She Who Knows (Hardcover)
by Nnedi Okorafor
A families curse and it's reprocessing affect more than one generation. This African inspired science fiction book shows the nature of Mythology and history. When people are oppressed and enslaved by others there is always retribution. The pride of family can attain the highest cost.
A great book for middle school students needing to find the spark within.

This was a really good novella. I haven't read anything else by this author before, but I'm now interested in diving deeper into this world.

I love the African based world that has been created, the mix of the old and the new. I also adore the main character and how she forged her own path in a patriarchal society, opening doors for other women. This does have its costs, however, but I love that she knew herself enough to know what she wanted and to go for it.

This isn't necessarily a happy story, but I found it quite touching in many ways, and it also felt real in a way I can't really describe.

"Part science fiction, part fantasy, and entirely infused with West African culture and spirituality, this novella offers an intimate glimpse into the life of a teenager whose coming of age will herald a new age for her world. Set in the universe Africanfuturist luminary Nnedi Okorafor first introduced in the World Fantasy Award-winning Who Fears Death, this is the first in the She Who Knows trilogy.

When there is a call, there is often a response.

Najeeba knows.

She has had The Call. But how can a 13-year-old girl have the Call? Only men and boys experience the annual call to the Salt Roads. What's just happened to Najeeba has never happened in the history of her village. But it's not a terrible thing, just strange. So when she leaves with her father and brothers to mine salt at the Dead Lake, there's neither fanfare nor protest. For Najeeba, it's a dream come true: travel by camel, open skies, and a chance to see a spectacular place she's only heard about. However, there must have been something to the rule, because Najeeba's presence on the road changes everything and her family will never be the same.

Small, intimate, up close, and deceptively quiet, this is the beginning of the Kponyungo Sorceress."

I love that acceptance leads to change.

**Features:**
- An afro-futuristic tale that blends mysticism and post-apocalyptic science fiction
- Complicated and sometimes violent relationships between different cultural groups/subgroups
- Novella that is the first in a trilogy
- Main character that challenges gender roles and demonstrates the complexity of gender identity

In the desert, salt is life. Only the Osu-nu people have the right to mine it and The Call ensures that no caravan interferes with another. At the age of 13, Najeeba feels The Call before anyone else in her family. Yet she is a woman and The Call is only felt by men. With her family’s blessing, Najeeba breaks tradition and sets out on the salt roads. Her journey will awaken the true power that resides within her and call the harsh yet promising winds of change in her wake.

Nnedi Okorafor once again delivers a beautiful and rich afro-futuristic tale. This book is set in the same world as Who Fears Death, but it is a completely separate story with some connections to the original that will be meaningful for returning readers but not confusing to new ones. This story contains some dark themes, but it generally has a serene vibe created by poetic descriptions of the setting and the closeness of Najeeba’s family. Like all of Okorafor’s work, this story blurs the line between magic and reality in a way that is meaningful but often enigmatic. Though beautifully described, the magical elements are intentionally left unclear which might bother some readers. In a similar vein, the book also ends kind of suddenly. Overall, this wasn’t my favorite of Okorafor’s pieces, but I would still highly recommend this short but impactful read.


**It’s about the journey, not the destination**

The story centers on Najeeba’s journey on the salt road and how both she and the community evolve after each of her excursions. Since this takes place through Najeeba’s teen years, it is just as much about her growing up and self-discovery as it is about the changes she is bringing. Okorafor does a masterful job portraying how the things that make Najeeba unique and strong also complicate her finding a place within her community and developing a sense of self. The purpose of Najeeba’s journey is unclear and frequently shifts, but ultimately the destination is not the focus of this installment. Readers who want to go on a journey that feels deeply spiritual yet strongly connected to the function of the world will find a lot to love in this book.

**Gliding through life**

Though I thoroughly enjoy the journey Najeeba goes on in this book, I also feel like she is forgettable as a character. While her path to self-discovery is beautiful, Najeeba is guided along this path through impulse rather than agency and builds on the discoveries she stumbles into. A lot of what she desires and how she responds to those around her feels very true for a younger person, but there is little aside from her abilities that help ‘define’ her as a main character. I feel some of this is a function of the book’s shorter form. There's a lot of potential world and character building that is missed as the book glances through large stretches of time. There is enough detail to keep you invested and to understand how everything is changing, but this along with her general lack of agency gives the impression that Najeeba is just kind of gliding through life rather than playing an active part in it.

