Ahoy there me mateys! The first in a planned trilogy, this novella is a prequel to the book Who Fears Death.  It can be read without any knowledge of that novel.  One of the elements I love best about the author is her ability to make her world building feel so real and solid.  Another talent is in how alive her characters feel.  This Afrofuturist novella is no different.  I find the blend of sci-fi and fantasy to work extremely well. 

Salt is life.  Najeeba is a 13 year old girl whose village expects her to get married and raise a family.  But then she gets the Call.  The men take a yearly trip on the Salt Road to gather salt and sell it at the market.  Though women originally found the Dead Lake of salt, they don't go.  Najeeba's trip changes her and has unexpected consequences for the entire village.

I really loved Najeeba and her rather practical approach to life.  She is very resourceful.  How the Salt Road's magic affects her and her family's future was both fascinating and heart breaking.  It is always hard to read about violent tribal politics and about societal roles based on gender.  But there are lighter-hearted moments too.  For example, the camels.  

I was fiercely charmed by Najeeba.  Just be aware that this novella ends on an abrupt cliffhanger, if even if it makes sense for how the story is told.  I cannot wait until the next comes out in 2025.  Arrr!

4.5 rounded up

My rating: 5 of 5 stars--

Nnedi Okorafor will always be one of my favorite storytellers and writers. I loved Who Fears Death, though it has been years since I read it so the details are fuzzy. I was worried about this when I started reading She Who Knows, but it worked great as a standalone novella. I loved Najeeba's backstory. Okorafor weaves such a cool mythology of how a people are chosen to have access to a special natural wonder. I loved how this story explored how gender dynamics play into cultural tradition and heritage. A great addition to the Africanfuturist Who Fears Death world. I can't wait for the next.

Many thanks to DAW and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I didn't realize this was a prequel book to some of the author's other books until after I finished it and read some reviews. For the most part, this book works as a standalone. I felt the ending was a bit rushed, and there were other sections that were a bit too quickly paced, but overall the flow was alright. I enjoyed reading this and would like to know more about the protagonist's mystical powers, which may be possible to learn from reading the author's other books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you Netgalley and the author for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in a futuristic West African society, She Who Knows is a fast-paced novella focusing on gender roles, the protagonist's partaking in a traditionally male activity (collecting and selling salt) and on the discovery of the her powers.

I enjoyed the discussion of gender roles in the novella and Najeeba's firm belief that she should be able to dress and do things according to her preference. Even with her decisions put strain on the relationships with those around her, she stands by them and sets an example that is bound to lead to changes in her society. I also loved the descriptions of the Salt Lake and the market.

However, I found the changes of scene really abrupt and a few elements of the story remained unclear to me (ie. Witches). It could be that it would all become clearer if I read the main series, but as it was said to be a standalone spin off I thought I would find enough clarity within the novella itself.

It's been more than 4 years since I read <i>Who Fears Death</i>; I remember thinking it was ... fine? Nothing else of the details of the book have stuck in my head, least of all the fact that the main character's mother might have needed a prequel novella, or indeed series of novel(la)s. (This book does seem to stand alone just fine.)

I also think this book is ... fine? I keep reading Okorafor books and having them kind of whoosh by without making much of an impact (aside from Binti, which I liked a lot; and Akata Witch, which I disliked to a memorable degree). I didn't really care about much of what happened here, unfortunately. I think maybe Okorafor just isn't for me (although I will at minimum be on the hook to read her forthcoming <i>Death of the Author</I> since I already have a NetGalley copy of it).

First of all, big shoutout to author Nnedi Okorafor for giving some insight/info before the start of the story via her author's note. It was seriously so great to have a bit of understanding about the world before jumping into the action. Now, this novella is branded as both sci-fi and fantasy, and I guess that is accurate, but I'd say it falls much more strongly on the side of fantasy, just with a future time/setting. And since it is a series, maybe that will change! But know that in this first installment, you're definitely getting more of a fantasy vibe.

Najeeba is an incredibly compelling character, and I adored her journey. I don't think I always understood the magic part of it, but that is probably on me more than the book. There were some twists that I hadn't expected, and the story took some very dark turns. Overall, I am definitely looking forward to the next installment to see where the story goes next.

Bottom Line: More fantasy than sci-fi, but a very good story regardless.

This is a nice coming of age story that is a good prequel to Who Fears Death.

