Masquerade

One of the best books of the year (and decade) so far for sure! I'm in awe at the world and characters O.O. Sangoyomi has created. This book was everything I was hoping it would be, and yet it still managed to surprise me at every turn. I really love it to bits.I know it's been promoted as a Hades x Persephone story, and while I can see it here and there, it's not a huge part of the book. So if anyone thinks "oh this is just another retelling" STOP RIGHT NOW!! It's not, it's so much better. PLEASE GIVE IT A CHANCE, IT'LL BLOW YOU AWAY!It's also not much of a fantasy, so I hope anyone won't be disappointed going into this thinking that it is. It's more along the lines of historical fiction, but even if you mainly read fantasy I think you could still have a really good time with Masquerade.The world is so vivid and easy to imagine, the beautiful writing contributes to this. I often felt like I was inside the book myself, walking or attending lessons with Òdòdó, running and collecting gossip with the twins, marching into battle, checking out the stables, attending meetings with the generals...Naturally, I loved being in Òdòdó’s head as well, the whole book is told from her PoV, which was actually refreshing. I know someone probably would've preferred to have, for example, Dígí's PoV or even the Aláàfin's, but for me hers was more than enough.Masquerade was really easy to get into, I was hooked from the very first page and loved the whole storyline, especially the ending.THE ENDING!!! I was not expecting it to go that way, but I'm so glad it did. This is actually how I was hoping The Wrath and the Dawn would end, but it didn't, so I finally got my wish in the form of a different and better book. Yayyyy!!! No one is happier than I am in this moment.I'd also love to see a sequel. Though, this book does stand on its own very well. I feel like, with the themes explored here, the next book could be even more exiting, so fingers crossed we get one.As for the romance...listen...I like me a little toxic romance here and there, and I did ship them, but there was someone near the end I shipped Òdòdó with even more, WHICH I WILL NOT BE CONFESSING!! Mayhaps if we get another book, I will.I loved how the Aláàfin picked Òdòdó out, and how much he seemed to genuinely love her, the many gifts he gave her etc. But at the same time he could be controlling, not allowing her to have any contact with her past life, not wanting her to have any political positions because why would she need them...so it's a complicated relationship for sure.One of my favourite things is that, despite the control of everyone around her, Òdòdó still managed to find her power. And I will support her no matter what.

Such a powerful, passionate and unexpected novel! If you enjoy fantasy but want something different, this is really interesting. This has drawn inspiration from the Hades & Persephone story but set in an incredible West African landscape. Our main character is a blacksmith who are also called witches. She lives with her mother and other women in Timbuktu, when she is kidnapped and taken to be the bride of the King.We have a main character who refuses to be cowed. She’s often put in difficult positions, schemed against by others, treated disdainfully, and yet she perseveres. She forges alliances where she can, she looks to the less powerful for mutual support. She is ferocious in her determination to not be diminished, continually showing her intelligence and strategic mind, even where men would dismiss her or take credit for her ideas.A phenomenal main character, a fascinating story brimming with passion and fire, in an incredible setting.

A bit different to my usual reads, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't put it down once it got to about the 30% mark. It was written extremely well, with a mix of history and myths, as well as political intrigue.Whilst I didn't feel much for our main lead at the beginning, she really begins to grow as the story goes. Whether it's the right way, it's unsure, but it did lead to so very good plot points for growth within the story. We see a young girl shed her innocence and naivety as she goes from loss of friendships, to family and finally to love.The book ended in a morbidly satisfying way, with our lead taking matters (quite literally) into her own hands as she realises that she doesn't want to return to being repressed and shut down when she has shown herself to be more than capable.

Goosebumps. This book left me shook, y’all. This is Game of Thrones meets Greek mythology meets West African culture, and I absolutely devoured it.Firstly, I am not one who is big on setting descriptions and get bored easily. But in this book, I was completely entranced and swept up in the colors and textures and jewelry and… everything. I felt like I was right alongside Òdòdó unraveling the mysteries of the city. The book has a slower start because of the detail, but that works to set the stage for the suspense to follow.As a loose retelling of the Greek myth of Hades & Persephone, I don’t think the reader’s familiarity or unfamiliarity with the classic myth is necessary to enjoy this book. It’s ultimately a story of female empowerment, and Òdòdó is the heroine I never knew I needed! Instead of spoiling it, I’ll just say that I am a mom of 2 small kids, and sleep is a rare luxury in my life. Fully aware of this fact, I chose to go without and stayed up all night to finish this book instead of catching a few hours of sleep before another long day.Sangoyomi’s debut novel gets an easy 5 stars from me, and if anyone disagrees please don’t tell me.Big thanks to NetGalley, Forge Reads, and the author for the gifted ARC!

Wow, I’m not even one for political intrigue, but this was too good to put down. Rarely do a I finish a book this quickly, but I just couldn’t put it down. I loved the characters, hated the characters, was shocked again and again with how the story was going, it kept me on my toes. The scene was so expertly set, I feel like I could easily let it play out in my mind. I absolutely loved it being 15th century Africa, it reminded me of the riches and wealth they had before colonization. I’ll read whatever O.O. Sangoyomi writes.