A review by ginalucia
Sister Spirit by Efua Traoré

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 Sister Spirit is a story that focuses on identity, belonging, and self-discovery, all mixed with the supernatural.

It’s a fast and easy read, so if you’re looking to get some West African myth in your reading life, this is a great book to pick up.

The characters we follow closely within the book are complicated but feel very real. I enjoyed the journey they went on. It handles some complicated topics with grace, but gives you the emotion and sense of adventure a young character feels when trying to find themselves.

I did struggle a little with the main character's relationship with her adoptive parents though. I wanted a little more of that, to go deeper so it would give the story more weight and grounding. That part felt rushed to get us to the 'better' part of the story faster. 

I enjoyed learning more about West African Mythology through the lens of what felt like a lived experience. Getting to see some Nigerian representation and being immersed in that world was a huge pull for this book.

Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here’s some at-a-glance info:

* Spice levels: Very low levels, just kissing.
* Fantasy levels: West African spirits and ancestors galore!
* Rep: Queer rep.
* Trigger warnings: Mental health, homophobia, death, grief.
* The format I read it in: Physical.

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