Habila

by Wayétu Moore

From the acclaimed author of She Would Be King, a dazzling and daring work of magical realism that weaves through the lives of a Liberian immigrant family and the water goddess who haunts them

In this ambitious new novel, the bestselling and prize-winning writer Wayétu Moore delivers us into the lives of a young girl, Melanctha, and her family amid the loss of their patriarch, Tokpa. In search of a fresh start, they relocate from Liberia to the backwater town of Hunt, Texas, a land that proves hostile to them—until one day, when a school bully pushes Melanctha into a lake, and she finds that she can breathe underwater. Melanctha discovers that her newfound power comes from Habila, a gorgeous, beguiling half woman half sea deity who bestows on her a gift: a comb that, if touched, can lure people into the water and make them disappear for good.

But Melanctha’s connection to Habila has not come without a price. Habila has languished alone for millennia, blaming men for her loneliness. She harbors a hatred so potent that she has committed her existence to ridding the world of them. As Melanctha’s ties to Habila deepen, a family mystery unravels, and she learns that the siren may have secrets, too.

Inspired by the African legend of Mami Wata, Habila is a kaleidoscopic tale tracing a family and a woman through the years as they navigate the supernatural forces and long-buried truths that shape their lives. In her signature lush, lyrical prose, Moore crafts an elegant story that probes the corners of womanhood and motherhood, immigrant identity, and the legacies wrought by men who take but never give back.

Genres: Magical Realism, Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology, Folklore

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication January 12, 2027

About the author

Wayétu Moore is the author of the novel She Would Be King and the memoir The Dragons, the Giant, the Women. She received the 2019 Lannan Literary Fellowship for Fiction and the 2022 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing. Moore is a graduate of Howard University, the University of Southern California, and Columbia University.

Reviews

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmm. This time I was ready for the magical realism. In her previous book, SHE WOULD BE KING, it kind of caught me by surprise. But having that experience with Wayétu Moore previously prepared me for this present journey. Melanctha is a young girl who has immigrated to the US from Liberia.

On a school trip she is pushed into the lake and much to her surprise she discovers she can breathe underwater, so after being submerged underwater far longer than any witness knew was possible, Melanctha becomes consumed by this experience and so begins the life long quest to understand the water spirit, called Habila who she befriends and eventually learns Habila is indeed Mother Water, known in ancient West African spiritual systems as Mami Wata.

After this sublime experience the book takes off to great heights, as the reader is filled with questions. And because Melanctha is not very familiar with her Father, who disappeared during her youth, leaving his family to believe he was dead. However, through her own intuition and interactions with Habila she feels as though her father must figure in this Mami Wata power/magic somehow. And so a mystery mission novel breaks out and the magic realism(for me) kind of fades to the background and reduces my eye rolling.

As Melanchta begins the quest to learn as much as possible about her father, the reader is gifted with an unfolding story that Wayétu Moore brilliantly ties all together with an engaging prose to match her attractive storytelling, making this a first rate read. Big thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for an advanced DRC. Book drops Jan. 2027

[Tunrayo Lumpkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a review from receiving an advanced copy from NetGalley.

It was a very intriguing concept, but I found that that the constant switch of POV chapters and the sometimes significant time jumps without it being clear could easily cause confusion. The ending felt very unfinished and left me unsatisfied a bit.

[Kristine]

Heard the author, Wayetu Moore speak about this book at Buzz Books Fiction Books. It sounds very different and quite interesting. Hope I get a chance to read it in 2026.

The cover art is Stunning. The story is Intriguing.

[Nicky Novel Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always loved Wayétu Moore’s writing, and she really delivered an atmospheric, immersive read here.Told across timelines, the story unfolds in layers, giving each character space to breathe. I especially appreciated how every character had dedicated chapters that explored their backgrounds, conflicts, and personal struggles—it made them feel fully realized and deeply human.
A beautifully woven story that blends myth, identity, and history in a way that lingers long after the last page. Thank you Netgalley and Viking Penguin | Viking for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Expected publication date is Jan 2027.

[Jacqueline Rackard · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Thank you, Net Galley and Viking Penguin for the eArc of Habila and the opportunity to read and review the novel.

