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roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a story set in 15th century Africa that focuses on the rise of Òdòdó from blacksmith to bride of the Aláàfin of Yorùbáland. There are some elements that could be considered magical but for the most part the plot focused on political and military machinations with detailed world building.
The story begins fairly simply: a tale of a woman trying to grasp the comforts that come with wealth and status, but that slowly grows more complicated as she realizes that what she wants cannot be given to her by someone else. I was impressed by how much tension is infused into the story, it was hard to step away from watching Òdòdó grow in confidence and power. Her struggles and frustrations carried through the page so clearly. It was almost cinematic in how easily I could picture each scene.
I wasn't fully sure what to expect from this as I began it, but was impressed by the characterization, setting, and slow build of tension throughout the book. The writing style seems very direct at first but the complexity grows with the story. The world was immersive and Òdòdó as a main character is extremely compelling.
Thank you to Netgalley and Forge for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Slavery, Confinement, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual assault, Animal death, Death, Infertility, and Fire/Fire injury
opheliaslittlelibrary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
What. A. Book!
@oosangoyomi you are such a powerful writer! I'd been looking for a book that delved emotionally deeper than a plot led by tropes and this book absolutely delivered! (For reference, you can still find tropes in there like corruption arcs and whatnot, but in no way did that aid me in knowing what to expect).
This book really did feel like an unapologetic step into the brutal and beautiful world of 15th century West Africa. The main character felt human and therefore understandable, but at other times she could feel almost unattainable for a reader, if that makes sense. She undergoes experiences most of us can't relate to and her journey felt like that which is told in mythology, so she came to feel almost god-like as she embraced her own identity. I am aware that there are elements of mythology woven into the book, which would have aided this as well.
And another thing, for it to be her debut? I love debuts and for this one to be especially thought provoking and powerful (am I using that word too much?), I am just amazed. It was exactly what I needed.
Thankyou so much for the e-ARC!
@oosangoyomi you are such a powerful writer! I'd been looking for a book that delved emotionally deeper than a plot led by tropes and this book absolutely delivered! (For reference, you can still find tropes in there like corruption arcs and whatnot, but in no way did that aid me in knowing what to expect).
This book really did feel like an unapologetic step into the brutal and beautiful world of 15th century West Africa. The main character felt human and therefore understandable, but at other times she could feel almost unattainable for a reader, if that makes sense. She undergoes experiences most of us can't relate to and her journey felt like that which is told in mythology, so she came to feel almost god-like as she embraced her own identity. I am aware that there are elements of mythology woven into the book, which would have aided this as well.
And another thing, for it to be her debut? I love debuts and for this one to be especially thought provoking and powerful (am I using that word too much?), I am just amazed. It was exactly what I needed.
Thankyou so much for the e-ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, and War
naiadtales's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Such a great start to the reading year. I was instantly hooked by Sangoyomi's writing and was not disappointed (shocked? yes but disappointed never) with the way the story turned out!
In Masquerade we follow the blacksmith Ododo, who is kidnapped from her home to become the bride of the all powerful, Alaafin. Ododo is at first wary of the Alaafin's motives and is hesitant in becoming his bride (I would be too if he kidnapped me). As time progresses and Ododo becomes accustomed to life at court, she slowly begins to fall for the Alaafin but all is not as it seems and not everybody is pleased with the Alaafin's new bride - to -be.
One of the things I loved the most about this story was Ododo, I enjoyed that we discovered the inner machinations of Yoruba court as we did. Her naivete about certain things did annoy me at times and I constantly had to be reminding myself that this was loosely based on the Persephone myth and thus she probably had Stockholm's cause ain't no way
With that being said there are quite a few things that were touched on more:
- Omosewa's death, I get that he was an asshole and may have not been generally liked but Rotimi killing a great warrior on the basis that he did like the King's wife seemed random to me. It seemed to me like the author needed to kill off this character and that was the only way she say fit.
- On the topic of Rotimi, it is implied that him and his second in command were more than good workers and you want me to believe that Rotimi was satisfied with his measly attempt and was just gonna live with the fact that the love of his life had been sold off into slavery what??
- which brings me to another issue I had with the story, I'm not going to pretend to be knowledgeable about 15th century Africa but why was everybody so nonchalant about their loved ones being sold off into slavery?? Like they were upset for a minute and then it was oh well life continues
-how did nobody suspect that Kolo was not Kolo.. was there no delegation, you mean to tell me that none of the royals had ever laid eyes on the the real Kolo?!
- On the topic of Rotimi, it is implied that him and his second in command were more than good workers and you want me to believe that Rotimi was satisfied with his measly attempt and was just gonna live with the fact that the love of his life had been sold off into slavery what??
- which brings me to another issue I had with the story, I'm not going to pretend to be knowledgeable about 15th century Africa but why was everybody so nonchalant about their loved ones being sold off into slavery?? Like they were upset for a minute and then it was oh well life continues
-how did nobody suspect that Kolo was not Kolo.. was there no delegation, you mean to tell me that none of the royals had ever laid eyes on the the real Kolo?!
"Yes, I am your daughter," I spat the words back at her. "And I will be the Alaafin's wife. And one day, I will be someone's mother. But when will I get to be a person?"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Animal death, and War
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