The Daughter Who Remains

I love Okorafor's books! The Daughter Who Remains is the satisfying final chapter of Najeeba's character arc. The trilogy follows her as she grows from teenager to mother to death, and finally ascendance into a Kponyungo spirit in this final instalment.

Okorafor does an excellent job of combining science fiction elements with traditional spirituality and mythology based on cultural practices from the Côte d'Ivoire. Traditionally, Kponyungo spirits help escort the deceased to the afterlife and protect the community from evil. This becomes a responsibility Najeeba is reluctant to take at first but soon faces with determination. As she comes to terms with honouring the significance of her power, she grapples with love, sacrifice, and ultimately faith in herself and in the future.

As with every book Okorafor writes, this one does a great job of combining science fiction elements with traditional belief and mythology. It embodies the chaos, danger, and sometimes comfort of the desert. The characters are vibrant, strong, and I am unreasonably attached to the camels in these stories. All in all, another great addition to the Africanfuturist lexicon.