Reviews with content warning for Blood - Akata Warrior

I am speeding my way through this series, partly because of the ease of the reading/listening language (I do tend to read MG/YA faster), but also because it's a fantastic story, and told so well, and I just want to stay immersed in it!

After her adventures with Orlu, Sasha and Chichi in the first book, Sunny is settling into her learning and skill-building as a Leopard Person under the guidance of her mentor, Sugar Cream. But the terrifying Ekwensu, and the "end of the world" they're trying to bring, is not completely defeated yet. As Sunny's skill with juju and her ability to read Nsibidi grow, she (and the duality that is her spirit face, Anyanwu) must travel great distances to visit the city of Osisi, that exists both in our world and in the spirit world, to defeat Ekwensu for good. With the assistance of her friends, a giant flying grasscutter, and (to Sunny's surprise) her older brother, this dangerous task might actually be possible.

This is a great continuation of the story Okorafor began in Akata Witch. It jumps in right away (and continues consistently) with giving the reader more details about juju, Sunny's abilities, and the Nsibidi language, the vagueness of which was a (small) critique of mine from the first book, so I was really excited for that. As far as development from the last book to this one goes, I also loved the way Sunny's relationship with her brothers grows. First, having two brothers myself, I always love solid sibling relationship rep. But also, it was cool to see how, as Sunny's skill and confidence grew, they were able to help/support each other, as a two way street, and the respect that grew from that was wonderful to watch in action. This novel introduces relationships that move from just friends to...more than friends...and some of the drama that comes with that. Not always a favorite "added drama" reading trope, but a realistic one (for all ages, but especially with puberty), and Okorafor managed to include it smoothly and realistically but not in an overpowering way. Speaking of puberty, it was, generally, really cool to see an inclusion of puberty-related aspects (like body changes, independence from parents, etc.) which are universal, but making them unique to complement this magical coming of age as well. Very nicely done. Overall, the added depth in the world-building and character development in this novel was great.

In regards to the plot, it was solid. Nothing standout, as far as originality in development or anything, but entertaining and interesting. I enjoyed the way the "real" world was brought in a bit more here, with the way Sunny got involved in her brother's life (and the following consequences). And I totally loved that the final defeat of Ekwensu was accomplished in large part because of Sunny’s newness to the Leopard world and the insight and different perspective she gained from her previous, “regular,” life. The continued focus on things that seem on the surface to be weakness turning into the skill/knowledge/strength that help our characters succeed is wonderful. Also, I'm honestly extra interested in where the final book takes the story, since this finale makes it seem that the “big bad” has been defeated already. It's clear that some other potential quests are hovering, a bit ominously if I'm being honest, so the general direction is clear. But they're a very different storyline, and that's an unusual and unique way to handle a trilogy. I respect it.

Since Okorafor is a champion of delivering important messages and lessons in her writing, I want to highlight a few of my favorites here. I loved the way that magic (things beyond the normally swallowed/allowed “truth”) allows for a gender equality that is so opposite of many traditional societies (definitely within the families and social groups of the Nigerians represented here). It is both beautiful (this kind of magic can always see what’s most important, and that’s usually what’s below the surface) and, one would wish, more universal. The moment when the "wise one" helps redirect the young Leopard People with “you were looking for the worst (and missed the actual message) through misinterpretation” was SUCH a key message. Humans - looking at myself here - almost always tend towards pessimism. Love this reframe! When the power of stories (truth and vulnerability), is used like it is here, as a strength that holds deep and powerful currency and magic, is highlighted in magic systems/world-building (especially when it's traded to ageless deities, because stories are the only thing they haven't seen all of or gotten bored with yet), it's a trope I cannot get enough of. It was heart-wrenching and beautiful here. Oh! Random, but, I enjoyed the little details like Sunny's [sneezing] allergy to juju powder. And I am glad that soccer took a bit of a backseat in this book...it's a personality-rounding-out type detail, and those are important, but I still just feel like its inclusion is jarring, compared to everything else.

I've already started listening to the third book - I'm just having so much fun with this series.

“Superstitions are like stereotypes in a lot of ways. Not only are they based on fear and ignorance, they are also blended with fact.”

“To learn is to live.”

“It forced her to not only look at the way she given information but also the background of the author […] Now she understood not only the rules the book taught but how to read those rules.” (what a lovely critical thinking lesson/message for readers)

Content Warnings

passionatereader78's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

Sunny and her crew are back saving the world. This time Sunny's eldest brother goes with her and we get more interaction with the siblings. Nnedi wrote this series so well and I can't wait to read the next book!

Content Warnings

mattyb's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

zombiezami's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

foreverinastory's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I have finally read the sequel after reading Akata Witch for the 3rd time.

Rep: Albino Nigerian-American female MC, Nigerian-American male side character, Nigerian female side character, Nigerian male side character with dyslexia, Nigerian female side character with severe scoliosis.

CWs: Ableism, blood, body shaming, bullying, confinement, death, gore, injury/injury detail, violence, spiders including small and very large ones. Minor: Racism/colorism, racial slurs, misogyny, animal death.

Content Warnings

invaderlinz's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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