Science Fiction: Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi

In the wake of recent events (or rather our knowledge of them) regarding the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police, and the protests that have followed, I felt it was time to read Tochi Onyebuchi's Riot Baby. It follows siblings Ella and Kev, the former of which can see the future, while the latter is simply trying to survive in a harsh reality.

The Situation: It is 1991, and Ella's little brother Kevin, or Kev, is being born as Los Angeles is being burned to the ground. This will earn Kev the nickname of 'Riot Baby,' something he will not understand until he is older. Now having fled to the other side of the country, the siblings are doing their best to survive in Harlem. Now that he is a bit older, Kev knows that his sister is somehow different, that she a Thing she can do. If she isn't seeing people's futures spread before her, then she is exterminating rats with her mind, or forming snowballs in her hand in the dead of summer. These episodes usually come with nose bleeds and blackouts, or they simply get out of control. Kev would love to be able to protect his sister, and his mother, but as a young black man in Harlem, he also needs a certain protection from the outside.

The Problem: When it all becomes too much for Ella, when she can no longer live with her mother, or bear to see one more unarmed black body on the news, she must leave Kev on his own, and truly discover what she can do. And after Kev is incarcerated, he must learn a different set of survival skills. Ella has unending freedom and continues to develop her power to do the unthinkable, but the constant injustice against people who look like her feeds a growing desire to flatten whole cities. Kev focuses on surviving Rikers and his hope to one day get parole, but can he hold onto his hope if Ella shows him what she can see? Will she be consumed by the anger and rage that burns inside her? Will her brother be able to join her in bringing the change she wants to see?

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction/speculative fiction book set mostly in New York City, though in her early life, Ella lived with her mother in Los Angeles. After Kev is sent to Rikers, Ella will travel all over, insisting on seeing and almost reliving the events that lead to deaths of men like Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Even before the LA riots, Ella will realize that she hated living in South Central, and she will eventually swear to never return. But it is in Harlem that her Thing will develop, and where Kev will eventually be arrested and sent to Rikers. Ella's Thing is never quite clearly defined, but she can see people's futures, make rats' heads explode with her mind, form snowballs in summer, and travel without being seen. And there is also a hint that she has the power to destroy whole cities. Throughout the book, she will send visions to Kev with her mind, both when she is with him, and when she is far away. Wherever she is, and whatever she is doing, she is constantly angry, and Kev fears that her Thing will only consume her, burning her from the inside out. It is a burning desire not only for justice, but for revenge. 

My Verdict: This book has the twin blessings of being mercifully short and beautifully written. I would not have at all minded if it went a bit longer. Even so, what is there is incredibly powerful and engaging. Ella is beyond angry, and burns hotter with rage with every new dead black body she hears about, and every destroyed future that she sees. If she chooses to do what she can do, she would be unstoppable, and whole cities would never recover. If anything, I would have liked if there was even more focus put on Ella and her power. I do not mind the vagueness when it comes to her abilities, as it adds to the mystery and wonder. But so much focus is put on Kev and his time in prison. I would have liked to follow Ella on more of her travels and see what she is learning, and perhaps even see her plan some of her revolution, instead of only getting glimpses of her anger and the future she sees. Either way, the book is short enough that almost anyone could read it in an afternoon, and it would certainly lead to interesting discussions. 

Favorite Moment: When Ella is once again able to see and be with her mom.

Favorite Character: I suppose I would pick Ella, though there are not that many characters to choose from to start with. She is the picture of a revolution that is fast approaching, but it is not clear what form it is going to take when it gets here.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, which takes an alternate look at history and has zombies enter the landscape of post-Civil War America.