Binti is the very first of her people, the Himba, to earn a place at the prestigious Oomza University.  But en route there her ship is hijacked by a race of beings called the Medusae, who have become the stuff that parents tell their children to beware of.  Binti is the only person who escapes their initial attack thanks to an artifact she has always carried with her, but can she survive to reach the university?  And what will happen when they get there?

This was an amazing story and I highly recommend it to any sci fi fan.  There is some fantastic world building happening in this story.  I also really enjoyed seeing a black woman as the protagonist in a sci fi story.  Binti is leaving her home (her entire planet) for the first time in her life, and because she’s chosen to attend this university she’s not even sure if her family will ever welcome her back.  She is so relatable as we watch her try to wrestle with following her dreams and weighing the costs of what she’s gaining against what she’s losing.  

I liked seeing a sort of coming-of-age leaving-home style story but through the lens of an African inspired black woman.  Not only do I think it’s important to support black authors and works of Afrofuturism, but also this story is REALLY GOOD.  I loved learning about the otjize paste that Binti and her people wear on their skin and braids.  Seeing Binti, even though she’s scared, step into her power and be recognized and respected for it was awesome.

Read This If You - haven’t read many sci fi works by black authors or with black protagnists, want to read a coming of age in outer space that doesn’t center around a whiny white boy using a laser sword ;), Like jellyfish aliens!