I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi Published by Tor.com on January 21 2020
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Pages: 176
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A raw and heartbreaking story about growing up Black, Onyebuchi infuses his tale with fantastical elements and gives us characters who are not willing to sit still.
I went into Riot Baby with no expectations at all, and I think that’s the best way to approach this story. This short novella is a beautifully written, sucker-punch of a tale about the black experience in America, focusing on a brother and sister with unique powers. The book is hard to classify, because there are elements of both science fiction (parts of the story take place in a futuristic United States where drones patrol the skies and armored police roam the streets) and fantasy (Ella is able to see the future and travel through time). But the underlying theme is the persecution of black people and how nothing much has changed over the years.
Ella lives with her pregnant mother in South Central LA, where life in the early 1990s is fraught with sudden violence: gangbangers, drug dealers and police brutality are simply a part of Ella’s life. Even at a young age, Ella has the strange ability to see the future (she knows that her mama’s friend’s new baby will be shot and killed in a drive-by shooting when he’s a teenager) and she can also move objects with her mind. Ella can’t control her abilities, though, and she soon realizes that she’s a danger to the people she loves. Ella’s world implodes one day when riots break out in Los Angeles, after the acquittal of the police officers who severely beat Rodney King. Just as the riots begin, Ella’s mother gives birth to Kev, the “riot baby” of the title.
Over the next several decades, Ella and Kev try to navigate the harsh world they’ve been born into, searching for meaning in a world filled with injustices. Ella leaves home when she realizes she has her own journey to undertake, but she continues to check in on her brother over the years. As Ella flits from place to place, through time and space, her anger grows until it can barely be contained.
I clearly remember the Rodney King riots. From the shocking video footage of King being beaten by police officers, to the stunning outcome of the trial, to the riots themselves, I remember how fast the city erupted into violence. I was working in Pasadena at the time, miles away from South Central L.A., but we were told to go home for the day. Everyone was shocked and scared. If white police officers could get away with such brutality, then what chance did any black person have in this city? Onyebuchi uses this historic event as a springboard for the rest of his story, and I thought it was brilliantly done.
I loved the way the author divided up his story into four sections, following Ella and Kev throughout childhood and into young adulthood. The first section takes place in South Central L.A. during the Rodney King trials in 1992 and the ensuing riots. In the second section, the family moves to Harlem in New York City and Kev experiences police brutality personally for the first time. When Kev is arrested for theft, the story moves to a remote prison called Rikers where he’s abused by guards and inmates as well. And finally, on parole, Kev is right back where it all started, in a neighborhood in Los Angeles called Watts. This structure shows Kev bouncing from place to place but never really going anywhere. Even when he’s finally granted parole, he finds himself in another type of prison, the kind without bars, but a prison nonetheless.
The story is told from dual points of view and jumps between Ella and Kev. At times they are together, but when Ella leaves home one day, Kev has to figure out how to survive without her. Ella’s journey is very strange, and I have to admit I didn’t enjoy it as much as Kev’s. She can disappear from a place in the blink of an eye and travel to points all over the world. Her travels are of the metaphysical kind, almost like astral projection. She appears to Kev over the years, sometimes in his dreams and sometimes as a ghostly presence, but she’s always trying to keep tabs on him. Kev, on the other hand, lives a life full fear, where random violence is an every day occurrence, and because of his social status, he has very little chance of escape. What made this story bearable was Kev’s tenacity and Ella’s fierce anger and desire to change the world.
Riot Baby can be tough to read. Ella has the ability to come and go as she pleases, but Kev is stuck in his awful life with barely a glimmer of hope. At times the dreamy quality of Ella’s journey pulled me out of the immediacy of Kev’s predicament, but both stories come together at the end. Readers seeking clear answers and solutions may be frustrated, but if you go into this story for the emotional experience, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Highly recommended.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
Trigger warnings:View Spoiler »
I have a booktuber friend who read this one and head over heels loved it too, so now I know I need to read it as well. I especially love the sound of the genre mash up of science fiction and fantasy because I am a HUGE fan of cross genres. And it seems like it deals with some topical themes while staying true to the story too.
