Monday, March 19, 2018

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Author: Nnedi Okorafor
Title: Akata Witch
Series: Akata Witch #1
Publication: July 11th 2017
Publisher: Speak
Length: 349 pp.
Source: Library
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Sunny Nwazue lives in Nigeria, but she was born in New York City. Her features are West African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits in. And then she discovers something amazing—she is a "free agent" with latent magical power. And she has a lot of catching up to do.

Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But just as she's finding her footing, Sunny and her friends are asked by the magical authorities to help track down a career criminal who knows magic, too. Will their training be enough to help them against a threat whose powers greatly outnumber theirs?  
Mini Review 

I didn't know about this book until I saw the cover for the second book and realized that it's something I wanted to read. I hadn't read anything like it before and once Sunny started her story, she sucked me in and didn't let go.  Sunny is an easy character to relate to as she experiences bullying, family dynamics and trying to find where she belongs. Then she discovers she has magic in her blood that possibly comes from a distant relative making her a free agent. Most Leopard People learn early about their heritage but Sunny doesn't have that luxury and she's immersed in this world rather quickly as a dangerous foe is on a killing spree. The perspective of Sunny is colorful and refreshing. I felt like I was right beside her as she navigated her new powers and a whole new community of magical people. I loved the world that the author has built with its rich characters and a vividly fresh magical world. Overall, I found myself flying through the pages at the steady rhythm of the beautifully crafted writing.  I think anyone that likes fantasy and magic set in Africa will enjoy this book. 

33 comments:

  1. You will not believe this! I saw Nnedi Okorafor at the Dubai LitFest just two weeks ago and I promised myself I would read her books soon and here I find your review. I am gonna jot the name of the book and hunt it down.


    Gayathri @ Elgee Writes

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    1. Oh, She's an author I'd like to meet. Glad you got to meet her. :) I hope you do and enjoy!

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  2. I haven’t seen this one, but it looks interesting. I like the African setting.

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    1. I really liked it because it was something different.

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  3. I keep reading wonderful reviews of this book. Definitely want to read it at some point.

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    1. I hope you do get the chance soon. I really enjoyed this world.

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  4. This is an awesome cover. Great review.

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    1. Thanks. The cover for book 2 is great as well. I love the colors.

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  5. This sounds like such a wonderful and unique read. That cover is stunning too!

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    1. It's something that I don't know how I missed for so long but I really think it's something different.

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  6. That looks like a book I'd like. I just put it on hold at my library.

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  7. Sounds very interesting! The cover is very unique!

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  8. This looks like a book that I would really enjoy. Thank you for sharing. Also, a beautiful blog!

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  9. The cover kinda creeps me out with the bug on her face - silly, but it was my initial reaction

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  10. Hadn't seen this one before. Great to see something unique. Thanks for putting git on my radar.

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    1. It's definitely unique. I really enjoyed it

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  11. This sounds like a very unique book. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  12. I really like that cover. It's so simple, but speaks volumes.

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  13. This sounds like such a beautifully done series. And that COVER, though. No one is going to pass that up.

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    1. I know, you have to see book 2 cover as well!

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  14. Great review. Not heard of this book before.

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  15. Great review, I've been seeing this book a lot lately and have heard great things about it. I might need too check it out I have an aunt who is albino so I am really intrigued and very curious about that aspect of the book. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.

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  16. I love how different this book is from ANYTHING I have ever read before. Your review definitely does it justice :) Thanks so much for sharing it with us! I am heading off to check it out now.

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