#reni k. amayo

[bloodmaarked]

daughters of nri // reni k. amayo

first published: 2019 read: 16 april 2024 – 27 april 2024 [DNF] pages: 442 format: paperback

genres: fiction; young adult; fantasy; african mythology favourite character(s): all unmemorable least favourite character(s): ^^

rating: none thoughts: DNF at 39%/p. 171. i gave it all i had but in the end i found myself desperate to return it to the library for something else and that's when i knew i had lost. i wanted to like this and it had been on my reading list since august 2020 (so, one of my earliest additions), but it just wasn't working for me. i was just thoroughly bored, the writing felt juvenile, and i found the two main characters very dull and indistinguishable. perhaps something interesting might have started to happen if they'd actually gotten to meet - i don't know how far in we actually get to see them together. but i wasn't willing to wait it out.

oh, and if i had to read the word 'disfigure' one more time, i was going to pull my hair out.

[thottyoptimusprime]

Most books would start off with detailing in the world and having a character witnessing the war against Earth mother. But this doesn't and it works for it! You feel the after-effects of the war and understand the characters in the world they're in despite being thrust into it. I love world building, but hate world building where I have too many questions or understand nothing. You understand the world as the characters do which is amazing work by the author. The twins have different lives, different skills but the same destiny and I can't wait for the next book.

A gruesome war results in the old gods' departure from earth. The only remnants of their existence lie in two girls. Twins, separated at birth. Goddesses who grow up believing that they are human. Daughters Of Nri explores their epic journey of self-discovery as they embark on a path back to one another.

Strong-willed Naala grows up seeking adventure in her quiet and small village. While the more reserved Sinai resides in the cold and political palace of Nri. Though miles apart, both girls share an indestructible bond: they share the same blood, the same face, and possess the same unspoken magic, thought to have vanished with the lost gods.

The twin girls were separated at birth, a price paid to ensure their survival from Eze Ochichiri, the man who rules the Kingdom of Nri. Both girls are tested in ways that awaken a mystical, formidable power deep within themselves. Eventually, their paths both lead back to the mighty Eze.

But can they defeat the man who brought the gods themselves to their knees?

[lokoja]

They started off as us but over time their bodies transformed from flesh and bone to light and fire.

Descendants of the First by Reni K Amayo

[ya-world-challenge]

18 Afrofantasy Worlds to Read after you watch Wakanda Forever

So I see you guys love these lists and, hey, I’m not going to complain, I love looking at these sets of beautiful cover art. This theme is... Afro Fantasy Worlds! ♥♥ From alt-Cairo to alt-Johannesburg and many magical worlds in between, I’ve chosen 18 books full of African magic.

Add your favorites in the comments, too! I only ended up with two male MCs... that’s sadly a shortcoming in YA fantasy in general, although not every book here is YA.

Support my blog and read at the same time when you buy from the linked titles below, which go to Bookshop.org (where you support small bookshops, too!) Or get a free trial at Scribd for ebooks & audiobooks.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray Fate binds two Black teenagers from different social classes together  as they strike a dangerous alliance to enter a magical jungle and hunt down the ancient creature menacing their home--and discover much more than they bargained for.

Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo A gruesome war results in the old gods' departure from earth. The only remnants of their existence lie in two girls. Twins, separated at birth. Goddesses who grow up believing that they are human. Their epic journey of self-discovery as they embark on a path back to one another.

Everfair by Nisi Shawl A steampunk alternate-history novel set in the Belgian Congo. What if the African natives developed steam power ahead of their colonial oppressors? This land, named Everfair, is set aside as a safe haven, an imaginary Utopia for native populations of the Congo as well as escaped slaves returning from America and other places where African natives were being mistreated.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi A fantasy trilogy with its roots in the mythology of Africa and Arabia, three women band together against a cruel empire where castes are divided by the color of one's blood.

