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Eclipse & the Wolf
Not yet published
Expected 16 Feb 27FROM THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR
In this blockbuster epic pulsing with powerful magic and political tension, follow Eclipse and Wolf as they race to save a world on the verge of collapse.
Welcome to St Paradise: where clans' elites trade in secrets, sex and goods - a glittering world dripping with wealth and blood, old and new.
Eclipse Orinabe has not forgotten the blood. One of the few survivors of the Orinabe clan massacre, she has been raised to be a bigger terror than the one she lived through, a weapon of destruction disguised as a beautiful princess.
Yearning to escape, Eclipse sneaks out to a club on neutral territory, dangerous as running on a knife's edge. When she crosses paths with Wolf - Heir to the Goldshot clan - ancient blood magic humming in their veins forms a bond that will transform the future of St. Paradise forever.
In this blockbuster epic pulsing with powerful magic and political tension, follow Eclipse and Wolf as they race to save a world on the verge of collapse.
Welcome to St Paradise: where clans' elites trade in secrets, sex and goods - a glittering world dripping with wealth and blood, old and new.
Eclipse Orinabe has not forgotten the blood. One of the few survivors of the Orinabe clan massacre, she has been raised to be a bigger terror than the one she lived through, a weapon of destruction disguised as a beautiful princess.
Yearning to escape, Eclipse sneaks out to a club on neutral territory, dangerous as running on a knife's edge. When she crosses paths with Wolf - Heir to the Goldshot clan - ancient blood magic humming in their veins forms a bond that will transform the future of St. Paradise forever.
480 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 2, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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July 17, 2026I GOT IT! Thank you HarperVoyager for the arc, I can't wait to get into it
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Emezi’s first adult fantasy novel is an intricately plotted whirlwind of a fantasy drama that gives vibes of The Godfather and Succession as Eclipse, Wolf, Kilo, and Noah struggle to not just survive but thrive in the violent and predatory city of St. Paradise. In a city ruled by large magical families constantly a hair's breadth from declaring war on each other, there’s always palpable tension, and more high society parties and bloodbaths to attend. While I don’t know how the average citizen in St. Paradise is faring, the ruling families’ drama is as addictive as Real Housewives in a world ruled in the opposite manner of “There is no war in Ba Sing Se.”
A couple thoughts crossed my mind as I was reading: the first is Emezi’s ability to manage many different characters and four distinct POV is excellent; the second is the POVs are different enough that they furnish the reader with important information with only minimal repetition. Despite how much is constantly happening, I didn’t feel overwhelmed either by the numerous characters or by the overlapping twists and turns. Each POV character has their own journey that happens to intersect with the others, and this is very much a novel about finding one’s own agency and place in the world for better and for worse.
I did find the pacing to be uneven with a very long beginning and a somewhat rushed ending. It takes about half of the book for the main plot to really get underway as we spend time with each POV character getting to know their clans, background, and powers. Wolf’s chapters reliably progress the story, and I found myself looking forward to them over the others because of this. I found Eclipse to be delightfully messy, which makes her more relatable as some of her actions are certainly not. This is a book for folks who love morally gray to bankrupt characters, traumatised villain protagonists, and hyperviolent worlds where you could choose to be a better person, but it comes with a cost.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC.
A couple thoughts crossed my mind as I was reading: the first is Emezi’s ability to manage many different characters and four distinct POV is excellent; the second is the POVs are different enough that they furnish the reader with important information with only minimal repetition. Despite how much is constantly happening, I didn’t feel overwhelmed either by the numerous characters or by the overlapping twists and turns. Each POV character has their own journey that happens to intersect with the others, and this is very much a novel about finding one’s own agency and place in the world for better and for worse.
I did find the pacing to be uneven with a very long beginning and a somewhat rushed ending. It takes about half of the book for the main plot to really get underway as we spend time with each POV character getting to know their clans, background, and powers. Wolf’s chapters reliably progress the story, and I found myself looking forward to them over the others because of this. I found Eclipse to be delightfully messy, which makes her more relatable as some of her actions are certainly not. This is a book for folks who love morally gray to bankrupt characters, traumatised villain protagonists, and hyperviolent worlds where you could choose to be a better person, but it comes with a cost.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review: Eclipse & the Wolf by Akwaeke Emezi
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Welcome to St. Paradise, where knowledge is power, secrets are currency, and the strongest are wielded like weapons. Clans rule, violence is inescapable, and even the most innocent aren't spared. This is the brutal world Emezi builds—and it's one you won't easily forget.
Eclipse, the lone surviving heir of Clan Orinabe, has one mission alongside Titi Silver: avenge their fallen clan members by any means necessary. The more violent, the sweeter the satisfaction. Their weapon of choice? A highly addictive drug that places them in a seat of power over St. Paradise—one that many want to replicate, rival, or destroy. The clans each wield gifts from the old gods, powers kept fiercely secret, shrouding every alliance and betrayal in layers of mistrust.
