Akata Woman (The Nsibidi Scripts) - Hardcover

Okorafor, Nnedi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0451480589 ISBN 13: 9780451480583

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers, 2022

Synopsis

Akata Woman is the New York Times bestselling third book in the series that started with Akata Witch, named one of Time magazine's "100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time" and "100 Best YA Books of All Time," from award-winning author Nnedi Okorafor.

"In this series, Okorafor creates a stunningly original world of African magic that draws on Nigerian folk beliefs and rituals instead of relying on the predictable tropes of Western fantasy novels."
—Time magazine

From the moment Sunny Nwazue discovered she had mystical energy flowing in her blood, she sought to understand and control her powers. Throughout her adventures in Akata Witch and Akata Warrior, she had to navigate the balance between nearly everything in her life—America and Nigeria, the "normal" world and the one infused with juju, human and spirit, good daughter and powerful Leopard Person.

Now, those hard lessons and abilities are put to the test in a quest so dangerous and fantastical, it would be madness to go...but may destroy the world if she does not. With the help of her friends, Sunny embarks on a mission to find a precious object hidden deep in an otherworldly realm. Defeating the guardians of the prize will take more from Sunny than she has to give, and triumph will mean she will be forever changed.

About this title

About the Author

Nnedi Okorafor is an international award-winning novelist of science fiction and fantasy for children and adults. Born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents, Nnedi is known for drawing from African cultures to create captivating stories with unforgettable characters and evocative settings. Nnedi has received the World Fantasy, Nebula, Eisner, and Lodestar Awards and multiple Hugo Awards, amongst others, for her books. Her fans include Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, John Green, Diana Wynne Jones, and Ursula K. Le Guin. She holds a PhD in literature and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her daughter Anyaugo. Learn more at nnedi.com. You can also follow her on Twitter (@nnedi) and Instagram (@nnediokorafor).
 

 

Reviews

Gr 5 Up-Okorafor continues to explore the magical abilities of Nigerian-American albino Sunny, 15, and her Leopard People friends Chichi, Orlu, and American-born Sasha in this intriguing third book in the Afrofuturist fantasy series. The friends have been forced by giant spider spirit Udide to enter the spirit world to find a magical object called a ghazal that Chichi's mother stole from Udide. If they don't succeed within seven days, Udide will destroy the Nimm village where Chichi's royal mother grew up. As they journey through the magical world, they travel to a more advanced planet where nature is the greatest technology, wind up on the Road of Spirits, and encounter terrifying and powerful masquerades. Along the way, the friends learn more about their true spirit selves and the extent of their magical abilities. Sunny learns she's a ogbanje, a spirit that's able to glide effortlessly back and forth between worlds. She also learns more about the circumstances of her birth. In knowing her origins, she comes to better understand why her father resents her so much. Her burgeoning romance with Orlu is very sweet and she resolves some of her issues with her spirit face Anyanwu, too. Okorafor beautifully centers African mythology, Nigerian culture, history, food, and phrases into this beautifully written fantasy featuring all Black characters. VERDICT This lyrical Afrocentric fantasy is not to be missed by readers who've loved Okorafor's work, and the previous books in the series.-Sharon Rawlinsα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2022
• ISBN 10: 0451480589
• ISBN 13: 9780451480583
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 416