This is my introduction to the writing of Moses Ose Utomi, and it didn’t disappoint. This 86-page novella packs a punch with haunting writing and questions woven within questions that keeps you reading. THE LIES OF THE AJUNGO has a vivid and distinct world; and I definitely plan on reading more in this series (book 2 has been confirmed!), and I plan on reading more from Moses Ose Utomi.

✨ PROS: Easy and quick to get through and Emira’s friend group is fun.

✨ CONS: This book was marketed a certain way back when it first came out, but let’s keep it a stack - the audience of this book is definitely the Alix and Kelley’s of the world: “liberal” white people so obsessed with not being racist that they take power, consent, and autonomy away from the non-white people around them while simultaneously fetishizing them. Alix is unhinged, Kelley is cringiness manifested, and Emira is…just existing and content with being stagnant working for and taking care of white people. It’s giving Mammy syndrome, and it made me so uncomfortable. I finished this book and legit started cackling and didn’t stop laughing for 5 minutes.

I don’t even know what to say about this book besides ‘wow,’ so let’s start there: Wow. Once again, Akwaeke Emezi has crafted a heartbreaking and expertly constructed story. Knowing from the beginning that Vivek is going to die makes each moment with him alive full of hope and sorrow. I was constantly searching for the ‘why’ and ‘how’ while also just enjoying the journey we were on. The narrative bounces from perspective to perspective and from pre-Vivek’s death to post-Vivek’s death, and not once was I confused about where were in the timeline. The story can be heavy at certain moments, but don’t run away from it. Lean in and experience it. Content warnings for homophobia and incest.

Reading HEART OF THE SUN WAR was living giving my brain a hug of words. Tan demonstrates the same myth-like beautiful writing as in the first book, Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Xingyin has excellent growth and development, and I appreciated getting to actually know Xingyin's mother Chang'e as a fully-fleshed out character rather than just a figure. The world is immersive and lush and keep me coming back wanting to know more. The banter between Xingyin and Wenzhi is top tier, and the ending is pure perfection. I look forward to the next work by this author.