A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark A young magical detective in 1912 Cairo must investigate the murders of a secret brotherhood dedicated to one of the most famous men in history, al-Jahiz, when the murderer claims to be al-Jahiz himself returned to condemn the modern age for its social oppressions

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko Tarisai was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to compete to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince's Council of 11. If she's picked, she'll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust.

Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron Heir to two lines of powerful witchdoctors, Arrah yearns for magic of her own. Under the disapproving eye of her mother, the Kingdom's most powerful priestess and seer, she fears she may never be good enough. But when the Kingdom's children begin to disappear, Arrah is desperate enough to turn to a forbidden, dangerous ritual.

Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa Danso is a clever scholar on the cusp of achieving greatness--except he doesn't want it. Instead, he prefers to chase forbidden stories about what lies outside the city walls. But when Danso stumbles across a warrior wielding magic that shouldn't exist, he's put on a collision course with Bassa's darkest secrets. Drawn into the city's hidden history, he sets out on a journey beyond its borders.

The Theft of Sunlight by Intisar Khanani Children have been disappearing from across Menaiya for longer than Amraeya ni Ansarim can remember. When her friend's sister is snatched, Rae knows she can't look away any longer. She finds unexpected support from a foreign princess and a street thief with secrets of his own.

Blood Scion by Deborah Falayei They wanted me to be a monster. I will be the worst monster they ever created. Fifteen-year-old Sloane can incinerate an enemy at will--she is a Scion, a descendant of the ancient Orisha gods. When she is forcibly conscripted into the Lucis army, Sloane sees a new opportunity: to overcome the bloody challenges of Lucis training, and destroy them from within.

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata--a mermaid--collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home. But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable--she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna On the day of the blood ceremony of her village, Deka's blood runs gold, the color of impurity-and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki-near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Zoo City by Lauren Beukes Set in a world where murderers and other criminals acquire magical animals that are mystically bonded to them. Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit, and a talent for finding lost things. When a little old lady turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, Zinzi's forced to take on her least favorite kind of job -- missing persons.

Noor by Nnedi Okorafor In a near-future Nigeria. Anwuli Okwudili prefers to be called AO, Artificial Organism. Instead of viewing her strange body the way the world views it, as freakish, unnatural, even the work of the devil, AO embraces all that she is: A woman with a ton of major and necessary body augmentations. And then one day she goes to her local market and everything goes wrong.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope. Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of marrow and blood--a dark and terrible magick that hasn't been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native khimaer royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago. Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne.

Changa’s Safari by Milton Davis In the 15th century on the African Continent a young prince flees his homeland of Kongo, vowing to seek revenge for the murder of his father and the enslavement of his family and his people. He triumphs over the slavery and the fighting pits of Mogadishu to become a legendary fighter and respected merchant.

Waking Fire by Jean Louise Naira Khoum has only known life in Lagusa, a quiet village at the desert’s end. But to the rest of the world, Lagusa is a myth, its location shrouded in secrecy. While war rages to the north led by power-hungry Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi, Naira’s people live in peace. Until the impossible happens—Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress sent to do Sothpike’s bidding with a hoard of Dambi under her control.

Bonus: Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi An elite female fighter must reenter the competition to protect her found family of younger sisters in this scintillating young adult fantasy inspired by West African culture.

[bookishfeylin]

Black Fantasy TBR Part 2

Part 1 is here.

Since the last segment of my tbr was more focused on standalone novels and duologies, this list will be more focused on trilogies and longer series. Aside from the first 8 series mentioned here being a mix of adult fantasy and epic fantasy (I know the Acacia trilogy, especially, is an epic fantasy that's been frequently compared to Game of Thrones in reviews), there's no real order to these books either. And ofc, please look up age ratings and trigger warnings :) For simplicities sake I only put the first book of each series on this list.