This story is cutthroat—seeped in blood and violence, with no one spared and everyone punished for their trespasses. Yet amid the carnage, there's a surprising thread of seduction, a reminder that romance can feel like the only escape when horror surrounds you.
Emezi's writing is sharp and evocative. I came to this after reading “You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty”, and it's a thrill to see their voice translate so powerfully into adult fantasy. The imagery is vivid—the goldshot weapons, in particular, stood out, reminding me of the stylized guns from Romeo + Juliet (1996), which the author herself cites as inspiration. That cinematic flair runs throughout.
I rated this four stars, mainly because the first half leans heavily into necessary world-building and the pacing takes a while to find its stride. But once you cross that midpoint, the plot hits the ground running and doesn't let up.
What I appreciated most is how fresh this feels within the fantasy genre—free of castles, trials, and the usual Eurocentric trappings that dominate the shelves. This is a distinct, original world with its own rules, and I'm eager to see what Emezi does next in adult fantasy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Welcome to St. Paradise, where knowledge is power, secrets are currency, and the strongest are wielded like weapons. Clans rule, violence is inescapable, and even the most innocent aren't spared. This is the brutal world Emezi builds—and it's one you won't easily forget.
Eclipse, the lone surviving heir of Clan Orinabe, has one mission alongside Titi Silver: avenge their fallen clan members by any means necessary. The more violent, the sweeter the satisfaction. Their weapon of choice? A highly addictive drug that places them in a seat of power over St. Paradise—one that many want to replicate, rival, or destroy. The clans each wield gifts from the old gods, powers kept fiercely secret, shrouding every alliance and betrayal in layers of mistrust.
This story is cutthroat—seeped in blood and violence, with no one spared and everyone punished for their trespasses. Yet amid the carnage, there's a surprising thread of seduction, a reminder that romance can feel like the only escape when horror surrounds you.
Emezi's writing is sharp and evocative. I came to this after reading “You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty”, and it's a thrill to see their voice translate so powerfully into adult fantasy. The imagery is vivid—the goldshot weapons, in particular, stood out, reminding me of the stylized guns from Romeo + Juliet (1996), which the author herself cites as inspiration. That cinematic flair runs throughout.
I rated this four stars, mainly because the first half leans heavily into necessary world-building and the pacing takes a while to find its stride. But once you cross that midpoint, the plot hits the ground running and doesn't let up.
What I appreciated most is how fresh this feels within the fantasy genre—free of castles, trials, and the usual Eurocentric trappings that dominate the shelves. This is a distinct, original world with its own rules, and I'm eager to see what Emezi does next in adult fantasy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Akwaeke Emezi remains an auto-buy author for me and Eclipse and the Wolf only reaffirmed why. Their first foray into epic fantasy is ambitious, immersive, and unmistakably Emezi. The world of St. Paradise feels fully lived in, with distinct clans whose histories, values, rivalries, and belief systems shape every decision they make. The world-building is rich without ever sacrificing the emotional core of the story.
After reading I’m still thinking about Emezi’s relentless questioning of justice. Every major character is forced to reckon with the consequences of their choices. Some are bound by sacred oaths, while others, like Silver Orinabe (aka The Butcher) embody violence without any moral code at all. Beneath the blood magic, political intrigue, and breathtaking battles is a story about power, accountability, and what people become after unimaginable loss.
I also couldn’t stop thinking about how Emezi centers the vulnerability of children. Throughout the novel, they expose the devastating ways children are exploited, weaponized, and made to bear the greatest costs of war and genocide. Those moments gave the novel its emotional weight and elevated it beyond a thrilling fantasy.
And because this is Emezi, the prose is gorgeous. Even in the midst of sprawling political conflict and epic fantasy world-building, there is tenderness, sensuality, and plenty of spice woven into the story. Eclipse and the Wolf delivers everything I hoped for: unforgettable characters, morally complex conflicts, lush writing, and a fantasy world that asks difficult questions about violence, inheritance, and what justice truly requires.
After reading I’m still thinking about Emezi’s relentless questioning of justice. Every major character is forced to reckon with the consequences of their choices. Some are bound by sacred oaths, while others, like Silver Orinabe (aka The Butcher) embody violence without any moral code at all. Beneath the blood magic, political intrigue, and breathtaking battles is a story about power, accountability, and what people become after unimaginable loss.
I also couldn’t stop thinking about how Emezi centers the vulnerability of children. Throughout the novel, they expose the devastating ways children are exploited, weaponized, and made to bear the greatest costs of war and genocide. Those moments gave the novel its emotional weight and elevated it beyond a thrilling fantasy.
