A Dance for the Dead

For this gripping dark fantasy, Onoh (The Unclean) skillfully blends Nigerian folklore, the supernatural, and the quotidian horrors of betrayal, guilt, and inequality. Princes Ife and Diké are beloved by the villagers of Ukari. While Diké is a strong fighter and leader of the warrior cult Ogwumii, Ife is a skillful dancer known for his love of Palm-Wine. When their father insists it’s time for Ife to end the party and marry, he panics. His dear friend Emeka dissuades him from simply running away, as this would surely call down the fury of the Ogwumii, and instead they hatch a plan to divert the king’s attention by staging a kidnapping of Diké. This plot goes horribly awry, however, leading Diké to the forbidden shrine of Ogu n’Udo—where he is discovered and immediately branded as an Osu, or slave of the gods, and shunned from the village. Distraught and confused, both brothers try to find a way to reverse Diké’s banishment, all while simultaneously unearthing the darks secrets of enemies to the kingdom. The vibrant worldbuilding and steady pace keep the pages flying. Readers are sure to be impressed. (Oct.)