There is so much to like about Habila- the beautiful and magical setting of the water and Melanctha’s relationship with Habila. Especially in the beginning of the novel when Melanctha first meets and begins to understand Habila's power, I was very invested in the story.
Melanctha experiences in school with her bully, Cameron, and the reality of that situation was just heartbreaking and I hoped that it would end differently, but of course, that would not have been realistic. So, I appreciate Moore's truth-telling, no sugar coating the pain that Melanctha endures early on. Some of the compelling and interesting parts of the novel is the use of magical realism, not only in the way that Habila becomes an important part of the narrative, but also Melanctha realizing her own powers and her connection to the beauty and terror of Habila's world (which becomes her world too). Of course, as we read further, we realize that Papa Georgie's past is also somehow connected to a supernatural force.

I love the premise of the story and the way- it's gripping and magical. Habila is not all that she seems and we see how her seemingly positive attempts to help Melanctha are veiled in a long standing hatred that Habila possesses.

The difficulty that I had with the novel involves pacing, the abrupt and confusing shifts in time and the dumping of many characters especially in the beginning that makes it hard to keep up. There is a lot going on with the narrative and it takes a long time (about 50% in) for the pieces to start connecting. Structurally, the novel felt disjointed at times and led me to have to go back and read certain sections. Additionally, while I did like Melanctha character, the other characters felt flat.

Overall, the story itself is wonderful and there is enough of a mystery to keep me entertained and vested in the outcome.

[Colleen Gershey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between the stunning cover and the book’s description, I was so excited to read Habila! In the story, Habila is mami wata and we follow one family’s suffering in her pursuit of justice/ vengeance.

I was really excited about the mythology element, but it ended up being very minimal to the plot. Still interesting, but less focused on mami wata. My favorite part of this element was how Habila uses the comb to punish men who have behaved badly. This was so satisfying.

Unfortunately, my biggest complaint was not getting as much emotional depth in the characters as I’d like. One pov character has a best friend who is practically family. This friend suffers terribly and the aftermath affects the pov character significantly. Problem is, the friendship happens almost completely off page, so I never felt it viscerally. As such, the emotional damage just doesn’t land.

Most of the characters were unlikeable. That in and of itself is not always a terrible thing. At times, this created some good tension. Other times, it was not interesting. My favorite character was Papa Georgie. He’s so unassuming for the first while, but then his story really touched me. Without spoiling anything, his emotional arc was well done.

I loved the concept, but Habila fell short of my expectations. I’d love to rate it 3.5 stars, but I’m willing to round up because I ultimately did enjoy the uniqueness of the book.

[Solomon Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started Habila with high hopes but also some doubts. As a child of Yemayá, I’m cautious about books that include water spirits/deities and orishas. I’m both suspicious and hopeful. Moore earned my trust with this one. Her use of Mami Wata feels genuine, not just for show. Habila fits naturally into the family story, as if the novel owes her something. The water isn’t just background here. It calls out and demands something in return.

What struck me most, aside from the beautiful prose, was the patient way the story unfolds. The chapters about the past don’t break up the present; they change it. As with any novel with a braided timeline, it's a must for past scenes not to be decorative, but to reclassify the present. Scenes become clearer as more family history is revealed. And Melanctha’s family history is very complicated, full of secrets and losses. Moore’s characters are not one-note, cliché archetypes; they grow more complex as the book goes on, which makes the story feel real to me. This is literary fiction at its core, with magic woven in. I read an advance copy from NetGalley, and this was my first book by Wayétu Moore. I’m now eager to read more of her work. A longer and more in-depth review of this lovely novel is to come.

[Katiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book. Overall, it was a good read and I truly enjoyed it. I’ll admit, the back-and-forth between the past and present threw me off a little at times—but in the end, it really helped connect the dots and explain so much.

What stood out to me most is how the story highlights a real truth: people often want things and assume there’s no cost attached once they get them. But reality doesn’t work that way—you can run, you can hide, but eventually, consequences have a way of catching up.

