Somehow, this sequel to my favorite fantasy book of 2023 manages to be both entirely the same and completely different from its predecessor.
Once again, a beautifully written story set in a Nigeria-inspired fantasy world revolves around a boy hero, although this time around instead of sweet teachable Tutu we have Osi–slightly older, much bitterer, driven by military ambition and the desire to make things right. Once again tragedy leads to a quest in the desert accompanied by companions three, a season of learning and maturing, sudden sad battles, mysterious old men in the desert, and shocking revelations. Once again, our hero’s bravery changes the world.
The only thing is, this book takes place 500 years after the first book, and Osi belongs to Tutu’s enemy nation. Remember them? The monsters who cut out peoples’ tongues until we found out that actually, they didn’t? That war has only worsened over the centuries and in fact, our heroes from the first book were actually merciless, vengeful villains.
Or were they?
You’ll have to read the book to find out.
When I finished Ajungo, I felt wonder and hope. When I finished Aleke, I felt…a little sick. This isn’t a bad thing, though. Taken together, these two books show both sides of the optimistic coin that change is bought with. It can feel awful to be right. It can feel wonderful to be wrong. And it can be confusing and upsetting to figure out which is which, really.
To put it another way–I read the first 5 pages of Ajungo and rationed out the rest of the book, not wanting it to end. I read the first 5 pages of Aleke and speed-ran through the rest in an evening because I HAD TO SEE HOW IT ENDED. This book is a perfect companion to the first, but a completely different reading experience.
Mr Utomi, when’s the next book coming? I can’t wait to see where this goes.
Good dental care(read the book!) and a very tentative hope for The Truth of the Aleke.
(Also, go read @edileereads‘ review of this book, too!)
(Fellow readers! 2024 has not been a year of magical reading for me so far, but I have read a few things that will stick with me, including this book. For more like it, take a look at the Equal Opportunity Bookshop, but please know that anything you buy there or from any link on this page means that we get paid a small commission. Hope you’re enjoying spring(or fall, for the handful of Australians who visit) and that you’re reading something good. Peace!)
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