In post-apocalyptic Africa, a pregnant woman wanders the desert hoping to die. Instead she lives and learns to survive even though the baby she carries was created out of rape. When the baby arrives, the mother, sensing something special, names her Onyesonwu, meaning “who fears death” in an ancient language.

Mother and child remain in the desert, surviving alone, until they finally come upon a village that allows them to stay, even if it is on sufferance and on the outskirts of the village.  It is there that Onye discovers that she really is different. With her light skin and hair she is marked as a product of rape; a half breed or Ewu, who will grow up to be a child of violence and therefore must be shunned by the community. But Onye is not an ordinary child, or Ewu, and has magical powers that continue to grow in strength as she matures.

One night Onye slips inadvertently into the spirit world and sees something that forever changes her. She sees a vast army preparing to kill all of her people and in particular they are looking for her so they can kill her, too. Startled by this revelation, Onye makes a concerted effort to learn more about her skills and magic from the local shaman in order to prepare for the battle that she sees looming. With little time and with a few friends who rally around to help her, Onye must learn how to protect herself and her village against the evil force that wants to destroy her and her people while grappling with the limitations of the traditions and her culture have placed on Ewu and women. As she confronts her history, and learns the strength to be found in friendship and love, Onye finds the courage to confront her destiny.

Okorafor has previously written prize winning YA novels like Akata Witch and Zahrah the Windseeker.  Using her rich Nigerian heritage, Okorafor weaves the culture and history of Africa into her novels in surprising and intriguing ways. Although Onye’s Africa is far in the future, the old traditions, history and culture are still a powerful force.  Onye is an amazing character, who is at once vulnerable and strong and as her name suggests, a force to be reckoned with. This was such unexpected pleasure of a book. I am thrilled that it has been optioned for an HBO series with none other than George R.R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame to be executive producer!

Brenda’s Rating: ****(4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Lauren, Marian and Sharon

Book Study Worthy: Yes

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