Melanctha and Cassius had no idea that bringing the truth to light would turn out the way it did, especially when it came to Tokpa. Papa Georgie, honestly I did not see that coming at all. I really thought he was innocent—the kind of character who steps in to save the day or change their lives for the better. Turns out, he had his own selfish motives, and that twist definitely caught me off guard.

It is a slower-paced read, but it’s absolutely worth finishing. Be patient—the story development takes time, but by the end, you’ll appreciate the journey. #NetGalley #Habila

[Mag Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the opportunity to review the ARC!

This is a solid ⭐️4/5 ⭐️

I've never really been a literary fiction person, but I think that's starting to change! We start the story with Melanctha's family emigrating from Liberia to America and follow her in childhood as she deals with racist bullies. One day on a school field trip, she's pushed into a lake and discovers she can breathe underwater. There she meets Habila, a beautiful but vengeful ocean deity who has motives far beyond what the young Melanctha can conceive.

What I really love about this moment is that it's not the beginning but a continuation of a story that began with Melanctha's absent birth father long ago and will follow her well into adulthood. The use of various timelines and disparate characters all woven together is really impressive, and of course, the utter lack of forgiveness for selfish men is intensely satisfying, even while the status quo remains depressingly patriarchal.

It's a slower read but immersive, and well worth the time.

[Allison Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Habila begins when Melanctha our narrator relocates from Liberia to Texas. In her new town, a bully from school pushes her underwater where she discovers she can breathe. While underwater she sees Habila, half woman half mermaid. She gives her a special comb that can lure people into the sea to their death when they touch it.

The novel continues to explore Melanctha’s new powers, combining magical realism and African lore. Melanctha struggles with her feelings towards men, especially those towards her father who abandoned the family years prior. Eventually she starts to suspect a connection between Habila, the magical comb and her long lost father and a mystery ensues as Melanctha matures and discovers her true values.

If you enjoy magical realism, novels based on legends, and identity building you will enjoy this one. I watched an African film called Mami Watta which this was based on shortly after finishing and it was a nice tie in. Thank you to Viking and NetGalley for the eARC!

[Jen G · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting premise, but it didn’t hold my attention and I didn’t feel emotionally connected to the story. Like others, I had trouble with following the timeline without the chapters labeled with years. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy.

Such an interesting premise, blending history, culture, modern life, and magical realism, but it fell flat for me.

We follow Melanctha from her childhood in Texas to her high-powered corporate advertising adult life as she grapples with her family's history. An absent father, a rich cultural history from her family's roots in Liberia, and mythological creatures push Melanctha to seek answers about what family, the patriarchy, and injustices mean in daily life. We see addiction, depression, abuse, and violence on the search for meaning. Unfortunately, the structure of the book left me feeling lost more than I would have liked - flashbacks aren't marked with dates, and rather than give me a sense of mystery it left me confused (perhaps that was the point?) - and characters are surface level, not letting me get close enough to care. The ending was unsatisfying. Perhaps I missed something important that would have given me a revelation. Perhaps the ambiguity is part of the point. After all, it was a lyrical story. But ultimately I felt a bit unsatisfied by where the story took me.

[jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆Rating: 4.5☆

This novel kept me hooked from start to finish, and the different POVs were such an interesting way of making the story so much bigger than just one plot. Very, very good read!

Thanks to NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Penguin Random House for Habila; I didn't want to put it down. I appreciate how Wayétu Moore contrasts a family story of contemporary life in the USA with lingering spiritual beliefs of West
African ethnic groups. Intriguing!

[rachel x]

"A dazzling and daring work of magical realism that weaves through the lives of a Liberian immigrant family and the water goddess who haunts them"

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book really intrigued me. At 400+ pages, I do think that its construction and execution hindered it a bit, particularly with the flashbacks, which were not notated and at time hard to follow. Similar to other readers reviews, I am wondering if that was done on purpose, but either way it made for a lesser reading experience, for me.

The themes of getting what a person wants and what that costs them were particularly interesting for me, and I did NOT see the twist coming!

My only other gripe is it felt as though these characters could have been explored on a deeper level. They were all very surface level.

Thanks NetGalley for the advance read!