g_dirt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.0
ordinarilybi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.75
awishman's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this fantasy novel. The characters, politics and world-building were all well done. Because of the complexities of the political systems and the wide array of POV characters, sometimes the pacing feels uneven, but overall I found this book engaging. The themes of colonization were explored deeply in ways that were both captivating and resonant with real-life. I did listen to the audio book and the narrator was excellent, but there are so many characters, at times I wished that it had multiple narrators to help me initially differentiate between all of them.
dinapetko's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rae_bookmarkchronicles's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was okay but I will not be continuing the series. I didn't like any of the characters and I felt very detached from it all
rebekah_drew's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
oxtailandcabbage's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, that is all i have to say. I am emotionally wrecked and cannot wait for book 2.
lira_the_recluse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lachelnreadingbookss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Son Of The Storm set in a Precolonial Continent inspired by Ancient Benin Kingdom in West Africa, follows three main characters who discover the greatest secrets of their Continent and what this means for their personal ambitions, the future of their people and their Continent.
The story follows Main character Danso, who is a Jali Novitiate, an historian at Bassa University, learns the stories of the continent and its people and is expected to pass on these history to the next generation through songs.
But Danso soon realises that he may never fit into the high society of Bassa the ruling country of the continent of Oon. And because of his confused heritage and skin colour, and the secrets he has come to know, he must find where the truth is and what that means for his future and that of his family.
Far to the North, in the Nameless Islands, Lilong finds herself on a dangerous journey to restore her people's greatest secret and protect her family's heirloom at all cost.
And in the high walls of Bassa, Esheme, the daughter of Fixer, Nem, believes that she must give everything and take everything for her ambition to change the Bassa society to be realised.
Plot Discussion:
Son Of The Storm despite being a fantasy story explores the sensitive conversation of Colourism amongst the people of Oon.
The society of Oon is built on a clear caste system that is defined by the colour or hue of one's skin despite being of the same race. And the language system that each of these communities have deemed acceptable.
With the Mainlanders having high black skins to the Islanders having little to no melanine because of their albinism and the Dessertlanders having brown skins.
SOTS draws heavily from the experiences of Nigerians and Africans where people with albinism are often seen as lesser than the rest of the citizens.
I think it's the first time I've encountered a book talking about how Colourism heavily influences our society even in present day Nigeria.
Whilst, SOTS talks about Colourism, it also mirrors the government system of Nigeria. While being a Nigerian myself, it's easy to pinpoint the similarities of how the Elders in Bassa rule over Bassa and how certain regions of Oon has been ostracised or made to seem inferior like the Islands and the Dessert lands with the Nigerian government systems.
Among these, the plot focuses on how history is often told by the winning party and everyone is made to believe the story the Victor narrates.
Like Nigerian history with the British empire, the Mainlanders shared a history that favoures their new government system.
I enjoyed how the government system and magical system were tied in place to create the continent of Oon.
The world building of Oon is immersive. From the languages to the dressing and hairstyles and food to the mannerism of the people to their weather types and so much more.
It brought the continent alive and makes you as a reader experience it along with the characters.
Characters:
Danso: Danso felt almost like a secondary character to me rather than the protagonist of his story and I can't say why I felt that way.
Although the book follows his journey of self discovery and his decision to accept his mixed heritage and find what the truth of Oon is and why Bassa is the way it is—layered on secrets and lies—I felt he was sort of left on the side lines along the way as the story evolved and the plot proceeded and I never really got up to wanting to root for him.
Asides that, I think he was well written. He's a character that discovers one of the greatest oldest secrets of their Continent, the powerful mineral that gives them abilities to control or move objects, to possession of the undead, to heal and to protect.
But he's faced with a decision to discover more about why Bassa is the way it is but this tosses him into a crossroad of why he would never fit into the society that reverses people with High Black skin hues.
I enjoyed watching Danso discover parts of himself and making decisions that cost him greatly. As every action has a consequence. His character development was interesting.
Lilong:
"How could the mere fact of her presence uphend a whole community, uproot thousands of people and their lives..."
Lilong's character ties in the the experiences of people with Albinism and what their unique experiences are into the world of Oon.
Without exploring much of her own part of the continent, we only see a sneak peek of what the Nameless Islands looks like, their culture, their history, their magic through Lilong's character.
Lilong is headstrong and determined. She's the complete opposite of Danso who tries to be optimistic and tries to find a diplomatic solution.
After her family heirloom is stolen, she has to give up everything to retrieve it back to the safety of her lands and people.
Even if it meant risking her life and entering into the part of the continent where she is hated merely for having a different skin colour.
Esheme:
"Power is what creates truth and liberty with it..."
With how Suyi wrote the characters of SOTS, one thing was evident.
"There are no bad or good people. Only people who do bad or good things."
With a character like Esheme who had a clear sight of her ambition and what she wanted to achieve, watching her become an antagonist was intriguing and satisfying.
