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A review by megmro
Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
This is a superhero origin story set in modern-day Nigeria. The city where Nnamdi lives is filled with criminals and corruption, much like Gotham. The book opens with Nnamdi attending his father's funeral. His father was the chief of police, but was murdered -- shot three times in the chest. Nnamdi is given a supernatural totem called an ikenga, which transforms him into a large, powerful creature that news outlets start calling "The Man." Using this power, he starts to root out crime rings, and investigate his father's murder.
I really enjoyed this, but it was more violent than I expected. The author keeps it PG, I think, but for instance, the opening line is something like, "His father (laid out in his coffin) was wearing a suit just like the one he always wore as chief of police, but this one didn't have three holes in the chest." YEESH.
Before I got oriented in the setting, the crime felt overwhelming. Once I started thinking about it like Batman and Gotham, it was more digestible. Lots of superhero violence, but not too bad. Loved his relationship with his father, and his best friend Chioma. Wonderful, supportive relationships.
A little gritty, but it was wonderful to be immersed in an African setting and storyline. Loved the Nigerian-isms of the characters. I'd recommend this, but probably to older kids. Seventh or eight grade and up.
I really enjoyed this, but it was more violent than I expected. The author keeps it PG, I think, but for instance, the opening line is something like, "His father (laid out in his coffin) was wearing a suit just like the one he always wore as chief of police, but this one didn't have three holes in the chest." YEESH.
Before I got oriented in the setting, the crime felt overwhelming. Once I started thinking about it like Batman and Gotham, it was more digestible. Lots of superhero violence, but not too bad. Loved his relationship with his father, and his best friend Chioma. Wonderful, supportive relationships.
A little gritty, but it was wonderful to be immersed in an African setting and storyline. Loved the Nigerian-isms of the characters. I'd recommend this, but probably to older kids. Seventh or eight grade and up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, and Murder