Olivia Roach recently posted…December Wrap Up! [2019]
Yes, it was an all around really good read. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you decide to read it!
This one has been hyped a lot by the publisher and your review made me even more curious. It sounds like a dark story dealin with important issues. I really want to read it!
Maryam recently posted…Top 5 Books of 2019
It’s really a great combination of fact and fantasy/magic realism.
How did I not know Tochi Onyebuchi had a new book coming out?! I somehow completely missed this. It sounds like it’s one heck of a read, even if it’s a little hard to get through. Some of the best books are. Gonna have to check this one out!
Sammie @ The Writerly Way recently posted…The Will and the Wilds by Charlie N. Holmberg || Enemies-to-Lovers in a Whimsical, Dark World
It’s very short and impactful, totally worth it:-)
Tochi Onyebuchi seems to be doing a lot of interesting things with speculative fiction and racial commentary I read his War Girls last month and it had a lot of commentary on the civil wars that happened/are happening in Africa. Thanks for the review!
Caitlin G. recently posted…Review: THE UNSPOKEN NAME by A.K. Larkwood
He obviously has a lot to say about it, which I love. I do want to read War Girls at some point!
This sounds terrific — great review! I’d seen the cover around, but didn’t know anything about the story itself. Will have to check it out!
It’s definitely a memorable read!
This sounds like an intriguing mix between recent history and fantasy, and for some reason the historical connection – together with its thought-provoking considerations – seems far more interesting than the fantastic element. Certainly it will prove to be a very different, very engrossing read… Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@SpaceandSorcery recently posted…A FLEET OF KNIVES (Embers of War #2), by Gareth Powell
It was so unique, the more I think about it, the more I love it:-)
I wasn’t really planning on reading this but hmm, you’re making me reconsider!
It’s a quick read and really surprised me!
Fantastic review Tammy. This doesn’t sound like an easy read. I think I’ll have to save it for a day when I’m up to the challenge, but it sounds like a powerful story.
You definitely want to be in the mood for something heavy and serious.
This is a great review Tammy and it sounds like a very hard hitting and insightful story. This ‘and how nothing much has changed over the years’ – is such a sad statement really.
Lynn 😀
The story is very sad, although luckily there’s some hope at the end.
Sounds like a very powerful story, something that maybe sticks with you for a while after reading it. Great review, Tammy.
Thanks Todd. I’m actually still thinking about it:-)
This sounds amazing! Honestly, I saw this one around the net but didn’t know what it was about at all and this really has me both intrigued and excited. Tor.com is really knocking it out of the park with these novellas.
It really surprised me, I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely delivered:-)
I’ll never forget the Rodney King riots either so I’m very curious to read this book since it uses those as a basis for the story. The sci fi elements really appeal to me too. I hadn’t heard of this book before but you’ve sold me on it with your wonderful review.
It’s a short, powerful read, and totally worth it:-)
Great review! I just got this one from the pubs earlier this week and really can’t wait to read it, especially after seeing how much you enjoyed it. It sounds like a tough but worthwhile read and I believe it’s going right to the top of my February TBR, if I don’t magically make time for it before then haha. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries recently posted…It’s time for an adventure: #Pondathon Sign-Up!
This is the second good review I’ve seen for this one. May be adding it to my list.
Yay! I’ve been waiting to read some reviews of this one. 🙂
This would definitely be a pertinent story, considering that the United States never outlawed slavery and Louisiana’s largest prison, Angola, is the same slave plantation it was in slave times, except much expanded and populated with slaves who are prisoners, most of whom probably don’t deserve their sentences or being arrested at all.
I read War Girls and liked it so I’m sure I’d like Riot Baby. Thanks.