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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
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:
Complicated
This book definitely lived up to my expectations. It provided a glimpse into a culture I don't know much about. Okungbowa drops the reader into the middle of the problem - the gods are already here. He sprinkles details into the book about how that happened and how people are adapting to the new situation. David has pretty much learned how to cope in the new Lagos. He and Papa Udi are just scraping by. That's not good enough once the gods make a move to dominate in Lagos.
I liked how Okungbowa was able to describe Lagos as David moved around the city. He provides a strong sense of place, even if it is mostly abandoned. Papi Udi was tricky to understand at first because he spoke in pidgin English. If I said his dialogue out loud, it was easier to for me to understand what he was trying to say. (I'm going to guess this would make an awesome audiobook, with the right narrator.)
This book boils down to a chosen one accepting his destiny, but the setting and the Nigerian pantheon made it feel fresh and new. I would describe it as a Percy Jackson-type book for adults. There were many more adult themes (death, child marriage, loss of culture) than you see in a typical YA book. At one point, Okungbowa flipped the narrative and showed the gods as refugees, just trying to make a home for themselves. You almost felt sorry for them, until I remembered that their "trying to make a home for themselves" involved killing all the humans in the new home.
I liked how Okungbowa was able to describe Lagos as David moved around the city. He provides a strong sense of place, even if it is mostly abandoned. Papi Udi was tricky to understand at first because he spoke in pidgin English. If I said his dialogue out loud, it was easier to for me to understand what he was trying to say. (I'm going to guess this would make an awesome audiobook, with the right narrator.)
This book boils down to a chosen one accepting his destiny, but the setting and the Nigerian pantheon made it feel fresh and new. I would describe it as a Percy Jackson-type book for adults. There were many more adult themes (death, child marriage, loss of culture) than you see in a typical YA book. At one point, Okungbowa flipped the narrative and showed the gods as refugees, just trying to make a home for themselves. You almost felt sorry for them, until I remembered that their "trying to make a home for themselves" involved killing all the humans in the new home.
Your first taste of Nigerian Godpunk - https://www.alwroteabook.com/2019/07/23/review-david-mogo-godhunter-by-suyi-davies-okungbowa/
I had never read anything by Suyi Davies Okungbowa before. Tht was until 'David Mogo, GodHunter' was nominated for March's book Club read. I'm really glad it was, because on the whole, I enjoyed it.
Even though the main character of this book was a Demi God, I still found him relatable, as were the other main characters too.
I enjoyed the plot as a whole and the actions scenes. If I had to point out any negatives, I would say that, in the first half of the book, the action scenes came in quick sucession. That made the book a little exhausting to read! Also, in the second half of the book there were so many characters, that I found it diffcult to keep up with who was who.
Saying that though, this was an impressive debut novel and I would like to read more from this author, in future.
Even though the main character of this book was a Demi God, I still found him relatable, as were the other main characters too.
I enjoyed the plot as a whole and the actions scenes. If I had to point out any negatives, I would say that, in the first half of the book, the action scenes came in quick sucession. That made the book a little exhausting to read! Also, in the second half of the book there were so many characters, that I found it diffcult to keep up with who was who.
Saying that though, this was an impressive debut novel and I would like to read more from this author, in future.
nigerian (yoruba) godpunk!! i should've loved it because i like this concept, but it wasn't as great as i had expected.
what i liked:
- concept: again, nigerian godpunk is fresh and exciting
- decent character work
- worldbuilding & magic system are pretty solid
what i didn't like:
- the internal dialogue: monotonous and tiring (because it's a bit info dumpy too) which affected the pacing
- storytelling is inconsistent and lacked substance (?) like it lacked a certain je ne sais quoi
- mustache twirling villain
it could've been a lot shorter, too, i feel like some scenes got repetitive. overall, the concept is great but i think the execution could be better. also, maybe the book just isn't for me.
what i liked:
- concept: again, nigerian godpunk is fresh and exciting
- decent character work
- worldbuilding & magic system are pretty solid
what i didn't like:
- the internal dialogue: monotonous and tiring (because it's a bit info dumpy too) which affected the pacing
- storytelling is inconsistent and lacked substance (?) like it lacked a certain je ne sais quoi
- mustache twirling villain
it could've been a lot shorter, too, i feel like some scenes got repetitive. overall, the concept is great but i think the execution could be better. also, maybe the book just isn't for me.