Because then, she somewhat becomes a grey character who you want to explain that this is why she did this, and that doesn't make her a bad person.
Esheme is a character that tugs at your morality compass and makes you wonder if people should be allowed to wield great powers to liberate even though at the core, they do so for selfish reasons.
Sexuality:
Seeing a book written by a Nigerian author, inspired by the one of pre colonial Kingdoms that would form present century Nigeria, explore Sexuality and having queer major (Lesbian and Non binary) characters that play important roles in the plot of the story was important representation for queer Nigerians and Africans.
Pacing, POV:
SOTS was fast paced and Suyi writes in a way that draws you into the story and makes you, no forces you to be involved in these character's lives and their decisions.
I remember always slapping my bed and screaming whenever Esheme made decisions or when Zaq acted out, or gasping at the subtle interactions between Danso and Lilong (yes, I'm actively shipping them #Danli #Linso).
The chapters flowed into each other and they're not too short or too long, just the right amount to tell the story.
I also liked that the characters got pov characters so as a reader, you could follow their thoughts and reasoning. And it was well done despite it being told from a 3rd POV.
Conclusion:
With an exciting world that ties in politics and magic to characters that experience friendship, betrayals, discover new powers and new parts of themselves and secrets of their Continent and discovering that it's up to them to decide what the future Oon, Bassa, The Nameless Islands and the other unexplored regions of Oon will have.
If you're looking for a book with incredible magic systems, head strong characters that are ambitious, coups and overthrowing tye government, traveling through dangerous forests with your enemy and forced proximity, enemies to friends. Uhmm, pick up Son Of The Storm and have an amazing time because I certainly did.
The story follows Main character Danso, who is a Jali Novitiate, an historian at Bassa University, learns the stories of the continent and its people and is expected to pass on these history to the next generation through songs.
But Danso soon realises that he may never fit into the high society of Bassa the ruling country of the continent of Oon. And because of his confused heritage and skin colour, and the secrets he has come to know, he must find where the truth is and what that means for his future and that of his family.
Far to the North, in the Nameless Islands, Lilong finds herself on a dangerous journey to restore her people's greatest secret and protect her family's heirloom at all cost.
And in the high walls of Bassa, Esheme, the daughter of Fixer, Nem, believes that she must give everything and take everything for her ambition to change the Bassa society to be realised.
Plot Discussion:
Son Of The Storm despite being a fantasy story explores the sensitive conversation of Colourism amongst the people of Oon.
The society of Oon is built on a clear caste system that is defined by the colour or hue of one's skin despite being of the same race. And the language system that each of these communities have deemed acceptable.
With the Mainlanders having high black skins to the Islanders having little to no melanine because of their albinism and the Dessertlanders having brown skins.
SOTS draws heavily from the experiences of Nigerians and Africans where people with albinism are often seen as lesser than the rest of the citizens.
I think it's the first time I've encountered a book talking about how Colourism heavily influences our society even in present day Nigeria.
Whilst, SOTS talks about Colourism, it also mirrors the government system of Nigeria. While being a Nigerian myself, it's easy to pinpoint the similarities of how the Elders in Bassa rule over Bassa and how certain regions of Oon has been ostracised or made to seem inferior like the Islands and the Dessert lands with the Nigerian government systems.
Among these, the plot focuses on how history is often told by the winning party and everyone is made to believe the story the Victor narrates.
Like Nigerian history with the British empire, the Mainlanders shared a history that favoures their new government system.
I enjoyed how the government system and magical system were tied in place to create the continent of Oon.
The world building of Oon is immersive. From the languages to the dressing and hairstyles and food to the mannerism of the people to their weather types and so much more.
It brought the continent alive and makes you as a reader experience it along with the characters.
Characters:
Danso: Danso felt almost like a secondary character to me rather than the protagonist of his story and I can't say why I felt that way.
Although the book follows his journey of self discovery and his decision to accept his mixed heritage and find what the truth of Oon is and why Bassa is the way it is—layered on secrets and lies—I felt he was sort of left on the side lines along the way as the story evolved and the plot proceeded and I never really got up to wanting to root for him.
Asides that, I think he was well written. He's a character that discovers one of the greatest oldest secrets of their Continent, the powerful mineral that gives them abilities to control or move objects, to possession of the undead, to heal and to protect.
But he's faced with a decision to discover more about why Bassa is the way it is but this tosses him into a crossroad of why he would never fit into the society that reverses people with High Black skin hues.
I enjoyed watching Danso discover parts of himself and making decisions that cost him greatly. As every action has a consequence. His character development was interesting.
Lilong:
"How could the mere fact of her presence uphend a whole community, uproot thousands of people and their lives..."
Lilong's character ties in the the experiences of people with Albinism and what their unique experiences are into the world of Oon.
Without exploring much of her own part of the continent, we only see a sneak peek of what the Nameless Islands looks like, their culture, their history, their magic through Lilong's character.
Lilong is headstrong and determined. She's the complete opposite of Danso who tries to be optimistic and tries to find a diplomatic solution.
