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A review by summerthelibrarian
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
4.0
So this is the first book that I had on deck for Black History Month and I'm disappointed that I'm just getting to it, but I didn't expect it to take 2.5 weeks to finish the Witcher. Oops.
This novel is centered on an albino Nigerian girl named Sunny who has spent her childhood in America. Because of her skin color and the fact that English was her first language, she has trouble identifying with her Nigerian roots and is often bullied for not being black enough. She discovers she has an affinity for Juju magic which she inherited from her grandmother.
I've read Nnedi Okorafor before and liked everything she's written but I think this one was my favorite so far. This is kind of like a super different take on the whole "magical school" trope. The last magical school novel I read was the disappointing and problematic [b:A Deadly Education|50548197|A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1)|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596909044l/50548197._SY75_.jpg|75543174], so I was refreshingly pleased with how this book addresses issues like racism and sexism. The book has a wonderful and unique magic system that is drawn from African culture, religion and mythology, and weaves together magic and realism seamlessly. Realistic (though a bit mature for 12) characters and just a fun read. I read this on audio and the narrator did a wonderful job.
This novel is centered on an albino Nigerian girl named Sunny who has spent her childhood in America. Because of her skin color and the fact that English was her first language, she has trouble identifying with her Nigerian roots and is often bullied for not being black enough. She discovers she has an affinity for Juju magic which she inherited from her grandmother.
I've read Nnedi Okorafor before and liked everything she's written but I think this one was my favorite so far. This is kind of like a super different take on the whole "magical school" trope. The last magical school novel I read was the disappointing and problematic [b:A Deadly Education|50548197|A Deadly Education (The Scholomance, #1)|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596909044l/50548197._SY75_.jpg|75543174], so I was refreshingly pleased with how this book addresses issues like racism and sexism. The book has a wonderful and unique magic system that is drawn from African culture, religion and mythology, and weaves together magic and realism seamlessly. Realistic (though a bit mature for 12) characters and just a fun read. I read this on audio and the narrator did a wonderful job.