Najeeba is less impatient than her future daughter but she is more impulsive if that is possible. I enjoyed the decriptions of the dead lake filled with blocks of salt worth than an entire village.

The characters are part of a tribe, the Osu-nu, who are exiled from the greater Okeke people because of choices made in the obscure past. We also get a glimpse of the Nuru people who will play a bigger role in Who Fears Death.

The themes found in Who Fears Death of coming of age, being different, resilience, destiny, women finding their own power and their magic are back in this short tale. It also has the same difficult relationships with friends, family and lovers.

Worth a read for sure and it does not matter too much if you have already read Who Fears Death although I would recommend reading it first.

I think I say this every time I read a book by Nnedi Okorafor, but she really is a master of worldbuilding. She writes with vibrant prose that makes the world and characters come alive. This Africanfuturist book is the first novella in a trilogy. The story centers around the mother from Who Fears Death, another of the author’s books, but you don’t have to read that one to understand this one. It’s a self-contained story while laying the foundation for what’s to come.

Najeeba hears the call to walk the salt road and harvest salt–but usually it’s only men who go. Her father and brothers take her along with them, and it starts her on a path to discovering who she is and changing everything. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next! It’s out now. Thank you to DAW and Netgalley for the eARC.

Listen, I always like Nnedi Okorafor's writing, but this is among my favorite books I've read from her. She Who Knows follows the mother of the main character in Who Fears Death, coming of age as a young teen girl in a society where the lives of women are often constrained. It's a fascinating take on science-fiction where the collapse of society and technology has made things feel like fantasy.

Najeeba's people are social outcasts, but they are the only ones who walk the Salt Roads- retrieving precious salt to sell at the market. But only boys and men travel the Salt Roads while girls stay home to read and have babies. But Najeeba feels the call of the road and her father allows her to come along on a journey that will irrevocably transform her.

Najeeba is such a great character and while this is a short novel, I felt like I knew her and was rooting for her to upend traditions and find out more about these mysterious abilities she is discovering. I was riveted throughout the story and it makes me want to go back and read everything else set in this world. Highly recommend this one! The audio narration is great- it feels like you're being told a story. Which I realize is technically what audiobooks are, but I hope you understand what I mean. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

This novella is the first in a duology centered around the mother of Onyesonwu, protagonist of *Who Fears Death*. Nnedi Okorafor’s work is generally something I enjoy, though never quite as much as I expect that I should or will. This was the exception to that rule; I loved it.

My memories of *Who Fears Death* are pretty hazy, and I don’t remember anything at all about Onyesonwu’s mother. So while I might have gotten more out of this story if that were different, I never felt the lack. (Mostly. I’ll get to that.) So I’d say this works just fine if you’ve never read anything else Okorafor has written. I’d actually say this is an excellent entry point to her work: *Who Fears Death* is an excellent, excellent book, but a book written on the theme of “rape as a weapon of war” isn’t exactly light reading.

Anyway, this book is set in the future of what is presently Sudan, though it’s long enough after the apocalypse that name doesn’t come up any time. Najeeba is a girl on the cusp of womanhood, and living in a village with fellow members of her untouchable caste. The village survives on the salt trade; nearby is the remains of a lake long since dried up, leaving behind a vast field of salt crystals. Once a year, the men of her village will receive a kind of supernatural calling, and know that it’s the time to go to the lake and harvest salt. This happens one-family at a time; there is never overlap, and no one besides these untouchables can ever find the salt lake. None of this is explained, it simply is.

I said “the men of the village” deliberately; it’s the men who do this. Women aren’t exactly forbidden, but they never receive the call and do not go. Except Najeeba *does* receive the call and her father permits her to come. This starts Najeeba off on a path where she pushes the boundaries of both her gender and her caste, bringing both prosperity and persecution. Najeeba also discovers her own powers as a sorceress, but that aspect of things isn’t thoroughly explored though it’s highly present. I expect it’ll be a big role in the sequel. Very much Afrofuturism, like everything Okorafor does.

So what about my earlier comment about how *Who Fears Death* “mostly” isn’t relevant to this? This is, as I said, about Onyesonwu’s mother, and as such is a prequel. But there’s a little coda scene at the end that takes place after the end of *Who Fears Death* that leaves me suspecting that the events of that book will matter very much going forward. Might have to reread before the sequel to this comes out.

