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vcords_'s review
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The book was okay. Pleasant, not horrible, but maybe a little mediocre.
While I enjoyed the otherworldly setting and meeting some of the quirkiest characters, the plot wasn't super stimulating in terms of its action/adventure element. Compared to the earlier two installments in this series, Akata Woman leans more into the sci-fi element of fantasy. Given the political tensions discussed in the earlier parts of the novel, I thought that would play more into the rest of the novel, in the same way that Okorafor incorporated the Black Hat Otokoto arc in Akata Witch and the deity elements in Akata Warrior. Unlike previous installments, <i>Akata Woman</i> was not as rounded, integrated, or satisfying. We are also entering what seems like a wave of literature that has been inspired by COVID, not that it makes a big difference here; I wish the author had decided to either integrate it more or not at all.
The most satisfying part was that we see Anywanwu put Sunny in her place. I know Sunny has reasons to be reluctant to grow or take up space, but given that she's a character who might be described as having a wimpy demeanor despite possessing uniquely exceptional abilities, it was extremely refreshing to have her learn a lesson something along the lines of, "Sometimes you aren't enough and you need to grow into who you can be." Anyanwu, as problematic as she might be, was by far the most likable character.
Other thoughts I have about this book:
- The author tried to make Chichi more palatable in this series, to her detriment.
- We get to see a tiny bit more of Orlu's sense of humor. Much appreciated!
- The scene where Sasha pours out the whiskey was immensely powerful. When he complains that his friends and people in Nigeria don't talk about his African ancestry and Black-Americanness enough, I hoped it would be fleshed out more later. However, when it's not brought up in the rest of the book, it somewhat drives his point into the ground.
- Given the plot point concerning the growing tension between Sunny and her father, I thought we'd get to see more of her family's responses to her disappearances. It felt that the growing relationship between Sunny and Chukwu that we saw develop in the last novel should have been relevant, but it got absolutely shafted.
I wondered if the author expects us to go along with the plot in the same way Sunny is expected to go along with the demands placed on her. That's fine, but given that many arcs in this novel did not serve a story beyond that of the characters, despite that being a major developmental theme in the series, it felt like a thematic contradiction that left me wanting more.
The most satisfying part was that we see Anywanwu put Sunny in her place. I know Sunny has reasons to be reluctant to grow or take up space, but given that she's a character who might be described as having a wimpy demeanor despite possessing uniquely exceptional abilities, it was extremely refreshing to have her learn a lesson something along the lines of, "Sometimes you aren't enough and you need to grow into who you can be." Anyanwu, as problematic as she might be, was by far the most likable character.
Other thoughts I have about this book:
- The author tried to make Chichi more palatable in this series, to her detriment.
- We get to see a tiny bit more of Orlu's sense of humor. Much appreciated!
- The scene where Sasha pours out the whiskey was immensely powerful. When he complains that his friends and people in Nigeria don't talk about his African ancestry and Black-Americanness enough, I hoped it would be fleshed out more later. However, when it's not brought up in the rest of the book, it somewhat drives his point into the ground.
- Given the plot point concerning the growing tension between Sunny and her father, I thought we'd get to see more of her family's responses to her disappearances. It felt that the growing relationship between Sunny and Chukwu that we saw develop in the last novel should have been relevant, but it got absolutely shafted.
I wondered if the author expects us to go along with the plot in the same way Sunny is expected to go along with the demands placed on her. That's fine, but given that many arcs in this novel did not serve a story beyond that of the characters, despite that being a major developmental theme in the series, it felt like a thematic contradiction that left me wanting more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Cursing
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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