Season of the Serpent

The Nameless Republic #3

by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Award-winning author Suyi Davies Okungbowa returns in the final installment of the Nameless Republic trilogy with a tale of villains, allies, and a world on the brink of destruction, perfect for fans of Tasha Suri, Evan Winter, and James Islington.

The old world has fallen. Now is the time of serpents.

The continent is split. The islands have sunk. The empire of Bassa is no more. With the resistant Nameless Republic and the conquering Kangalaland on the brink of war, all must choose a side: ally, or fall. Oon's heroes and villains must rise from their ashes and meet a Third Great War.

Peace won't come easy. Long-lost family will fight to reach Danso before war erases him forever. Lilong has survived the island catastrophe but lost her power, and will do anything to get it back. And fate will find Esheme where it left her-will the dead queen rise again?

For Oon, the first season of the five states is a season of serpents. After the storms pass and winds blow, what will remain? And who will survive?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Adult

464 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2026

About the author

Also known as Suyi Davies

Suyi Davies Okungbowa is an award-winning author of fantasy, science fiction and general speculative work. His latest books include Lost Ark Dreaming and The Nameless Republic epic fantasy trilogy ( Son of the Storm and Warrior of the Wind ). His debut godpunk novel David Mogo, Godhunter won the 2020 Nommo Award for Best Novel. His shorter works have appeared in various periodicals and anthologies and have been nominated for various awards. He also writes for younger audiences as Suyi Davies. He earned his MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona, and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa.

Reviews

[Suyi Davies Okungbowa]

UPDATE: 13 MAY 2026

At long last, the announcement you've been waiting for: Season of the Serpent is now available on Netgalley!

If you are a reviewer, bookfluencer, bookseller, librarian or other book professional, run--don't walk--over to Netgalley and request a digital ARC today!

(And if you do grab a copy, and you read and enjoy this title, please remember to leave a review at any platform of your choice. A pleased reader's word-of-mouth is every author's best publicity tool, and we are grateful for it! Feel free to talk about this book in any way you like, online or IRL--I'm not preferential as long as you're talking about it. And if you do post online, use the hashtags #SeasonoftheSerpent and #TheNamelessRepublic so people can find you.)

Thank you so much for all the support you've given this book. It means a lot to me.

UPDATE: 2 FEBRUARY 2026

Advance DRCs are now available on Edelweiss! If you are a bookseller, reviewer, librarian, influencer or other book professional, and if Edelweiss is your request/review platform of choice, please, feel free to wander over there and request a copy! (Watch out for updates here about availability on Netgalley--soon to come!)

11 SEPTEMBER 2025

Dear Reader,

This one is for us, the epic fantasy readers who come to this genre because we love a big, sprawling, unique world so vividly drawn we can live in it, so immersive we drown in it, so magical every nook and cranny holds surprises. We come to epic fantasy because we love a twisty tale of cunning heroes and villains, a tale full of machinations that keep us guessing until the last page. We come to epic fantasy because we desire a book—nay, a trilogy of books—where magic meets mayhem, where wonder meets monsters, where order meets disorder.

In Son of the Storm, you fell in love with Danso the stubborn scholar, Lilong the burdened warrior, Esheme the sly fixer. In Warrior of the Wind, they broke your hearts and made you gasp. Now, it is time for their fates to be sealed. Come with me to the end of the world, the Third Great War, the fate of the continent. Come with me, and crack open the final tale in The Nameless Republic trilogy: Season of the Serpent is coming to you August 11, 2026.

What is it you love about big epic fantasies, dear reader? Is it the magical adventures, the otherworldly creatures, the sinking islands, sentient hurricanes, hungry forests? You name it, we have it here in the Nameless Republic. Heroes becoming villains, villains becoming heroes; rebels becoming monsters, monsters becoming rebels. Magic that builds and burns, that whispers and rages, that makes and unmakes, that corrupts everything it touches. We have your lonely, mismatched heroes banding together to make a final stand against a tidal force too great to overcome, but by the gods, they will make that final stand, against all odds.

If you are an established reader of this series, Season of the Serpent is what you get when you put the first two books in a pot, shut it, and you cook.

If you’re a reader new to this series, I say: welcome to epic fantasy steeped in West African lore and precepts, in its diversity and queerness. This is epic fantasy that wears its heart on its sleeve, bubbling with all the elements you love about this subgenre. This is epic fantasy that takes everything you think you know and blows it open, embracing the African oral epic as aesthetic, as voice, as fashion, as swagger. This is a tale told with tributaries, a tale that cuts you in ways that leave you crying and bleeding and loving it.

I hope that this sometimes hopeful, sometimes brutal yet honest work will strike and excite you. I dare you to read and enjoy it, and then, like every good jali, take its stories to the world. Tell it to a stranger at the bar. Tell it to a coworker. Tell it at school, at worship, at the gym, at the play date. Pass on the story of unlikely heroes fighting against forces too big to conquer, and against themselves at the same time, yet hoping to conquer anyway. Pass on their courage, their fortitude, their strength. Keep reading. Keep fighting. Never give up.

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Author,

Suyi.

[Siona Adams]

Review: really enjoyed this conclusion(? Maybe, maybe not after the epilogue) of this series. A frank exploration of war, and how it affects people. So many good themes in this series, found family being the strongest I think. Can’t wait to see what comes next from the author.

Pre-read thoughts: Super excited to finally see this listed on goodreads, sucks it’ll be a whole nother year before it comes out tho lol I’ll probably reread the first two books next year in preparation

[Tassara]

no one talk to me this cover is gorgeous and i'm not ready

[Brittney Tyler]

Star Rating: 5 stars
Date: 8/19/26 – 8/23/26

Note: This is the 3rd and final book in the Nameless Republic series so this will not be an in-depth review to avoid spoilers.

When I found out this book was coming out (I looked up all my favorite authors and made a list of all the new books they had coming out😊), I was a little worried as it had been a while since I read book 2, and I wasn’t for sure I would remember everything well enough. I decided to request it from my local public library and try it to see if I was going to need to fall back and reread first, however, Okungbowa provided a summary of the series at the beginning of this book, so we were ok😊. This book concludes the story of Danso, a jali (storyteller) novice from Bassa who discovers a censored book in his studies and starts questioning the narrative that he’s been told. After he discovers an injured woman straight out of myth and legend, his worldview completely shatters, and he goes on a journey across his known world to discover the truth and find out why the empire is hiding it, making friends and mistakes along the way.

When this book opens, the truth has been revealed and world-ending war is brewing, and if you’ve been reading fantasy books for a while, you think oh, I’ve read this before, I know how this is going to go, but you don’t as Okungbowa takes our narrative in a completely different direction. He chooses to showcase the fact that most of the factions in this conflict don’t want war and demonstrate the ways they are actively trying to avoid it; while casting the ones that are warmongering in a bad light, contrary to the way a lot of other authors do it. This gives his readers a different and fresh perspective on this kind of narrative that they normally don’t get, and it makes it really engaging and a breath of fresh air to read.

If you don’t know by looking at the cover and summary of this book, it draws from the cultures of precolonial West Africa, and I really like how he pulled in real-world issues such as the traditional African beliefs surrounding albinism, the fact that discrimination and caste systems are usually formed from arbitrary differences, and the historical significance of the underground city where it is known that multiple cultures in Africa and beyond sheltered during periods of conflict and upheaval into the narrative. As someone with a special interest in history and different cultures, it was cool to see that crossover of my different spheres, and I was able to get so much more out of the narrative because I had background. Segway, if you are reading a book based on a different culture than your own, I recommend searching for information on that culture first or watching a documentary as it will help with grounding you in the story and even possibly deepen your appreciation and understanding.

All in all, this was a very satisfying conclusion that went in directions I wasn’t expecting, but that really worked for the narrative. Okungbowa does not shy away from making the tough decisions, and I applaud him for that. I recommend it from those that like to read diversly, especially since it features cultures we don’t usually get to see in fantasy. 5 stars and I’m looking forward to catching up on Okungbowa’s backlist while eagerly waiting for his next new release!!!!

[Dima]

The third and final instalment in this trilogy continues the story of the decline of the Bassa Empire and the emergence of the Nameless Republic. Our heroes are scattered across the islands, trying to cope with the repercussions of the terrible mistakes they have made. As they seek paths towards redemption, their journeys gradually reconverge, while the story explores the terrible consequences of vengeance and the redeeming values of mercy and forgiveness.

The most interesting aspect of the book is the personal journeys undertaken by the various protagonists, and how they learn to accept and forgive themselves while still trying to find ways to help others. There is something endearingly human about people whose good intentions lead them to commit terrible acts, highlighting the genuine complexity of determining what is good and what is evil. The connection between the urge to hurt others and the underlying vulnerability and desire to avenge past pain is also handled well (though sometimes rather crudely).

Unfortunately, while these elements are what make the book interesting, they are also at the heart of why it is ultimately such a huge miss. The lack of meaningful action sequences or a complex plot beyond the protagonists' individual journeys of self-discovery places far greater emphasis on those journeys, making their flaws much more visible and pronounced.

The execution, in this case, is deeply flawed. The word that repeatedly came to mind as I forced myself to continue and finish the book was "stunted". The characters all felt exactly that: stunted. They display childish mannerisms and seem incapable of dealing with ambiguity or complexity. They are equally incapable of processing grief (or, at least, their grief is portrayed at such arm's length that it never feels as though it genuinely affects them). The only emotions they seem to experience with any real intensity are anger and a desire for vengeance, while their introspection feels infantile.

One might hope that this lack of sophistication is intentional, perhaps positioning the book as a YA novel of sorts. However, the profuse use of profanity (in that peculiarly American upper-middle-class way, where it is thrown around for effect without any apparent real-world familiarity with its use) suggests that the author genuinely believes this is how people behave.

Either way, this was terribly disappointing. The trilogy began so well, with excellent ideas and genuinely innovative thinking. The second book was a clear step down (though still readable), while this final instalment made me question the dubious decision to embark on the journey in the first place.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Kimberly]

I started Suyi Davies Okungbowa’s Season of the Serpent with my coffee on the patio and quickly realized this was not going to be one of those peaceful little before-sunrise reading sessions. Thank you to Orbit Books for the gifted copy. You know when a fantasy book has you trying to remember alliances, betrayals, family connections, and exactly who you trust while your coffee quietly gives up and goes cold? Yep. That was me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the third and final book in The Nameless Republic trilogy, and thankfully there’s a recap at the beginning because apparently my brain does not keep detailed records of fictional political history. Very rude, honestly.

The world of Oon is fractured, Bassa has fallen, and another devastating war feels almost inevitable. But what I appreciated most was that this wasn’t simply everyone charging into battle because an epic fantasy finale apparently requires swords, blood, and questionable decision-making. There are people desperately trying to prevent war, others convinced war is the answer, and plenty of characters discovering that good intentions can look very different depending on which side you’re standing on.

Danso, Lilong, and Esheme have been through SO much, and seeing where their choices finally lead them was sometimes satisfying, sometimes heartbreaking, and occasionally had me thinking, “Please do not do what I think you’re about to do.” Naturally, they sometimes did exactly that.

I especially loved how complicated everyone remained. Heroes make terrible choices. People you disagree with can have understandable reasons. Family, loyalty, power, identity, grief, and belonging are tangled together in ways that make it nearly impossible to divide everyone neatly into good and bad. The found-family thread running through the trilogy remained one of my favorite parts.

There are a lot of characters and competing storylines here, and occasionally I had to mentally regroup when the perspective changed. I also wanted a little more time with some of the original characters before saying goodbye. But the conclusion felt appropriately messy and costly for a story about war—no convenient bow tied around everything.

And then there’s that epilogue. Sir. You cannot casually leave that sitting there and expect me not to have questions.

What series finale surprised you by taking the story somewhere completely different than you expected?

#SeasonOfTheSerpent #SuyiDaviesOkungbowa #TheNamelessRepublic #OrbitBooks #FantasyBooks #EpicFantasy #AfricanFantasy #Bookstagram #FantasyReads

[Laura]

Season of the Serpent is an excellent conclusion to an excellent series. Without saying too much to avoid spoilers, this final instalment wraps up plot threads in ways that are satisfying but also true to the complexity of the characters; I conclude the series feeling appreciative.

This series includes so much that I love: multiple POVs that feel distinct and well developed and complex, compelling world-building, high political stakes, and a balance of emphasis between the personal development & relationships of characters and the movement of plot.

I really appreciate Okungbowa’s representation of diversity of gender expression, sexuality, and relationship structure amongst the characters without really ever making this a plot point – it is simply a part of humanity. I also enjoyed that there are so many well written female characters in this series, and that in this installment in particular quite a few of them were absolutely central & had many POV chapters.

The book contains a list of characters including name pronunciations & a glossary; I did not find that I needed these though I refreshed myself on pronunciations. There is also an author’s note explaining that the West African influences on the world-building do not mean that the nations, cultures, or skin tone classifications correlate to real world nations or concepts.

This was one of my most anticipated 2026 releases – I’ve really enjoyed this whole series – and it did not disappoint. I look forward to picking up whatever Okungbowa releases next.

Content warnings: violence, xenophobia, war, colonialism, confinement / incarceration, death, suicide, murder, colourism

Thank you to Orbit Books, NetGalley, and the author for providing me an ARC to review.

[Janna Felix]

The Season of the Serpent delivers a sweeping conclusion to the Nameless Republic trilogy that refuses easy answers or simple resolutions, instead embracing the moral complexity that defines Okungbowa's world-building. The fractured continent and impending Third Great War create genuine stakes where every character's choice carries weight and consequence. What makes this installment particularly compelling is how it forces heroes and villains alike to reckon with their past actions while navigating impossible futures; Danso's struggle to remain relevant as war erases the person he was, Lilong's desperate hunger to reclaim lost power, and the tantalizing question of whether Esheme can rise from death all interweave with purposeful intensity. The worldbuilding expands beautifully across the trilogy's conclusion, revealing layers of history and magic that suggest depth without ever feeling like retcon. Okungbowa's prose carries the weight of an epic finale, moving between multiple perspectives with confidence. However, the sheer number of plotlines converging simultaneously creates occasional confusion about which narrative threads matter most in the grand scheme, and some character arcs feel rushed as the author juggles simultaneous conclusions across multiple factions. The resolution also leaves certain questions unanswered, which adds to the mythic quality but may frustrate readers seeking closure. Nevertheless, this is a fitting capstone to an ambitious trilogy that understands that true endings rarely come without cost.

[Tash Nkweto]

Finished The Season of the Serpent and, honestly, this one left me a little underwhelmed. As the third book, I expected the same sense of adventure and discovery I got from the first two, but this felt much more like a conclusion than an actual continuation of the story. The politics started dragging for me, especially when they became increasingly person-centred, and there were moments where I genuinely lost the motive behind certain scenes. It also felt unnecessarily long in places, as though the author was determined to tie up every single loose end. Not a bad ending to the series by any means, but I definitely think it could have been better. And can we talk about Danso?! Killing him felt so unnecessary, and the fact that he died at the hands of Zaq’s lover was such a weak plot point for a character I had become so invested in. Meanwhile Lilong got her dream, Esheme got to meet her child, and Danso got ✨plot-related murder✨. 😭 After everything we went through with these characters, I needed his ending to feel like it actually meant something. Overall, I’m glad I read the trilogy and I don’t regret the journey, but this final book just didn’t have the magic, momentum or adventure of the first two. It felt more like the author saying, “Right, everyone’s story needs to be concluded now,” than letting the story naturally arrive at its end.

[Cayla]

The path to The Namelss Republic was paved in good intentions....

The main common denominator in all of the plotlines for me was that your "good intentions" may make you the villain in another ones story. In many ways, The Nameless Republic trilogy encompasses how peoples decisions and indecision, lead to this point.

In true fantasy, folks have got to split up and embark on their prospective quests. Our crew does too and on said quests each and every POV gives us something else to consider and ponder on. I love a story that makes me question my own intentions and views. Fantasy has a way to force an uncommon or new POV on you ( which is why we feel so disoriented in a new "world" at first) and with time learn how to see things anew. I have to say that Suyi Davies Okungbowa continues to teach us lessons with each and every POV. I appreciate the moments such as now, where I ponder the themes and emotions, and what that all may mean or say about me.

Thank you to Suyi Davies Okungbowa for weaving this tale to completion and to Orbit Books for allowing me to embark on this final quest!

[William José]

Season of the Serpent is a war epic in its finest.

I've been reading my diaspora brother Okungbowa for a few years now, and I dare to say that this is his best work. The gut-wrenching uncertainty, the stakes piling on top of one another, the fate of our beloved gray and frequently morally challenged heroes. All of these to capture a humanity so nuanced as to say that is all of us. Not only black, not only african, but encompassing all humanity and his fear of the other. Of the strange, of the unlike me, that divides our societies, no matter where or how.

I've amassed 5 or so pages of notes and quotes in this volume, because it is just so rich, and it finishes the trilogy so strongly, that it surpassed the second installment, that was basically perfect!

It is a perfect book to reflect upon life, death, motherhood, family and community.

I will definitely recommed this book for anyone or anything that stands a centesimal of a second too long around me.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange)]

3.5 Stars
This is a series where I loved the first book and like the sequels. This is an interesting piece of worldbuilding that pulled loosely from traditional African cultures. I am someone who tends to enjoy diverse fantasy settings so this one appealed to me from the start. I found myself very attached to the characters in book one.

In the sequel and this final entry, I find myself slightly less attached to the characters and engrossed in the world. It's possible that I would have stronger feelings if I was binging the books back to back rather than reading each as a new release.

This one was good but it felt short and a little simple for a grand finale. I don't have specific criticisms but it felt like the ending played it a little and predictable.

That being said, I would still recommend the trilogy to readers looking for a new fantasy world to fall into with an interesting premise and magic system.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Kassidy]

I’m so glad for the opportunity to read more Black and African fantasy, especially this series which is based on pre-colonial West African culture and mythologies. While I was really intrigued with the premise and characters from the first installment, I found myself feeling more exasperated by the end of the series. I felt so disappointed and heartbroken for our main characters by the end, and truly hoped they could’ve had a bright and happier ending. However, not everything can be sunshine and rainbows, and otherwise I found the ending was realistic for the character’s actions and in tune with the universe created by the author. I’m glad it’s completed, but I’m sad to put a close to this series. With this, I am excited to read more of Suyi Davies Okungbowa work, as his writing is truly incredible!

[Julia]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A strong conclusion to the Nameless Republic trilogy, full of with political intrigue, shifting alliances and high-stakes conflict. While not my favorite book in the series, I enjoyed seeing the characters' journeys come full circle and the world of Oon brought to a satisfying end.

Thank you orbit books us for the chance to read it

[Cayley]

I felt like parts of this book were slow and parts of it flew by, there were a lot of characters by this book and it was a bit difficult to follow all of them. I’m disappointed we didn’t get more time with the original 3 characters, but I thought it was a satisfying ending to the book.

The epilogue really got me though…teaser for a new book? Spinoff series? I’m very excited.

[Artemis Cienfuegos]

OK, so I accidentally jumped ahead and read this book before I read the second book which I’m working on, but gosh, I just love this author. The world gets better and better every book that I read I can’t put it down.

[Geoff]

Despite this final entry feeling a bit weaker than the series, this is still a very entertaining trilogy set in an African-inspired fantasy world.

[Lauren Book Witch]

The final installment in the wildly successful “Nameless Republic,” trilogy. With a continent split and against the Nameless Republic and the conquerers of Kangalaland, Danso, Lilong and Esheme must decide which side they are on. A thrilling story of magic, power and mythology. An absolute masterclass.

[Deepa]

I was annihilated,guys. Five years we’ve been on this journey together. Life looks different for me now too. We also feel that for Danso, Esheme, and Lilong in big ways. Everything gutted me and I’m better for it. Okungbowa is an amazing voice in fantasy and this is one of my top five series enders I didn’t end the series; it ended me.

I love that the elders (Biemwense and Kakutan) have such large roles in this final book. I love that they're the ones solving the problems. And Lilong somehow is even more of a true fave than before! There are so many “my heart left my chest” moments. I knew it too. I saw it coming, but it still occurred. I really enjoyed key POV chapters. It’s not what I wanted, but I liked the arc so much that I came to love it. I loved the dangerous players in nation building.

Specific things: Esheme’s reaction to Nem was perfect. Igan trying to figure out taking care of Esheme. I love him standing up to anyone he needs to without avoiding accountability but also not being pitiful. I feel Lilong not wanting to go back left ripples in me about just how much has happened and how much time has passed.

The lesson isn't that the academic mind is always right, or hunger for power, but rather that occasion makes serpents of all of us.

Thank you Orbit Books, NetGalley, and Suyi Davies Okungbowa for an arc in exchange for a honest review.

[Sophie H]

4.5 stars!
I requested this book without realizing that it was the third in a trilogy but I still enjoyed it immensely. Okungbowa provides a detailed summary of the previous books and it really helped learn all of the character names and familiarize myself with the histories before beginning. Each chapter completely absorbed me to the point that I would forget about all of the other POVs and story arcs for a moment because I was so invested in the one I was reading!

It has great pacing and rich world-building (like SCRUMPTIOUS world building). The characters are all so fleshed out, realistically flawed and it was interesting having such a broad scope with so many competing interests. You don’t always get to read from all sides of a conflict in fantasy stories! I also really loved how embodied all of the characters were, the sensory details were so immersive. I particularly liked how Okungbowa played with time and it wasn’t always linear as we caught up with each character. I also always love a queer-normative fantasy world.

Season of the Serpent is all around beautifully-written epic fantasy that holds up even if you haven’t read the preceding books! I’m looking forward to getting into the author’s other work!