Welcome to the godpocalypse. If this is a new term for you like it was for me, know it is just as terrifying as you would guess. This is a near-future landscape where gods have fallen to Earth in Lagos, Nigeria, wreaking havoc and shutting down society.
This book sped along like a cinematic action/adventure plot, buzzing across an urban wasteland from godly altercation to magical battle to supernatural smackdown. David Mogo, who is a demigod in addition to godhunter, makes an endearingly reticent action hero. He doesn't always win, but he has mad confidence and he keeps coming back for more. I especially enjoyed his journey to embrace his own dual nature as both human and god and to oust the godly overlords who seek to crush humanity.
This book sped along like a cinematic action/adventure plot, buzzing across an urban wasteland from godly altercation to magical battle to supernatural smackdown. David Mogo, who is a demigod in addition to godhunter, makes an endearingly reticent action hero. He doesn't always win, but he has mad confidence and he keeps coming back for more. I especially enjoyed his journey to embrace his own dual nature as both human and god and to oust the godly overlords who seek to crush humanity.
A post-apocalyptic, own voices urban fantasy featuring gods and wizards was always bound to tempt me and the gorgeous cover art by Yoshi Yoshitani sealed the deal. I was particularly intrigued to read about gods from a pantheon I'm unfamiliar with and the deities here are inspired by the Yoruba Òrìṣà. However, whilst the appearance of the various gods and goddesses are fascinating, especially regarding their appearance and the unique smell which seems to accompany each of them, they mostly fulfil a similar role throughout, as either antagonists or assistants to the main character, David Mogo.
Written from his first person perspective, this is very much his book and he is an appealing and multifaceted main character. At the start of the novel, he is a godhunter, employed on a freelance people to remove troublesome godlings. The story is set ten years after The Falling when the gods fell from the sky and ended up in Lagos. Parts of the city, pricipally Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó (the local name for Lagos Island) have now become almost uninhabited by humans and are described as godland; black, cold and dying for human warmth. Godlings have a habit of wandering from their epicentre where they become disorientated and forced to take a material form. They are potentially dangerous but for a demigod like David, are easy enough to deal with. His latest job offer is much riskier as he is employed to find Ibeji - twin high gods. He knows it's a really bad idea but when the roof caves in on his house he feels he has little choice but to accept. As part-god, part-human, he doesn't really quite fit in anywhere. He is not trusted by humans or gods and after being left by his goddess mother, has been raised by Papa Udi, a venerable wizard on the edge of the dead zone.
What follows is actually a story of three parts; Godhunter, Firebringer and Warmonger. Each section is essentially a novella but combined they form David's arc as the opportunistic misfit eventually learns of his true capabilities. Although it's no real surprise to discover his origins mean he is destined to be more than just a godhunter, I appreciated that he continues to make mistakes and is a reluctant, often fallible hero. His battles with the various gods are certainly thrilling - they are violent and bloody and there are many casualties along the way but I was just as interested in his internal conflicts. There are a number of times in the book where he is forced to consider the impact of his actions on others and by the end of the novel, there is a definite sense that this is a more nuanced story than merely good versus evil. With that in mind, I was left with conflicted feelings about the outcome of the third part of the book. I understand why it had to resolve in the way it does but there is a part of me that wishes there could have been some other solution. However, I don't see this as a fault of the writing but rather an acknowledgment of David's assessment of the bleak reality of the situation.
As this is David's plot-driven story, told through his eyes only, the secondary characters are less developed although there are inviting little glimpses in to the back stories and motivations of some, most notably Papa Udi and Ogun. The setting of Lagos, however, is brought vividly to life, from the sights and smells to the speech, as the novel is peppered throughout with the local language and dialect. Papa Udi, in particular, speaks pidgin and there is no translation given which means the reader is left to figure out what he is saying. Some people might find this interrupts the flow of the writing but I thought it added an authentic rhythm and reflected the melting pot of languages in Nigeria. The city might be largely abandoned and desolate but the essence of the place and its citizens remains. Although there are numerous mentions of faeces and of the stench of the place, both before and after The Falling, I couldn't help but feel this is an affectionate portrayal of Nigeria's largest city, written by somebody who loves it, despite its flaws. The same could be said of David's eventual understanding of what family and belonging actually means and that flawed and unconventional lives can also equal home.
David Mogo Godhunter playfully twists the traditional mythology and includes several contemporary references to create a fresh and riveting storyline with a witty and engaging protagonist. I don't know if this is the last we'll see of David Mogo - I hope not - but I do know that this will definitely not be the last book I read by Suyi Davies Okungbowa.
Written from his first person perspective, this is very much his book and he is an appealing and multifaceted main character. At the start of the novel, he is a godhunter, employed on a freelance people to remove troublesome godlings. The story is set ten years after The Falling when the gods fell from the sky and ended up in Lagos. Parts of the city, pricipally Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó (the local name for Lagos Island) have now become almost uninhabited by humans and are described as godland; black, cold and dying for human warmth. Godlings have a habit of wandering from their epicentre where they become disorientated and forced to take a material form. They are potentially dangerous but for a demigod like David, are easy enough to deal with. His latest job offer is much riskier as he is employed to find Ibeji - twin high gods. He knows it's a really bad idea but when the roof caves in on his house he feels he has little choice but to accept. As part-god, part-human, he doesn't really quite fit in anywhere. He is not trusted by humans or gods and after being left by his goddess mother, has been raised by Papa Udi, a venerable wizard on the edge of the dead zone.
What follows is actually a story of three parts; Godhunter, Firebringer and Warmonger. Each section is essentially a novella but combined they form David's arc as the opportunistic misfit eventually learns of his true capabilities. Although it's no real surprise to discover his origins mean he is destined to be more than just a godhunter, I appreciated that he continues to make mistakes and is a reluctant, often fallible hero. His battles with the various gods are certainly thrilling - they are violent and bloody and there are many casualties along the way but I was just as interested in his internal conflicts. There are a number of times in the book where he is forced to consider the impact of his actions on others and by the end of the novel, there is a definite sense that this is a more nuanced story than merely good versus evil. With that in mind, I was left with conflicted feelings about the outcome of the third part of the book. I understand why it had to resolve in the way it does but there is a part of me that wishes there could have been some other solution. However, I don't see this as a fault of the writing but rather an acknowledgment of David's assessment of the bleak reality of the situation.
As this is David's plot-driven story, told through his eyes only, the secondary characters are less developed although there are inviting little glimpses in to the back stories and motivations of some, most notably Papa Udi and Ogun. The setting of Lagos, however, is brought vividly to life, from the sights and smells to the speech, as the novel is peppered throughout with the local language and dialect. Papa Udi, in particular, speaks pidgin and there is no translation given which means the reader is left to figure out what he is saying. Some people might find this interrupts the flow of the writing but I thought it added an authentic rhythm and reflected the melting pot of languages in Nigeria. The city might be largely abandoned and desolate but the essence of the place and its citizens remains. Although there are numerous mentions of faeces and of the stench of the place, both before and after The Falling, I couldn't help but feel this is an affectionate portrayal of Nigeria's largest city, written by somebody who loves it, despite its flaws. The same could be said of David's eventual understanding of what family and belonging actually means and that flawed and unconventional lives can also equal home.
David Mogo Godhunter playfully twists the traditional mythology and includes several contemporary references to create a fresh and riveting storyline with a witty and engaging protagonist. I don't know if this is the last we'll see of David Mogo - I hope not - but I do know that this will definitely not be the last book I read by Suyi Davies Okungbowa.