In the Shadow of the Fall, by Tobi Ogundiran

In this stunning fantasy inspired by Yoruba mythology, an untried acolyte desperate to speak with the orisha she worships accidentally reignites a cosmic war. The fate of her gods – and of her world – now lies in her inexperienced hands.

This book is remarkable. A compact novella, it left me wanting more in every sense - with regard to the writing style, the story itself and the wider mythology and world-building.

Ashâke is a wonderful narrator. A young adult brought up in a temple that’s practically its own world, she’s desperate to be chosen by an Orisha deity, as is her duty as priestess. But while her friends are chosen around her, she hears… nothing.

Taking her destiny into her own hands, and with the help of a marvellously crotchety old shaman, she sets out to carve her own path and find the gods. And so she will - just not in the way she expected.

I think the best word I can choose for this book is ‘delighted’: in its pace, characters, tone and twisting nature. I was wrong-footed several times, leading to genuine shock and a sense of loss as the action ramped up.

This is by no means a typical ‘chosen one’ story. If anything, I was reminded most closely of Lyra in Philip Pullman’s books, as she takes the expected and makes it her own.

Also I have some familiarity with the Orisha, and these gorgeous songs drew me in like a warm African sunset (including shadowy dangers for the unwary).

I’m so glad to be reading tales based on heritage and lore that’s far from my own. I’ll be looking out for the next part of this tale, and the author’s other work - they are a true storyteller whose words deserve to be shared far and wide.