And because this is Emezi, the prose is gorgeous. Even in the midst of sprawling political conflict and epic fantasy world-building, there is tenderness, sensuality, and plenty of spice woven into the story. Eclipse and the Wolf delivers everything I hoped for: unforgettable characters, morally complex conflicts, lush writing, and a fantasy world that asks difficult questions about violence, inheritance, and what justice truly requires.
July 20, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I think Akwaeke might be a genius. I haven't read any of their other work, but I am definitely going to remedy that oversight asap! Even when reading about the most brutal and bloody things, it was described with such lyrical and stunning prose.
And the story earns it. Eclipse Orinabe is a ferocious, wounded, unforgettable protagonist: a survivor raised to be a weapon wrapped in the trappings of a princess.
I loved the variety of POVs. And I completely didn't expect who Eclipse wound up with in the end. That completely blindsided me in a good way. I like being surprised. Plus it worked soooooo well. Every dynamic in this book was on fire.
An absolutely gripping fantasy piece full to the brim with politics, intrigue, magic, plus lots of sex and violence. Mwuah *chefs kiss.* The political tension never lets up, the betrayals land hard, and the ending left me desperate for whatever comes next. I would call it urban fantasy, because it has guns, cars, and nightclubs. You really feel like you are in modern times, but it's brilliantly woven together with land and blood magic that makes it feel ancient at the same time. Worldbuilding that feels lived in rather than explained.
The worst part of this book was knowing it was a standalone and reaching the ending. It left me sated yet feral for more from this world at the same time. If you like your fantasy morally messy, politically sharp, and steamy with romance that feels like a threat, this is your book.
5/5 Stars
I think Akwaeke might be a genius. I haven't read any of their other work, but I am definitely going to remedy that oversight asap! Even when reading about the most brutal and bloody things, it was described with such lyrical and stunning prose.
And the story earns it. Eclipse Orinabe is a ferocious, wounded, unforgettable protagonist: a survivor raised to be a weapon wrapped in the trappings of a princess.
I loved the variety of POVs. And I completely didn't expect who Eclipse wound up with in the end. That completely blindsided me in a good way. I like being surprised. Plus it worked soooooo well. Every dynamic in this book was on fire.
An absolutely gripping fantasy piece full to the brim with politics, intrigue, magic, plus lots of sex and violence. Mwuah *chefs kiss.* The political tension never lets up, the betrayals land hard, and the ending left me desperate for whatever comes next. I would call it urban fantasy, because it has guns, cars, and nightclubs. You really feel like you are in modern times, but it's brilliantly woven together with land and blood magic that makes it feel ancient at the same time. Worldbuilding that feels lived in rather than explained.
The worst part of this book was knowing it was a standalone and reaching the ending. It left me sated yet feral for more from this world at the same time. If you like your fantasy morally messy, politically sharp, and steamy with romance that feels like a threat, this is your book.
5/5 Stars
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is absolutely going to be my favorite read of 2026, and it doesn't even come out this year. I'm not going to get into the plot since it comes out so far in the future, but this was AMAZING. It's been days since I finished it, and I don't want to start a new book; I just want to keep sitting in how incredible this was. I've been burned out on multiple POV books for years, but Emezi did this beautifully. I would have actually been disappointed to only hear from one person for this story. I will be buying this as soon as it comes out, and I can see this being a regular re-read for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Eclipse and the wolf was amazing, stunning and fascinating. This is Akwaeke Emezi's 1st Adult fantasy novel, I enjoyed the world building of St. Paradise. Eclipse, Wolf, Kilo, and Noah struggle to not just survive but thrive in the violent and predatory city of St. Paradise. In a city ruled by six families constantly a hair's breadth from declaring war on each other. This story is about power, accountability, and what people become after unimaginable loss. The emotional weight is heavy. Political tension, multiple POV's and powerful magic.
July 24, 2026
Emezi's first adult fantasy was a resounding success for me!
Brutal, dark and twisty, with plenty of clan politics and rival clans constantly at each other's throats. I genuinely had no idea who Eclipse was going to end up with, and it definitely kept me on my toes trying to guess!
I loved all of the different clan magics unique to each clan. It made the world feel so rich and captivating!
I think this works brilliantly as a standalone, but I desperately want more from this world.
So good. 5⭐️, no notes!!
Brutal, dark and twisty, with plenty of clan politics and rival clans constantly at each other's throats. I genuinely had no idea who Eclipse was going to end up with, and it definitely kept me on my toes trying to guess!
I loved all of the different clan magics unique to each clan. It made the world feel so rich and captivating!
I think this works brilliantly as a standalone, but I desperately want more from this world.
So good. 5⭐️, no notes!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Man, I wish I could write this well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amazing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews