Reviews with content warning for Murder - Akata Witch

I'm a bit torn on this one. Similarly to some other reviewers, I had problems with the pacing of the story. I also found it a bit hard to relate to the main characters since they were all kids between 12 and 14, so maybe this just wasn't for me.
However, I loved the concept, setting and ideas overall, the plot and characters are interesting and by the middle/end of the book the pace picks up and it gets really tense. I found the ending a bit anti-climactic though.

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foreverinastory's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

An amazing world full of magic, excited to see this series continue.

I swear third time is finally the charm, I'm continuing with this series! Akata Witch is about 12 year old Sunny who stumbles into the Leopard world of magic. Sunny ends up forming a coven with three other kids who become best friends through the trials of magic.

This world is both amazing and dangerous. While the kids are learning how to channel their powers, there is a magician who is stalking the town kidnapping and killing kids. Sunny and her coven will end up being the last defense against the evil this magician is trying to call. I really enjoy this world and I love Sunny's character. I love how much she loves soccer and enjoys learning about her powers. Really excited to see what these kids get up to in the next book!

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: Bullying, death, violence, blood, misogyny, sexism. Moderate: child death, child abuse, kidnapping, murder, body shaming, racism/colorism, domestic abuse, suicide, racial slurs.
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I still love this book! I am still uncomfortable with physically punishing kids for mistakes tho. Sorry not sorry have not changed my mind about that.

I loved Sunny and her inquisitive disposition. Learning about Leopard powers alongside her was so much fun as she keeps digging for answers. I loved that she developed real friendships with her three other coven mates. Several times I got a chosen ones type vibe from them. While they are reckless at times, they're also incredibly powerful. I really want to read the rest of this series so I can see what else Sunny and her friends uncover!
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I really enjoyed this story about magic, friendship and power!

One thing that did bother me was the amount of times the kids were physically punished for not listening or doing something wrong. I just can't get behind that especially since these kids were like 12-14 yrs old!! Like why?

I really loved the magic and adventure this story had. It was easy to follow what happened and I loved all of the tribal references that were added. The setting of Nigeria was magical and realistic simultaneously. The story came alive with Okorafor's distinct story telling voice. I loved how adventurous and rebellious Sunny and her friends were. Their coven was well balanced between their personalities.

I hope we get to learn more about Sunny's family and the Leopard world in the second book!

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ciwanski's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.0

This was a cute book and I can see how it’ll be a fun series if I kept reading. I thought the premise was very enticing and I loved the magical world that was painted for us in this book.

For the same reasons why I don’t like The Hobbit, I didn’t love this book. I love a book where the characters actively search for the progression of the story. I feel like in this book (and the hobbit) the mystery, story, and solution are all just dropped in front of the characters without any work to find them. Maybe it’s because it’s the first book of the series but I also felt like the solutions were a little underdeveloped in the story if that makes any sense.

Still a fun, magical book though.

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tangleroot_eli's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

This is the 7th book by Nnedi Okorafor that I’ve read. This one is my favorite so far: the story and characters pulled me along so I finished faster than expected.

But something about Okorafor’s writing—the actual mechanics of it—sets my teeth on edge. I can’t fully explain or describe it, but it’s in every work of hers that I’ve read.

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