Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Shadow Speaker

It took a while for me to really get into this (likely because I was listening via audiobook and kept getting distracted at the beginning), but I was really hooked for the last 40-ish percent. I loved the interconnected worlds and magic systems- that aspect of it was so imaginative and fun. I could have done without the very thorough description of how fat the main villain is there at the end. It felt like his fatness was supposed to be a metaphor for how evil he was and that doesn't sit well at all. Overall a fun read and I'll probably read the sequel.

Content Warnings

calamitydane's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I've rarely read books of this quality. The characters have my heart. The world building is so whole. Like you can really imagine being there. The character development felt so real and hopeful. Ejii is the sort of person I wanna be. I'm buying the sequel tonight.

Content Warnings

wornpagesandendlesscoffey's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Shadow Speaker was an amazing SciFi Futuristic story that follows a complex and wonderful female main character as she begins to understand the gifts she was born with, how to use them, and what they mean for her future, and the future of the world she lives in. Ejimafor (Eji) is the central character of the book and she will absolutely throw you some curveballs! When you read it, you'll know exactly what I am talking about! From her early life, her tragic backstory, the strained relationship she has with her family, her village, and her gifts, to when she makes a decision to follow the Shadows, this book is full of action and adventure as well as phenomenal characters and relationships. Dikeogu lends his brand of snarky friendship just when it is needed and keeps the story from becoming too desolate. Jaa is about as complex as they come and you will love and hate her in equal measure. This story reminds me of WoT in that several worlds are meshing together via rips in reality/the universe, but with that SciFi edge and explanation. The magic in this world isn't mystical- it's scientific, a mutation. There is also Muslim themes and a sprinkling of faith throughout the text- as well as how Eji reconciles her faith and who she has even told she must be versus who she needs to become. Overall, I really loved this book and look forward to reading more from this author!!

Content Warnings

mariebrunelm's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Nigeria, the near future. A recent world war has led to unexpected consequences on both the earth and its inhabitants. Ejii is a child of this new world. She is a shadow speaker - she can feel and hear shadows around her. Because of this ability, she is considered a threat by those unchanged, including her cruel father. When he is killed by the renowned Jaa, on a visit to Ejii’s village, the girl believes her circumstances will improve, but the following years prove her wrong, until fate or another power gives us an opportunity for revenge.
When I saw a new book by Nnedi Okorafor on NetGalley, I was super excited. Okorafor’s Binti trilogy made me rediscover sci-fi and encouraged me to search for books I’d love in this genre I wasn’t best friends with. Actually, Shadow Speaker isn’t exactly a new release, since it was first published in 2007 and was Okorafor’s first YA novel, but it was out of print. The 2023 version is expanded and has a new introduction.
What I found the most fascinating about this book was how many of the elements that made Binti so enjoyable were already budding in this earlier novel. You’ve got fantastic world-building, in this africanfuturist Nigeria and potential other planets, a headstrong but caring female main character, themes of family, identity, uprootedness, discussions of politics and righteousness. I felt that Shadow Speaker wasn’t as gripping and exciting as Binti had been, but that may be a consequence of me having read the latter first. I do think this book would be a good introduction to Okorafor’s writing (especially for a YA audience), even though I still consider Binti a more accomplished book.
On a last note, it is also worth noticing that I read this book in a state of high stress, so I may not have been as focused on it as I would have liked.
Rep: Black Muslim MC.

Content Warnings

More...