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jess_mango's review against another edition
5.0
A middle grade fantasy novel by the author of Binti? Yes, please!
I read this book with my 5th grader and after finishing it he declared it "one of the best books you've ever read to me!" He loved it!
Set in Nigeria, this novel has elements of African folklore, mystery and fantasy. Nnamdi is the 11 year old son of the chief of police of their town Kaleria. His father is the best police chief the town has ever had. He readily pushes back the criminals that are trying to invade the town. And then, Nnamdi's dad is murdered. No one knows who killed him. Nnamdi and his mother are left alone. After the death of the police chief the criminal element is free to reign over the town.
On the one year anniversary of his father's death, Nnamdi follows a mysterious figure out of his home's gates and is presented with an Ikenga, a figurine with mystical powers. With the Ikenga in his possession, Nnamdi soon discovers he has new powers. Powers that can help him track down his father's killer and avenge his father's death. BUT, will he be able to control the powers and stay true to his own morals?
This was a great story. It was interesting and engaging throughout. It had lessons about using power for good vs. evil and staying true to yourself. Nnamdi was a relatable character and the author did an excellent job expressing Nnamdi's inner turmoil. We also really liked that the book was set in Africa and gave us a peek at what life is like there.
I highly recommend this book to middle grade and older readers!
The audiobook narrator has a deep soothing accented voice that helped to add to the atmosphere of the book.
Thank you to the author, publisher and BookishFirst for the review copy!
I read this book with my 5th grader and after finishing it he declared it "one of the best books you've ever read to me!" He loved it!
Set in Nigeria, this novel has elements of African folklore, mystery and fantasy. Nnamdi is the 11 year old son of the chief of police of their town Kaleria. His father is the best police chief the town has ever had. He readily pushes back the criminals that are trying to invade the town. And then, Nnamdi's dad is murdered. No one knows who killed him. Nnamdi and his mother are left alone. After the death of the police chief the criminal element is free to reign over the town.
On the one year anniversary of his father's death, Nnamdi follows a mysterious figure out of his home's gates and is presented with an Ikenga, a figurine with mystical powers. With the Ikenga in his possession, Nnamdi soon discovers he has new powers. Powers that can help him track down his father's killer and avenge his father's death. BUT, will he be able to control the powers and stay true to his own morals?
This was a great story. It was interesting and engaging throughout. It had lessons about using power for good vs. evil and staying true to yourself. Nnamdi was a relatable character and the author did an excellent job expressing Nnamdi's inner turmoil. We also really liked that the book was set in Africa and gave us a peek at what life is like there.
I highly recommend this book to middle grade and older readers!
The audiobook narrator has a deep soothing accented voice that helped to add to the atmosphere of the book.
Thank you to the author, publisher and BookishFirst for the review copy!
bookish_mrs_w's review against another edition
3.0
This took me longer than necessary to get through. It was an interesting contemporary fantasy, however, much if it felt more juvenile than what middle grade should be.
lsparrow's review against another edition
5.0
I always enjoy this story teller and this was no exception. A super hero, self discovery, grief journey story.
readmoreyall's review against another edition
4.0
A good middle grades book about power, friendship, grief...lots of adventure and the supernatural elements are well done. I think middle schoolers will really enjoy it.
missychristo's review against another edition
a bit too young, seems over exaggerated with a murder off the bat
larakaa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
thebakersbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5 stars — an action- and emotion-filled quest for justice
As a kid fascinated by superheros, I would've loved this book! As an adult who likes the Hulk specifically, I enjoyed sharing that with main character Nnamdi, and enjoyed even more when he acquired his own Hulk-like form via a magical ikenga given to him by his dead father.
In Ikenga, Nnamdi, his mother, and his best friend mourn the death of Nnamdi's father, an upstanding police chief who cared for his community and never accepted bribes. Nnamdi suspects local criminal elements are behind his father's murder; he sets out to solve the mystery, sleuthing as his usual twelve-year-old self and punching out bad guys as his massive, shadowy alter ego. He grapples with grief and anger as he learns to control "The Man." One of my favorite aspects of the book was the baked-in message that boys can and should feel a full range of emotions. I also liked Nnamdi's friend Chioma—their rapport felt like a throwback to childhood, and I think/hope it'll read as equally genuine to kids today.
