The Turning of Sally-Mae

by Nuzo Onoh

A historical African-Wild West horror story of supernatural vengeance and terrifying occultic magic from the winner of the Bram Stoker Award® for Lifetime Achievement. Two fearsome deities battle each other for the souls of white twins destined to either bring vengeful devastation or salvation to their community in Texas, USA, for a great injustice done to their mother.

When Sally-Mae Jenkins is violated and impregnated by the twin scions of a wealthy rancher, she's sent to join the African missionary ship as a widow. Pregnant and terrified, Sally-Mae vows vengeance on all those who abused her and her family.

Amara is a young woman with the body and face of an old hag. The village outcast, Amara can 'eat' the diseases ravaging the villagers and cure the most deadly ailments. But her powers drain her youth and her strength and the only help she has is the fearsome entity that claimed her soul, the spirit known as Aja-Mmọ, the death-giver and physician of the dead.

When Sally-Mae arrives in Amara's village, her unborn twins become the focus of both the Python-Goddess, Asata, who wants the twins dead, and Aja-Mmọ, who wants the twins alive in her service, just like Amara. And suddenly, Sally-Mae finds the boys, with their unearthly and fearsome powers, have become the weapons of her vengeance against the unsuspecting citizens of her home town back in Texas….

A gripping tale of supernatural horror, bitter revenge and battling deities, suffused with Onoh's trademark thrilling storytelling, wit and dark humor.

Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fantasy, Adult, Fiction, Thriller

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 20, 2026

Reviews

[Pete Talks Books Good]

Full review to come with Grimdark Magazine!

[☽｡⋆ Shells (jlreads_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and riveting story [ audiobook]. I really enjoyed this one. Most specifically, how the novel presents or highlights the clashing of cultural differences and how this paints the characters.

Other than that, another thing that I really love is the new knowledge on the West African culture, especially the Goddess Aja-mo and Asata, which are heavily inspired on the said culture or folklore.

Did research on it a little bit and discovered some fascinating [ #funfact ] on each Goddesses. I kind of wish there were more of them, to be honest.

The novel also did hit the mark on [ racism, hypocrisy, subjugation, and the violent cultural erasure] of the whites on the marginalised people.

The danger of [ patriarchy & hypocrisy] as well as the story stated [ white people only see beyond their colors if they want to ] *non verbatim* is a glaring evident of how [ white supremacy idealogy] served no one not even the white themselves.

Lastly, the complexities of motherhood & reclaiming of female autonomy. Not to mention the cost of revenge. Sally and Amara are definitely my favourite parts other than genre, horror & supernatural concepts & themes in this story.

I love how they embodied these clashes, and despite the differences and biases, they found an ally on each other. You could say they bonded through shared trauma in a way. They also showed that both cultures can possibly coexist [ the twins].

Overall, this was a really compelling story. I enjoyed it so much. I would say I am turning a blind eye on the choices of narrators, which I did wish were both females to really have that distinct voice and more impactful character arcs. Still, I really enjoyed this.

Highly recommended the author's Futility, which also shares similar themes to this. Enjoyed that one, too ✨️.

5⭐️. Thank you, Tantor Media, for the alc via Netgalley.

[Wendy · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

The Turning of Sally Mae by Nuzo Onoh

⭐ 4.25/5 Stars ⭐

This audiobook had so much going on, and I genuinely didn’t want to stop listening!

Sally Mae did not have the easiest start to adulthood. A tragic and deeply disturbing encounter changes the course of her life, setting her on a journey filled with pain, difficult choices, survival, and self-discovery. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, something else would happen that pulled me right back in!

What I especially appreciated was how many emotions this book brought out in me. There were moments of sadness, frustration, disbelief, anger, and even hope. Sally Mae is far from perfect, but that’s part of what makes her such a compelling character. As the story progressed, I found myself becoming one of her biggest cheerleaders, wanting her to find her strength and overcome everything life continued to throw her way.

I appreciated how the author explored the complicated relationship between religion, cultural beliefs, trauma, and personal identity. Some of the religious themes and situations may be uncomfortable or even offensive to more traditional or conservative Christians. However, I felt these elements were important to understanding Sally Mae’s struggles and the world she was trying to navigate. They added another layer of complexity to an already emotionally charged story.

