If I could describe Nnedi Okorafor’s writing in one word it would be “vivid.” She creates really vibrant worlds that draw the reader in and leaves them wanting more. Home continues to build on the universe introduced in Binti, answering some questions and posing some new ones.

Binti, in addition to adapting to a new university (and planet) as a space immigrant, finds herself having to deal with the trauma of her last journey, as well as grasp with the implications of her new Meduse physiology. That’s a lot to deal with, especially for a young person just trying to navigate the typical pitfalls of formative adolescence, a period when anyone really begins to form and understand who they are.

When she returns “home” to Earth to reunite with her family and go on a pilgrimage to cleanse/sort herself out, things go awry. This return also forces Binti to reckon with (at least) two elements of her identity as her buddy/former captor/classmate/Meduse ambassador Okwu accompanies her on this journey. So much drama. I won’t get into spoiler specifics, but the only constant in Binti’s life seems to be change, with her character ultimately being defined by how she deals with that change. Now that is pretty human.

My one critique would be that this book really only works as the middle entry of a trilogy, needing its prequel to provide essential exposition and its sequel to tie up loose narrative ends. That said, it is still pretty solid so if you have read Binti I would definitely recommend Home.

Rating: 3.5 stars