This brand-new sequel to Nnedi Okorafor’s Shadow Speaker contains the powerful prose and compelling stories that have made Nnedi Okorafor a star of the literary science fiction and fantasy space and put her at the forefront of Africanfuturist fiction

Nnedi Okorafor never misses. Another fantastic story.

So good! I love Nnedi Okorafor's writing. Such an excellent (and relevant!) story. There might not be an alien world threatening peace but so many other elements are all too accurate.

A heartwarming story about genocide

Like Thunder is a soon-to-be-released sequel to Shadow Speaker. The Shadow Speaker is a quite old novel by Nnedi Okorafor, but an updated version is about to come out (2-Oct-2023). Shadow Speaker ends in 2074. Earth has become connected to other worlds, so that travel from one world to another is possible. Ette, the chief of the humans living in one of those other worlds, Ginen, hates Earth and wants to destroy its peoples. At the end of Shadow Speaker Chief Ette is forced to sign a magically binding three-year truce with Earth representatives.

Like Thunder takes place mostly in 2077. You will notice that 2077-2074 = 3, so the truce is about to expire and does actually expire in the course of Like Thunder. Chief Ette's genocidal ambitions have not cooled during that time. If you have met humans, you will not be surprised to learn that Ette manages to find people to help him among the people of Earth.

The point of view character of Shadow Speaker was Ejii Ubaid, who is, in fact, a shadow speaker -- a kind of juju seer. Her best friend, whom we met in that book, is Dikéogu Obidimkpa. Like Thunder is told by Dikéogu -- it is ostensibly a transcript of a series of audio recordings he made. Dikéogu is the scion of a wealthy Nigerian family, who rejected him because he is not normal -- he is a Stormbringer. He controls rain and lightning and thunder, and it is he whom the cover depicts. Dikéogu is not OK. He has not learned to control his gifts.

Genocidal war makes a compelling background story. Like Thunder is, in my opinion, a better story than Shadow Speaker, because the plot is less random and more compelling.

Do you need to read Shadow Speaker before Like Thunder? No, not really. There is enough relevant background here to make the earlier book unnecessary. Should you? In my opinion, no, it is not worth your time. I did not really enjoy Shadow Speaker.

I thank NetGalley and DAW for an advance reader copy of Like Thunder. This review expresses my honest opinions. Release date 28-Nov-2023.

Okorafor’s writing is simple, beautiful, and elegant. The voice is clear and easy on the metaphorical ears.

I loved the Binti trilogy, especially book 1. If you enjoyed this, you’ll definitely enjoy that.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the ARC.

The more I think about this book in comparison with its partner title, the more attached I am becoming. Where Shadow Speaker sought peace and love to solve conflict, Like Thunder was full of rage and vengeance. Ejii spent much of her journey in the dry dusty desert, where Dikéogu drowns in his power.

The two characters were unlikely companions in Shadow Speaker, and even separated in Like Thunder, find themselves drawn together as two sides of the same coin. While their characters act as foils for each other, so do the books. And the cleverness of these stories as a set just makes me so happy.

Mimicking the traditional form of oral storytelling, the writing sometimes reads a little jumpy. However, this feels very intentional and I might just have to give it a reread in audiobook form at some point because I think it’s an element that only adds to the magic of the Desert Magician recounting this legend.

In the way her character Dieuri mixed sorcery and science to save the planet from atomic wipeout, Okorafor pulls science fiction and fantasy elements together to tell an electric fable of grief, fear, and ultimately love.

"Like Thunder" by Nnedi Okorafor is a captivating sequel that continues the remarkable journey initiated in "Shadow Speaker." The author's skillful storytelling and imaginative world-building take readers on a vivid and thought-provoking exploration of a futuristic Africa, where the boundaries between magic, technology, and human connection are wonderfully blurred.

The story follows Dikéogu Obidimkpa, the Desert Magician who can bring rain to parched lands. As he grapples with the complexities of his own mind, Dikéogu embarks on a quest that leads him to reconnect with his friend Ejii Ubaid, the shadow speaker girl. Their paths cross once again as they venture across diverse landscapes, from the Sahara Desert to bustling megacities, and up the majestic Aïr Mountains.

Nnedi Okorafor's prose is vivid and evocative, painting a rich tapestry of imagery that immerses readers in the world she has crafted. The fusion of traditional African sayings and modern technological concepts adds a unique flavor to the narrative, reflecting the seamless blending of cultures and ideas that characterize the story's setting.

The deepening bond between Dikéogu and Ejii forms the heart of the narrative, and their character development is both engaging and relatable. The exploration of Dikéogu's internal struggles adds layers of complexity to his character, making him a compelling protagonist whose journey resonates on both personal and universal levels.

The novel seamlessly melds elements of science fiction, fantasy, and African cultural references to create a story that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. It addresses themes of friendship, change, memory, and the impact of one's choices on the world. The narrative structure, presented as an audiofile recounting, adds an intriguing layer of intimacy between the characters and readers.

"Like Thunder" defies genre boundaries and provides a fresh perspective on speculative fiction. Nnedi Okorafor's storytelling prowess shines, enveloping readers in a world that is both imaginative and deeply rooted in the human experience. With its rich characters, enthralling plot, and thematic depth, this novel is a must-read for fans of Africanfuturism, fantasy, and science fiction alike.

𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: Arif
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Easy
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Novel
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: African Futurism
4.3/𝟱

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ 😲 the well-described disappearances
~ Captivating movement across different African countries/territories & the inclusion of new worlds
~ The rich backstory of characters

We continue the story of the Earth being corrupted & battling other planets after she was hit by nuclear bombs first, then with biological ‘peace’ bombs. Our heroes Ejiff & Dikéogu were separated, so we follow Diké as he wanders across Niger & Nigeria growing his powers, falling in love & dealing with loss. As time, discrimination, violence, new tech & warped ideas continue to overtake the land, our heroes must fight vampire creatures, strange animals, humans, their family & more to save a sick world.

🦖 This story and its predecessor come across as though written for the YA adult audience. I found less mature thoughts, actions & thought processes here. As an aged human, although I found different aspects of the story compelling (including the masterful inclusion of animals & some new tech), overall, the motivations of the MCs just wasn’t clear cut and cynical enough for my aged-ness LOLLL!

✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

🌱THE MEH
~ having to remind myself that these are children
~ Dikéogu was tiresome 🙄
~ 🥲 I don’t believe Arif needed to die, the co-husband was looking good

♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)