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A review by abitbetterbooks
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoyed this book a lot, it was an easy listen and the audio narration was on point. Very straightforward YA writing that still has lots of beautiful description and whimsy. It fits the standard “unique child finds magical community” story arc but fulfills it in a fresh and interesting way. The ending did feel rushed with little explanation, but I would still give the rest of this series a try.
Where this book lost me was some of the overdone, tired stereotypes and tropes: the main villain and other unseemly or mean people being described as fat, and the disability is magically healed trope when Sunny no longer feels negative impacts or lack of access from her albinism and can go out in the sun without being burned which I think will prevent young people with albinism from really identifying or feeling seen by this story.
Where this book lost me was some of the overdone, tired stereotypes and tropes: the main villain and other unseemly or mean people being described as fat, and the disability is magically healed trope
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Sexism, Misogyny, Death, Child abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Fatphobia and Ableism