A Clever, Thought-Provoking Read That Stays With You

Death of the Author is one of those rare stories that makes you sit back and reflect long after you've finished the last page. Nnedi Okorafor does something really bold here—she blurs the line between fiction and reality in a way that’s not just clever, but deeply personal.

The main character, Zelu, is a disabled Nigerian American writer whose sudden literary fame throws her into a whirlwind of attention, identity shifts, and questions about who really "owns" a story once it’s out in the world. There’s a story within the story that adds even more layers, and while it could have felt gimmicky, it absolutely works. It draws you in and challenges you to think about what storytelling really means.

What I loved most was how Okorafor tackled heavy themes—disability, cultural identity, authorship, and agency—without ever making it feel like a lecture. Her writing is sharp, emotional, and honest. It felt like I was being let into something personal, yet at the same time invited to wrestle with the same questions myself.

This book won’t be for everyone. It’s not a conventional narrative, and it asks you to sit with a bit of discomfort. But if you’re a fan of metafiction or just want something that pushes beyond the surface, Death of the Author is worth your time. It’s short, sharp, and packs a quiet punch.

Thank you NetGallery for the chance to read it.

This might be a case of "it's me not you." However this book just failed to get my attention. After three consecutive tries to get into it, I found that I was having to force myself to pick up the book. For me, a books ability to draw my attention from the beginning is vital and this just started way too slow with way too little main plot. However, I found Zelu to be a very compelling character, and I'm willing to bet that if I had been able to get further I would have been hooked more as I thought the family dynamics were also quite interesting. While I normally read fantasy, I enjoy a sci fi as well, maybe this book is not for the more casual sci fi fan.

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor was an enjoyable read! I went into this read not knowing what to expect. I do not typically read science fiction, but I was intrigued by the description. And I was pleasantly surprised!

I loved that Death of the Author was a book within a book, and readers were able to capture Zelu's journey through writing Rusted Robots. I also appreciated that we were able to see the backlash that came with Rusted Robots (the book and movie adaptation). There were times when I had to stop and gather myself because of the pacing of the two books. But once I got my footing, I was able to enjoy both stories.

I rooted for Zelu. I yelled at Zelu. I sighed at some of her decisions. But ultimately, I wanted Zelu to win. Her family gave her such a hard time, that I wanted badly for her to prove them wrong.

Overall, I liked the read and would recommend it to others. After reading Death of the Author, I'm looking forward to reading more books from the genre!

Many thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC.

3.75 stars

Two complex and layered stories intertwine; one a science fiction tale about a robot's quest to save the world, the other a literary fiction piece about a disabled Nigerian American woman's journey crafting herself and her career. If you are interested in Afrofuturism, Inception-style storytelling, or Hamilton's Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story, this book is for you!

Zelu's story is told through third-person perspective chapters and interviews from her close friends and family. These chapters about Zelu alternate with ones following the robot Ankara in a distant post-humanity future. The changing perspectives and narrators kept things interesting, and I was equally invested in both stories. Both Ankara and Zelu are struggling with what it means to rebuild themselves, both physically and emotionally, after traumatic incidents break down their bodies. They also both explore what authorship is and the differing relationship that the creator and the reader have with the original work.

I appreciate that each character is deeply flawed. Zelu is a stubborn hothead who can't control her temper and whose personality can be abrasive. Still, it is clear why she is the way that she is when we see her more vulnerable moments, and Zelu is often justified in her anger or defensiveness, even if the way she reacts is ill-advised. Ankara is a robot built in the image of her creators, so although she has the knowledge of a supercomputer, she also inherited the human habit of othering and prejudice.

I am not generally a sci-fi reader, but I did really enjoy this one. I especially loved how two stories were told at the same time. That is generally something I find detracts from a book, but it was done so beautifully here and I absolutely loved the final chapter.

Wow, okay, this was so incredibly layered and beautiful. The TLDR is: read it.

Death of the Author is genre bending, blending the contemporary with sci-fi. I really couldn’t have stumbled upon a better melding.

Zelu is a Nigerian-American writer who, upon losing her job as an adjunct professor, writes a science fiction novel called Rusted Robots. At this time she’s hit a self-proclaimed rock bottom, and doesn’t all the best art come to us at our lowest?

Her novel, Rusted Robots, set in post-apocalyptic Nigeria, is an immediate success. Zelu is thrown into fame and must navigate this while balancing the complexities of family expectations, cultural expectations, and self-identity. Zelu is also a paraplegic, which is a huge part of who she is. It’s an aspect of Zelu that she doesn’t let limit her, but everyone around her seems hellbent on letting define her. It’s a theme that has an incredibly interesting translation into her novel, Rusted Robots, among so many other parallels.

Okorafor presents this to us as a novel within a novel within (spoilers) and, can I just say, holy sh?t.

At first it felt like there were three totally separate stories being told, and the way they all came together was ✨chef’s kiss✨. This novel deals with so many different themes, from racism to ableism to AI. I am blown away by this book and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

A massive thank you to William Morrow Publishing, the author, and netgalley for this ARC!

I'll start by saying I don't usually love sci-fi books so my review will definitely reflect that. I think people who enjoy science fiction are going to really enjoy this one. I also struggle with book with a book and this one really didn't work for me. I just wanted to rush through the book parts but those parts should not be skipped as it plays an important part in the story. This story started out very slow for me and I struggled to keep picking it up but once I got to know Zelu a bit more, I was very invested in her story. I felt like her relationship with her family was so realistic, especially their concerns for her as she is a paraplegic woman. I enjoyed exploring themes of cultural identity, technology and family dynamics throughout the book as well. It was different from the books I typically pick up but always good to read and explore outside of one's comfort zone.

Thank you so much, @Netgalley and @William Morrow for my advance copy of Death of an Author!
Sci-fi is not for everyone, and it can be hard to dabble in the genre particularly because so many science fiction books are part of a series. The perfect standalone sci-fi choice for me is also one that feels literary, with richer themes and character development. Turns out I met this perfect fit with Death of the Author. Beautiful inside and out, this novel is written from three perspectives: the novelist's, as she writes her own sci-fi book; her friends and family; and a robot character in the novelist's book. The story is brilliant, a total pageturner, and has thinking about it long after reading. On top of it all, although this is no thriller, there is a twist. Made me gasp out loud! Can't wait to read more of her work.

What can I even say about this book? It’s so difficult to put into words how much I loved and needed this novel.

Death of the Author is the story of Zelu, a disabled Nigerian American woman who uses a new low point in her life as an opportunity to focus on her writing. Her efforts result in a sci-fi book, “Rusted Robots”, based in a future world inhabited by robots. The book is an immediate success. But the overwhelming pressure of her newfound fame soon begins to take a toll on Zelu as she tries to navigate the new possibilities and risks her work attracts.

Alternating between Zelu’s story (literary fiction) and Rusted Robots (sci-fi), Nnedi Okorafor weaves a beautiful tale that touches on the concepts of community and identity. The characters and their relationships were all complex and unique. Zelu most of all was complicated and mesy, horrible, but wonderful. I loved her no matter how frustrated I was with her and the same goes for her family and the robots.

I cannot say enough good things about Death of the Author. I took my time to savor this book and was heartbroken that it had to end. I continue to think about the importance stories play in our community and family structures and the way those communities then shape our sense of self.

This will almost undoubtedly be my favorite book of 2025.

*Thank you Nnedi Okorafor, William Morrow, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this novel in exchange for honest review.*

This is one I picked up and put down multiple times. You have to be in a mood for this pacing as it really is 2 books in one. When I finally got into it is is really a good story and well thought out. I ended up really enjoying this one.

I absolutely LOVED the story within the story. I think that it added just the right amount of layers to give more understanding to our main character.

