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The Nameless Republic #3
Season of the Serpent
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26Award-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?
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?
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 18, 2026
About the author
Suyi Davies Okungbowa
31 books800 followersAlso 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Want to Read
May 15, 2026UPDATE: 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.
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.
Want to Read
November 20, 2025Super 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
Want to Read
November 29, 2025no one talk to me this cover is gorgeous and i'm not ready
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
June 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/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
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews