4.5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Nnedi Okorafor, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I immensely enjoyed and was very impressed with this!

This was a new to me author, although apparently she has written a TON and has won like a bazillion awards already so where have I been? Anyways, Death of the Author (DOTA) is about a disabled Nigerian-American who writes a novel that suddenly skyrockets her to fame and fortune.

The novel that the main character writes is called Rusted Robots (RR), and chapters of RR are interspersed throughout DOTA. Both DOTA and RR are sci-fi novels, but RR seems to take place in the distant future (Maybe the year is 2500 or something?) while the DOTA world is very similar to our own just with some advancements we don't have yet (so maybe 2050?). Both are very well written and engaging and they intertwine together in interesting ways.

I feel like if I had known beforehand that this was going to be a book-within-a-book situation, I probably would have passed on it. It's easy for this trope to just turn into a mess, but Okorafor absolutely NAILS IT.

It is largely character driven and there are a lot of intricate relationships. The relationship between the main character of DOTA (Zelu) and her family was difficult for me to read at times because her fam is (for the most part) so controlling and overbearing, and really... kinda toxic and abusive! But there are some nice character arcs, and I did like the *real-ness* of it all. And the ending was very clever, and surprising.

Overall, I loved it.

Thanks to William Morrow for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have mixed feelings on this. I liked the full project and appreciated what Okorafor was saying, but I had a few qualms. On one hand, I loved how Okorafor provided some chapters of "Rusted Robots" so that we could get a glimpse into what Zelu wrote. On the other hand, I couldn't decide if it was necessary to include these chapters either. The whole novel was longer than I expected, and I don't think the story warrants its length. The themes were intriguing and paralleled with the main storyline with Zelu, but some were kinda boring at the start. Also, we would get "interludes" in the form of interviews from her immediate family and anyone else who was close to her. I was conflicted on the necessity of including them as well. The main story with Zelu's rise to fame and leaning towards "becoming something else" was frustrating, intriguing, emotional, and kinda a headache.

Overall, I am somewhat in the middle here but sticking to 3.5 stars.

This was my first Nnedi Okorafor book and I really loved it! After hearing comparisons to Yellowface, this was an automatic must-read for me.

I loved Zulu as an MC and felt an immediate connection with her. Despite her imperfections, she was very likable and relatable. The robot characters were also surprisingly wholesome and I loved their story in contrast (and in comparison) to Zulu’s.

Considering the longer length, the lack of straightforward plot made this a bit slow at times. However, as someone who prefers character-focused books, I still really enjoyed and would recommend to others with similar preferences.

This book was a ride!! I’m typically not a sci-fi reader, but the premise of this was so interesting and there was a lot of great physical disability awareness. I loved that Zelu’s actual novel was interspersed into the overall novel. I just couldn’t get over how selfish she could be, especially when her family did so much to try and help and support her. Overall great read!

Really thoughtful writing, I enjoyed so many elements of this, specifically the writing of the protagonist. Grateful for the chance to read this!

Okay so I really liked the main storyline of this book, but I have the hardest time when there’s a book within a book that the main character has written, because then I get pulled out of the main story and while I could see the ties between the main characters story and the novel she wrote that we’re also getting, we aren’t getting that ENTIRE book, just pieces.

Also, there’s interview snippets with some members of her family and her boyfriend in between chapters sometimes, and I wasn’t sure if that really added to the story much.

I really loved the main character Zelu, however her family was SO frustrating. Toxic, not supportive, truth the worst. Everytime they were together talking to her I was angry with their responses.

I was rooting for Zelu the entire novel and for her to accomplish everything she wanted to and to have all the success.

Overall, I thought this was decent, a little long (16 hours on audio and I felt that 16 hours). But an interesting read. I didn’t really feel it was TOO sci-fi if that makes sense? More contemporary literature with some sci-fi elements.

Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This story, the mechanics and the characters started off so strong. A story of a human finding purpose and respect. It held my interest until around 70% in. The pieces I thought were coming together never really came together and the experience as a reader went off the rails a bit.

I was even hanging in there for a while with Zelu despite her extreme selfishness. I’m not sure I felt a strong positive connection to any characters.