After her family heirloom is stolen, she has to give up everything to retrieve it back to the safety of her lands and people.
Even if it meant risking her life and entering into the part of the continent where she is hated merely for having a different skin colour.
Esheme:
"Power is what creates truth and liberty with it..."
With how Suyi wrote the characters of SOTS, one thing was evident.
"There are no bad or good people. Only people who do bad or good things."
With a character like Esheme who had a clear sight of her ambition and what she wanted to achieve, watching her become an antagonist was intriguing and satisfying.
Because then, she somewhat becomes a grey character who you want to explain that this is why she did this, and that doesn't make her a bad person.
Esheme is a character that tugs at your morality compass and makes you wonder if people should be allowed to wield great powers to liberate even though at the core, they do so for selfish reasons.
Sexuality:
Seeing a book written by a Nigerian author, inspired by the one of pre colonial Kingdoms that would form present century Nigeria, explore Sexuality and having queer major (Lesbian and Non binary) characters that play important roles in the plot of the story was important representation for queer Nigerians and Africans.
Pacing, POV:
SOTS was fast paced and Suyi writes in a way that draws you into the story and makes you, no forces you to be involved in these character's lives and their decisions.
I remember always slapping my bed and screaming whenever Esheme made decisions or when Zaq acted out, or gasping at the subtle interactions between Danso and Lilong (yes, I'm actively shipping them #Danli #Linso).
The chapters flowed into each other and they're not too short or too long, just the right amount to tell the story.
I also liked that the characters got pov characters so as a reader, you could follow their thoughts and reasoning. And it was well done despite it being told from a 3rd POV.
Conclusion:
With an exciting world that ties in politics and magic to characters that experience friendship, betrayals, discover new powers and new parts of themselves and secrets of their Continent and discovering that it's up to them to decide what the future Oon, Bassa, The Nameless Islands and the other unexplored regions of Oon will have.
If you're looking for a book with incredible magic systems, head strong characters that are ambitious, coups and overthrowing tye government, traveling through dangerous forests with your enemy and forced proximity, enemies to friends. Uhmm, pick up Son Of The Storm and have an amazing time because I certainly did.
amihanbooks's review against another edition
3.0
As an Asian, I was lucky to stumble upon a comment written by the author on Goodreads BEFORE reading this book, which was addressed to readers who were deeply offended by “Asian slurs.”
Son of the Storm is inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa, so the term “yellowskin”, which is used heavily in a derogatory manner throughout the book, is not meant to depict Asian people at all. He clarified that the term “yellow” has historically been used within Black/African communities to refer to Africans with albinism, and to the range of skin tones in African-descended people. All characters in the novel are of African descent.
With that being said, I went into this with a full understanding of the historical and cultural context of the book, and could appreciate it for what it was: a completely ENCHANTING fantasy that I’ve placed on my favorites shelf! This gave off huge “The City of Brass” vibes in terms of worldbuilding, the clear references to relevant (and current) political issues, and an unwilling protagonist thrown into a world of magic, where he questions the idea of home. It was amazing!
I loved the questions it raised, like what does it truly take to catalyze change on a large scale, in a world of people with inflexible, rigid thinking patterns? Does it always require tragedy and sacrifice for true progress? If so, are the consequences worth it? It reminded me of Ursula K. Le Guin’s quote, “To light a candle is to cast a shadow.”
The first half of the book was extremely dense with information, but it got easier once the stage was set. This is a vivid, original world filled with magical, forbidden stones, ancient islands, and complicated dilemmas in a caste-ridden society. My eyes were glued to the pages for the second half. I’d highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers, and to those with an interest in political philosophies and West African culture.
Son of the Storm is inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa, so the term “yellowskin”, which is used heavily in a derogatory manner throughout the book, is not meant to depict Asian people at all. He clarified that the term “yellow” has historically been used within Black/African communities to refer to Africans with albinism, and to the range of skin tones in African-descended people. All characters in the novel are of African descent.
With that being said, I went into this with a full understanding of the historical and cultural context of the book, and could appreciate it for what it was: a completely ENCHANTING fantasy that I’ve placed on my favorites shelf! This gave off huge “The City of Brass” vibes in terms of worldbuilding, the clear references to relevant (and current) political issues, and an unwilling protagonist thrown into a world of magic, where he questions the idea of home. It was amazing!
I loved the questions it raised, like what does it truly take to catalyze change on a large scale, in a world of people with inflexible, rigid thinking patterns? Does it always require tragedy and sacrifice for true progress? If so, are the consequences worth it? It reminded me of Ursula K. Le Guin’s quote, “To light a candle is to cast a shadow.”
The first half of the book was extremely dense with information, but it got easier once the stage was set. This is a vivid, original world filled with magical, forbidden stones, ancient islands, and complicated dilemmas in a caste-ridden society. My eyes were glued to the pages for the second half. I’d highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers, and to those with an interest in political philosophies and West African culture.