I cannot adequately summarize the plot of this one, but you should know it’s a genre-bending novel that contains various themes like AI, family dynamics, storytelling, creativity, ableism, and more. I enjoyed the ride and was impressed by the author’s ability to tell such a far-reaching story and keep it entertaining and propulsive. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital arc!

This book BLEW MY MIND. I actually am having trouble figuring out how to write a review without 1) spoiling and 2) not making sense. Okorafor wrote the heck out of this book. It's confusing and convoluted while being so immersive that you just keep going. It says things about ableism and disability that I think will challenge people's thinking around accessibility and choice. It is a fun ride with a lot of twists and turns and messy family that will make you scream. And the end? I am still speechless. This is a must read.

I tried my best but I DNFed at 22%. Considering how many good reviews I’ve seen from others, I may consider it in the future (possibly in the fall or winter as a cold day might be the right mood for this book) but right now I couldn’t stay interested in the story. The author’s writing was great but the plot wasn’t for me.

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor is one of those books that leaves you feeling super excited even after you’ve finished it. From start to finish, this novel is an absolute thrill ride with a premise so unique that it immediately sets itself apart from anything I’ve read recently.

The concept is pure genius. The way Okorafor plays with the idea of authorship, identity, and storytelling itself is fascinating. The premise explores the power dynamics between creators and the worlds they build, diving deep into the question of who owns a story once it’s written. This isn’t just a narrative about characters and events—it’s a philosophical exploration of the act of creation, and it’s so refreshing. There’s an eerie, almost surreal energy to the way the author twists expectations and keeps you on the edge of your seat as the story unfolds.

The author's writing has this magnetic quality that pulls you in, and you find yourself eager to know what will happen next, even as the boundaries between reality and fiction begin to blur. The pacing is perfect, keeping you hooked without feeling rushed, and the way tension builds throughout the story is great. It’s the kind of book that makes you think.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars! This book BLEW ME AWAY. There's so many layers in this novel; the author did such a good job integrating everything together. This is an amazing book that highlights the pros and cons of AI. The dealing with trauma, the family obligations and dynamics. The sharing and education on Nigerian culture; I truly learned a lot from this novel. The characters are INSANELY complex and well written. Told from the POV of a Nigerian American paraplegic, who is also an author, and how her life is surrounding her disability, how she grows and heals. This was just an all around amazing book. The only reason it's not 5 stars is it did have some dragging moments that probably could've been omitted in my opinion, but that was the only issue I had while reading this. I love love LOVED this and can't wait to read more by this author!

This book is so expertly written. The story within the story paralleled the main character's life and brought important themes into focus. I loved all the talk about food! Will probably reread this one soon. Thank you to William Morrow for the arc. All opinions are my own.

[3.5 stars]
I shared in the Preview that I was hoping this book would break me out of the sameness of my end of 2024 reading and it definitely accomplished that even though I didn’t love it.
Zelu’s life is written in more of a Lit Fic style and then there’s a “book within a book” - which is the blockbuster book that Zelu wrote and this is the highly Sci-Fi section.
I enjoyed parts of it and appreciated its message.
I enjoyed the Literary Fiction part of the book (i.e. the parts that were NOT the book within a book). It’s a bit of a family drama (which Okorafor said is highly autobiographical) - Zelu has a huge Nigerian family who have LOTS of opinions about her life. Some of this was maddening, but it definitely gave me a window into a family structure and dynamics I’m not used to. Also deals with the benefits and pitfalls of fame.
I found the AI elements of the Lit Fic part of the book AND how inhospitable Nigeria is for people with disabilities really interesting. Both of these are things I wasn’t aware of before reading this book.
Zelu is an interesting character - she vacillates between highly dislikable and someone you want to root for. Ultimately, I was rooting for her and was proud of her bravery.
There is a heart-warming message of love and the power of stories that I appreciated.
Finally, I THINK I understood the ending and, if understood correctly, I highly appreciated its creativity.
But, there were also multiple things that didn’t work well for me.
I almost DNF’d within the first 20% (I was bored), but I got more into the story around 30% and decided to keep going.
Hated how the book within a book kept pulling me out of Zelu’s story. And, this is usually a pitfall of this literary device for me.
The book within the book is Rusted Robots, Zelu’s blockbuster novel. There was too much world building for a book within a book…I had no idea what was going on in this world for a bit. Even by the end, I was still unclear on what certain types of characters were and the dynamics of who was fighting who. Too often made for tedious reading.
Also felt much of the book within a book could’ve been edited out.
Saw on GR that some of Okorafor’s Sci-Fi fans liked the book within the book, but not the Lit Fic part. So, I wonder if this book will not fully appeal to Lit Fic lovers OR Sci-Fi lovers.
I’ve seen some 5 star reviews from our Patreon Community and a couple more that are more in line with mine - more hit and miss.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing, for this advanced reading copy! I loved this book so much that I brought a copy to reread it.

