This is honestly a fantastic little book, but I wish it was longer. By the time I felt truly settled in the story, it was already almost over. And on top of that I still have so many questions! I can't wait for the rest of this series to be released, plus I'm now super excited to read Who Fears Death (from what I understand it's a bit of a sequel to this, but about this main characters daughter?). Anyway, I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoy fantasy/sci-fi stories, especially ones that aren't set in the typical medieval-Europe-type setting.

I have never read a story I did not love by this author. This is no exception. This story takes place in the world of the Nuru and Okeke amongst a tribe of salt merchants considered unclean by the rest of society. The main character is a young teen who seeks to join the salt merchant duties of her male relatives. In doing so she discovers a power within her than will help to change her world. This story is a novella so not as long as you would like. But it is well written, involves a detailed world and a rich culture. The characters are well written and deep. It is a must read for any fans of Okorafor and those who love Afrocentric Science Fiction. Brilliant book.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*

"She Who Knows: Firsspitter" was a fascinating coming of age novel about Naj, who decides to follow her father on the salt roads one day, challenging gender & culture norms. She comes into her power and magic, but will pay a hefty price for it.

I liked the protagonist, the complicated web of assumptions or discrimination based on group, gender etc. I love speculative fiction + West African culture & spirituality. I feel like all young female characters bei Okorafor are a bit alike, but the novella was short and the world building interesting.

An interesting read!

4 stars

This is a fantastic read that mixes magic with empowerment, coming-of-age, and Nigerian folklore. We follow a young girl learning her own skills, as she figures out who she is while navigating the ups and downs of growing up. The storytelling is spot-on, blending folklore with real-life issues of misogyny and double standards.

Although it did drag for me a bit in places, the characters are well-developed and the setting so unique that I read it entirely in one sitting.

If you're looking to diversify your bookshelf from the standard Euro-centric fantasies, I highly recommend this.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW Books for a digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to review an ARC of this novella.

I actually liked this even more than Who Fears Death. We finally get to learn the story of Najeeba, one of the most interesting characters from Who Fears Death. I read this in a day; I just could not put it down. I love reading about brave girls and women who do what they're told they can't.

Please Nnedi, can we get a Najeeba sequel to Who Fears Death? I want to hear Najeeba's story about what happens after.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this book! I have a lovely history with this author, their work is so diverse but so rich. And this was no different. I’d love to see this author try her hand at other genres, perhaps get a bit darker. She could for sure pull it off.

I decided to request this book from my Netgalley titles because I love Nnedi Okorafor's writings and this was a different genre from the books I have been reading this month.

Although this book is prequel to an already published book (Who Fears Death) that I haven't yet read, it was very easy for me to understand the universe this work was located and it's culture.

This novella follows the story of our main character Najeeba receiving her first call and how accepting the call opened an extraordinary path of possibilities for her.

Other than Najeeba, I particularly admire her father's willingness to dance outside the cultural norms of his time, thereby enabling his daughter choose a life that was considered taboo.
Suprisingly I also loved that each camel had their personalities, it was a very exciting image to play with.

One of the themes that struck me in this book is the universal subjugation of women. One would think that the Osu-nu people having experienced descrimination all their lives would accord their women equal respects and rights but we see that this is not the case.
It is particularly ironic in the case of the salt roads; which was discovered by two women but somehow had become a cultural taboo for women.
It had now become the right of only the Osu-nu sons.

I think the ending of the book was rushed but I am excited to see the other titles from this series.

This would be a great read for young people, feminists and those who love strong female protagonist.
If you also love sci-fi or futuristic books, you should definetly add this to your library.

Thank you Daw Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

Another solid bet by Nnedi Okarafor. I really like how she weaves fantasy and sci fi together. Really excited to read whatever she writes next.

WOW! this book was absolutely breathtaking! This is my first time reading Nnedi Okorafor's writing, and it definitely did not disappoint. She did a beautiful job of building a futuristic world with a combination of both scientific fiction and fantasy. I also loved the west African culture ingrained in the novella and the beauty it added to the book. A young 13 year old Najeeba's coming of age story when she a "girl," answers the annual call to the salt roads with her father; which was regarded for men and boys only. Nejeeba answering the call changes her and her families life course. I am now looking forward to reading the first book "Who Fears Death, by Nnedi Okorafor, and intent to follow her future book releases! Thank you Netgalley and DAW publishing for providing me with access to the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was incredibly intrigued by this novella and actually kind of sad that it was as short as it is. I haven't read Who Fears Death to which this is the prequel which might have given me some context that at times I felt I was missing. This didn't stop me from enjoying the story, however. I loved following Najeeba and her coming of age. I was especially intrigued by the world-building. The once-a-year trip to the salt area was an interesting aspect, especially with the tied-in faith. For some parts, I wish we could have explored what was going on within Najeeba a bit more. It felt like the story rushed a lot of the inner development which it certainly didn't have to: the prose is skilful enough to have handled 50 more pages.
It was an interesting foray into this distant future of humankind but sadly it lacked that certain something that would have elevated this story into a gripping take on humanity and its future for me.

