The Akata Witch series is a collection of fantasy novels written by Nnedi Okorafor. The series is set in both Nigeria and the United States and follows the story of a young girl named Sunny Nwazue who discovers she is a "leopard person" with magical powers. The main idea of these books is the exploration of African mythology and culture through a captivating fantasy narrative. The first book in the series, "Akata Witch," introduces readers to Sunny and her journey of self-discovery as she navigates the world of magic and learns to harness her powers. The book delves into the rich folklore and supernatural beings of Nigeria, giving readers a glimpse into the vibrant cultural heritage of the region. In the second book, titled "Akata Warrior," Sunny faces new challenges and threats as she continues her training as a witch.
TITLE: Akata Witch (Book 1) and Akata Warrior (Book 2)
Born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents, Nnedi is known for weaving African culture into creative evocative settings and memorable characters. Okorafor s novels tend to reflect both her West-African heritage and American experiences, but in this series she creates a stunningly original world of African magic that draws on Nigerian folk beliefs and rituals instead of relying on the predictable tropes of Western fantasy novels.
In the second book, titled "Akata Warrior," Sunny faces new challenges and threats as she continues her training as a witch. This installment further explores the complex relationships Sunny has with her friends and family, and the ways in which her magical abilities intertwine with her personal growth. The main idea in this book is the continuation of Sunny's journey and the development of her character as she embraces her identity as a powerful witch.
Akata Witch - (The Nsibidi Scripts) by Nnedi Okorafor
Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she's albino. There seems to be no place where she fits. And then she discovers something amazing--she is a "free agent," with latent magical power.
Book Synopsis
Affectionately dubbed "the Nigerian Harry Potter," Akata Witch weaves together a heart-pounding tale of magic, mystery, and finding one's place in the world.
Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she's albino. She's a terrific athlete, but can't go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits in. And then she discovers something amazing--she is a "free agent" with latent magical power. Soon she's part of a quartet of magic students, studying the visible and invisible, learning to change reality. But will it be enough to help them when they are asked to catch a career criminal who knows magic too?
Ursula K. Le Guin and John Green are Nnedi Okorafor fans. As soon as you start reading Akata Witch, you will be, too!
Review Quotes
One of Time Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy and Young Adult Books of All Time!
A Nebula Award nominee
"The book puts a unique, inclusive spin on the timeless tale of the misfit chosen to save the world."
--Time Magazine
"Okorafor's novels tend to reflect both her West-African heritage and American experiences, but in this series she creates a stunningly original world of African magic that draws on Nigerian folk beliefs and rituals instead of relying on the predictable tropes of Western fantasy novels."
--Time Magazine
"There's more imagination on a page of Nnedi Okorafor's work than in whole volumes of ordinary fantasy epics." --Ursula K. Le Guin, award-winning author of A Wizard of Earthsea
"The most imaginative, gripping, enchanting fantasy novels I have ever read!" --Laurie Halse Anderson, National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author of Speak
"I always loved science fiction, but I didn't feel I was part of it--until I read first Octavia Butler, and now Nnedi Okorafor." --Whoopi Goldberg
"Highly original stuff, episode after amazing episode, full of color, life, and death. Nnedi Okorafor's work is wonderful!" --Diana Wynne Jones, award-winning author of The Chronicles of Chrestomanci
"Jam-packed with mythological wonders." --Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series
"Okorafor's imagination is stunning." --The New York Times Book Review
"A marvelous and uplifting read, heartwarming in its portrayal of true friendship, heartbreaking in its portrayal of headstrong youth and the perils of pride." --Cory Doctorow, award-winning author of Little Brother
"Fresh, original, and smart. We need more writers like her." --Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind
"Nnedi Okorafor is opening doors into strange and beautiful new worlds. Her heroes are beguiling, her magic firmly rooted in real places and real things. Rich, mysterious, and convincing, Akata Witch takes fantasy in a haunting new direction." --Jonathan Stroud, New York Times bestselling author of The Bartimaeus Trilogy
"The voice of Nnedi Okorafor does not obey the rules of distance, time, or place. Hers is the voice that fuses matter and imagination. She shows us just how close we are to that alternate reality." --Tchidi Chikere, Nigerian award-winning film director and screenwriter
About the Author
Nnedi Okorafor is a novelist of African-based science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism for both children and adults. Born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents, Nnedi is known for weaving African culture into creative evocative settings and memorable characters. In a profile of Nnedi's work, the New York Times called Nnedi's imagination "stunning." Nnedi has received the World Fantasy Award, the Hugo Award, and the Nebula Award, among others, for her novels. She holds a PhD in English and is a professor at SUNY Buffalo. She divides her time between Buffalo and the suburbs of Chicago, where she lives with her daughter. Learn more at nnedi.com or follow her on Twitter @nnedi.
PAGES: 349; 377 (respectively)
Overall, the Akata Witch series showcases the importance of embracing one's heritage and culture, even if it differs from the mainstream. Through the character of Sunny, readers are encouraged to find their own identities and tap into their unique abilities. The magical world created by Nnedi Okorafor draws inspiration from Nigerian culture, mythology, and traditions, making the series a refreshing and engaging read for fans of fantasy literature..
Reviews for "The Akata Witch Series: A Unique Blend of Magic and Coming-of-Age"
1. John Smith - 2/5 - I found the Akata Witch series to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. I also struggled with connecting to the main protagonist and found her to be unrelatable. The world-building was also lackluster and didn't draw me in. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this series.
2. Emily Johnson - 3/5 - While the concept of the Akata Witch series intrigued me, I was ultimately let down by the execution. The pacing was slow, and it took a long time for the plot to truly start progressing. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dull and lacking in descriptive language. The magic system was also confusing and inconsistent, leaving me feeling frustrated. Overall, I couldn't fully immerse myself in this series and it didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Sarah Thompson - 2/5 - I just couldn't get into the Akata Witch series. The characters felt flat and their actions often didn't make sense to me. The story lacked depth and the plot felt disjointed. I also struggled with the use of African mythology and how it was incorporated into the narrative, as it was confusing and difficult to follow. Overall, this series didn't captivate my interest and I wouldn't recommend it to others.