There is some social commentary and weird use of a nice billionaire? I’m really not sure the purpose of focusing on automation and human storytelling.

Initially, I felt the end was rushed, but if I reflect on how I felt in the last 20%, I hated it. It almost felt like an entirely new book. All of a sudden, family members who were so mean and anti-Zelu anything were suddenly ok with her going to space?I felt the book opened up some places for social commentary and then just kept perpetuating what we know about those social issues.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor is a genre-bending masterpiece that had me hooked from the first page. Zelu's journey from a struggling writer to a celebrated author is both inspiring and thought-provoking. The way Okorafor intertwines Zelu's personal story with her sci-fi creation, Rusted Robots, is nothing short of brilliant. The novel delves deep into themes of identity, fame, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality. While the narrative is rich and layered, some parts felt a bit dense, but overall, it's a compelling read that showcases Okorafor's exceptional storytelling prowess.

I wanted so badly to love this book, but I found it just okay! I think what really did this book a disservice was the marketing campaign. This marketing made me feel like this was a once-in-a-generation book, a genre-defying masterclass - and it was just a run of the mill contemporary fiction with scifi elements. It DID have a twist at the end that made me rethink everything I'd read, which I LOVED, but it felt like it came too late to save the book for me!

I will say, I didn't see the twist coming AT ALL which is commendable! I was just disappointed based on how highly this book was talked up.

3.5 stars rounded up

From the very beginning of the book, I was hooked into figuring out what happened to Zelu. From the interviews with her family and friends, to the timeline we get from her present day, and even to the details of the book she wrote, it all leads up to what happens to her. While the end of the book did leave me a little frustrated, I never would have expected that outcome.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and most especially Nnedi Nnedi Okorafor.

I've been a fan of Nnedi Okorafor since Akata Witch and have read everything she's written since. Her skill at weaving complex characters, settings, and motivations are unparalleled - Death of the Author is no exception! The metafiction aspects were particularly riveting. If you're a fan of Afrofuturism and/or Ms. Okorafor, don't skip Death of the Author!

A beautiful book. A unique framing of a book within a book. This novel takes us behind the scenes of the very real world authorship and publishing, providing interesting commentary and insight, while still telling a bold speculative and fictional tale. We experience the story through a unique character who's choices and actions are far reaching. This book will stay on my mind for a while. Recommend!

This book will be added to my all time favorites. I loved the book within the book. While the main character, Zulu, wasn’t always likable, I couldn’t help but root for her. The rich setting and the deep bonds of a Nigerian family added so much depth to the story. It was impossible to put down, and the ending will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely mind blowing. This is Okorafor's best since Binti. I feel privileged to have read this full-length adult novel from her after so many novellas. Multi-layered, I loved how this was two novels in one; the first follows the protagonist Zelu and her life growing up as a Nigerian-American paraplegic woman, and the second is her sci-fi novel, Rusted Robots, which she publishes after years languishing as an unpublished adjunct creative writing professor. She is a complicated character who might be difficult to like for some, but I found her story riveting to read. A breathtaking mix of literary and science fiction, I immediately went out and bought it as soon as I finished my eARC.

The storytelling in this book is incredible. I absolutely loved the intermingling of the three distinct narrative styles- the interviews, Zelu's story, and Rusted Robots. Story-within-a-story is one of my favorite kinds of narratives but can be such a tricky balance but I was never disappointed to switch back to either story, and was honestly surprised how much I could never predict what was going to happen to Zelu next. I loved all of the interviews, I loved Ankara and Ijele, one of my favorite tiny details was the inclusion (and explanation) of Zelu's passwords, and I loved every time details from one of the narratives blurred into the other.

That said, I struggled a little bit with the ending. I loved the twist, but felt like it was missing a chapter or two to really be satisfying. But this book will stay with me for a long, long time, which is the important part, I think.

A must-read for anyone who loves:
Story-within-a-story narratives
Blended genres (lit fic meets sci-fi)
Never knowing what's going to happen next
Stories that center storytelling and the importance of stories

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

DNF at 28%

I read about 15% of the book and put it down. Didn't really feel like picking it back up. But I got the audio from the library and tried again. Sadly, I just don't think this is for me, and it's not what I was looking for or expecting. Way more family drama than sci-fi.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this. All opinions are my own.

