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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
mandkips's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and Gun violence
readandfindout's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Style/writing: 3 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Death of parent, Death, and Grief
_forestofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was a beautiful and emotional adventure into a child's grief and anger over the sudden loss of a parent. It was exciting and sad, and so well written. I discovered this author this year and am continuously amazed by the deep emotional journeys each of her books take me on and the vivid and original worlds she creates.
(The audiobook is amazing btw.)
(The audiobook is amazing btw.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
Minor: Physical abuse
betweentheshelves's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First of all, I loved the narrator for the audiobook. His voice brought the story to life, and the way he did different voices for the characters was great. It definitely really pulled me into the story of Nnamdi. This will definitely be a relatable story for middle grade readers who wish they have more power than they do. When Nnamdi suddenly gets it, he's unsure of what to do.
This is also a great example of working through grief, especially when someone is taken from you so suddenly. Nnamdi wants to take action and get revenge for his father's death, but he also realizes that getting revenge won't bring his father back. The way Okorafor deals with this within this book works so well, and it's one of the strongest aspects of the book.
This is also a great example of working through grief, especially when someone is taken from you so suddenly. Nnamdi wants to take action and get revenge for his father's death, but he also realizes that getting revenge won't bring his father back. The way Okorafor deals with this within this book works so well, and it's one of the strongest aspects of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
sebrittainclark's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nnamdi is a 12 year old boy who is granted power, not unlike those of the superheros he reads about in comics, by an Ikenga. Nnamdi knows that this power will allow him to avenge his father's murder and save his beloved town from corruption. He must learn that rage and strength aren't enough to fix the injustice in the world.
It's a wonderful middle grade novel that I enjoyed listening to. The narrator does a wonderful job giving each character their own voice.
It's a wonderful middle grade novel that I enjoyed listening to. The narrator does a wonderful job giving each character their own voice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Gun violence, Vomit, and Kidnapping
raethereviewer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is definitely more plot driven than character driven and it would be great for kids who like darker action stories. The story has a lot of elements to it and the fantasy aspect is interesting. I wasn’t personally a fan of the ending because it felt a little rushed but this is a book for younger audiences so I’m sure they’d still enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
bookdragon217's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, and Grief
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