So, it took me about four days to read Akata Warrior, which is about 477 pages more or less. It is a pretty big story, and so much more detailed compared to Akata Witch. There was so much going on here that was so deeply intertwined with the lore that it was a challenge for me personally to hang on. If Akata Witch would have been a cool summer blockbuster film or a nice three or four episode mini-series on Netflix, Akata Warrior would have been at least a full twenty two episode season on primetime TV.
The world just gets bigger in this one, and there are moments where Nigerian lore and culture are brought into the present time in such a brilliant way. It's reminiscent of how Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series makes people stop and go, "OMG, I never thought you could view the world in this intense way before." But for the vastness of the lore and world building, we still Sunny’s unfolding story at the center of it all. Sure, there is a part of her that is still growing up and unsure, but she hits peak heroine-ism early in this book and the sheer amount of grit and courage she displays has become an expected pleasure.
You know Batman will demolish every mugger in the alley. You know Diana is going to beat the crap out of anything that stands in the way of her saving some innocent lives. When you see Storm descending from the sky bringing actual thunder and lightning, it’s going down. When Sunny shows up with Orlu, Sasha and Chichi? It’s getting handled like Olivia Pope was all over it.
So, why did it take me four days to get through this book? I think it's mostly because I have zero frame of reference for Nigerian lore, and Nnedi Okorafor’s take on it is so unique that there is literally nothing like it that I know of to even help me understand it. And that is no bad thing at all! In fact, it’s magnificent. I have a new world to study, to immerse myself in. There were probably eight billion amazing things in here that went over my head just because I’m not familiar enough with all of it.
Best part? It did not take away any love I have for this book. It’s like an insane kind of roller-coaster where you had no idea how to handle all the awesomeness and you didn’t even know it was done and you could get out of the chair. I’m going again, meaning this is going to be on my re-read pile.. especially if there is ever a third book planned. I want to come in prepared. I can and will make room for all the juju needed to get this into my skin and bones. It’s some pretty crazy storytelling with some very unique and brilliant characters set in a magnificently crafted world. So, yeah, I’m going again and I highly suggest you join me.
Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor | Series: Akata Witch #2
Previous Book in Series: Akata Witch
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers | Publication Date: October 3, 2017
Source: ARC received from the publisher (Thanks!)
Book Summary:
A year ago, Sunny Nwazue, an American-born girl Nigerian girl, was inducted into the secret Leopard Society. As she began to develop her magical powers, Sunny learned that she had been chosen to lead a dangerous mission to avert an apocalypse, brought about by the terrifying masquerade, Ekwensu. Now, stronger, feistier, and a bit older, Sunny is studying with her mentor Sugar Cream and struggling to unlock the secrets in her strange Nsibidi book.
Eventually, Sunny knows she must confront her destiny. With the support of her Leopard Society friends, Orlu, Chichi, and Sasha, and of her spirit face, Anyanwu, she will travel through worlds both visible and invisible to the mysteries town of Osisi, where she will fight a climactic battle to save humanity.
Much-honored Nnedi Okorafor, winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards, merges today’s Nigeria with a unique world she creates. Akata Warrior blends mythology, fantasy, history and magic into a compelling tale that will keep readers spellbound.
About the Author: Nnedi Okorafor was born in the United States to two Igbo (Nigerian) immigrant parents. She holds a PhD in English and is a professor of creative writing at Chicago State University. She has been the winner of many awards for her short stories and young adult books, and won a World Fantasy Award for Who Fears Death. Nnedi's books are inspired by her Nigerian heritage and her many trips to Africa. She lives in Chicago with her daughter Anyaugo and family. She can be contacted via her website, www.nnedi.com.
Enter for a chance to be one (1) of three (3) winners to receive a hardcover copy of Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor. (ARV: $18.99 each). NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on October 2, 2017 and 12:00 AM on October 20, 2017. Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about October 23, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
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October 2 – NovelKnight – Review
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October 4 – Bibliophile Gathering – Review
October 5 – Dazzled by Books – Review
October 6 – YA and Wine – Review & Favorite Quotes
October 9 – MuggleNet – Review
October 10 – Wandering Bark Books – Review
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October 12 – What Sarah Read – Review
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October 17 – The Children’s Book Review – Author Q&A
October 18 – The Book Wars – Review
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