If this book isn’t on your radar, it should be! The story is narrated by Adunni, a young Nigerian girl who just wants to receive an education and find her voice. Unfortunately, her father has other plans, selling her to a husband in exchange for money to support him and Adunni’s brothers. Though saddened by this turn of events, Adunni keeps fighting, trying to get to a better life.

Adunni’s story is comprised of one tragedy after another. I pretty much wanted to give her a hug throughout the entire book. She does find people in her life to support her, but so many others work to keep her down, as a daughter, wife, and slave. I loved hearing the story through Adunni’s own voice, as a first person narration, making it all the more powerful. It also helped to understand her character better, and the choices she did or did not make.

I read this in June with #themostfunbuddyread at the same time that we were reading The Book of Longings. Two stories, separated by centuries and continents, both showing the powerlessness of many women in the world. Yet, in both instances, these women prevail and find a voice with which to tell their story. It is a powerful narrative in each book and really lent something to my enjoyment of them both.