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.Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are 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 … she fits in. And then she discovers something amazing—she is a “free agent” with latent magical power. Soon she’s part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal who knows magic too?
Ursula K. Le Guin and John Green are Nnedi Okorafor fans. As soon as you start reading Akata Witch, you will be, too!
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Oh I’m LOVING this one… I’ve seen it described as a Nigerian Harry Potter – usually when people call something another HP (or any other well-loved character/book), it’s a huge disappointment because it’s merely a spin-off or rip-off of the original idea. Not so here AT ALL. This is a wholly original story, but I can see where someone would make the comparison – it’s another misfit-turns-out-to-be-more-than-she-appears story, with a gloriously imagined other world. The writing is incredible – I have been flying through it. Okorafor’s style is conversational and easy-going but not at all simplistic – there is a fabulous underpinning of mythology, and it’s pretty much entirely new to me since I haven’t read a lot of West African literature/history. There’s a second book due out next year, and I can’t wait – I blew through 150 pages of this one in an hour and cannot wait to see what comes next…
Akata Witch reads like a straight forward, young adult adventure. The plot seems familiar: the heroine is not understood or appreciated by her family, she falls in with magical trouble makers who help her discover her own special abilities. There are magical lessons and adventures in the newly discovered world of magic and there is a terrible evil that must be defeated. But everything else is refreshingly different. The four main characters are distinct and interesting, if occasionally annoying, individuals. The setting is Nigeria and a magical world rooted in stories and traditions from that part of the world. I found it to be unfamiliar and because of that – more surprising and magical than any book I have read in years. Definitely recommended for people who enjoy young adult magical adventures.
I really enjoyed this book that was hailed as the “Nigerian Harry Potter.” Perfect for anyone looking for an original and captivating fantasy.
Filled with great characters, a cool magic system, and a wonderful story, Akata Witch is a must read!
What a fun, imaginative read! Okorafor builds a wonderful, complex world of magic with fantastic characters. There is real danger lurking in this world, and the book doesn’t shy away from hard topics – which I really appreciated. I’m already buying the second book!
This book as an amazing book about a girl named Sunny who is an albino girl living in Nigeria. She was born in America with American features such as hazel eyes and pale skin, but she has a Nigerian face. While living in Nigeria, she learns about juju, which is the main topic of the book. She learns it with her friends and learns to become a Leopard Person (someone who does juju). It is a magnificent book that kept my attention well. It’s an ok length of 300-350 pages I would guess. I recommend it to everyone who likes fantasy and magic. Be sure to look out for book two, Akata Warrior!
This book is so original with a complex plot and well-developed characters. Both female leads, Sunny and Chichi, are strong and independent. It’s a magical coming-of-age story with lots of growth. I can’t wait to read the sequel, Akata Warrior.
I actually liked the premise of the book well enough to pursue purchasing the next book in the series. The characters are fun, and fairly well written, though a some of the story seemed to me to be “a little light across the top” in a place or two. It is interesting to see the magical world explored from an entirely different point of view from say, Harry Potter. Would recommend.
Imagine your awkward adolescent self with a group of misfit friends. In the midst of your ordinary struggle to get your homework done and fend off bullies at school, you discover that you have magical powers (inherited from your mysterious, long-deceased grandmother). Your personal struggles become less pressing as your secret double-life with your (similarly talented) friends begins to take up more of your time and it becomes apparent that you are and your friends have important work to do combatting evil in the world. This is a charming coming of age novel with Nigerian witchcraft as an antidote to teenage self-consciousness and ennui.
This book was absolutely stunning! The world-building was unique and complex and I appreciated the way the author incorporated aspects of Sunny’s culture. I thought the fact that Sunny’s identity was inextricably linked to both Nigerian and American culture added a lot to the novel. Overall, the novel was a fun and dangerous adventure and Sunny’s journey to develop her powers and find her place in the world was captivating.
I have found myself gravitating toward YA Literature again lately. I simply find that there are really great books being written in that area with strong voices – incredible, accessible, fast-paced stories.
About six months ago I came across Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor on a list of best sci-fi and fantasy books and immediately added it to my collection. I love anything that uses mythology in it and this sounded great.
Sunny Nwazue is a young woman who walks in two worlds.
Sunny’s parents came from Nigeria to America, had three children, then something told Sunny’s mother that they needed to go back to Nigeria so they did. The story begins there, in Nigeria. “You see why I confuse people? I’m Nigerian by blood, American by birth, and Nigerian because I live here.” Sunny is also albino.
There is a good bit of pain in this book. The author doesn’t flinch away from it, and she doesn’t sugar coat it. Sunny’s mother loves her very much, but her father is less caring. He is very, very strict, almost contemptuous of her, hitting her if she gets out of line. Corporal punishment is used in the school. Sunny is bullied and physically attacked by a classmate named Jibaku. These are regular facets of Sunny’s life, but the worst is yet to come.
There is a ritual serial killer on the loose, named Black Hat Otokoto, killing and maiming little children. Then Sunny sees something in a candle flame one night, a scene of apocalyptic proportions. She doesn’t know what to make of it, but she soon will, as she learns about the Leopard People and her own abilities. (Lambs are ordinary folk who don’t have talent with Juju.)
Sunny makes new Leopard friends – Orlu, Sasha, and Chichi. They become a team destined to fight off this darkness together using Juju and teamwork. They are more than the team though, they are each wonderful individual characters.
In this world, learning is more than its own reward, the Leopard people are also rewarded FOR it, in a very interesting way. World defining elements are explained in boxed entries as the issue comes up – such as money leopard people earn for learning, called chittim, and spirits called masquerades.
There is also a lot of lovely, happy bits to balance the fear and pain. Sunny loves to play soccer. Ghost Hoppers, giant grasshoppers, start appearing in Sunny’s house. A wasp artist is one of those fantastical details. (I don’t want to give how it comes about away, but it is an incredibly charming detail, watch for it.)
It is a richly developed book full of mythology and intricate with original details. I highly recommend Akata Witch. I’m about to start Akata Warrior myself.
I can’t say enough good things about this book! It’s imaginative and fun and had me hooked from the beginning. I’m so glad there’s a sequel!
Sunny Nwazue is a young girl who has been bullied her whole life. She is an albino who was born in New York but now lives in Aba Nigeria. One morning she wakes up to her hair on fire and ends up having to cut off all of her hair, making her an even bigger target. When she befriends Orlu though she finds herself with a new friend Chichi.
Everything changes with her new found friends and Sunny discovers a world only whispered about. Sunny now is on a quest to track down serial kidnapper and harmer of children, Black Hat Otokoto. Sunny discovers she has a long legacy of power and has to seesaw herself between keeping what she is doing secret and learning everything about her powers before it is too late.
I really enjoyed this. In the beginning I was not sure what was going to happen with Sunny and then everything changes when Orlu and Chichi are introduced. I thought this was a terrific read, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. At times the kids i want to shake especially for Chichi but overall the story is fantastic.
Just not for me. Too foreign.
A great combination of modern world and African folktale.
It is a lovely book, i so love it. we even using it on our University as our book to learn from and get so much creative activities. I’m inspired by Sunny so much
If you love magical realism with likable but imperfect characters who you want to root for, this book is definitely for you. I loved Sunny, the main character, and I loved the magical world of Leopard Knocks. I also love when young people are charged with saving the world. High recommended.
KHe neben of flat – hard to relate to the characters.
dont remember this at all
Harry potter in Africa. The characters each have their own specialties and personalities. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Want to learn a little about modern African cultures while you get your supernatural kicks? Calling this Harry Potter in Africa sounds like I’m putting it down, but that’s exactly what I couldn’t do. And I intend to read the rest! The magic methods seem very original to me, since I know nothing about actual African lore; I don’t know whether the author made it all up, or if some or all of it is traditional for those cultures. But it is entrancing. Excellent writing with believable characters, given the concept.