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

Acacia: The War with the Mein by David Anthony Durham

Scarlet Odyssey by C.T. Rwizi

Half a Lion by Palle E.K. Oswald

Unleashed: The Saga of Ruination by Ramon Terrell

Song of Blood and Stone by L. Penelope

Stars and Garters by Thursday Owusu

The Battle for the Sky by Dalila Caryn

Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney

The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

The Chameleon with a Sword by B.L. Logan

Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton

Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland

We Are the Origin by C.M. Lockhart

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow**

The Royal Heretic by Sarah Macklin

Dragon Connection: The Stone Crown Book 1 by Ava Richardson*

The Soul Cages by Nicole Givens Kurtz

Truth Seer by Kay L. Moody

Dragon Link: Ragond's Portal War Book 1 by Ava Richardson*

The Conductors by Nicole Glover

The Raven and the Dove by Kaitlyn Davis

Dragon's Mage: Ragond's Witch Hunter Book 1 by Ava Richardson*

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

Nobody's Goddess by Amy McNulty

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

*Dragon Connection, Dragon Link, and Dragon's Mage are the first books of three separate trilogies by Ava Richardson. To avoid confusion I spelled out the whole name of each trilogy.

**In The Ten Thousand Doors of January, January is technically mixed, and I believe she identifies as such.

[skatesfullofsunshine]

4 Before 2024

I saw the idea of this originally posted on TikTok by @satrayreads, and it seems more achievable for me personally than "10 Before The End", so here goes my list, plus alternatives that I might try to do if I finish these, or if I'm not able to finish them yet.

Amari and the Night Brothers by BB Alston (This is technically a re-read, but that's neither here nor there.)

To Shape A Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose

The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalidi

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

Possible alternatives, or additions:

all about love by bell hooks

Babel by R.F. Kuang

The Name Bearer by Natalia Hernandez

Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim

Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Lake Lore by Anna-Marie McClemore

Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo

House of Marionne by J. Elle

What are some books you're trying to finish by the end of the year?

[curlyhairedbibliophile]

Cover Art | Descendants of the First by Reni K. Amayo

The king is dead - and with him, the last thread holding the kingdom together.

Deep cracks are forming throughout the kingdom of Nri with whispers of deadly successors lurking beneath the shadows. Despite having the same face, it seems the deepest crack is forming between Naala and Sinai, the reunited twin goddesses, who must put their differences aside as they travel through a broken Nri.

Unbeknownst to the girls, their use of the mystical Ṇdu crystal has awakened mythical beasts and the lost gods, each returning to Nri one by one. One thing is clear, the twins will have to face enemies at every corner of the kingdom... one of whom lies hidden amongst those they hold dearest.

As ongoing turmoil spreads throughout the kingdom, the daughters of Nri must unmask the true face of their enemy, as they discover that their unique blood has marked them with magic strong enough to restore true peace to the world - a task only they can complete.

But with beasts lurking far and wide, will they be able to do so before the kingdom succumbs to its looming curse?

Artwork by Godwin Akpan

Release date | Mar 30, 2021 Goodreads

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Daughters of Nri | Author: Reni K. Amayo | Publisher: Onwe Press (2019)

[black-is-beautiful18]

Here are some Black authors I think you guys will enjoy.

1. L.L McKinney - The Nightmare Verse Series

2. Tomi Adeyemi - Children of Blood and Bone series

3. Kwame Mbalia - Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky & Tristan Strong Destroys the World

4. Bethany C. Morrow - A Song Below Water, A Chorus Rises, and Little Women remix (The last two come out in 2021)

Reni K Amayo - Daughters of Nri & Descendants Of The First (2021)

Nicole Glover - The Conductors (2021)

I'll add more but if you know any others feel free to add them.

[2021ya]

DESCENDANTS OF THE FIRST

The Return of the Earth Mother #2

by Reni K. Amayo

(Onwe Press, 10/5/21)

9781916042964

.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase from Bookshop

.