Nnedi Okorafor always puts me through it. Collecting salt was a lot of the story and then the last 20% is slapping me in the face left and right. "She Who Knows" will be the story of Najeeba from "Who Fears Death."

When there is a call, there is a often a response.
Najeeba experienced the call, a feeling to travel the Salt Roads to provide for her people. Small issue, she is the first girl to have it. This isn't bad, but some folks might have an issue with it. Over the journey she keeps feeling driven to do things, speak to crowds, travel in other ways, deal with spirits via fire. Something is changing.

Reasons to read:
-More background on a great book
-Dealing with issues with fire, while hard on property, does send a message
-The quite moments

Cons:
-It's gonna get rough out there

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW books for the advanced copy.

I enjoyed this little book a lot. Nnedi Okorafor is a wonderful world builder with great character development and it keeps bringing me back to her books. The story is told from Najeeba after the end of Who Fears Death to Aro, and is the story of her childhood and when she first learned about her abilities.

I enjoyed getting to know more about Najeeba and her past, but some parts seemed a little rushed. Just when things would start getting interesting we would move on to the next thing. Granted this is a novella, so maybe the pacing just felt a little off for the length.

Okorafor's worlds are always so vibrant and rich, but painfully depressing. The sexism is often intense and this one follows in that line with most of the men in Najeeba's life fighting for her rights when it benefits them. I did like the relationship she had with her brother Ger, and kind of wanted more of it.

Overall, maybe I just think this should have been longer because it was doing so many interesting and good things. I hope she returns to this world again as I would love to see what happens to Najeeba after the events of Who Fears Death. Her life has been such a series of tragedies, I really hope to see her have something good happen.

Posted on Goodreads:

5⭐️

Ever since I read Binti five years ago, I’ve been obsessed with Nnedi’s work. Binti has been one of my favorite female leads ever. But, now, Najeeba may have stolen my heart.

With a mix of sci-fi, fantasy and west African culture, Nnedi brings forth the beginning of Nejeeba’s story. And quite the story it is.

Only men get the calling but she gets it to. She joins her father and brothers on a trip to mine salt from the dead lake and then travel to the market to sell it. It is during the first trip at the age of 13 that Nejeeba begins to become the sorceress she is in Who Fears Death. (Disclaimer I have not read that book yet, but it is on my TBR.)

Nnedi’s poetic writing and the growth of her characters, especially Najeeba, truly shine in this novella. Sci-fi and fantasy can be demanding genres since you’re creating a new world. This can tank or this can shine. And Nnedi shines in her world building. She gives so much in a just enough way that works, brilliantly. I cannot wait for the rest of the trilogy.

Thank you netgalley, DAW and Nnedi for the opportunity to read this gem.

Najeeba is a young teen in a small African village. Her father and brothers are part of the annual pilgrimage to the salt flats, hoping to find the purest samples to take to market. The traditions around the event are strong, with each family knowing it’s their turn when they sense a ‘call’. Only this year, Najeeba feels it first. Fighting hard to challenge the idea that girls do not travel the salt road, over the next few years Najeeba will change her family, her village, and more than any of it: herself.

I didn’t know that this book is a sort of prequel to the author’s previous work, Who Fears Death, which also features Najeeba but with her daughter as the main character. But, it works just fine on its own, with perhaps only one mention towards the end of how it ties to the earlier work, and also a handy author’s note at the start for those coming in cold, like me.

There is such a lot packed into this short novella. Word building, characters it’s easy to care for, plot to enthral and take you to the edge of your seat. In a word: wow.

The genre is, I’m told, ‘africanfuturism’. It reads more like a fantasy but with the odd mention of computers placing it as a far-flung, probably post-apocalyptic future. The glimpses of history are hugely tantalising, and I hope to read more about the world. But despite the fantastical, what grabbed me was the theme of a young girl challenging the gender norms. Some of it is cultural – and there is a wider theme of Najeeba’s people having a certain low status amongst the local cultures – but there was something so heartrending in how her family and friends push back, for so many different reasons, on this young girl struggling to be true to herself. And oh, how that all turns out…!

Again, I’m hugely impressed by how much detail and how many layers are in such a concise work. I could waffle about it all day, frankly, but suffice to say: go pick up a copy and give it a go!

