A review by the_eucologist
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

3.0

As the first in a series it does a fairly good job setting up the world its characters inhabit. I even loved how cleverly cultural tensions are referenced even if they don't necessarily determine or shape narrative trajectories. But it's hard to come away from this feeling as though it isn't written with an overly cinematic approach, where large set pieces and plot points are prioritized over stable character development. Sunny in particular seems a somewhat distant figure even if on paper her experiences being marginalized mirror mine. I suppose I am mostly frustrated that the novel wants to be both a tale about being a "fish-out-of-water" but also acts as if its characters--and, crucially, readers--know everything about the world we are thrust into. The logic of the latter conspires to keep us and this newest Oha coven in the dark when is clearly needed are clarity and illumination.