The narration was fantastic! Curt Bonnem and Délé Ogundiran did an incredible job bringing the characters and their emotions to life. Délé Ogundiran, in particular, was absolutely wonderful! Her performance added so much authenticity, personality, and emotional depth to the story. The narration made an already captivating book even harder to put down.

Overall, The Turning of Sally Mae is an intense, emotional, and thought-provoking story that blends African horror (more thriller), cultural traditions, religion, and one woman’s fight to reclaim her life. There is a LOT happening in this book, but I was invested in Sally Mae’s journey from beginning to end.

A solid 4.25 stars from me! I came for the story, stayed for the incredible narration, and finished as a fan of Sally Mae!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media, and the Nuzo Onoh for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. I really enjoyed it.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark, unique, and rage-filled story that had me cheering for Sally-Mae's revenge, even if the narration didn't quite deliver the intensity I craved.

I really loved the story itself, but when reviewing an audiobook, I have to consider the entire listening experience, and unfortunately, the narration was a big miss for me.

The story was dark, mysterious, and wonderfully unique, with all the feminine rage I LOVE! It tackles some incredibly heavy topics, including sexual abuse, racism, and religion, while delivering a tale of vengeance that had me internally screaming, "YOU GO, GIRL!"

After Sally-Mae is violated and impregnated, the very community she is a part of shuns her. But Sally-Mae isn't about to quietly accept her fate. With a little help from some magical sources, she sets out to reclaim her power, and I was HERE FOR IT!

I loved the creative ways Bubonic Plague and Cholera were defeated, and of course, the rattlesnakes were my absolute favorite! Watching Sally-Mae take control of her circumstances and deliver her retaliation was incredibly satisfying.

Unfortunately, the narration didn't capture the darkness, emotion, or intensity that I felt this story deserved. The casting felt mismatched to the characters, particularly having a male narrator voice Sally-Mae's perspective. Rather than pulling me deeper into the story, it often took me out of the experience.

Ultimately, I think I would have enjoyed this one significantly more in print. The story itself was fantastic, but the audiobook experience held it back for me.

📖 The Turning of Sally-Mae
✍️ Nuzo Onoh
🎙️ Curt Bonnem & Délé Ogundiran
🎁 Tantor Media
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Faye Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Turning of Sally-Mae is a standalone historial African Wild-West folk horror that will make you feel alternately angry and anxious! There are two main characters - the titular Sally-Mae, sent as an African missionary after being raped and impregnated at home in Texas, and Amara, a young woman who eats disease after coming back from the dead. The paths of these two abused and wronged women eventually cross and the story really gets going from there.

This book has a lot of separate elements in it, including body horror, revenge story, the general awfulness of people, and African gods. It is completely original and I definitely felt the horror in it. The story builds towards a big climactic confrontation between Sally-Mae and those who wronged her, but it did leave me a bit unsatisfied at the end. Although some people did get their comeuppance, there were others that either got away with it, or made a choice to support the awful people out of the blue and I just couldn't understand why. I won't say anything more specific to avoid spoilers, but overall I don't think I quite got that satisfying ending that I was looking forward to.

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Nici Sorrells · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Turning of Sally Mae by Nuzo Onoh was such a good read! The story was dark, gripping, and kept me interested from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the way the author brought the story to life. My only complaint was the narration, which I felt could have been much better. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves dark horror! Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes for upcoming review in Library Journal.

In this book, Onoh (Utility) combines revenge horror, a western, and some body horror with a tale of battling goddesses. The book opens in 1885 and Sally-Mae, pregnant after being sexually assaulted by the twin sons of a cattle baron, is sent to Nigeria to do missionary work. This serves to remove her from the small Texas town where she could cause a scandal. Arriving in Africa and disguised as a widow, Sally-Mae seethes with the desire for revenge against her attackers, their family, and the entire town. Her path crosses with Amara, a healer in the village. Bitten by a snake when she was young, she was saved by Aja-Mmo, goddess of death and healing, and can now eat illness.