My only quibbles with the book were a bit of classism at the beginning (Nnamdi thinking his mother is better than the other people selling goods at the market because they’d once had more money and status) and the way the whodunit turned out at the end.It felt to me like Nnamdi should've been right with his second accusation (of the new, corrupt police chief). Having the guy who published the newsletters be the murderer felt a bit far-fetched, in my opinion. Overall, though, it was a really entertaining read/listen with an excellent narrator and a plot that held my attention. I'd definitely recommend it to middle-grade readers (8-12) and the lower end of the YA range as well!
Content notes: death of a parent, some violence
As a kid fascinated by superheros, I would've loved this book! As an adult who likes the Hulk specifically, I enjoyed sharing that with main character Nnamdi, and enjoyed even more when he acquired his own Hulk-like form via a magical ikenga given to him by his dead father.
In Ikenga, Nnamdi, his mother, and his best friend mourn the death of Nnamdi's father, an upstanding police chief who cared for his community and never accepted bribes. Nnamdi suspects local criminal elements are behind his father's murder; he sets out to solve the mystery, sleuthing as his usual twelve-year-old self and punching out bad guys as his massive, shadowy alter ego. He grapples with grief and anger as he learns to control "The Man." One of my favorite aspects of the book was the baked-in message that boys can and should feel a full range of emotions. I also liked Nnamdi's friend Chioma—their rapport felt like a throwback to childhood, and I think/hope it'll read as equally genuine to kids today.
My only quibbles with the book were a bit of classism at the beginning (Nnamdi thinking his mother is better than the other people selling goods at the market because they’d once had more money and status) and the way the whodunit turned out at the end.
Content notes: death of a parent, some violence
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Violence
kiragrieco's review against another edition
3.0
This might be more of a 3.5, but I was very conflicted on how I felt about this book. Overall, it’s a really fun story that’s incredibly important in that it has wonderful representation and tells of the Nigerian culture, which is not super common in mainstream lit. I do think a lot of my eighth graders would really enjoy this book, especially the aspect of The Man and the various ties into the Marvel Universe throughout, as well.
There are two main reasons why I decided on a 3.5ish rating for this one:
1) the murder mystery aspect of it seemed rushed. It was like it was introduced at the very beginning, forgotten about throughout the middle, and then at the very end was the entire focus for the last 40(?) pages. It just felt very out of blue even though it was supposed to be a big reason why Nnamdi was given the Ikenga in the first place.
2) the writing felt almost too juvenile for a middle grades book at times. There were instances throughout the book where it was almost hard for me to get through because the writing was just so young and so...almost cringey in some places.
I do think middle schoolers would enjoy this one, and I will have it on my shelf, but overall it wasn’t super exciting for me to read.
There are two main reasons why I decided on a 3.5ish rating for this one:
1) the murder mystery aspect of it seemed rushed. It was like it was introduced at the very beginning, forgotten about throughout the middle, and then at the very end was the entire focus for the last 40(?) pages. It just felt very out of blue even though it was supposed to be a big reason why Nnamdi was given the Ikenga in the first place.
2) the writing felt almost too juvenile for a middle grades book at times. There were instances throughout the book where it was almost hard for me to get through because the writing was just so young and so...almost cringey in some places.
I do think middle schoolers would enjoy this one, and I will have it on my shelf, but overall it wasn’t super exciting for me to read.
booklover160's review against another edition
4.0
Edit 10/21/20:
This was so good! I think many middle graders would enjoy this. Those who are fans of The Hulk and other superheroes and also want to try something new. I think Nnamdi is a strong character; he learns from his mistakes and genuinely tries to do better each time. It's a lesson many young people need to learn about; mistakes don't define you, they make you stronger.
Overall, great for superhero fans grades 4+
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I just got this book in the mail from the Goodreads giveaway! I’m actually really excited to get started!!
This was so good! I think many middle graders would enjoy this. Those who are fans of The Hulk and other superheroes and also want to try something new. I think Nnamdi is a strong character; he learns from his mistakes and genuinely tries to do better each time. It's a lesson many young people need to learn about; mistakes don't define you, they make you stronger.
Overall, great for superhero fans grades 4+
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I just got this book in the mail from the Goodreads giveaway! I’m actually really excited to get started!!
mattgroot1980's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5