Onyeka and the Secret Superhero

Onyeka #2.5

by Tọlá Okogwu

Meet a brand-new superhero

Twelve-year-old Onyeka is enrolled at the ACADEMY OF THE SUN, a school for SUPERHEROES called Solari.

When she's sent on a MISSION with her friends to investigate a mystery in a remote village, they aren't expecting to find a TOP SECRET SOLARI with extraordinary SUPERPOWERS.

Is this new Solari FRIEND OR FOE? There's only one way to find out...

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Fantasy

63 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2024

About the author

Tọlá Okogwu was born in Lagos, Nigeria before moving to England at the age of six. After graduating with a degree in journalism, Tọlá spent far too much time trying to figure out what she wanted to do before realising her true passion was hair care and writing. When she isn’t engrossed either of these things, she can be found in Kent with her family and also writes under the pen name Lola Morayo.

Reviews

[trijnewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fijn als introductie tot Onyeka en co, of als intermezzo tussen deel 2 en 3. Het is dankzij dit (gratis) boekje dat we onyeka begonnen te lezen, dus world book day heeft zijn doel bereikt hier thuis!

[Tim Roast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onyeka and the Secret Superhero is a World Book Day 2024 book. “Sand lodged in my telekinetic hair!” – straight from the first line you’re aware of Onyeka’s special hair and her superhero abilities. She and her three friends are relaxing at Ibena Beach but “everything around us, from the bright blue water to the pale sand, is a holographic projection… It looks, feels and smells so real, though, that for a brief moment I’d forgotten we were still at the Academy of the Sun, a special school for genetically enhanced children like us – or Solari, as we’re otherwise known.”

“Seven months ago, I was a regular kid living in London with my mum… But my life changed completely when my mum dropped the bomb that I was a Psionic Solari. We returned to Nigeria… and went to the Academy of the Sun… Our existence is still a huge secret from the general population, so we can’t go around creating ice or energy shields whenever we feel like it. Solari are committed to helping Nigeria and its citizens, but we do it undercover because the world isn’t ready to know about us yet.”

A mission comes in for the four of them: “I have an urgent mission for the four of you… It’s been raining non-stop for several weeks now… The Iko dam in Cross River Province has been damaged and the immediate area surrounding it is at risk… There’s one village that isn’t responding to the [evacuation] alerts. It’s isolated and dangerously close to the dam. We’re worried it’ll be destroyed if the dam breaks… Your mission is simply to make contact, check the village received our warnings and, if so, find out why they haven’t been responding… You’ll need to win their trust. It’s forbidden to bring technology into the village, and under no circumstances can they discover what you really are.”

But is it too much for Onyeka and her friends to handle? Will they need help from the secret superhero?

The story is good, well-written and has an emotional ending plus being a WBD book it represents excellent value for money (costing just £1 or a WBD book token) so 5-stars.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

ONYEKA AND THE SECRET SUPERHERO is a world book day book, a short, sweet tale of trying to save people from a natural disaster made worse by climate change. The powers get a lot of time to shine in this book, and there's a new, very powerful Solari to meet too.

I think it sits between the second book, ONYEKA AND THE RISE OF THE REBELS, and the third book, ONYEKA AND THE HEROS OF DAWN, based off publication order. However, world book day books are meant to give readers a chance to come into the series for the first time (and then go get the other books!) It does actually give quite a lot away about the other books, which surprised me. I think the new, mysterious character might show up in the third book....

[Xyvah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-crafted story with a well-needed concept of African (Nigerian) superheroes and a futuristic superhero academy. It was a quick read, one that ticked nigh-all the boxes for its genre and target audience's needs.
My main issue with the story, which really affected my reading experience, was the fact that the author made the small village by the dam in Cross Rivers Igbo. From the implied location (and from Afam's story of travelling all the way from his own hometown, going village to village) this small village would not have been igbo.
Other than that, this would have been a 4 star rating for me, and I definitely recommend this to my nieces

[Bookgirl888 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onyeka and Nchebe must work together to save a village from disaster. Is there someone in the village who can help? When they meet the god of the village, Onyeka and her friends feel they know who, or what, he is. Will this god listen to them? Another brilliant instalment of Onyeka, all the drama and decision making you'd expect, plus a good dose of teamwork and friendship.

[Bethany Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite fun and well written. It reminded me of the Avengers films, which I love, so that was cool. I would have adored this as a kid and I'm happy to see it as a world book day book.

Again, I just wish it would've been around 100 pages rather than 60, but for what it was it was good.

[Serene In Wonderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute novella to delve back into the Onyeka world. No major content warnings. They go to a village where people call their leader "a god" (small g). Onyeka also remembers something her mother taught her about "God" (capital G). It's all really beautifully told, very Muslim kid friendly.

[Mrs Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already love this series. It was lovely having a small glimpse in to Onyeka’s world before the main book is released in a few weeks.

[Nadja · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fine introduction for new readers to get into Onyeka's story, but such an open-ended ending is not a good choice for a World Book Day book.

[gowri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting, actually I hope the third book continues off what was revealed in this novella (?)

[Max A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but action packed short story following on from Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels. Just as enjoyable as the full length books, perfect for introducing new readers to the series.

[Benedict Jiju · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting book, did feel a bit rushed and I feel like it would have been better if it was a bit longer and had more moments for other characters.

[Chinyere Evelyn Ifediora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely makes me want to read the Onyeka Series. ✅️✅️✅️✅️

[Alice magical library · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Onyeka and her friends go to investigate some flood incidents, they don’t expect to find a new secret Solari. Well, all they need to find out now is if he is friend or foe…
I enjoyed this book. This was one of 2024’s world boom day books. My favourite character is probably Onyeka as she was brave, helpful and a good friend. I would recommend this book for anyone who is 8+.

[Shantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was very interesting and i was really into it until it ended i cried so hard and i was sad and i was hoping that the author was going to be like real book coming out next week but no how make a book and leave us on a cliff hanger and say that it’s a finished it was a really good book but the ending was not okay please author read this and make me a full book

[Emily Farrant · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a very rushed plot it didn't feel like much happened. If the book was slightly longer, like around 100 pages, it could have been better. I did enjoy the book, but it's not the best