This is marketed as the start of a trilogy of novellas, and I’m excited to see where it goes next. And, of course, I absolutely have to find a copy of Who Fears Death now, too :)

Packed with mystery, self discovery, healthy dose of resisting the norms, and supernatural powers. I love to get more background into this literary world, and this prequel certainly gives more insight but in a mysterious and almost ominous way.

I really enjoy the way Okonafor writes. Even though this story is short, it gives so much. All the relationships between the characters, the world, the environment. All of the elements feel so full and give life to this world.

Great story!

Najeeba a is a young lady like no other. She has heard The Call. The Call to travel the salt roads to the dead lake and collect salt to sell for her family. The only issue is, Najeeba is a girl and, historically, only boys and men feel the call. Although it is a strange situation, Najeeba’s family doesn’t protest as she packs her things to travel with her father and two brothers to the dead lake. Soon, Najeeba learns that it’s not all open skies, fresh air, and freedom, but a dangerous, magical journey that will forever change her life.

She Who Knows is a companion novel to Who Fears Death. Although the author has mentioned there isn’t a need to read Who Fears Death first, I would highly encourage it. There are nods to the book and also the ending of She Who Knows is heavily relying on the reader to have done so. With that said, I really enjoyed this book! (Who’s surprised? Not me!) I really enjoy the character growth and development throughout the story. It’s a fast read and easy to pick up. My only qualm with the book is that it’s a first in a series and if you’ve not read any other works by Okorafor then you will be a bit lost. There’s certain things that were created in her world building in other books that are lacking in this novella that could cause confusion for the reader. As I am a seasoned reader of hers, this did not affect me in the slightest. I greatly enjoy learning about African mythology and beliefs in this book. To learn while also having a sci-fi/fantasy element is my favorite way to learn! Overall I am giving this book 4/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for review!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’m still fairly new to Nnedi Okorafor’s work, but I love her immersive world building, which is once again present here. While this is related to a previously published novel, it works perfectly without having read the prior work. I enjoyed the African influences in the Okeke people, in particular.
Najeeba is a compelling protagonist to center this particular narrative, a teenage girl gifted with powers usually only given to men. Her journey of coming of age with this reality is an empowering one, as she reckoning with ostracism and isolation, and ultimately, channeling her power and rage.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, releasing tomorrow, August 20th!

I'm a HUGE fan of Okorafor's Binti series, but didn't vibe as much with Who Fears Death-this new series of novellas is a side-story to that novel (although you don't have to read the former to understand or enjoy the latter). I really enjoyed this, though! I think Okorafor's plotting and prose really shine in a shorter format, and her worldbuilding is a great mixture of engrossing but easily understandable in a short time frame, which I think is why the length works well here. Loved Najeeba and her family, and while the pacing of the ending felt a bit rushed, I'm excited to see where the story goes from here in the next volume!

I wasn't sure what to expect when diving into Nnedi Okorafor's work, and I'm beyond pleased with what I've found: a lyrical, vivid world-builder with strong, multifaceted female characters. Through narrative themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the balance between progress and preservation, this is a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh, new take in a saturated genre.

I highly recommend it if you're growing bored of the stale, cookie-cutter carbon copy fantasies and sci-fi novels. This story is unique, exciting, and kept me on the edge of my seat. We must highlight more talented authors like Okorafor and give them as much hype and support as current favorites.

Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for the eArC copy.

"I can do this thing," I said. It's a thing, but it has forms...Sometimes I am this glowing beast. Other times I am just the wind. And at the market, I can project a deep part of myself until it is loud and clear, and forceful...but it's all part of the same thing, I believe."

As an Igbo girl/woman in the diaspora (my mum is Nigerian, my dad is Kenyan and I live in Kenya) reading Nnedi's books always feels like coming home. Who fears Death showed me my Nigerian name in book for the first time (Ifunanya) and She Who Knows has now shown me my mother's middle name in a book for the first time as well (Unoma).

This book has powerful female characters and is set within the africanjujuism and africanfuturism worlds we've come to know and love. This is a great read for those who want to dip their toes once more in the mystical world of Who fears Death as it tells the story of Onyesonwu's mother and how she discovered she was a sorceress. I actually don't think it'll be thrilling enough for those who haven't read that yet.

Short, clean writing, almost slice-of-life. It was clearly a set up for a greater tale. I look forward to the rest of the story.

Thank you, Daw Books and Netgalley, for the review copy.