Series

1. Daughters of Nri

The king is dead - and with him, the last thread holding the kingdom together. Deep cracks are forming throughout the kingdom of Nri with whispers of deadly successors lurking beneath the shadows. Despite having the same face, it seems the deepest crack is forming between Naala and Sinai, the reunited twin goddesses, who must put their differences aside as they travel through a broken Nri. Unbeknownst to the girls, their use of the mystical Ṇdu crystal has awakened mythical beasts and the lost gods, each returning to Nri one by one. One thing is clear, the twins will have to face enemies at every corner of the kingdom... one of whom lies hidden amongst those they hold dearest. As ongoing turmoil spreads throughout the kingdom, the daughters of Nri must unmask the true face of their enemy, as they discover that their unique blood has marked them with magic strong enough to restore true peace to the world - a task only they can complete. But with beasts lurking far and wide, will they be able to do so before the kingdom succumbs to its looming curse? Descendants of the First is the thundering sequel to Reni K Amayo’s epic feminist young adult fantasy, Daughters of Nri, lauded as “literary magic” by Buzzfeed and a piece of “Excellent writing, brilliant book.” by best-selling author, Dorothy Koomson.

[godlyheathens]

(2020) favorite books: daughters of nri by reni k amayo

“we live because we die.”

[bloodmaarked]

➫ monthly book round-up: april 2024

books read: 6 [1 DNF] [=] average rating: 3.8 [+23%] average speed: 6.6 days [-37%] total pages: 2,215 [=] yearly goal progress: 22/50 best of the month: the girl with the louding voice, abi daré worst of the month: daughters of nri, reni k. amayo

5* reads:

the girl with the louding voice, abi daré

4.5* reads:

the gifts, liz hyder

4* reads:

the meaning of mariah carey, mariah carey

3* reads:

four eids and a funeral, faridah àbíké-íyímídé + adiba jaigirdar

2.5* reads:

shanghailanders, juli min

DNFs:

daughters of nri, reni k. amayo

currently reading:

black girls must die exhausted, jayne allen

[rainbowroweller]

The cover is not the only beautiful thing about this book.

The debut novel of Reni K Amayo is set in Nigeria, filled to the brim with culture, magic and adventure.

The story follows twin sisters Naala and Sinai who don't know about each other, as they navigate love, friendship, magic, and loss. One living in the royal Palace, one in a quiet village, both girls' lives are rocked forcing them to create their own path.

For me, this book is important because I relate to Amayo as a British-Nigerian and its incredible to see my culture reimagined, and black girls as protagonists in fantasy books!

Furthermore, it was a good read, and where I suspected it to be like Children of Blood and Bone, it was distinctive and stood on its own two feet.

[lokoja]

They say she wanted a home close to the sun...

Descendants of the First by Reni K Amayo

[phoenixfg]

This just arrived in the mail. I had to grab it. Especially after going to the author's Twitter and seeing how they wanted her to "tone down" the original cover. 😫 Some of the blurb:

A gruesome war results in the old gods' departure from earth. The only remnants of their existence lie in two girls. Twins, separated at birth. Goddesses who grow up believing that they are human. Daughters Of Nri explores their epic journey of self-discovery as they embark on a path back to one another.

This is book one.

[softlifesofttech]

001 Excerpt

'Aren't you afraid? 'I am-that's why I don't want to climb it.' 'Not of the tree ... of being stuck and restricted, not being able to breathe under the never-ending heap of duties.' ‘Duties are good.’ 'So is freedom. The problem is there is no balance. Let's create some balance. ‘By climbing a tree? Naala, listen to yourself.' 'I know you think I'm crazy,' Naala said quietly. 'And maybe I am ... but try and understand ... this is our time, our moment, and it just feels as though ... we're missing it. We're just standing here, trapped by ... customs, watching life go by. I think that, sometimes, we should indulge ourselves in a little silliness.'

Daughters of Nri, Reni K Amayo