A review by roguebelle
Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a complex book with a lot of exciting worldbuliding ideas behind it, and I hope that it will find a great many readers. Okungbowa has crafted an intricate society, inspired by Benin and other African empires. The magical system is unique, and it feels like there's a *lot* more to explore there in future books. Okungbowa's writing is vivid and tightly focused, fully evoking the textures of the world.

Unfortunately, for me, the central characters didn't quite thrill. The ones we spend the most time with weren't the people I was most interested in seeing succeed, and so it was hard for me to get fully invested. This is, of course, a big Your Mileage May Vary thing! Danso and Esheme just didn't do it for me. Lilong was somewhat better, and I really enjoyed Biemwensé, but I spent the whole book hoping to see more of Oke, whom we meet in the prologue and then never see again! I'll hope the story winds its way back to her in the sequel.
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