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plantingneurons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
elizafiedler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
katnortonwriter's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Here’s the thing: I usually enjoy Nnedi Okorafor’s writing, but I struggled with this one. In general, her writing style is somewhat spare, almost terse. The Desert Magician’s duology has this kind of random, eclectic Alice In Wonderland energy, in which strange and marvelous things happen at random and without foreshadowing. Between the somewhat chaotic events and the bare-bones style, I had a difficult time getting invested in the characters or the story.
This second installment takes a darker turn than the first book. I liked what the story had to say about dehumanizing and othering people who are different, and about modern-day slavery and mass production. I’m not giving this book a middling rating to suggest that it was inherently mediocre, but it was not a great fit for me, in large part because of the style and structure.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley prior to this book’s release, but ended up reading it in hardcover after the fact, for whatever that’s worth. 🙂
calamitydane's review
4.5
I love the creative worldbuilding and the portrayal of different African cultures. The characters are well-written and I spent the whole time rooting for them. I am counting down half a point because the only lgbt character was horribly abused and then the main characters laughed about her sexuality and we barely knew her before she was killed. I think she was meant to be just a side character so her death made sense and the mains laughing were also laughing at themselves and out of anxiety but it left a bad taste ij my mouth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, War, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Sexual assault, Sexism, Racism, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
thepamz's review
5.0
Podría leer otros 10 libros sobre Ejii y Dikeogu, me encantan los personajes. La historia está bien tensa y catártica además. Otro hit de Nnedi Okorafor.
tessamd's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I’m extremely disappointed in this book. I listened to the audiobook of Shadow Speaker and adored it. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to read Like Thunder. Too much happened in this book and the reader never got time to breathe and process what was happening. Either the plot needed to be shaved down, or it just needed to be a longer book. The last 50 pages in particular were too wild. The resolution felt like a cheat. I also absolutely hated how the love triangle interacted with the plot, and the ending in specific.
danreadsitall's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Another series wrapped this week. The Desert Magician's Duology by Nnedi Okorafor concluded with "Like Thunder" (and plenty of lightning).
Dikéogu Obidimpka had a real good reason to smite some folks with lightning. And dismantling and industry and exploited and killed children. He has realized the job of saving the world never really ends. After leaving to learn more about his powers his path diverged to a town in which he found love and lost his mind. As his estranged parents continue to spout hate and cohorts turn people against the changed what's a person (who can bring the sky down if the mood strikes them) to do?
Reasons to read:
-They really go through it in this one, but they find reasons not to just smite everyone
-Creatures and technology that works in it's own way
-Great wrap up
-Another finished series? Yes please
Cons:
-Any of those green bombs floating around?
Dikéogu Obidimpka had a real good reason to smite some folks with lightning. And dismantling and industry and exploited and killed children. He has realized the job of saving the world never really ends. After leaving to learn more about his powers his path diverged to a town in which he found love and lost his mind. As his estranged parents continue to spout hate and cohorts turn people against the changed what's a person (who can bring the sky down if the mood strikes them) to do?
Reasons to read:
-They really go through it in this one, but they find reasons not to just smite everyone
-Creatures and technology that works in it's own way
-Great wrap up
-Another finished series? Yes please
Cons:
-Any of those green bombs floating around?
franklyfrank's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
michellehenriereads's review
4.0
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House, DAW. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Genre: Africanfuturism, Fantasy, SciFi, African Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
Language: Medium (some cursing)
Spice Level: Medium (fade to black)
The post nuclear war where the gateway opened between worlds that introduced magic is fascinating as always. I feel like Shadow Speaker set the tone, and Like Thunder continues in the same vein. If you loved one, you will love both of them.
This is epic fantasy because the team of kids is saving the world. But there are personal elements because the tragedy hits close when their families and friends may die or be harmed. We have friends who separated in the first book get reunited. Some evil is dispelled. And heroic deeds and sacrifices are made.
The style of storytelling is interesting. In ways, it feels a bit remote to me. As a frame story, the Desert Magician, is telling us the tale—he's mostly present speaking to us in the beginning and end. Also our main character, Dikéogu, cycles through madness and love and trauma. Seriously, there's a lot going on. And teenage angst is part of the drama, which is about the only thing that makes this fit as young adult.
I've enjoyed this duololgy.
Happy reading!
Genre: Africanfuturism, Fantasy, SciFi, African Fantasy
Audience: Young Adult
Language: Medium (some cursing)
Spice Level: Medium (fade to black)
The post nuclear war where the gateway opened between worlds that introduced magic is fascinating as always. I feel like Shadow Speaker set the tone, and Like Thunder continues in the same vein. If you loved one, you will love both of them.
This is epic fantasy because the team of kids is saving the world. But there are personal elements because the tragedy hits close when their families and friends may die or be harmed. We have friends who separated in the first book get reunited. Some evil is dispelled. And heroic deeds and sacrifices are made.
The style of storytelling is interesting. In ways, it feels a bit remote to me. As a frame story, the Desert Magician, is telling us the tale—he's mostly present speaking to us in the beginning and end. Also our main character, Dikéogu, cycles through madness and love and trauma. Seriously, there's a lot going on. And teenage angst is part of the drama, which is about the only thing that makes this fit as young adult.
I've enjoyed this duololgy.
Happy reading!