It’s an interesting storyline since it was a book instead of a book! Zelu is something, and that says a lot. When she was twelve, she fell out of a tree on her family’s property and lost her ability to walk. She has been bound to her wheelchair and has grown stagnant in her dreams and life. Her life changes when she gets fired from her teaching job while attending her sister’s wedding and begins writing her sci-fi novel, Rusted Robots. She is an overnight sensation, and her life takes off, but that does not mean obstacles aren’t in her way.

I loved that this book was chaotic but honest and authentic to life, family, traditions, and culture, especially a blended Nigerian American family like Zelu’s. I could not stand Zelu’s family, but I understood them. I understood their protectiveness over Zelu and their judgment of their sister. I understood their frustration in her life and how she made decisions. But I also understood and enjoyed Zelu’s journey. She was so stubborn, but it took time, love, and growth to get to who she was toward the end of the book. I loved the lessons in Rusted Robots. I laughed throughout this book because it reminded me of my visit to Nigeria. The airport scene and the scene in her family’s compound were like my time there visiting my husband’s family for the first time. I loved how she kept the culture true and didn’t hide the unpleasant moments like the kidnapping scene. Overall, I loved this book!

This book is an absolute marvel, and I already know it will be one of my top reads for 2025 even just a quarter of the way through the year. Nnedi Okorafor has the ability to write characters that feel so raw and alive that I wanted to gossip to my real-life friends about the antics of these characters as though they were our own neighbors. Zelu as the main character is a stand-out, and I appreciated so much seeing a disabled main character so lushly put on the page. Is she always likeable? No, but what human is? This is one of the best aspects of Okorafor's character-writing. She does not come across as scared to have her characters make decisions or have emotional reactions that readers can pick apart as unrealistic, or not the "correct" choice, but this is exactly what makes them feel so fascinating to me, because these types of choices are what the most interesting stories are made of!

As someone who doesn't usually connect with contemporary lit, but loves science-fiction, this was a lovely melding of the two genres. The setting brought the near-future scifi cultural evaluations to new heights, and kept the important impact of the themes of race issues, ableism, sexism, fame and social media, immigrant experience, and many more at the forefront. While science-fiction does often have political and social commentary littered throughout, at times the distant settings can also make these topics feel like distant issues, shadowed by the vagueness and unknowns of these created worlds. Instead, the contemporary setting kept these issues rooted into our current world and surroundings, keeping readers from being able to escape current relevancy of these issues. For folks who may feel like scifi is inaccessible to them, I think this could be a strong entry point into the genre to illustrate where this genre can really shine.

And as much as I loved Zelu and the contemporary portion of this book, the book-within-a-book story of the journey of the robots post human-apocalypse also captured my heart. At times feeling almost like a fable, the weaving together of these two stories until the very end was a beautiful journey. I have so many more thoughts on the overall structure based on things revealed in the final chapters, but to avoid spoilers I won't put them here. However, the ending of this story is one of the strongest I have encountered in years, and is what ultimately solidified this book as a 5-star read for me.