Somadina

By: Akwaeke Emezi

Narrated by: Nene Nwoko, Akwaeke Emezi

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the National Book Award finalist and author of Pet comes a novel set in a magical West African world, about a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers.

A ELLE AND HORN BOOK BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Somadina and her twin brother, Jayaike, are practically the same person: they finish each other's sentences and make each other whole. When the twins come of age, their magical gifts begin to develop, but while Jayaike's powers enchant, Somadina's cause fear to ripple through her town.

Always an outsider, Somadina now faces blatant--and dangerous--hostility. And things go from bad to worse when her brother—the one person she trusted—vanishes. Somadina knows that no matter the dangers, she must track him down. Even if it means entering the Sacred Forest. Even if it means grueling, otherworldly travel she may not survive. Even if it means finding the hidden places where those closest to the spirit world don't dare to go. Does Somadina have the strength --within both her body and her soul -- for the trying journey ahead?

National Book Award finalist Akwaeke Emezi masterfully weaves a tale of family, identity, and the power of the past, in a world where the extraordinary is ordinary.

Critic reviews

★ "Emezi’s latest novel will help readers see beauty in the void. Fans of their work or Nnedi Okorafor’s “Nsibidi Script” series will doubtlessly gravitate to this one." —School Library Journal, starred review

★ "A moving story of a family that grapples with secret pasts and obvious parental favoritism, one that....makes space for big feelings that aren’t easily resolved." —The Bulletin, starred review

★ "A haunting and healing tale of transcendent familial bonds." —The Horn Book, starred review

"Magic is packed into every corner." —Kirkus Reviews

"A moving tale told as an oral history." —Booklist

"[The] fast-paced plot fosters excitement and intrigue....Intertwining messages of family, hope, and self-confidence, as conveyed via a determined and headstrong heroine, permeate this robust adventure." —Publishers Weekly

"With lyrical language and fast-paced plot, Somadina transports readers to an isolated, magic-fueled island society where twin sorcerers are coming of age." —BookPage

Worldbuilding and Twin Bonds

I enjoyed the magic system overall and the worldbuild was engaging and immersive. Somadina was a good overall character but there was a touch overly dramatic at times and I didn't get a great feeling of adventure during the story. the "quest" portion felt a bit rushed and the villain wasn't too compelling.

The way Somadina look and stared, she reminds me of myself

I love it, it reminds me of my Grandmother love and storytelling, ghost stories ❤️

Fantastic

Excellent writing and story telling as always. Learning so much as it’s inspired by Ibo spiritual culture. Such a prolific writer