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just_one_more_paige's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
And here we are, with the third and final book in this series that I have binge-read (or, to be fair, binge-listened-to).
This third book jumps right into the next part of the story, as we are already quite comfortable with the world that Okorafor has built: the Leopard people, the juju, these four friends (Sunny, Orlu, Sasha and Chichi). The last book ended with them defeating Ekwensu and I had wondered what would happen then, in this third installation. It turns out, quite a bit. In an intense quest that involved myriad steps, Sunny and Chichi were charged with returning an item to Udide that Chichi's mother had stolen years before...and of course Orlu and Sasha wouldn't let them go alone, so the four of them take on these myriad mini quests along the way together. As they face many challenges, visit new/parallel worlds, and meet new friends, they also learn a lot about their own histories (where they come from, who their ancestors were, the truth about family secrets) and each really, fully, come of age as their pass their second level "tests."
A note: If I am being honest, it has taken me a few days to get to writing this review, due to the Holidays. And reading through this trilogy so quickly has actually made it quite difficult to remember the lines between books. So if I reference or repeat something from an earlier book/review, or if this seems really vague, my bad!
This was a nonstop adventure that really was a bit of a departure as far as overarching storyline, as well as the fact that it mostly gave up on "real life" (no more school, only intermittent interactions with family, really just the four focal characters, etc.) I mean, to be fair, Sunny and her oldest brother actually end up super-bonding in this one. True. And she does learn quite a bit about her family history. But it's all done within the bounds of her task from Udide, and not as a result of actual time spent with family (or time spent with them for the sake of it, but rather as a part of her quests). I did appreciate that, as the series went, it expanded in scope as the characters and world were developed: the first book was very Sunny-focused, the second grew to a little more family/local-focused, and this final book included some greater political/world patterns. That matches the growth of Sunny and her friends as they are going through puberty and coming more "of age."
I have to be honest, there were a few parts of this story that I didn't really follow. And really, that's ok. I mean, I get that some things are new and confusing to Sunny and Co as well, so I'm ok with some vague-ness. But I never really feel like I understood the magical object Udide wanted back (why it mattered/what it did) and that's kind of a big thing to be confused on, as it is the quest/adventure that provides the framework for this whole book. So, that was a bit frustrating. However, I still enjoyed following their travels through different worlds and finding the giant (flying!) grasscutter and the relationship(s) growth and Sunny really starting to own and test the bounds of her new powers, so that was enough to keep me invested. Plus, little details like the insect that created daily art, her name was Della I believe, were lovely touches. I also loved the inclusion of the Nsibidi symbols and translations throughout the series, but especially the way they were used in this finale - very cool.
One thing that really stood out to me in this final book was the patriarchal customs. They have been a common thread throughout - women serving and cooking and other traditional POVs/values within families and between generations - but they really felt more central here. What was interesting is the way they were addressed, as "they are what they are." They weren't subtle, though nor were they highlighted, and even though I wish they were less rigid, and it was clear Sunny did as well, they were just accepted. It was kind of a weird and insidious vibe that wasn't highlighted, but also wasn't subtle. I wish it had been challenged more, even if it was part of the cultural context, just like all the magical regulation impositions were...
As far as how everything closes out, I really loved it. I mean, this was an epic final journey for these friends! I don't know how I didn’t see that reveal about Sunny and how/why she has her abilities coming, but it was a great little development twist, and well hidden (at least from me). I also thought it was a great detail the way that Sunny and Anyanwu split (doubled) and were developed together but also separately. I feel like there was probably a message in that aspect that I didn't *quite* get but it added a layer of complexity that was a nice touch, that I feel like this story really benefited from, especially in relation to that twist about Sunny's abilities at the end.
This finale was an epic journey for these four characters. And really, I loved how it ended. Like, it was not actually an end, but rather a closing of a chapter, as Sunny steps into the next stage of her life/her future. It was closed enough, but still open-ended as it should be, since she's got so much life left ahead of her. And we see her step into it with confidence knowing she'll succeed even if it isn’t on page and even if that also includes some learning from mistakes, because of her belief in herself. It's really quite uplifting and inspiring. Sunny really grows into herself here, learning to trust herself even with/through occasional fear and uncertainty, and that’s a perfect final message for these MG/YA novels.
