Nubia: The Awakening

By: Omar Epps, Clarence A. Haynes

Narrated by: Amir Abdullah, Emana Rachelle, Jeorge Bennett Watson

From beloved actor and producer Omar Epps and writer Clarence A. Haynes comes the biggest epic fantasy of the year. A powerful saga of three teens, the children of refugees from a fallen African utopia, who must navigate their newfound powers in a climate-ravaged New York City. Perfect for fans of Black Panther and Children of Blood and Bone.

For Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho, Nubia is a mystery. Before they were born, a massive storm destroyed their ancestral homeland, forcing their families to flee across the ocean to New York City. Nubia, a utopic island nation off the coast of West Africa, was no more, and their parents’ sorrow was too deep for them to share much of their history beyond the folklore.

But New York, ravaged by climate change and class division, is far from a safe haven for refugees, and Nubians live as outcasts, struggling to survive in the constantly flooding lower half of Manhattan, while the rich thrive in the tech-driven sky city known as the Up High.

To many, being Nubian means you’re fated for a life plagued by difficulties and disrespect. But Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho are beginning to feel there might be more. Something within them is changing, giving each of them extraordinary powers. Extraordinary and terrifying powers that seem to be tied to the secrets their parents have kept from them.

And there are people Up High watching, eager to do anything they can to become even more powerful than they already are. Now Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho will be faced with the choice—do they use their inheritance to lift their people, or to leave them behind. The fate of their city, and their people, hangs in the balance.

Critic reviews

“Perfect for fans of Divergent and Black Panther.” —In Touch Weekly

“A Fascinating Dystopian Page-Turner” —The Root

“Nubia: The Awakening is a story with a familiar sci-fi trope of dystopian futures but is done in a revolutionary way that brings diversity, camaraderie and familiarity to the forefront.” —MadameNoire

“This novel offers a powerful critique of capitalism, classism, and racial injustice . . . [and] combines a high-action plot with engaging characters and will keep readers on the edge of their seats. VERDICT: A complex dystopian novel that will circulate well with fans of Black Panther, Tomi Adeyemi, and Roseanne A. Brown.” —School Library Journal

“Epps and Haynes’ characters are admirable; each of the narrators is given agency and motivation in a way that makes them memorable in their own right . . . Readers will find plenty of familiar sf and fantasy tropes here, but these are made fresh by the story highlighting the power of the African diaspora.” —Booklist

“Epps and Haynes skillfully build emotional and narrative suspense by weaving the cast members’ conflicting needs and expectations into an explosive adventure.” —Publishers Weekly

“A justifiable critique of today.” —Kirkus Reviews

From start to finish

Very engaging and thought provoking book. Me and my husband read it together and loved it! Starting the Reckoning tonight.

Loved it!

I’ve had this since it came out and just now getting to it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and excited about the next in the series.

Great story a must listen

The story was amazing from start to finish I couldn’t stop listening. Just get it stop reading and just do it.

It leaves you wanting more…

Having purchased the book at the Dock Book shop in Fort Worth, TX and had it signed by Mr. Epps after listening to his interview and Q & A about the birth of the book series made it all the more intriguing to begin this literary journey!

Very well written and read! The vocabulary was superb!

The narrators were great! You become fully immersed in the world of these young Nubians as they awaken to their gifts!

Excited to start book two next as well as the idea of seeing this series on the big screen!

Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world Omar and big thanks to the entire team for bringing this to life!

E. McGee

Great read

Started off slow but then it picked up and I couldn’t stop listening. Can’t wait to listen to the next book.