This reads more like literary fiction than sci-fi, which makes for a unique, character-driven experience. The story deftly toggles between the main character’s life and the futuristic novel she’s writing, blending family themes and creative exploration in a way that feels fresh. If you enjoy immigrant family dynamics and a protagonist who rebels against expectations, you’ll be drawn to this book’s authenticity—especially since the main character’s bluntness makes her feel all the more real.

Though the satire on publishing and social media isn’t the central focus, the glimpses of it add thought-provoking depth, touching on fame, authorship, and the power of storytelling. Go in with an open mind, expecting more lit fic than sci-fi, and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by the rich layers and absorbing subplots.

Title: Death of an Author
By: Nnedi Okorafor
Pub. Date: January 14, 2024

Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Book inside Book, Disabilities, Robots

Favorite Quotes:
“Love who you love. Speak your truth. Be good and roll with life. You can’t have or control everything or everyone.”

“You don’t fight the ocean. You have to trust it to carry you. And once you do, you can be anything.”

“I know that here in the United States, such things are not understood. You all spin everything that is not familiar to you as either terrible or less than you. You only see things through your narrow lens and personal experiences. It is your weakness.”

Red Flags:
Several forms of discrimination, ableism, sexism, sexual content, rape, pregnancy, gaslighting, suicidal thoughts, death of parent

*Minimal sexual content, which I found unnecessary and skippable for my personal preference. Even with these few elements, I highly recommend this novel. I’m still thinking about it weeks later.

Summary:
Zelu has lost her job and needs to return home for her sister’s wedding. Her life has been upended and after years of unexpected challenges, Zelu is at a loss for what’s next. She is a single, disabled, and now unemployed, African woman who is uncertain what comes next. Wallowing in her self pity, Zelu decides to write, and before she knows it she has created a new manuscript. This is a science fiction novel, like nothing written before which includes humanity’s downfall with androids, and AI. What happens next is the unexpected twists and turns Zelu needs to come out on top! Highly Recommended!!!

Review:

Beautifully Original!

A novel like none other…

By far one of the hardest reviews I have written. It’s hard to put into words my feelings for this novel. As a reluctant science fiction reader, I was hesitant beginning it, not sure what to expect. However, I was absorbed in every page, and couldn’t stop reading. Okorafor skillfully crafts a narrative inside a narrative with engaging perfection. I quickly fell in love with Zelu, a protagonist struggling against overwhelming odds. This novel is deep, dark, and reflective. The author creates engrossing elements of human characteristics which grab the reader's attention all the way until the last page. Be prepared to be filled with empathy, compassion, and hope which will continue to linger in your mind weeks after reading the last page! Highly Recommended!!!

Thank you to Nnedi Okorafor, William Morrow, and Netgalley for the Advanced Readers Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#NnediOkorafor
#WilliamMorrow
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

I had high expectations for this book. I chose it because it was being touted as an interesting new sci-fi book. But I didn’t like it and don’t recommend it. The main character was unlikeable, and she had a toxic family that was almost unbearable, so I was uncomfortable throughout most of the 448 page book. I was going to give this book two stars. Thankfully, there was a BIG, surprising twist at the end that redeemed it and changed the whole book, and now I’ll give it three stars. At least I feel a little better because of the unexpected ending.

I know others really enjoyed this book. I just didn’t.

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Nnedi Okorafor, and William Morrow for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

I stretched my comfort zone for this one and good thing I did, because it is stunning. A complex, dynamic protagonist leaps off the page from the earliest chapters. Around and through her Okorafor explores everything from identity, ability, family, AI and automation, culture, prejudice, fame, the online outrage machine, the power of storytelling... I'm probably missing so much. There's a lot of ground covered and a lot to think about.

The sci-fi element is on the light side, with much of the novel being more of a literary character study and family drama with a large cast of Yoruba, Igbo, and Nigerian-American relatives. I don't want to give too much away, but hopefully it's within bounds to share that this blurs the lines between reality and fiction...