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wynwicket 's review for:
Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon
by Wole Talabi
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm conflicted on this one--there was a lot to like: the exploration of Nigerian myth and folklore with a unique and fascinating concept of magic; the idea of the gods forming corporations to encourage and control people's faith and oust each other from power (How would a god drum up 'business' these days?) And a surprise cameo from Aleister Crowley, who's more than a little out of his element among Our Heroes, a former nightmare god and a succubus!
But there was a lot that just didn't work: the constant jumping back and forth through time to show past events took me out of the story a lot; the frequent coercive sex on the part of our succubus (who suddenly decided she was in LOVE in the last 50 pages of the book? Eh.) The heist subplot (which I was really excited about) felt like more of an afterthought. And our Hero, Shigidi, was kind of a blank slate. Intentionally so, maybe, but it was hard to get to know him.
I look forward to discussing this with folks!
But there was a lot that just didn't work: the constant jumping back and forth through time to show past events took me out of the story a lot; the frequent coercive sex on the part of our succubus (who suddenly decided she was in LOVE in the last 50 pages of the book? Eh.) The heist subplot (which I was really excited about) felt like more of an afterthought. And our Hero, Shigidi, was kind of a blank slate. Intentionally so, maybe, but it was hard to get to know him.
I look forward to discussing this with folks!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault