Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Orbit (2021), 480 pages
Description
"In the thriving city of Bassa, Danso is a clever but disillusioned scholar who longs for a life beyond the rigid family and political obligations expected of the city's elite. A way out presents itself when Lilong, a skin-changing warrior, shows up wounded in his barn. She comes from the Nameless Islands- which, according to Bassa lore, don't exist- and neither should the mythical magic of ibor she wields. Now swept into a conspiracy far beyond his understanding, Danso and Lilong will set out on a journey that reveals histories violently suppressed and magic only found in lore"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa is one that caught my eye because of its elements of fantasy and that cover. Plus, I am making a concerted effort to read more by authors of color and from other cultures, so this ticked off a lot of boxes in books I like to read.
It’s not that Son of the
Unfortunately, the characters are not quite as compelling, and the story has a tendency to drag on and on. There is so much exposition, which is understandable. After all, Mr. Okungbowa is creating an unfamiliar world for an audience who most likely is not familiar with African cultures. There is a lot to explain. Yet, I’ve read much more complex and foreign stories with little to no exposition where the author essentially throws readers into the deep end and lets them figure out things like setting and culture as the story progresses. As frustrating as that can be, I much prefer to sink or swim than to have an author hold my hand the entire time.
While I enjoyed Son of the Storm, I don’t think I enjoyed it enough to want to continue the series. I loved the cultural aspect of the story. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for any of the characters in a way that makes me want to learn their fate.
It’s not that Son of the
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Storm is a bad story. On the whole, I did enjoy a lot of it. In particular, the caste system that exists in Bassa, with its focus on darker skin tones being better, is fascinating because it is such an opposite thought process to the caste system that exists in the United States. Another part I enjoyed was the idea that the general populace of Bassa wanted an emperor as their leader versus the committee rule that exists at the opening of the novel. Again, this is a shocking idea to Americans, as we learn from an early age that democracy or a democratic republic is the only method of government worth having (right or wrong).Unfortunately, the characters are not quite as compelling, and the story has a tendency to drag on and on. There is so much exposition, which is understandable. After all, Mr. Okungbowa is creating an unfamiliar world for an audience who most likely is not familiar with African cultures. There is a lot to explain. Yet, I’ve read much more complex and foreign stories with little to no exposition where the author essentially throws readers into the deep end and lets them figure out things like setting and culture as the story progresses. As frustrating as that can be, I much prefer to sink or swim than to have an author hold my hand the entire time.
While I enjoyed Son of the Storm, I don’t think I enjoyed it enough to want to continue the series. I loved the cultural aspect of the story. Unfortunately, I didn’t care for any of the characters in a way that makes me want to learn their fate.
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LibraryThing member Verkruissen
After reading books by Nnedi Okorafor, Tomi Adeyemi and Marlon James my interest in fantasy stories based in African culture has definitely been grown. So when I saw this book I knew I needed to read it.
The storyline is interesting though very politically charged and I had a hard time getting
Son of the Storm explores racial, political and gender topics. There is much conflict in this story between most of the characters so it is rather tension filled.
I did enjoy the magical aspects of the story as well as the landscape and world building. It just tended to be overshadowed by all of the conflicts between the characters in the story.
The storyline is interesting though very politically charged and I had a hard time getting
Show More
through some of the story. Son of the Storm explores racial, political and gender topics. There is much conflict in this story between most of the characters so it is rather tension filled.
I did enjoy the magical aspects of the story as well as the landscape and world building. It just tended to be overshadowed by all of the conflicts between the characters in the story.
Show Less
Awards
Nommo Award (Shortlist — 2022)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2021-05-11
Physical description
7.72 inches
ISBN
0356515826 / 9780356515823
Local notes
In the city of Bassa, Danso is a clever scholar on the cusp of achieving greatness-only he doesn't want it. Instead, he prefers to chase forbidden stories about what lies outside the city walls. The Bassai elite claim there is nothing of interest. The city's immigrants are sworn to secrecy. But when Danso stumbles across a warrior wielding magic that shouldn't exist, he's put on a collision course with Bassa's darkest secrets. Drawn into the city's hidden history, he sets out on a journey beyond its borders. But the chaos left in the wake of his discovery threatens to destroy the empire.
GSFF Book Club, June 2021. Signed by the author with zigzag b&w sprayed edges.
GSFF Book Club, June 2021. Signed by the author with zigzag b&w sprayed edges.