When her own twin sons are born, Sally-Mae is bitten by snake and becomes a priestess to Asata, the python goddess. She is granted shape shifting power which will grant her the power she needs to get revenge. Her sons, promised to Aja-Mmo and threatened by Asana, are cared for by Amara and see her as their mother. Their own power could save the people in their mother's home town or aid her in her desire to destroy them.

The story has lots of buildup, despite beginning with Sally-Mae being treated as a disgrace in church. Readers learn of her background, family history, and what happened to her as the story progresses. The pacing will surprise the reader as the action builds and then retreats, providing more backstory and information about the gods and their servants. Much of the horror comes from Sally-Mae herself, empowered by her goddess and driven to punish those who wronged her and her entire family. The African setting and religion work to keep readers going forward as they learn more about the terrible power that these goddesses grant to their followers. With revenge as a central theme, libraries with readers who liked The Queen of the Cicadas by V. Castro or When The Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen should add this title to their collection.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

The Turning of Sally Mae by Nuzo Onoh is a unique tale of revenge featuring battling African deities and magical healers.

Set in the late nineteenth century, the story follows Sally Mae Jenkins who finds herself pregnant after being sexually assaulted by the sons of the same rancher who seized her family's home following the death of her father.

In order for the town's elders to protect the good name of the fine young men, Sally Mae finds herself, for all intents and purposes, banished to Africa to work as a missionary. Despite being completely unsuited to the work, the young woman tries her best while being preoccupied with thoughts of vengeance on those who had wronged her.

Her condition, however, attracts the attention of the local deities, as well as one of their mortal representatives in the form of Amara, the village healer and outcast. Quickly, Sally Mae's life takes another unexpected turn, but her dreams of revenge may still find a way to come true.

This was quite the read. Onoh's novel was certainly highly original and engaging. Amara's story and condition were heartbreaking. Her dignified demeanour, however, was a much-needed foil for the chaotic titular character. I found Sally Mae by turns both maddening and sympathetic. I was consistently on edge waiting to find out what she was going to do or say next, such was her energy. She was rarely likeable but never not attention-grabbing.

Besides the two leads, I also thought the characterisation throughout the novel was strong. Even the side characters came across as well defined, and the villains of the book were skin-crawlingly loathsome. It was impossible not to cheer Sally Mae on.

Another personal highlight was the time spent in Amara's village. The customs and the religion practised were simply fascinating to take in.

While I'm still processing elements of the ending, as I'm not sure part of it sat quite right with me, overall I really enjoyed the book and would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different.

With thanks to Titan Books for the ARC.

[Bossmanaries Smith · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Rating: 4.25 ⭐

The heart of humanity will always reveal itself. Are we demons, warriors, angels, or perhaps a terrifying combination of all three?

Nuzo Onoh delivers complex characters and a story that is thrilling, horrifying, and chilling in all the right ways. This revenge thriller is an artist’s playground of grotesque imagery, layered conflicts, and consequences that leave plenty of room for questions and compelling discussion. At its core, you’ll find yourself asking: Who is the healer, and who is the true perpetrator of harm?

One thing is certain: Onoh knows how to make you despise a character, especially the villains. Yet amid the darkness, I absolutely loved Amara and Sally Mae. The witty, humorous phrases sprinkled throughout the story provide welcome moments of levity without diminishing the horror.

🎧 Audiobook Narration: Curt Bonnem and Délé Ogundiran deliver a strong dual-narrated performance. Bonnem narrates Sally Mae’s story, while Ogundiran performs the chapters primarily focused on Amara. Both bring clarity and distinct energy to their sections, helping the two perspectives feel separate and engaging. I was curious about casting a male narrator for Sally Mae’s female perspective, though that may have been an intentional creative choice.

My only criticism was a pronunciation choice that briefly pulled me out of the experience: Bonnem says the biblical reference as “One Corinthians” rather than “First Corinthians,” particularly while voicing a preacher. It was a minor issue, but noticeable in context.

Check your triggers before diving in. This is a dark, disturbing read with plenty to unsettle you, but it made for an excellent spooky-season listen. Nuzo Onoh knows how to deliver horror that entertains while leaving you with plenty to think about.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Media, and RB Media for providing me with this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

📅 Publication Date: October 20, 2026

#TheTurningofSallyMae #NetGalley #SpeculativeFiction #Horror #Thriller

[Rax · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

The audiobook is almost unlistenable. I had to take breaks from it. If this hadn't been a review book I probably would have given up on it. I was interested in the story and wanted to still give it a chance. I just don't understand the choice to have a masculine voice actor as one of the narrators. He doesn't suit the character and he annoying when he does woman and children. I just do not understanding the casting choice for a book with two woman protagonist to have a man narrating. The other voice narrator does good job.

Also I do think it's silly to have a character in historical setting to ask "what the N-word is?" I'm not saying to use slurs, but that character wouldn't have said "N-word". There must have been other ways of addressing this. Maybe this was better handled in the physical book version and this was the choice of not having this white man saying the N-word to unsuspecting readers. My main point is took me out.

In terms of story, this book is woman being treated badly...then not being allowed to be mad about it. You think revenge narrative, but barely so. Also you have these powerful goddesses, but this story is so male centred. Even the ones we're meant to like, I wanted bad things for. It's not helped that in the audiobooks the twins squeaking over nothing and I was routing for the death of Joel. Mental that she named them after the first twins. There is a lack of character growth, we meet angry mixed-raced girl, who stays angry and we meet a passive-girl who stays passive.

I would definitely read more of Nuzo Onoh's work. The audiobook makes it had to judge this novel fairly, as I was actively annoyed through at least 50 percent of it. There's a chance I might have liked Sally-Mae better and saw her as complicated character, instead of dreading when it was her turn.

[Alicia Ceasar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Turning of Sally-Mae by Nuzo Onoh follows Sally-Mae Jenkins, a young woman who is pregnant and has to hide the pregnancy so she is sent on an African mission trip pretending to be a widow. It also follows Amara, who is a young woman that looks very old that has the ability to "eat" sicknesses. These two women collide when two deities begin to fight over the future of Sally-Mae's pregnancy.

The synopsis for the book says that it is a historical African-Wild West story and I definitely felt those vibes while listening to the audiobook. It was such an interesting experience because I don't think I have ever read anything quite like this before. This is the first full length novel by this author that I have read and I plan on reading more!

This book deals with some heavy subject matter including rape so just be aware of that going into the story. But this novel is full of supernatural horror, battling gods, discussions of religion, and revenge. I feel like it was such an atmospheric book to listen to and if you are planning on picking this one up, I would highly recommend the audio. There are two narrators and I think that helps balance the story out really well.

I think my favorite parts of this book were definitely the scenes with the disease eating and all the discussions of religion. While there are African deities in this book, Sally-Mae is from the states where Christianity is the main religion so listening to different characters opinions about the different religions added a really interesting layer to this story!

I think if you are a fan of really supernatural stories and want to read one that is pretty diverse that delves into religion a lot and has a unique feel, you should check this one out!

[Cait · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

A sharp and fierce tale full of vengeance, African folklore, horror, friendship, and dark comedy. I was cheering for Sally-Mae and Amara throughout the whole story!

I absolutely loved the elements of familial love and friendship in this story. This story highlights two women who's lives would have never crossed paths if they both weren't forced into specific destinies by others, yet they form such a beautiful friendship despite the circumstances. Their relationship was full of growth, emotion, and love that it really drove the plot in such a wonderful way. It was a great balance to the sections fueled with evil, hatred, and vengeance.

Nuzo Onoh created a great melting pot of uncomfortable yet important topics that are tackled in this story. Trauma, sexual abuse, personal growth and exploration, questioning your religious identity, colonialism, racism, sexism, and many more. Even though we see elements of these throughout the story, they are tactfully done and not sensationalized. I don't feel like they made the story an overwhelming read and they left a great impression on me as a reader.

Curt Bonnem and Délé Ogundiran created a great atmospheric dual narration for this story. However, while Bonnem was great for narrating the twins' voices and male characters, it threw me off a bit when he was narrating Sally-Mae. I'm unsure of the choice for selecting a male narrator for a story about two women (in which a lot of the male characters are portrayed as wrongdoers); Ogundiran felt a lot more fitting for a feminine rage type of story.

Thank you to Tantor Media and NetGalley for an ALC!

