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Onyeka #1
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
Black Panther meets Percy Jackson in this action-packed and empowering middle-grade series about a British-Nigerian girl who learns that her Afro hair has psychokinetic powers.
I close my eyes, trying to push the power bubbling in me back down . . . Hairbands snap as my hair shoots out like superfine arrows, tearing through everything in its path.
Onyeka has a lot of hair – the kind that makes strangers stop in the street. She’s always felt uncomfortable with her flamboyant curls, until she makes an important discovery: she can control her hair with her mind!
Her mother quickly whisks her off to the Academy of the Sun, a school in Nigeria where Solari – children with special powers – are trained. But Onyeka and her new friends at the Academy soon have to put their powers to the test as they find themselves embroiled in a momentous battle between truth and lies . . .
I close my eyes, trying to push the power bubbling in me back down . . . Hairbands snap as my hair shoots out like superfine arrows, tearing through everything in its path.
Onyeka has a lot of hair – the kind that makes strangers stop in the street. She’s always felt uncomfortable with her flamboyant curls, until she makes an important discovery: she can control her hair with her mind!
Her mother quickly whisks her off to the Academy of the Sun, a school in Nigeria where Solari – children with special powers – are trained. But Onyeka and her new friends at the Academy soon have to put their powers to the test as they find themselves embroiled in a momentous battle between truth and lies . . .
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2022
125 people are currently reading
7683 people want to read
About the author
Tọlá Okogwu
19 books165 followersTọlá Okogwu was born in Lagos, Nigeria before moving to England at the age of six. After graduating with a degree in journalism, Tọlá spent far too much time trying to figure out what she wanted to do before realising her true passion was hair care and writing. When she isn’t engrossed either of these things, she can be found in Kent with her family and also writes under the pen name Lola Morayo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
April 22, 2022
I quite like it but then I’m biased!! 😂😂 I really hope you guys do too!
August 14, 2023
This is definitely the beginning of what is going to turn out to be an extremely fun middle grade fantasy series. As a comic book fan, it was nice to see the way Okogwu used certain comic elements to create this narrative. If you're a fan of superheroes like X-Men, I think you'll enjoy this one.
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun follows Onyeka who lives in the UK with her mom. It's clear from the beginning of the novel that Onyeka struggles with her hair. She has a whole lot, a lot more than the average person and it's often difficult to manage. When she makes the decision to go swimming with her close friend Cheyenne, she knows that she shouldn't get her hair wet. Her mom is very adamant about how Onyeka manages her hair and whether she is able to manage her temper. While at the pool, Onyeka not only gets her hair wet, but also has to save her best friend from drowning. Surprisingly, Onyeka's hair begins to show unnatural abilities. Her mother then tells her that she has special powers and belongs to a group called the Solari. In order to better understand her own abilities and the mystery surrounding her missing father, Onyeka and her mother make the decision to travel back to Nigeria so that Onyeka can visit the Academy of the Sun. It is there that the story really begins!
One of the things that I loved about this book was the magic system which also has roots in technology. It definitely gave me X-Men vibes which is probably one of Marvel's most complex groups of superheroes. While at the school, Onyeka learns more about her abilities and the abilities of the other Solari. Okogwu does an excellent job crafting her own system so that while readers are reminded of X-Men, these characters and their abilities stand on their own. There is also an element of real world experience that quite a few readers will be able to relate to. Okogwu has an authors note at the end that details why she chose to create a Black girl as the main character and why so many aspects of the book were connected to her experience with her hair. It does end up playing a big role in Onyeka's confidence and how she is able to connect with the other characters.
The pacing of the book was interesting. There were quite a few twists and turns towards the end that I didn't necessarily see coming and were strongly connected to Onyeka's missing father. It will definitely read a little slow because a lot doesn't necessarily happen until the end of the book. This is a first in a series, so a great portion of this was dedicated to the set up of the characters, the school environment, the magic system, vast descriptions of abilities, and more. This definitely provided a touch of issue for me because I typically gravitate towards books that are heavy on the action, but I could respect how this was primarily about introducing readers to a new and exciting world.