A poetic, powerful prequel to Who Fears Death, which I now need to reread. In this novella, Okorafor gives us Najeeba's story, starting with her hearing the call to the salt mines, which is traditionally only for the men of her tribe. This was a moving story with a strong sense of place, and I look forward to the next two books in this trilogy. Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for a digital review copy.

Although this book is the backstory of a character from the book 'Who Fears Death' which I have not read, this story stands alone. Okorafor has a way of writing characters and worlds were you all teleported into the story and they pack so much into the short amount of pages. I immediately loved our main character Najeeba and the story of her joining her father and brothers to go to the salt path. This tale tackles topics like gender norms and finding your place in the world, but still remains effortlessly magical. Okorafor can do no wrong, they are an author that every time I pick up I know I am in for a great story told flawlessly.

Set in a future Africa with some magic, some science fiction, and a need for salt, this is the story of a girl who defied convention. It is a prequel for "Who Fears Death," which I haven't read but immediately checked out from the library after reading this novella. This novella stands on it own.

Najeeba feels a call to go on a journey which only men go on - to the Dead Lake to harvest salt. On this journey with her father she jumps into a dust devil (as I interpret it) and feels something change in her. She develops a sort of magic - leaving her body, calling on powers, and the ability to sell the salt at market for the best prices (something forbidden, at least tacitly, to women). This is the story of how she comes to be who she is.

I enjoyed getting swept away into this world, which has complex power structures and mysterious magics. It's also filled with tragedy, loss, and revenge.

I can't wait to read the rest of this series, as well as more books from this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you @netgally and @dawbooks for the ARC! 🧂

I am officially an africanfuturism novella stan. Right away I could tell that this novella was setting up to be a prequel for another novella that’s already out, but this book stood extremely well on its own!! The author’s ability to build this vivid, post-apocalyptic world is magical. I really loved spending so much time with Najeeba, a brave and curious Osu-nu teenage girl, who broke both gender/cultural norms. I loved the journey of her getting The Call and her family’s trips to sell salt. To me, this book was about what it means to come into yourself as a young Black girl despite barriers that try to shrink who you’re meant to be.

I came into this world not really knowing what to expect, but I left wanting to know so much more about it (the salt trade market, the dead lake, her father’s family, etc). I wish this was longer!!! Def recommend if you like sci-fi/fantasy stories with dope Black girl protagonists. 4/5!!!

The novella starts with a non white girl in a village which needs salt as a form of income for the families and the village. They are the ones that can find the way to the lake of salt because of the gods of their ancestors and then they sell the salt to those who cant go. The main character awakens a mysterious power that is dangerous but can help them.

Its written in first person so that makes you feel more connected to the girl and the story and therefore is a quick read. The book takes place in the same universe and acts as a prequel to 'Who fears death' but its not necessary to read that one before 'She who knows'.

Reading this has me wanting to read more from this world that Nnedi Okorafor has so expertly crafted. I love this Africanfuturistic world and just how unique it is compared to the standard fantasy setting. Even having not read anything else already set in this world, I was able to be immersed into everything and read an incredibly thrilling plot in just 176 pages. It takes a true master of storytelling to be able to do so much in so few pages.

The pacing is perfect for this length of story and the character building and development for Najeeba are off the charts. She is so strong and capable and it is hard not to root for her as she tries to change the gender norms by doing what she feels she has a talent for.


Thank you so, so much to DAW Books and NetGalley for my ARC copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I was blown away by "Who Fears Death," so I was really excited to get an ARC of this prequel told by Onyesonwu's mother. This was a little slower moving than I was expecting, but it was a good story. I loved Najeeba's character and her determination to follow her own path despite the societal norms that she is facing. Overall, I just didn't get as excited about this one as I did "Who Fears Death."

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I have read several works by Nnedi Okorafor and what I love is that she writes in an accessible way that is still beautiful. Her writing often feels happy which is unique, and while neither fantasy nir science fiction are my preferred genres I find I enjoy her stories. This one felt a little rushed in pacing, but that was mostly in the ending. A big event, and then a few very quick things before the end (though it very clearly set up part 2.

