Tag: Women In SFF

The Warder: Review

I often think there are two pillars we seek to accomplish as published writers. The first is to see our work in print. That moment of finally holding a copy of a book you wrote is pure joy. In my case, the writing journey takes years and many sleepless nights, especially in the planning stage. I am no stranger to scribbling ideas at 1am, getting thoughts down before they escape me, resolving those sticky plot holes. The sentences flow, some days a trickle, others a downpour, fleshing out the characters and the world, bringing it to life until it really does take on a life of its own. And just when you think you’re there, there are edits and more edits, and always more edits. So yes, years later, bound in its signature cover, holding that book for the first time is joy.

The second pillar is to discover that your story connects with readers. I love my characters and it means the world to me that others do too. It’s always wonderful to hear that these worlds I create are understood and embraced, and that a character’s hopes, dreams, struggles and aspirations touch on emotion and affect readers on a personal level. Stories have always been a form of communication, and I love to hear what messages readers take from mine.

As someone who deals in words, it can be surprisingly difficult to take a step back and give a succinct response to the common question, ‘What is the book about?’ Thank you to all those who take the time to share their thoughts. One book reviewer recently published a review of The Warder, which made my day!

‘This book was worth the wait and more. The Warder is the sequel to one of my favourite books of 2018, Return of the Mantra.’

Phew! The Warder has a different vibe to Return of the Mantra, and with that comes nerves on how it might be received. I introduce a new character, Luna, a complex girl through which hidden powers are revealed.

‘I wasn’t sure Susie would be able to increase the enthusiasm I had for her characters, and her world. However, she left me reeling after a couple of pages as I was drawn back into this African inspired fantasy. The way Susie was able to expand her world without slowing down the narrative was a masterclass in worldbuilding.’

And on Luna – ‘The development of her powers during the narrative is handled with a sensitivity I haven’t read in fantasy before.’

‘This book is a charming story of loss, love and finding yourself in the most unexpected places. It is epic fantasy with a heart that will leave you scarred, but begging for more.’

Fortunately, there will be more with Blood Gift Chronicles Book 3.

Click here for full review – The Warder

Click here for full review – Return of the Mantra

Happy Reading!

 

 

For the Love of Books #8

It’s the month of Pride, and for the second year running, colourful parades are cancelled. To mark the occasion, I have two SFF book reviews with references to the Pride community.

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For the Love of Books #7

Change is afoot as Kate and I take our first tentative steps to consider moving house. It is no mean feat after 8-ish yrs of growing lovingly attached to these four walls. But change can be good, and when it is it is worth the effort.

There is another reason for this train of thought about change: it is the central premise to the books I am reading – Octavia Butler’s Earthseed series. In my opinion the books are many things, including brilliant.

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For the Love of Books #6

As a reader, I love to discover authors who I come to trust that pretty much whatever they write, it’s fairly certain I will enjoy. For me, Nnedi Okorafor is one such author.

She is a prolific writer and I have read a number of her works. For the sake of this blog, I have selected two sci-fi titles.

 

Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor

I am frequently in awe of the imagination and inventiveness this author brings to her stories, but even by her own standards, Lagoon is exceptional. Aliens have arrived in Lagos, and right from the beginning when we meet an eco-warrior swordfish, I was hooked.

The three main characters – Adaora, the marine biologist, Anthony, the world-famous rapper, and Agu, the troubled solder, (not to mention Ayodele, the lead alien) – are supported by a diverse cast which bring to life this modern-day Nigeria. They are refreshingly free from stereotypes, while the author does not shy away from the reality of prejudice and bigotry. The richness of setting is further emphasised by the appearance of monsters and masquerades, which add depth that creates the feeling of folklore as much as sci-fi.

Overall, Lagoon is a breathtaking read, with an urgent pace in line with the enormity of an alien invasion. I loved the attention to detail, offering an immersive experience into the vibrant city of Lagos. And when I came to the end, after I had caught my breath, I was left yearning to sit down to a meal of jollof rice, egusi soup and pounded yams.

The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor

In a time when much of Manhattan was under water, Times Square was land stable enough to house Tower 7. There were 39 floors to this two-hundred-year-old skyscraper, and on the 28th floor lived Phoenix – a genetic experiment, a speciMen, an abomination.

She is an accelerated woman, just two years old, but with the mind and body of an adult, and powers beyond imagining. Finding love and friendship with Saeed, another biologically altered human, Phoenix is content to abide by the rules and live a quiet life. Until she is given cause to question the truth of her identity, and discovers that everything she has ever known is a lie. When her powers are unleashed there is no going back.

The richly described world and inventive plotline, had me gripped from the first page to the last. The characters are extraordinary, with multi-faceted personalities and motivations that make them completely relatable; heroines and heroes speaking hard truths to the world, dealing with social injustices and inequalities from the personal to outright war. I was swept away by Phoenix’s journey as she encounters love, truth, power and betrayal, and struggles to comprehend and accept the timeless nature of her powers. This is a multi-layered story, spanning continents; from America to Africa and beyond… literally to the stars.

What are you reading?