Nnedi Okorafor is a master of the novella. Their settings are RICH and beautiful. These characters were compelling and straight forward. This set up for a great series.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an early copy of She Who Knows by Nnedi Okorafor in exchange for my honest review.

This was a well-written novella about Najeeba who is a female who has received “the call” which has only happens to males. Najeeba changes gender norms and starts on her journey.

This is a bit slow at first but it does pick up the pace as it goes along. The last half is so interesting and I can't wait to see how this story connects with what else is to come in the future.

This story is about gender, race, and coming of age.

part scifi, part fantasy, she who knows: firespitter offers a glimpse into distant-future earth with a mystical environment akin to that of arrakeen (only because i've recently watched dune 😅). technically a prequel to one of the author's popular series, but this novella (and series) stands on its own. it's impressive how the author managed to build a detailed world in such a short story that gives a pretty good introduction for someone who hasn't read the original series. thanks to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for my copy!

10/10 (5/5 stars)

Nnedi Okorafor is a brilliant writer and her craft shines in this novella prequel of Who Fears Death. The pacing of this book is exquisite and I loved every moment I read it.
She Who Knows is a prequel to Who Fears Death (which I have not yet read, but is on my TBR as of yesterday!!) and is told from the point of view of Najeeba. Najeeba’s daughter is Onyesonwu (the protagonist of Who Fears Death). While I’m certain that having read Who Fears Death would add a whole new layer of rich depth, this book is already wonderful and mysterious on its own. I can’t wait to get my hands on Who Fears Death.

Okorafor manages to perfectly encapsulate the changing and questioning experience of a growing young woman. Najeeba defies cultural norms with and without the support of her family. As Najeeba changes, so do her friendships, experiences, and hopes. Najeeba growing, exploring things that are perhaps taboo, finding empowerment, and discovering herself is a vivid and compelling experience.

She Who Knows stands out as my first 10/10 book of 2024 and left me with just the right amount of wanting to linger in the universe, without feeling like I was missing anything. Perfection.

This book was full of fantastical description and emotive elements. Even though it was only short, you got to know the main character quickly and cared for her throughout. It touched upon some interesting dynamics - I haven’t read the first book but I certainly want to now!
Thank you to DAW for the ARC.

Science fiction fantasy mix in African backdrop. 13 year old girl is lead and has feminist leanings. Young adult fit. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Nnedi Okrafor always has a way with words and clear story-building. I like that she is, sort-of, bending the “rules” of science-fiction putting her stories in futuristic African countries. This novella is a prequel to Okrafor’s book “Who Fears Death” and it is a nice addition to that universe.

Thank you Daw Books and net galley for an ARC of She Who Knows Firespitter in exchange for an honest review.

The cover alone 🏆🏆🏆

The imagery in this novella is so well written I felt like I was covered in sand the whole time. 🐪

Najeeba is a a child of the Osu-nu. The Osu-nu are hated by others because they choose slavery to the goddess Adorno. In their custom salt is life and only those enslaved to the goddess Adoro can travel the salt road.

Najeeba feels the calling to travel the salt road which is something only done by men. Facing the pressure to act more like a “girl” Najeeba follows her calling to journey the salt roads and faces the scrutiny of her community. The story follows Najeeba being true to herself even when the world tells her she does not belong.

I really wish this was longer, I was mentally prepared to cry my eyes out after reading the synopsis but didn’t come across in a novella. The ending left me a bit confused too. Who is Aro? Where did he come from? Where and when did the last conversation happen?? When does the next novella come out ? I need to know 😭

3.75 Stars

This novella was very adventurous and well-written. Despite the shortness of it, I believe I got everything out of this world that I needed, and didn’t think anything was left untouched. It was empowering, heartbreaking, mystical, and audacious. Watching Najeeba grow and come into herself over a period of years was fascinating to read, and I look forward to seeing more from the world Nnedi Okorafor has created. The only reason it wasn’t a full 5 star read is because I struggled slightly with the magic of it, and picturing what Najeeba “was”. (If you read it, you’ll know what I’m talking about.) But my inability to imagine some aspects didn’t hinder my enjoyment.

As always with Okorafor, I adored this short story! My biggest complaint about all of her writing is that it isn't longer, because I never want to leave these beautifully crafted worlds and people that she has created! The discussions about feminism and independence are deeply interwoven into the story and leave us thinking about our modern day society, and the combination of technology and (what seems like) magic is seamless. This book is about becoming who you truly are, regardless of the barriers placed in front of you. But also about the risks and consequences that can happen along the way. Okorafor is officially one of my all time favourite authors and I can't wait to read anything and everything she comes out with next!