There are quite a few people (as other reviewers have stated) that are comparing this to Amari and the Night Brothers, but I would implore people to stay away from that comparison. While I enjoyed Amari and the Night Brothers, these two books are nothing alike and share very few elements in common. Overall, this was a great read and I'm definitely looking forward to what Okogwu has for us in the future.
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun follows Onyeka who lives in the UK with her mom. It's clear from the beginning of the novel that Onyeka struggles with her hair. She has a whole lot, a lot more than the average person and it's often difficult to manage. When she makes the decision to go swimming with her close friend Cheyenne, she knows that she shouldn't get her hair wet. Her mom is very adamant about how Onyeka manages her hair and whether she is able to manage her temper. While at the pool, Onyeka not only gets her hair wet, but also has to save her best friend from drowning. Surprisingly, Onyeka's hair begins to show unnatural abilities. Her mother then tells her that she has special powers and belongs to a group called the Solari. In order to better understand her own abilities and the mystery surrounding her missing father, Onyeka and her mother make the decision to travel back to Nigeria so that Onyeka can visit the Academy of the Sun. It is there that the story really begins!
One of the things that I loved about this book was the magic system which also has roots in technology. It definitely gave me X-Men vibes which is probably one of Marvel's most complex groups of superheroes. While at the school, Onyeka learns more about her abilities and the abilities of the other Solari. Okogwu does an excellent job crafting her own system so that while readers are reminded of X-Men, these characters and their abilities stand on their own. There is also an element of real world experience that quite a few readers will be able to relate to. Okogwu has an authors note at the end that details why she chose to create a Black girl as the main character and why so many aspects of the book were connected to her experience with her hair. It does end up playing a big role in Onyeka's confidence and how she is able to connect with the other characters.
The pacing of the book was interesting. There were quite a few twists and turns towards the end that I didn't necessarily see coming and were strongly connected to Onyeka's missing father. It will definitely read a little slow because a lot doesn't necessarily happen until the end of the book. This is a first in a series, so a great portion of this was dedicated to the set up of the characters, the school environment, the magic system, vast descriptions of abilities, and more. This definitely provided a touch of issue for me because I typically gravitate towards books that are heavy on the action, but I could respect how this was primarily about introducing readers to a new and exciting world.
There are quite a few people (as other reviewers have stated) that are comparing this to Amari and the Night Brothers, but I would implore people to stay away from that comparison. While I enjoyed Amari and the Night Brothers, these two books are nothing alike and share very few elements in common. Overall, this was a great read and I'm definitely looking forward to what Okogwu has for us in the future.
November 4, 2025
Onyeka is a twelve-year-old girl living in the U.K. with her Mom. They moved there from their native Nigeria when Onyeka was very young. In fact, she was so young she doesn't remember anything about her life in Nigeria where they lived with her father.
All Onyeka knows is that when they moved to the U.K. it was just the two of them. Onyeka's Mom keeps their past shrouded in mystery, preferring to ignore the topic rather than answering any of Onyeka's questions.
This sounds sad and if she dwells on it, sometimes it does make Onyeka a little sad, but overall her and her Mom have a great relationship.
Her Mom is a strong woman who only wants the best for Onyeka. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but you can tell the two love each other fiercely even if they don't always see eye-to-eye.
When our story begins Onyeka and her best friend, Cheyenne, are visiting the local public pool on a hot day. Even though Onyeka doesn't adore swimming, for Cheyenne she's willing to join in the fun.
However while they are both playing in the water something happens and Cheyenne ends up in distress. Onyeka, not a strong swimmer to begin with, cannot sit by while her best friend drowns. She has to help her, thus she learns the magic power of her hair.