3.5 stars

As posted to GoodReads

As always, beautiful. Nnedi Okorafor is an auto-read author for me. Her books always have such amazing worldbuilding and reading her books do feel like coming home even when terrible things are happening to these amazing characters. I'm glad to know that this story was born out of another book previously published, I will for sure be going back to check that out. It also reminded me a lot of her recently published Shadow Speaker and Like Thunder duology. And I wish we had more time with Najeeba and her fascinating family. I want to know more about the salt market trade and the dead lake. And I would love to know more about these types of witches. Really enjoyable, fast read. Highly recommend. Always want more.

Okorafor's worldbuilding is excellent as always. I do think it helps to have read Who Fears Death but it's not absolutely necessary to follow the story. I can't wait to read more of Najeeba's story.

Another brilliant story by Nnedi Okorafor. An immersive, gripping journey through a future that carries the heavy imprint of both history, technology, and beings and forces beyond human understanding. I love the way Okorafor blends myth and story with tech and characters that pop off the page.

So, I went into this not reading "Who Fears Death" first, even though this one is *technically* a prequel and I have read a couple of her other books that take place in a similar universe (I saw that nod to Noor!). I don't think anything is lost reading this first, either, with some very minor potential spoilers about the MC of Who Fears Death (MC here is her mother).

As for the book itself, I really enjoyed it! African juju/sorcery plots, vengeance, the making and breaking of a family - it has so much. Okorafor's writing always engrosses me and I can't wait for the next installment to find out what happens next. I'm such a sucker for a revenge story lol. In the meantime this one has definitely piqued my interest enough that I'll pick up "Who Fears Death".

Such a fun and speculative novella. The world building was immense for the short amount of pages that this was. Nnedi never fails to do justice by science fiction for POC.

A delightful novella set in a future post apocalyptical Africa. Najeeba is a fourteen year old girl living in a small village in the desert of what had been Africa a very long time ago. Her village survives on a journey the men make to a mystical white lake to gather salt crystals to sell at Market. Only the men are allowed to go on the trek across the desert. The Lake is a legend from a time when the sun baked the earth and dried all the water leaving only salt behind. Najeeba wants to go with her father and brothers but girls aren't allowed. She feels called and her father allows her to go but she must stay covered. Mystical things begin to happen to Najeeba along the way. They gather their salt and proceed to the Market where the impossible happens. This was a tender and fascinating story of a young girl coming of age and into her calling. This book is very similar to the author book Binti, which I also enjoyed.

She Who Knows follows Najeeba, a young girl who feels the call to go out on the salt roads to find and sell salt with her brothers and father – an adventure reserved for boys and men. With mixed reactions, she embarks on a journey that will change her, her family, and her community.

I really enjoyed this. I suspect with the youthful protagonist that it might even have some YA crossover appeal, though it definitely reads adult to me. I’ve read quite a bit of Okorafor’s work, and there is much here that one would expect on this basis – a well-developed world, beautiful prose, and a protagonist to feel invested in. Okorafor’s Africanfuturism shines in this novella.

I read She Who Knows without having read Who Fears Death or any other book previously written in the same universe, and it worked perfectly well as a standalone. I had, when it released, opted not to read Who Fears Death for ‘content warnings’ related reasons, but having appreciated this novella so much I do think I’ll plan to read that one too.

Content warnings: sexual harassment, sexism, misogyny, racism, xenophobia, death

Thank you DAW & NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review.

This was a beautiful book. The prose has a lyrical sense of peace to it, as Nnedi Okorafor’s work often does. The world is lush, and the pace is slow in a way that lets you settle into the story. I loved Najeeba, and how she embraced a path she was sure was right, even when the world is at odds with that choice.

I’ve not read the book for which it is a prequel - though I want to now - so in some parts, I felt that it was skipping information that I should know. While this is wont to happen in a series, it is a knock against reading the prequel first. However, the end did feel quite rushed, presumably as it does lead into the original novel, which didn’t work for me.

Overall, though, absolutely gorgeous, and I look forward to reading other books in the series!