“Everyone is connected to something. Connection brings you benefit, but it also makes you responsible.”
“When you are afraid of annihilation and someone gets in the way of you stopping it, you will see that which is not there.”
“When things are quiet and one is comfortable, only then does the magnitude of one’s most pressing problem become clear.”
“To take is easy. To have the nerve is not.”
“She’d done all those amazing things, sometimes by accident, in a panic, out of desperation, or while being courageous...but she’d done them.”
“Seeing is not the same as caring […] You’re American; you should understand that more than anyone.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Bullying and Racial slurs
zombiezami's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
I feel like plot-wise this book kinda didn't need to exist? I kept losing the thread of the plot. Still, I liked the development of the characters' abilities as well as the worldbuilding overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Child abuse, Blood, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Police brutality, Sexism, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Racial slurs, Child death, Colonisation, and Slavery
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for review. All opinions are my own.
Every time I pick ones of these up, I go on a magical journey. I really hope this isn't the last one!
Akata Witch picks up a bit after the events of Akata Warrior. Sunny and her friends are going about normal life and learning more about their Leopard powers. However, Udide, the giant spider, has bitten both Sunny and Chichi and the two know they'll have to attempt to do what Udide has asked. This means traveling to the Nimm village to try and find what they stole. This is a bit hard since Sunny didn't know she was Nimm and Chichi's mother was thrown out.
The story of this book is all about finding the ghazal that was stolen from Udide. In between deciphering clues about where it could be and how to get, Sunny and co are also continuing their studies. I really love how the Leopard world rewards gaining knowledge. I wish that's how my world worked because it seems like people would be a lot more understanding and empathetic with this system.
Sunny continues to be surprised by how strong she is physically. This started in book 2, but I swear to god there are at least 3 times where she's like "BUT look at my arms!? HOW!". Every time it made me laugh. I just love Sunny so much. I have a feeling she'll probably be the strongest, magic wise in her coven, even though she's still catching up as a free agent.
The ending of this does tie up the narrative plotline in this book, but it doesn't feel like the series is over. There's still so much Sunny and her coven could learn. Plus we see signs that Sunny and maybe her coven mates could pass the master level abilities and I want to see that happen. I would love another book or several. I'm okay with these series being long!! Bring it on!
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 and uses a cane.
CWs: Blood, child abuse (child is slapped), death, injury/injury detail, violence, spiders including small and very large ones. Moderate: War, mentions of Biafran war and tensions, racism, racial slurs, ableism, misogyny, sexism.
Every time I pick ones of these up, I go on a magical journey. I really hope this isn't the last one!
Akata Witch picks up a bit after the events of Akata Warrior. Sunny and her friends are going about normal life and learning more about their Leopard powers. However, Udide, the giant spider, has bitten both Sunny and Chichi and the two know they'll have to attempt to do what Udide has asked. This means traveling to the Nimm village to try and find what they stole. This is a bit hard since Sunny didn't know she was Nimm and Chichi's mother was thrown out.
The story of this book is all about finding the ghazal that was stolen from Udide. In between deciphering clues about where it could be and how to get, Sunny and co are also continuing their studies. I really love how the Leopard world rewards gaining knowledge. I wish that's how my world worked because it seems like people would be a lot more understanding and empathetic with this system.
Sunny continues to be surprised by how strong she is physically. This started in book 2, but I swear to god there are at least 3 times where she's like "BUT look at my arms!? HOW!". Every time it made me laugh. I just love Sunny so much. I have a feeling she'll probably be the strongest, magic wise in her coven, even though she's still catching up as a free agent.
The ending of this does tie up the narrative plotline in this book, but it doesn't feel like the series is over. There's still so much Sunny and her coven could learn. Plus we see signs that Sunny and maybe her coven mates could pass the master level abilities and I want to see that happen. I would love another book or several. I'm okay with these series being long!! Bring it on!
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 and uses a cane.
CWs: Blood, child abuse (child is slapped), death, injury/injury detail, violence, spiders including small and very large ones. Moderate: War, mentions of Biafran war and tensions, racism, racial slurs, ableism, misogyny, sexism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Police brutality, Sexism, War, Ableism, Racial slurs, Racism, and Misogyny
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