Akata Witch (retitled What Sunny Saw in the Flames in Nigeria and the UK) is a 2011 young adult fantasy novel[1] written by Nigerian American author Nnedi Okorafor.[2] It was nominated for the Andre Norton Award[3] and it is the first novel in her The Nsibidi Scripts series; it is followed by two sequels, Akata Warrior (2017)[4] and Akata Woman (2022).
 First edition | |
| Author | Nnedi Okorafor |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Greg Ruth |
| Language | English |
| Series | Nsibidi Scripts Series |
| Subject | Africanjujuism |
| Genre | Fantasy Young adult fiction |
| Set in | Nigeria |
| Published | 2011 |
| Publisher | Viking/Penguin Books |
| Publication place | United States Nigeria |
| Pages | 349 |
| Followed by | Akata Warrior |
Background
editNnedi Okorafor based the novel in Nigerian culture and politics, and African cosmology, folklore, and tradition to create many of the entities and spirits in the novel.[5]
Plot
editTwelve-year-old Sunny Nwazue was born in America yet lives in Aba, Nigeria. She is Nigerian, Black and albino, and cannot go out in the sun for long periods because of her albinism.
Sunny discovers that she has magical abilities which makes her a "free agent" in the magical community called the Leopard People in West Africa. As a free agent, she needs to learn about the magical community. Her magical teachers connect her with three other magical students to become a coven, a group of magical Leopard People assembled to pursue a purpose. The group is cultivated by leaders in the magical communities to try to capture Black Hat Otokoto, a serial killer who also knows magic.
Characters
edit- Sunny Nwazue is an American-born Nigerian. Aged 12 and albino, Sunny loves to play soccer but is unable to spend long periods in the sun. Because of her pale skin and hair, people call her a witch.[5]
- Orlu is Sunny's classmate at school and a "Leopard Person"
- Chichi is Orlu's friend who becomes close with Sunny. Chichi can see Sunny's magical abilities better than anyone else.
- Sasha is another American-born Nigerian. He was sent to Nigeria by his parents as punishment for using his magic inappropriately.[2]
- Black Hat Otokoto is the main antagonist of the novel. A powerful witch, he targets children for his evil deeds.[6]
Themes
editThe novel deals with themes of ethnicity, identity, and dealing with whatever gifts or curses life provides.[7]
Publication history
editThe novel was published as What Sunny Saw in the Flames in both Nigeria and the UK; akata has a derogatory meaning in Nigerian dialects.[8] The original edition's title is meant to face and criticize its derogatory meaning.
Reception
editKirkus Reviews called the novel "ebulliently original."[9] The New York Times recommended it as one of "7 great fantasy novels for teenagers," saying that Okorafor "weaves an enchanting spell in this book and its sequel."[10] The Los Angeles Times said "in an increasingly globalized world, Okorafor's outsider perspective offers a refreshing Afro take on the popular coming-of-age fantasy genre."[11]
Time recognized the book as one of the 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time, praising Okorafor's use of Nigerian folk beliefs and rituals.[8]
Okorafor's Akata novels have been met with resistance among religious conservatives in Nigeria, who argue that the novels glorify superstition and witchcraft.[5]
Awards
editAkata Witch received the following awards and accolades:
- 2019: American Library Association's (ALA) Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
- 2012: Amelia Bloomer Book List[12]
- 2012: ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults[13]
- 2011: Shortlisted for the Andre Norton Award, a prize at the Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction[3]
The novel was also named an Amazon.com best book of the year.[14]
Sequels
editThe novel was followed by two sequels; Akata Warrior (2017)[4][5] and Akata Woman (2022).[15][16]
References
edit- ^ Serrano, Lindsy (June 6, 2011). "Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor". New York Public Library.
- ^ a b Carpenter, Susan (April 10, 2011). "Book review: 'Akata Witch' by Nnedi Okorafor". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b "Akata Witch". The Nebula Awards®. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ a b "Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor: 9780142425855 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Alter, Alexandra (October 6, 2017). "Nnedi Okorafor and the Fantasy Genre She Is Helping Redefine (Published 2017)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Children's Book Review: Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor, Viking, $17.99 (368p) ISBN 978-0-670-01196-4". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Finch, Matthew (April 5, 2011). "Home Truths and African Magic". The Brooklyn Rail. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ a b "'Akata Witch' Is on TIME's List of the 100 Best Fantasy Books". Time. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ AKATA WITCH | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ Russo, Maria (November 27, 2019). "7 Great Fantasy Novels for Teenagers (Published 2019)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Carpenter, Susan (April 10, 2011). "Book review: 'Akata Witch' by Nnedi Okorafor". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Akata Witch | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Akata Witch | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ Okorafor, Nnedi. "Nnedi Okorafor | Speaker | TED". www.ted.com. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Burke, Mel (January 9, 2022). "The science fiction and fantasy books we're excited for in 2022". Polygon. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
- ^ Clark |, Sanina. "Q & A with Nnedi Okorafor". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
External links
edit- Akata Witch series, author's website
- Akata Witch title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database