[Sage · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Nuzo Onoh is on every recommendation list with authors I adore, but this is the first time I've gotten to experience her work. I can see why she is recommended so often! The body horror is at times viscerally gruesome, yet somehow lyrically beautiful at the same time. I found both the story of Sally-Mae and Amara to be terrifying - both women are treated terribly in their lives - in different ways. The rage within the heart of this book is both their own, and my own at bearing witness to what they endure.

I am not as much a fan of the audiobook as I am of the story itself. I found it a unique choice to have a male narrator, Curt Bonnem, for the Sally-Mae chapters. I don't think his portrayal of her was as nuanced as I might have preferred - in some instances it felt insensitive. I'm sure he's a lovely audiobook narrator in other stories, but after hearing Dele Ogundiran's Amara chapters, I wished for her to have done both roles or for two women narrators to have taken on these women. I'm giving a 5 star rating to the story, as the audiobook narrators are just my preferences.

Thank you to Nuzo Onoh for an exceptional story, to Netgalley and RBMedia for an ALC for my honest review.

[Brian Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for the advance copy of this audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

5-second Story Pitch
Poor Sally-Mae gets done way wrong, and there’ll be hell to pay.

What I Loved
The battle of Western and African mythologies was fantastic. I thought the deity-imbued powers were pretty cool, reminiscent of the sin eaters. Amara was an excellent character, and you could feel the love she had for the (young) twins. It’s wild how much this is a fish-out-of-water story for both Sally-Mae and Amara.

What I Thought Could be Better
I expected a bit more *horror* in this, but i was not left unsatisfied by the end. There were also a few times where Sally Mae’s language felt more modern than the time period.

Audio Narration
Curt Bonnem and Délé Ogundiran share the narration of this story. I thought Ogundiran was excellent. I had a bit of a struggle with Bonnem’s parts. Some of the voices he chose felt too cartoonish to me, especially for this kind of story.

Overall
I quite enjoyed this overall. The conclusion felt satisfying,

[Lindsay · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

The Turning of Sally Mae is absolutely a feast for folklore, with heavy themes of colonialism, evangelization, and power. I found our primary protagonists to be interesting and complex characters in different ways, both unlikeable in some ways and redeeming in others. The body horror elements were visceral and intense. I continue to be perplexed, however, by the choice to have a male narrator voice Sally Mae, and I wonder if some of the artistic choices in his reading affected my characterization of her in ways that I don't know the author intended. I would be interested to re-read the text and compare. Additionally, I found the pacing to be inconsistent, with some writing being highly repetitive almost to the point of frustration, and some areas in which I wanted more time for character development felt rushed (especially with Amara). The unique story and folklore however make it absolutely worth a listen! Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for the chance to listen and give my honest feedback!

[Beccy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read early.

This book was kind of hard to get into but as soon as you do, you’re completely hooked. I love books with unlikable characters and Sally-Mae definitely was one. Though, a lot of her bitterness comes from the trauma of being raped and then shunned by society for falling pregnant out of wedlock, I can’t justify her actions.
She’s cruel and racist and treats the people that care for her shitty. And still, her revenge plot is amazing and I’m still rooting for her (only for the revenge, the rest is terrible).
Entering her complicated relationship with Amara and the Gods that Sally-Mae meets in Africa and we have a story that won’t stop entertaining you.

This has everything: African folklore, colonialist commentary, the dark side of Christianity and faith in times of personal crisis, female rage, revenge and an unique magic system in which diseases have personalities and can be sensed my Amara (and eaten!!!).

This was a dark and gory fun ride through madness and I recommend it to alllll the historical horror fans!

[Kas Marek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Tantor Media and NetGalley for the ALC.

Wow, this was so good! I'm not a huge fan of historical settings, but it was so good here. While I always crave female rage and revenge in my stories, the friendship between Sally-Mae and Amara was my favorite. I loved the mutual respect and understanding as their friendship deepen.

I'm quite happy we didn't get the gory details of Sally-Mae's assault and the story focused more on the impact and feelings.

Strong Themes in this book:
Patriarchy
Colonialism
White Supremacy
Religion/Dieties
Assault
Revenge
Anger that festers and eats
Power

I thought towards the end the author was returning back to forgiveness and that seemed like a strong message. But nope, revenge tastes better and I'm here for it.

[lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

female rage, but make it african.

i really enjoyed the atmosphere of this book, and i felt like i got to know the characters quite well. there’s a lot to appreciate here, especially in the way it explores anger, womanhood, and the experiences of women within its cultural context. unfortunately, though, the overall reading experience was just okay for me. i never felt particularly invested in the story, and it didn’t leave as much of an impression on me as i’d hoped. the pacing felt slow, and the story became a little repetitive after a while.

i can definitely appreciate what this book was trying to do, but i just never connected with it on the level i wanted to. not a bad read by any means, just one that didn’t quite work for me.

[Chelsea Pittman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the cover and the title. Drew me in immediately.

I have to be honest and say I was thrown off by the male narrator. He wasn't bad but I didn't really understand why he would need to narrate since both main characters are women. It made me cringe when he would do Sally-Mae's voice. I did like the female narrator though.

I wasn't really enjoying the story but I'm sure others will. I just wasn't connecting with Sally-Mae at all.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nuzo Onoh, Curt Bonnem, Délé Ogundiran, and Tantor Media for the opportunity to read it. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.

[Critter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.

I think the story in this book is great and I plan on rereading a physical copy of this book at some point. The book is deeply emotional. There are heavy themes and topics in this one. I think they were handled very well and built a lot of dimension to the book. I did feel that there narrator was not great for this book. He just didn't really match the vibes of this book and he took me out of the story a lot.

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Turning of Sally Mae checks so many boxes! Religious horror, supernatural transformation, and vengeance served up piping hot! A satisfying journey from helpless to hellbent."
-Sadie Hartmann, Bram Stoker Awards® winning author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered

Guys, this is Nuzo Onoh's best work yet-please be aware of highly sensitive content (right in the beginning actually)

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Texas to a small village in Africa, I can guarantee that you will not expect all the ways in which this story will grasp your attention and make your mouth drop. While the concept of a woman turning into a bunch of snakes and then another woman consuming sicknesses sounds insane, Onoh’s imagery is stunningly vivid and claws at your imagination. This is ultimately a revenge story that builds and coils up like a snake, then strikes with relentless venom right at the end.

[Amber Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When thy f*cketh around they findeth out.

🐍 Revenge horror. Dark humor. Ancient Gods. Magical transformation. 🐍

The Turning of Sally Mae was a wild ride that kept me cackling with Sally Mae’s internal dialogue and also angry at the injustices women have always endured. The epilogue made me choke up a bit.

I enjoyed Nuzo Onoh’s writing style so much and look forward to reading more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley + Tantor Media for the ALC.

[Erin Marie]

Unfortunately, I need to DNF this audiobook at 45%. I was pushing myself because it was not the story, it was the narrator. But I finally decided I will pick it up in physical or ebook once it is released. Having the main character, a woman, be narrated by a man was an interesting choice. Every time it was Sally-Mae's POV I was completely thrown off and pulled out of the story.

I will update my review when I can read it physically.

[Ronda Smith-stoddard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and Nuzo Onoh for the opportunity to experience this ALC. The Turning of Sally Mae is a dark, gripping folk horror that leaves you breathless. Sally Mae was a bitter difficult race victim shunned by society. Difficult to listen to at times , I had a hard time with Sally Mae. She was rude and bitter despite her circumstances. I enjoyed Amara , even though consuming sickness was rather strange. Body horror, supernatural transformation, and vengeance are in abundance. The male narrator was an odd choice for the main female characters.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured would be an understatement. This was freaky, angry and hit everything I wanted from it. There was so much going on and there were twists and turns! Every one took me somewhere new and I was obsessed. Highly, highly recommend

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally -Mae is an absolute star.
She kept me entertained for hours.
Funny, eye raising, funny, ridiculous.
I'm not sure if it was supposed to be more humor than horror, but that's not how I took it.
Excellent narration, cracking story.
Very good.

Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy.

[Kelsea Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

My blurb of The Turning of Sally-Mae:

“A powerful, engrossing, and clever tale of venomous vengeance rich with folkloric tradition. Onoh doesn’t hold back in this unputdownable novel!”