Two sisters are torn apart by war and must fight their way back to each other in a futuristic, Black Panther-inspired Nigeria.The year is 2172. Climate change and nuclear disasters have rendered much of earth unlivable. Only the lucky ones have escaped to space colonies in the sky. In a war-torn Nigeria, battles are fought using flying, deadly mechs and soldiers are outfitted with bionic limbs … outfitted with bionic limbs and artificial organs meant to protect them from the harsh, radiation-heavy climate. Across the nation, as the years-long civil war wages on, survival becomes the only way of life.
Two sisters, Onyii and Ify, dream of more. Their lives have been marked by violence and political unrest. Still, they dream of peace, of hope, of a future together.
And they’re willing to fight an entire war to get there.
Acclaimed author, Tochi Onyebuchi, has written an immersive, action-packed, deeply personal novel perfect for fans of Nnedi Okorafor, Marie Lu, and Paolo Bacigalupi.
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In a war torn Nigeria of 2172, Ify and Onyii, are two sisters in spirit, who face a world that has been decimated by nuclear war, climate change, and civil war. Onyii has been raised to be a Biafran child soldier to fight for their independence from Nigeria. Ify, an orphan and the younger of the two, has been raised by Onyii to strive and dream of more than their war torn existence. Ify wants to go to space and see the stars from the space-based colonies where the rich, powerful (and mostly white) people live. However, Onyii possesses a secret so horrendous that it could decimate their relationship. Nothing and no one is quite what they seem in this violent and tragic world.
Loosely inspired by the Nigerian and Biafran Civil War of the 1960s, this story dives into the culture, tribal divisions, politics, and misogyny which ravaged the country. It is often shocking, brutal, but often heartfelt. The mech robots (think Pacific Rim), that are used for battle are a good use of future fighting tech. I loved the battle sequences. They were well-written and action-packed.
I would almost give it 5 stars, but for a few inconsistencies. There is a robot who at first plays a major role than disappears. (Perhaps to show up in a sequel.) Also, there was some unknown mechs that seemed to swoop in to save the day and I (and the characters) had no idea who they were and what side they belonged to. The characters showed no curiosity towards these new mechs during or after the battle, which I thought was odd.
The book can be read as a standalone and in fact, I was surprised that there was another book planned. For me, it was very much a page-turner and I enjoyed the flawed, yet complex female characters.
If you are a fan of futuristic books this is a must read. I found the characters fascinating. The title says it all.
A poignant look into how war affects everyone, especially children and adolescents. All are victims and all are subject to become a threat.
awsome book
Despite war and desolation two sisters dream of a better future!
WAR GIRLS is a brilliantly written science fiction story that immediately captured my attention from the very first page. I quickly found myself completely immersed in the setting and transported to a very different and brutal world where war and survival are the only way of life. Tochi Onyebuchi has written an outstanding story that is based on the Nigerian Civil War that took place in the1960’s and is inspired by his mother’s own stories as a child during that war. WAR GIRLS sheds light on a war that is unfamiliar to many but is described by the author as “perhaps the most painful episode in Nigerian history.” This book is a faced paced, powerful story about two sisters who are separated by war and their struggle to find their way back to each other.
WAR GIRLS takes place in the future and is set in the war-torn country of Nigeria. The book is divided into three parts as it follows the journey of two sisters, Onyii and Ify and is told from the viewpoint of these two main characters. In this YA futuristic science fiction book, the technology is extremely advanced. Extensive networks exist making communication possible without talking as high speed trains roam through the jungle. In this futuristic world wars are fought by giant humanoid robots and soldiers have technologically advanced augmented arms, legs, eyes and brains. Despite all these advances in technology, the country has been ravaged by war as the conflict between Nigeria and Biafra escalates.
Onyii and Ify are sisters and survivors! The year is 2172 and they live in the war torn country of Nigeria after a nuclear war has left the planet uninhabitable. Those fortunate enough have left the planet. The ones left behind are forced to adapt, often sacrificing body parts for bionic limbs and artificial organs in order to survive. The sisters have been living in a secret refugee camp for girls. A camp that is self sufficient and has served as a refuge from the constant fighting. Onyii is sixteen and has experienced the violence of war. She is a warrior and is determined to keep her little sister safe in a dangerous world. Ify is brilliant, always testing her boundaries and often finds herself in trouble. She is treated as an outsider and is frequently ridiculed by the other girls. Ify escapes by using her secret Accent which allows her to join other networks to discover hidden secrets and to satisfy her insatiable quest for knowledge. When the camp is brutally attacked by the Nigerians, the girls are suddenly ripped apart and thrown into the violence of war where they find themselves on opposite sides. The two sisters soon find themselves on two very different paths that could divide them forever.
Ify is taken captive by the Nigerians and is brought to Abuja where in time she begins to thrive. She lives in a world of prosperity. A world where she is no longer considered an outsider and doesn’t have to hide her technological abilities. Her quest for knowledge is rewarded and her Accent is seen as astounding. “Suddenly, it seems like something different, bigger. It’s no longer some tiny sin she has to hide from everyone. It is a technological achievement. It is not a mistake. It is a marvel. It is something to be proud of.” Eventually she is adopted by Daren the soldier who captured her and the two share a very close bond. When war threatens her new home Ify learns secrets that will forever change the way she looks at her relationships.
The attack on the camp leaves Onyii broken in body. Having lost the only home she has known and believing that Ify is dead, Onyii becomes a force to be reckoned with. With her advanced skills as a mech pilot and being fueled by rage and revenge, Onyii quickly becomes the killing machine known as the “Demon of Biafra”, the most feared soldier in the Biafran army. However, as the years go by and the war continues Onyii finds herself empty and lost. “She moves as fast as she does for the thrill. The faster she moves, the more reckless her movements, the more all-engulfing the high…Now, hate or love has nothing to do with it. She needs it.”
With so much separating them can Onyii and Ify overcome the war that divides them? With their journeys filled with so much violence, betrayal and vengeance will they find love in the end? When the dust settles, will they be enemies or sisters?
WAR GIRLS is a brutal, fast paced, action packed story filled with heartbreak and angst and ends with a powerful climax. The main characters are young, strong and well developed. The writing style and changing points of view give voice to the different sides of the conflict, exposing the ugly truths of war and challenging the reader to choose. I found this story to be inspirational, overwhelming and heartbreaking. Agu’s character, along with the other synths in this story, really impacted me in a very emotional way. Agu’s journey with each of the sisters pulled the story together and then in the end left me devastated, highlighting the tragic effects of war on children who are forced to become soldiers. This story is brilliantly written and is a phenomenal futuristic science fiction book that has a unique setting based on a real world tragedy. Although I really didn’t like how the story ended, it takes a realistic view of war and has the reader wondering if anyone really wins when there is so much death, destruction and loss. It’s a compelling story about family, and the powerful bond between sisters. “A word bubbles up into Enyemaka’s consciousness, recovered from the charred and torn wreckage of her memories…A word that fills in the gaps. A word that stays with her as the light in her eyes goes dimmer and dimmer. Sister.” I truly enjoyed reading and experiencing this amazing book and look forward to seeing where Tochi Onyebuchi takes us in his next book.
I would like to thank Razorbill Books, Penguin Teen and BookishFirst for the wonderful opportunity to receive a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. Much appreciated!
War Girls is a really unique book. It is inspired by a civil war that took place in Nigeria in the 60s and 70s. This book is set in Nigeria but 200 years in the future. The earth has been ravaged by climate change and nuclear disasters and the privileged have fled to space colonies. A civil war rages in Nigeria. The story focuses on two young “sisters” Onyii and Ify whose lives have been devastated by the war. They are separated during a battle and over the years must find their way back to each other. The author is really clever in imaging what technology will be present in 200 years. The science of bionics and AI has advanced; space travel exists and wars are fought with flying mechs. The technology is quite amazing. Unfortunately, human nature has not evolved at the same pace as the technology. War is cruel and devastating and horrific human rights violations occur. This book is thought provoking and specifically focuses on the effects of war on children. War Girls is fast paced and highly readable and should be considered a book for all people, not just YA readers.
I don’t even know where to begin. So let’s start at the beginning. I was super excited for this book. Literally thrilled that I got it and early. And then it took me a week to finish, but I was completely enthralled and addicted. There was so much going on, and I absolutely loved every second, even though it did take me longer than it should have. I knew nothing about the Nigerian Civil War, but man am I going to find out!
Wins:
-the unlikeable characters so unlikeable, but so redeemable. I will be honest, I hated Onyii at times, but that just made me love her more. And Ify. She annoyed me so bad, but crap did I love the crap out of her!
-the action. So. Much. Action! There were few filler chapters where nothing happened, and I absolutely loved it! Everything happens fairly quickly and you’re roped in immediately! So freaking good!
-the interludes between parts. Yes! I loved them! I wanted Enyemara to find Onyii or even Ify. And when she was about to die, my heart was literally breaking! What a good side-arc for this book!
-the heartbreaking moments. I’m the type of person who doesn’t get emotional when people die in books. It’s expected for the genre that I read, but there were so many deaths that genuinely tore me apart and I had to take long breaks from it!
-the authors note, and the history lesson. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I knew nothing, and now I know so much! Thank you for that!
Opportunities:
-not a whole lot of description. I have no idea what anybody actually looked like. Which was a huge let down. We got a lot of facts about how young they were, what color their hair was and what robotics they had. But no description of them.
-I just read 446 pages of amazing technology but I have no idea what any of it actually looks like. Mechs. No idea. They were mentioned a lot, but from what I gathered, they’re giant fighting robots that the cyborgs power with their own bodies and they can feel pain
-the authors note at the end and not the beginning. I’m just picking at straws here. I would’ve loved that in the beginning, but it’s absolutely an amazing authors note
In conclusion. Yes this book is absolutely insane. Prepare to have a love-hate-love relationship with absolutely everyone, and be prepared to feel super emotional over some of the characters. I loved every second, and am already psyched for re-read! Incredible book!