Masquerade is a beautifully written and captivating novel set in pre-colonial West Africa, following the journey of Òdòdó, a blacksmith who longs for escape from the mistreatment she and other unmarried women endure. When she is kidnapped to become the wife of the most powerful man in the land, her world shifts dramatically, pulling her into a web of court politics, uprisings, and military struggles. 

Òdòdó’s character arc is one of the novel’s strongest elements—her journey from a mistreated blacksmith to a woman navigating power, survival, and ambition is compelling. She faces real struggles, makes difficult choices, and undergoes believable growth. The prose is stunning, immersing readers in the rich setting and intense conflicts, and the plot keeps you engaged from start to finish. 

The only drawback is that, at times, conflicts arise due to avoidable misunderstandings—situations that could be resolved with a simple explanation are instead drawn out for dramatic effect. However, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise fantastic story.