Yes, you heard that right. The only thing saving Cheyenne and Onyeka that day was the power of Onyeka's hair.
After the very public spectacle at the pool, Onyeka gets home to a Mom that is not happy. Through their heated discussion regarding the days events, Onyeka's Mom reveals that Onyeka is a Solari, a child with special powers.
Before she can even wrap her mind around all this new information, Onyeka finds herself, along with her Mom, on a private jet being whisked off to Nigeria. Their destination is the Academy of the Sun, a school developed just for Solari.
Arriving at the School, Onyeka is overwhelmed by it all. She has to learn about this entire hidden world she knew nothing about before.
Crazier still is that she's one of them and she's powerful. Her hair, that has always been a nuisance to her and a frustration for her mother, is actually her greatest strength.
She just needs to learn to control it.
The Reader gets to go along with Onyeka as she learns all about the Solari, their history and challenges. She trains with other students, who although all Solari, have very different powers from one another.
It was a lot of fun to be in a magic school setting. There were a lot of interesting characters and Onyeka learned so much about herself from interacting with the others. She made some close friends and was able to really be herself for the first time.
I absolutely adored this story from the very first chapter. Getting to know Onyeka, she is such a special character, the kind who is easy to root for.
The story is action-packed, with a slight mystery-edge to it. I loved the themes explored, such as embracing the hidden power within yourself, letting your uniqueness shine and so much more!!!
I would definitely recommend this book to any Middle Grade Reader, particularly if you are looking for diverse, culture-filled, immersive OWN-voices stories.
You can't go wrong with this absolute ray of sunshine. It filled my heart reading this.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Margaret K. McElderry Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I truly hope this isn't the last story I get to read following this lovable protagonist. Onyeka has so much more room to grow and I want to be there for every moment of it!
All Onyeka knows is that when they moved to the U.K. it was just the two of them. Onyeka's Mom keeps their past shrouded in mystery, preferring to ignore the topic rather than answering any of Onyeka's questions.
This sounds sad and if she dwells on it, sometimes it does make Onyeka a little sad, but overall her and her Mom have a great relationship.
Her Mom is a strong woman who only wants the best for Onyeka. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but you can tell the two love each other fiercely even if they don't always see eye-to-eye.
When our story begins Onyeka and her best friend, Cheyenne, are visiting the local public pool on a hot day. Even though Onyeka doesn't adore swimming, for Cheyenne she's willing to join in the fun.
However while they are both playing in the water something happens and Cheyenne ends up in distress. Onyeka, not a strong swimmer to begin with, cannot sit by while her best friend drowns. She has to help her, thus she learns the magic power of her hair.
Yes, you heard that right. The only thing saving Cheyenne and Onyeka that day was the power of Onyeka's hair.
After the very public spectacle at the pool, Onyeka gets home to a Mom that is not happy. Through their heated discussion regarding the days events, Onyeka's Mom reveals that Onyeka is a Solari, a child with special powers.
Before she can even wrap her mind around all this new information, Onyeka finds herself, along with her Mom, on a private jet being whisked off to Nigeria. Their destination is the Academy of the Sun, a school developed just for Solari.
Arriving at the School, Onyeka is overwhelmed by it all. She has to learn about this entire hidden world she knew nothing about before.
Crazier still is that she's one of them and she's powerful. Her hair, that has always been a nuisance to her and a frustration for her mother, is actually her greatest strength.
She just needs to learn to control it.
The Reader gets to go along with Onyeka as she learns all about the Solari, their history and challenges. She trains with other students, who although all Solari, have very different powers from one another.
It was a lot of fun to be in a magic school setting. There were a lot of interesting characters and Onyeka learned so much about herself from interacting with the others. She made some close friends and was able to really be herself for the first time.
I absolutely adored this story from the very first chapter. Getting to know Onyeka, she is such a special character, the kind who is easy to root for.
The story is action-packed, with a slight mystery-edge to it. I loved the themes explored, such as embracing the hidden power within yourself, letting your uniqueness shine and so much more!!!
