33, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. Sunny was born American but now lives in Africa where she feels like she doesnt fit in anywhere. Her characters take your heart and squeeze it; her worlds open your mind to new things. Great pace, amazing world building and a really good read. But as shes finding her footing, Sunny and her friends are asked by the magical authorities to help track down a career criminal who knows magic, too. But Sunnys world of exploding tungwas, secret spirit faces, juju knives, and currency dropped from thin air has to be read to be believed. Buy, Jul 11, 2017 | ISBN 9780142420911 | Young Adult, Apr 14, 2011 | ISBN 9780670011964 | Young Adult, Apr 14, 2011 | ISBN 9781101513798 | Young Adult. Founded by Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi is a cauldron of all things afrofuturism; Black mysticism, science fiction noir, and traditional voodoo; casting spells to uplift literature written by Black women, 2022, sistahscifi | The magic in this book has an especially unique flavor to it. By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. It's imaginative, the magic is well done and absolutely captivating, and the characters are all unique. . Nnedi Okorafor currently resides with her loving family in the state of Illinois. I never found myself bored, and I cant wait to pick up the sequel, Akata Warrior, when I get the chance. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2018. | "Nnedi Okorafor is opening doors into strange and beautiful new worlds.Rich, mysterious, and convincing, "There's more vivid imagination in a page of Nnedi Okorafor's work than in whole volumes of ordinary fantasy epics.". Can this magic-wielder take on destiny in order to save all of humanity? She also authored the Chicken in the Kitchen picture book for kids. His worry about her being albino might explain it to some extent as would maybe an unconscious fear that she would follow in the footsteps of her maternal grandmother? Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Nnedi Okorafors work is wonderful!Diana Wynne Jones, award-winning author ofThe Chronicles of ChrestomanciJam-packed with mythological wonders.Rick Riordan,#1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians seriesOkorafors imagination is stunning.The New York Times Book ReviewA marvelous and uplifting read, heartwarming in its portrayal of true friendship, heartbreaking in its portrayal of headstrong youth and the perils of pride.Cory Doctorow, award-winning author of Little BrotherFresh, original, and smart. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. We've sent you an email with a link to update your password. These books are slightly harder to read, because theres no familiarity with the references (broomsticks etc. Contact Us 30, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Coupons As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases. | It's certainly more suited for middle grade readers, and possibly even some children younger than that. Soon shes part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. Her friends take an equally active role in the action, and both knowledge and individual differences are highly celebrated. Once she gets there, Sunny will be in for the fight of her life. : However, its writing is digestible enough that a lot of younger kids could manage it, and likewise, its content is valuable for older readers too. Wands were nothing new when Rowling started writing the Harry Potter books in the 1990s and there had been many books (and movies) about magic/witches/wizards for kids before. She leans that she is part of the Leopard People, where her albinism helps make her magical.I need to start off by saying that I love seeing diverse main characters and settings in childrens literature. II, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. I just want to thank everyone for visiting the site. After reading something like Harry Potter, the basic layout of the book is familiar, but everything else feels one-of-a-kind. The main character in this novel is Sunny. I loved AKATA WITCH so much. 32, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. She holds a Ph.D. in English and is a professor at Chicago State University. Privacy Policy Still, there is a dark side. This is where youll see your current point status and your earned rewards. Until this book Id never really appreciated the push for representation in fiction. She incorporates African mythology in a way that feels smart and seamless. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Sunnys relationships with her family and her found family challenge traditional ideas of where allegiance should lie, highlights the difference between respect and fear, and asks the reader to think about the masks they wear in their everyday lives that hide their true self. Shes gotten a bit stronger and now she is contending with a weird Nsibidi book and how to get it to reveal its secrets. Delivery & Return Policy , Reading age Sunny needs a crash course in magical history, spells, juju, shape-shifting and dimensional travel. It was released in 2015. The stories and novels that she writes often reflect her American life and her heritage of being West African. Perhaps the most promising result of the huge amount of interest in magic/witches/wizards that came out of Harry Potter is books that are somewhat like it, but written in a completely different magical tradition. She's an American in Nigeria, an albino among black people, a girl in a male-dominated household (and sport), and a free agent in the world of Juju. She is also the author of the Akata Witch series. Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. Akata Witchby Nnedi Okorafor is about a girl called Sunny who is Nigerian and discovers she has special powers, before saving the world with her three friends. XXIV, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. : Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Sunny Nwazue lives in Nigeria, but she was born in New York City. Knowledge does not always evolve into wisdom.Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy.Number of Pages: 349.Perspective: First.Location: Nigeria.Twelve-year-old Sunny is an albino living in Nigeria. Her writing has been called stunning by The New York Times and her fans include Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, John Green, Ursula K. Le Guin, and many more! Our Story 2: Provocative essays on feminism, race, revolution, and the future, The Wiscon Chronicles, Vol.3: Carnival of Feminist SF, The WisCon Chronicles Vol. There seems to be no place where she fits in. Elemental Magic: The Complete Series (The Coven), Witch Court: The complete series (The Royals), Druid Academy: The Complete Series: A Magic Academy Adventure (Primal Powers Book 1), One Week of the Heart: A Novella (One Week Series Book 2), The Vampire Wish: The Complete Series (Dark World: The Vampire Wish), The Angel Trials: The Complete Series (Dark World: The Angel Trials), The Transcend Time Saga: The Complete Series, The Demon Tide (The Black Witch Chronicles, 4), The Secret Diamond Sisters: The Complete Series, Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha, 1), Binti: The Complete Trilogy (Binti Trilogy), Legacy of Orisha Series 2 Books Collection Set by Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone, Children of Virtue and Vengeance). Will their training be enough to help them combat a threat whose powers greatly outnumber theirs? Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. Im not bothered by the dialect (as I believe it fits our young narrator and main character, Sunny), though I can see how older readers might find it too simple to pull them in. XXVI, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future: The First 25 Years, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. Raves for Nnedi Okorafors writing: Theres more imagination on a page of Nnedi Okorafors work than in whole volumes of ordinary fantasy epics.Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author ofA Wizard of Earthsea The most imaginative, gripping, enchanting fantasy novels I have ever read!Laurie Halse Anderson, National Book Award finalist andNew York Timesbestselling author ofSpeak I always loved science fiction, but I didnt feel I was part of ituntil I read first Octavia Butler, and now Nnedi Okorafor.Whoopi Goldberg Highly original stuff, episode after amazing episode, full of color, life, and death. Not only that but they never explain why the adults couldn't fight either. Ursula K Le Guin praised Okorafors imagination in this colorful fantasy that is guaranteed to keep your attention from a winner of a Hugo and Nebula as well as a World Fantasy award. VII, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. Sunny was born albino, so her nickname is a bit ironic. She shows us just how close we are to that alternate reality.". To read more about the site or if you want a graphic to link to us, see the about page for more details. As soon as you start reading Akata Witch, you will be, too! Sunny struggles with balancing her lives the one at home, and the one outside of it in a way that is deeply human and relatable, though her motives were supernatural. It features the prequel The Book of Phoenix, released in 2015, and the first book of the series called Who Fears Death, which was released first in 2010. (1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful). I consider myself to be a rather avid reader of Y.A., and this book stood out to me more than other fantasy novels I've read. With the help of these allies on her side, Sunny may just succeed in her attempt to move through worlds that are invisible and visible in her charge to get to the town of Osisi. The story comes from a wonderfully creative mind. XV, L. Ron Hubbard Presents The Best of Writers of the Future, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. The book is unforgettable, so intelligently conceived and so beautifully executed. Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2019, Prejudice begets prejudice, you see. Please try again. ), but very rewarding because they open up new worlds. And I love that traits that are typically perceived as strange are actually strengths in this book. XXV, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. Big fan. VI, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. And she has a lot of catching up to do. ", "Nigeria and the world of the Leopard people come to life with Yetide Badaki's engaging multi-accented narration. Publisher She is also the author of the Binti series, which started off with 2015s Binti and continues with the publication of the third novel in the series, The Night Masquerade (released 2018). While I appreciate the offer please support one of these great causes instead (list rotates monthly):Meals in wake of Natural Disasters: World Central Kitchen Accessibility Sunny Nwazue is Igbo and American, albino, and about to discover she is magic. Sunny thought that she was going to fail in her mission to change the course of an entire apocalypse that was being generated by the masquerade Ekwensu. was a Tiptree Honor Book. XXIII, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. We dont share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. I believe this book to be a very good response to the typical Eurocentric fantasy novel, but overall it falls just a little short of where it could land. Okorafor is the author of the Who Fears Death series. We particularly recommend The Magicians Nephew as a fabulous read in that series, preceding the story you might already have seen as a movie. By clicking SIGN UP,I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random Houses, Editor's Picks: Science Fiction & Fantasy. Love this love this love this. All Product Details. Please try your request again later. Aimed at a young adult audience, it makes the case that the world around us, and the science that explores it, is the real magic. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. | Young Adult Read this engaging book and get the whole story from the start to the very last page. The magic in Okorafors world is deeply individual, and adds to message that the things that make her characters unique are their strengths rather than weaknesses. Nnedi Okorafors books include Lagoon (a British Science Fiction Association Award finalist for Best Novel), Who Fears Death (a World Fantasy Award winner for Best Novel), Kabu Kabu (a Publisher's Weekly Best Book for Fall 2013), Akata Witch (an Amazon.com Best Book of the Year), Zahrah the Windseeker (winner of the Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature), and The Shadow Speaker (a CBS Parallax Award winner). Again, try to read it before you see the movie. And then she discovers something amazingshe is a "free agent" with latent mystical power. Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2018. Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. The other books in the series are also captivating, starting with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Her writing has been called stunning by The New York Times and her fans include Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, John Green, Ursula K. Le Guin, and many more! And while the protagonist Sunny is characterized in depth, we dont get a very deep view of other main characters like her best friend, Orlu. Rather than individual power, the highest aim for these magicians or Leopard people is knowledge. After shes found her footing, Sunny, Orlu, Chichi, and their American friend Sasha are asked by the magical authorities to help track down a criminal. Blog, Other series written by Okorafor Nnedi. As with all great books, it is splendid reading for children of all ages (even those with children or grandchildren of their own!). , ISBN-13 A thrilling dark academia fantasy set in Nigeria, Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2021. The series has two books and Akata Witch is also known as the alternate title What Sunny Saw in the Flames and the second book, Akata Warrior, can also be known by the title Sunny and the Mysteries of Osisi. Our author of the month for July is the great Mark Greaney. I, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. Find out in this exciting fantasy debut from Nnedi Okorafor! Nnedi Okorafor, born to Igbo Nigerian parents in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1974, is an author of fantasy and science fiction for both adults and younger readers. Rick Riordan says that it was jam-packed with mythological wonders. See for yourself in this young adult fantasy that people like Diana Wynne are calling highly original stuff. Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns. The links beside each book title will take you to Amazon where you can read more about the book, check availability, or purchase it. Not just a run-of-the-mill bad guy. Will Lyssa graduate from spellcasting failure to school savior, or is she destined to fatally flunk out? We ask experts to recommend the five best books in their subject and explain their selection in an interview. IV, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. You have got to check out this fantasy novel that is being called imaginative, gripping, enchanting by Laurie Halse Anderson, the author of Speak. She feels destined to be an outsider because of her skin condition. | Young Adult There seems to be no place where she fits in. ISBN10: 0142420913 She also does it in such a way that if you are like me and don't know a lot of African mythology you don't miss anything but it doesn't feel like she's over explaining. Her childrens book Long Juju Man won the 20072008 Macmillan Writers Prize for Africa, and her adult novel Who Fears Death was a Tiptree Honor Book. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. 3 primary works There was nothing that I did not like about Akata Witch. As a twenty-year-old fan of YA and adult fiction alike, I found that this book definitely stood up to scrutiny. , ISBN-10 Great book, prepare to become consumed in this new world created by the author. Affectionately dubbed "the Nigerian Harry Potter," Akata Witch weaves together a heart-pounding tale of magic, mystery, and finding one's place in the world. Her features are West African, but she's albino. I would describe it as an African story in Western packaging: the style is very easy to read, with an ample helping of Western tropes, whether those are subverted or played straight but the collectivist values nestled inside are totally unique from the ones you'll find in everyday American lit. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal well-versed in powerful juju? XXVII, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. XVI, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. XXIX, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. Her works include Who Fears Death (currently in development at HBO into a TV series), the Binti novella trilogy, The Book of Phoenix, the More about Nnedi Okorafor, One of Time Magazines 100 Best Fantasy and Young Adult Books of All Time!A Nebula Award nomineeThe book puts a unique, inclusive spin on the timeless tale of the misfit chosen to save the world.Time MagazineOkorafors novels tend to reflect both her West-African heritage and American experiences, but in this series she 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 Theres more imagination on a page of Nnedi Okorafors work than in whole volumes of ordinary fantasy epics.Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of A Wizard of EarthseaThe most imaginative, gripping, enchanting fantasy novels I have ever read!Laurie Halse Anderson, National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author of SpeakI always loved science fiction, but I didnt feel I was part of ituntil I read first Octavia Butler, and now Nnedi Okorafor.Whoopi GoldbergHighly original stuff, episode after amazing episode, full of color, life, and death. Thats really the only thing I liked about this book, which is why I gave it two stars instead of one.This is said to be the Nigerian Harry Potter, but halfway through, I got really bored and ready to give up. While Anglo-Saxon magic/witchcraft is about wands, broomsticks and pointy hats, there have been a number of books that build a story based on other types of magic, like juju, which comes from Nigeria/West Africa. However, there are sections of the book that, as an adult, I found both unnecessary to the plot and slow, pace-wise. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. You're presented with a protagonist who strikes you at first as the typical "chosen one" tasked with saving the world, but not even halfway through the book, her mentor straight-up tells her, "This world is bigger than you and it will go on regardless." Akata Witch, though simple in how it was told, delivered a beautiful story that I connected deeply with. Sunny Nwazue lives in Nigeria, but she was born in New York City. 34, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. "Nnedi Okorafor writes glorious futures and fabulous fantasies. Her new world is a secret from her family, but its well worth all of the silence, exhaustion and sneaking around. She is a Nigerian girl that was born in America and was also born an albino. is available now and can be read on any device with the free Kindle app. The main character in this novel is Sunny Nwazue. ", "The voice of Nnedi Okorafor does not obey the rules of distance, time, or place. , Audio CD Theres nothing about it that feels stale or overdone, especially in the collectivist way the characters relate to each other. Sunny knows that she has a fate that she eventually must face. I would recommend this book to anyone who's interested in it. Her features are West African, but shes albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. She is also the composer of the 2005 novel Zahrah the Windseeker, followed by The Shadow Speaker, and she has continued to come out with novels after these early books with 2009s Long Juju Man and more. Which always gives me the impression that we are building up for a series (See why I hate book series here). So enchanting and beautiful and real and raw. All in all, Akata Witch offers readers a wonderful story that is easy to get lost in, with dynamic and interesting characters. But in Akata Witch, the adults admitted that they sent several groups of kids to fight in the past but they all died. ISBN13: 9780142420911 This series has blown me away. Learn more about Nnedi at Nnedi.com. Despite this tiny lack of clarity, I believe that this book is a masterpiece of literature for young people. Use this popup to embed a mailing list sign up form. Condition: Standard She doesnt seem to fit in anywhere. Buy, Apr 14, 2011 8: Re-Generating WisCon, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol.