spiderfelt's review against another edition
This book was too difficult to follow in audio format. I will retry the print edition as I have loved several other books by this author.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I totally loved this! The friendship developed between Sunny, Orlu, Chichi and Sasha is exciting. The drama I can understand and relate to . . . And who doesn't like an underdog. And fist bump for the cultural brown girl. I am for this!
rookiebroom's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ameruck's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
boehmography's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
thebookguru's review against another edition
3.0
If you're looking for a DIVERSE fantasy to get into then try this.
I have never read a book featuring an albino character as the protagonist but NOW I HAVE.
Sunny is an albino, she's also born in America then moves to Nigeria and has to deal with annoying bullies who not only hate on her for being albino, but calling her 'akata' because she wasn't actually born in Nigeria. How rude. She also has to carry an umbrella everywhere because she is sensitive to the sun.
BUT THEN...
when she meets Orlu (again) and is introduced to Chichi...things begin to change and they open up a whole new world to her (because duh).
So...this book involves MAGIC as there are Leopard People (cool magical people) and Lambs (non-magical boring people).
So Sunny is thrown into this new world where she has to learn EVERYTHING and she is confused 95% of the time but she is also a quick learner and with the help of her friends and books she manages to learn a lot in a short space of time.
Oh, there is also this ritual killer who is kidnapping children and using their body parts for some crazy business (you'll find out what...but it's pretty obvious he is summoning SOMETHING BIG).
Orlu is actually my fave character as he is The Voice of Reason whereas Chichi and Sasha are always up to no good and Sunny is just like um...what is going on?!
I thought the romance element was completely unnecessary between two characters- that's something that could be saved for the sequel. the most important aspect of the first book is CHARACTER BUILDING AND FORMING SOLID FRIENDSHIPS because you need #SQUADGOALS to work in a team and fight evil.
So this book is set in Nigeria...and is like a whole new world of magic with the Leopard people and their skills...so Sunny has some cool skills thanks to her being albino.
Anyways, if you liked Percy Jackson, you will probably like this as it is also funny.
This book also deals with a range of issues from bullies to racism and sexism (Sunny loves football but obv idiot teenage boys are like ew girls can't play football smh SUNNY SHOWED THEM THOUGH SO HA)
Happy Reading
p.s THERE IS GONNA BE A SEQUEL!
I have never read a book featuring an albino character as the protagonist but NOW I HAVE.
Sunny is an albino, she's also born in America then moves to Nigeria and has to deal with annoying bullies who not only hate on her for being albino, but calling her 'akata' because she wasn't actually born in Nigeria. How rude. She also has to carry an umbrella everywhere because she is sensitive to the sun.
BUT THEN...
when she meets Orlu (again) and is introduced to Chichi...things begin to change and they open up a whole new world to her (because duh).
So...this book involves MAGIC as there are Leopard People (cool magical people) and Lambs (non-magical boring people).
So Sunny is thrown into this new world where she has to learn EVERYTHING and she is confused 95% of the time but she is also a quick learner and with the help of her friends and books she manages to learn a lot in a short space of time.
Oh, there is also this ritual killer who is kidnapping children and using their body parts for some crazy business (you'll find out what...but it's pretty obvious he is summoning SOMETHING BIG).
Orlu is actually my fave character as he is The Voice of Reason whereas Chichi and Sasha are always up to no good and Sunny is just like um...what is going on?!
I thought the romance element was completely unnecessary between two characters- that's something that could be saved for the sequel. the most important aspect of the first book is CHARACTER BUILDING AND FORMING SOLID FRIENDSHIPS because you need #SQUADGOALS to work in a team and fight evil.
So this book is set in Nigeria...and is like a whole new world of magic with the Leopard people and their skills...so Sunny has some cool skills thanks to her being albino.
Anyways, if you liked Percy Jackson, you will probably like this as it is also funny.
This book also deals with a range of issues from bullies to racism and sexism (Sunny loves football but obv idiot teenage boys are like ew girls can't play football smh SUNNY SHOWED THEM THOUGH SO HA)
Happy Reading
p.s THERE IS GONNA BE A SEQUEL!
booksbakesbikes's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I think I enjoyed the little details (magical books, artist wasps, a kind of payment for learning) more than the overall plot. Will read the next book because I already own it, but am not certain I'll finish the trilogy.
hoperu's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best YA novels I have read in a long time. I love that the main character is American and Nigerian, and that the book is set in every day Nigeria (with magic). When I read, I want to be able to understand the place of the novel, as well as the characters, and this novel introduces me to a place I will probably never visit, and makes me understand it better. Yes, it is fantasy - juju is very real, and the main character has a lot to learn about it - but it is anchored in a real place. It is wonderful to have a YA novel that isn't about the same white male characters that inhabit so many (many good) novels.
Sunny is an American-born Nigerian whose parents have returned to Nigeria. She is a part of both cultures, but also not a part of either, because she is an albino. When she learns that she is a Leopard person and has magical abilities, everything about her life begins to change.
The story works its way towards a big battle, but the more important lessons happen along the way, as Sunny learns what it means to be a Leopard person, and a good human being.
Sunny is an American-born Nigerian whose parents have returned to Nigeria. She is a part of both cultures, but also not a part of either, because she is an albino. When she learns that she is a Leopard person and has magical abilities, everything about her life begins to change.
The story works its way towards a big battle, but the more important lessons happen along the way, as Sunny learns what it means to be a Leopard person, and a good human being.
smouthworth's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars for a fun fantasy read that’s neither about white kids nor set in the US/UK. I think this would be considered middle-grade as the characters are all around 13-15. The world-building and characters are great! Strong better-than-Narnia vibes. 10/10 would gift to my little sister!