Akata Witch is a young adult fantasy series written by Nnedi Okorafor. The series is set in Nigeria and follows the adventures of twelve-year-old Sunny Nwazue, a Nigerian-American girl who discovers she has magical powers. The term "akata" is a Nigerian slang term that refers to African-Americans or black people who are born or raised outside of Nigeria. The series incorporates elements of Nigerian mythology, folklore, and culture. It explores themes of identity, belonging, friendship, and self-discovery. In the first book, titled "Akata Witch" or "What Sunny Saw in the Flames", Sunny learns that she is a "leopard person" or a "free agent" - someone with magical abilities.
One by one the children become apprentices to important Leopard people to hone their specific magical talents. As they learn, they earn chittim and rise in the educational hierarchy of their society. In Akata Witch, Sunny confronts a child-killer known as Black Hat Otokoto and her own insecurities. By the time Akata Warrior rolls around she’s brave enough to challenge a soul-stealing djinn, a lake monster with a grudge, and an ancient deity with a deadly vendetta. Strong, complex women and supportive, kind men ground her magical education and push her to grow her skills as a free agent. And always at Sunny’s side, even when she thinks she’s alone, is her spirit face, Anyanwu.
Now, I m not Nigerian, nor am I albino, but as a light-skinned biracial Black girl raised in a predominately white area, I grew up surrounded by people who didn t look like me and who went out of their way to point that out as often as possible. Her new friends pensive Orlu, feisty Sasha, and confident Chichi yank her out of the world of the Lambs regular ol humans and into the world of Leopard people humans with the ability to do magic and the mystical, mythical beings they interact with.
In the first book, titled "Akata Witch" or "What Sunny Saw in the Flames", Sunny learns that she is a "leopard person" or a "free agent" - someone with magical abilities. She joins a group of other young "leopard people" and begins training with them to harness her powers. Throughout the series, Sunny and her friends face various challenges and go on exciting adventures.
Akata Witch Series: A Q&D Book Review
Today's book review is brought to you by my 12-year-old son, Simeon. To say he's a voracious reader would be an understatement. It's not an exaggeration to say that the kid goes through a dozen books a week. But after visiting a recent book sale at our local library, a couple of his choices surprised me. Now that he's plowed through the texts, I was curious about them, so I decided on a short interview/review of the series: Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor.
TITLE: Akata Witch (Book 1) and Akata Warrior (Book 2)
AUTHOR: Nnedi Okorafor
PAGES: 349; 377 (respectively)
GENRE: Fantasy
AUDIENCE: Sim says that since there is some terrorism and racism in the book, he would say that kids 12 and older should read it.
Because I haven't personally read these books, the format for this Q&D will be a little different.
Me: What made you choose this series to read, Sim?
Sim: Well, I found it at the book sale, and it looked interesting because it was about magic but from the perspective of an albino African girl. Not something you would usually see. It intrigued me.
M: What was your favorite aspect of the story?
S: I really like that it talks about magic and fantasy and plays it from an African perspective. Basically, the characters are witches and wizards, but there are no broomsticks or wands. It's kind of like Harry Potter but set in Africa. There is one character from Africa, but the other is an African-American from the United States. I don't want to give anything away. But the characters have disabilities, things that make it hard for them. But those things are also what gives them greater magical abilities. That's cool.
AUTHOR: Nnedi Okorafor
They are tasked with finding and defeating an evil force known as the Black Hat. Along the way, they learn about their heritage, the importance of teamwork, and the power of embracing their individual strengths. The Akata Witch series has been praised for its diverse and well-rounded characters, its engaging storytelling, and its incorporation of Nigerian culture and mythology. It is often compared to other popular fantasy series such as Harry Potter, and has gained a dedicated fan following. Overall, the Akata Witch series is a captivating and unique addition to the world of young adult fantasy literature. It offers readers a fresh perspective on magic and adventure, while celebrating African culture and empowering young black readers..
Reviews for "Exploring Cultural Representation in Akata Witch: Breaking Down Stereotypes"
1. Michelle - 2/5 - I couldn't get into the Akata Witch series. The characters felt flat and uninteresting, and the plot didn't captivate me. I found myself struggling to finish the first book and ultimately decided not to continue with the series. It just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Alex - 1/5 - I found the Akata Witch series to be extremely boring. The concept seemed interesting at first, but the execution fell flat. The writing was lackluster, and the pacing was slow. I struggled to connect with the characters, and the plot didn't keep me engaged. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this series.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I really wanted to like the Akata Witch series, but it just didn't resonate with me. The world-building felt confusing and underdeveloped, and the magic system was convoluted. The characters also lacked depth and seemed one-dimensional. I found myself losing interest quickly and struggled to finish the first book. It's unfortunate because I had high hopes for this series, but it just didn't deliver for me.
4. Mark - 3/5 - The Akata Witch series had potential, but it fell short for me. The writing style was choppy and inconsistent, which made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot had some interesting ideas, but they weren't fully fleshed out. Additionally, I found some of the dialogue to be cheesy and forced. Overall, it was an average series that didn't leave a lasting impression.