A review by madswritess
In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran

mysterious 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

5.0

Never has a novella left me so speechless, so intrigued, and so absorbed by a story—in such a short amount of time, too. In the Shadow of the Fall is a fast-paced, immersive fantasy that follows Ashâke as she navigates her life as an acolyte, one that is flipped on its head. From the start, we're introduced to an alluring, well-crafted world with intriguing characters and an engrossing plot. I couldn't stop reading. The atmosphere is felt from the first page with Ogundiran's prose, and the mystery behind Ashâke held my interest throughout. Not only are the world and characters so captivating, but the storyline itself—more specifically, the level of emotion pulled—gripped my heart. I enjoyed the twists, and Yaruddin's threatening presence was hugely felt through the page. If you're looking for an epic fantasy with cosmic-level stakes, while retaining its personable characters, read this novella. I will be—impatiently—waiting for the next installment. Seriously, this was an incredible read. 

A huge thank you to the NetGalley team at Tor/Forge for this egalley in exchange for an honest review!