Binti

Nnedi Okorafor's Binti is the winner of the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award for Best Novella!

Her name is Binti, and she is the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.

Knowledge comes at a cost, one that Binti is willing to pay, but her journey will not be easy. The world she seeks to enter has long warred with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares. Oomza University has wronged the Meduse, and Binti's stellar travel will bring her within their deadly reach.

If Binti hopes to survive the legacy of a war not of her making, she will need both the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University, itself — but first she has to make it there, alive.

The Binti Series
Book 1: Binti
Book 2: Binti: Home
Book 3: Binti: The Night Masquerade

PRAISE FOR BINTI

"Binti is a supreme read about a sexy, edgy Afropolitan in space! It's a wondrous combination of extra-terrestrial adventure and age-old African diplomacy. Unforgettable!" — Wanuri Kahiu, award-winning Kenyan film director of Punzi and From a Whisper

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

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Published Sep 22, 2015

96 pages

Average rating: 7.5

28 RATINGS

Community Reviews

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Groundhogcat

Oct 24, 2025

6/10 stars

I appreciated how Okorafor dealt with racism in a sci-fi context, but I didn't really like the story too much. Lots of murder and mayhem at the beginning. When the main character eventually arrives at her destination, the story plodded along.

So kudos to the author on how she wove the effects of racism into her story, but the story itself was not interesting to me. Others might have a different opinion. Just not my cup of tea.

Oree

Jun 25, 2025

8/10 stars

Everything about the book was unexpected

Gias_BookHaven

Dec 30, 2025

7/10 stars

In my opinion, speculative fiction can either have you feeling satisfied, confused or wanting more out of the story. In this case, I was in between. I know that this is book one of a series and the premise of the story is fascinating and I was committed to her journey away from her home, her people and the only culture she's ever known. Like, I was locked in. Things began to get confusing after her interaction with the head of the Meduse because I wasn't quite sure if there was a time jump or an alteration of her current timeline once agreeing to help. I don't think all small details are relevant or important but as I was reading my mind kept going back to the ship she was taking to Oomza University <spoiler>and the friends she lost there. She asks the question about the pilot being alive when they landed but, I just wasn't sure </spoiler> So since it wasn't covered again, that confusion seed remained planted in my head.

Josie the book goblin

Aug 22, 2025

6/10 stars

I've been eyeing this trilogy for awhile and I thought I'd jump in. I love a shorty story that packs a punch and this one did this. Binti gets accepted into a university and goes despite her family not wanting her to go. She leaves her planet, family, friends and culture. Her transfer ship gets attacked by an alien race and things become wild after that. Although their are a lot of strong messages, really interesting alien Hi-Tech, biogenic alterations and learning opportunities here, I was here for the vibe, if I'm being honest. I enjoyed the writing and the story. I think the end was a bit fast and drastic but I'm excited to keep going with this trilogy.

Ashku7

Nov 30, 2024

10/10 stars

4.5 Stars
This was so good y'all!!!
The Meduse are actually my favorite part of this, and I really think that this could have done well as a full novel, too.

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I wasn't a fan of Akata Witch, which sucked because I've heard such great things about Okorafor.
Hoping I like Binti because I've heard such great things about this too, AND it fits into my month of novellas!