school in Corpus Christi Texas. Her dad is a pediatrician at the local hospital and the hospital has been sponsoring the family work visa and progress toward green card for the past 14 years. Zara has been the target of some recent bullying at school which ultimately gets out of hand. Underlying the immigration/racial stresses, Zara is also discovering her first love as a young bi- woman. The stress there comes not from her parents, who are supportive, but from the stress associated with the family of her girlfriend. In many ways, Zara is experiencing some typical teen trauma (or more likely - teen trauma typical for immigrant or gender minorities). But the telling of it feels formulaic and Zara's experience is interesting, but not enlightening to me in any real way. 

2 stars (out of 4)