I would definitely recommend this book to any Middle Grade Reader, particularly if you are looking for diverse, culture-filled, immersive OWN-voices stories.
You can't go wrong with this absolute ray of sunshine. It filled my heart reading this.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Margaret K. McElderry Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I truly hope this isn't the last story I get to read following this lovable protagonist. Onyeka has so much more room to grow and I want to be there for every moment of it!
September 26, 2022
This was such a feelgood read! Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun delivered exactly what it promised: a fun middle grade book with cool magic and Nigerian influences. I really enjoyed it!
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is about Onyeka, a Nigerian girl living in London, who has crazy but amazing hair. She’s always found it practically impossible to look after and is embarrassed about it, but then she discovers that she can control it with her MIND! After this crazy discovery, she’s whisked back to Nigeria where she joins the Academy of the Sun, a school for other Solari like her. And from there, chaos ensues… 😏
Starting with the characters. Although the characters in the book weren’t the most complex, I did really like Onyeka as our protagonist. She struggled a lot with insecurities and shyness throughout the book and I honestly really related to that. I really liked her and she just seemed very genuine.
The friendship she developed with some of the other Solari was also really sweet. Although they felt very typical at first, I ended up liking them in the end! Adanna in particular. She seemed like a very cliche character at first, but as we got to know her, I really grew to like her. Cheyenne, Onyeka’s best friend in London, was also a really cool character, even if she didn’t play as big a role as some of the other characters in the story.
Moving on to the writing. I really enjoyed Tọlá Okogwu’s writing style- it was smooth, descriptive and really easy to read. There was real heart in the book and I could practically feel the author’s love for her world and the characters in it. It was so sweet and cute 🥰🥰
I also really liked the worldbuilding in this book. The Nigerian culture was elegantly and subtly woven into the plot, with little details here and there that just really enhanced the story as a whole. I really liked the Nigerian setting, as it’s one I haven’t really seen in books before, so I found it interesting. The concept of the Solari and their powers, how they came to be, etc. was also VERY unique and the simplicity of the magic system really worked. So, yeah, that was great!
Lastly, the plot. The plot was pretty good I guess, but definitely the weakest part of the story in comparison to the characters, writing and worldbuilding. It had quite a slow start and the middle felt a tiny bit rushed, with lots of time skips. Those plot twists tho?? SO GOOD. But I do think the book would’ve benefited from being a little bit longer and having a bit more happening, particularly in the middle part.
Overall, however, I would definitely recommend Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun if you are looking for a fun and quick middle grade read! I really enjoyed it 😁😁🥰🥰
~ 3.5 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I really enjoyed this one! 😁😁🥰🥰 It was so fun. RTC!
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is about Onyeka, a Nigerian girl living in London, who has crazy but amazing hair. She’s always found it practically impossible to look after and is embarrassed about it, but then she discovers that she can control it with her MIND! After this crazy discovery, she’s whisked back to Nigeria where she joins the Academy of the Sun, a school for other Solari like her. And from there, chaos ensues… 😏
Starting with the characters. Although the characters in the book weren’t the most complex, I did really like Onyeka as our protagonist. She struggled a lot with insecurities and shyness throughout the book and I honestly really related to that. I really liked her and she just seemed very genuine.
The friendship she developed with some of the other Solari was also really sweet. Although they felt very typical at first, I ended up liking them in the end! Adanna in particular. She seemed like a very cliche character at first, but as we got to know her, I really grew to like her. Cheyenne, Onyeka’s best friend in London, was also a really cool character, even if she didn’t play as big a role as some of the other characters in the story.
Moving on to the writing. I really enjoyed Tọlá Okogwu’s writing style- it was smooth, descriptive and really easy to read. There was real heart in the book and I could practically feel the author’s love for her world and the characters in it. It was so sweet and cute 🥰🥰
I also really liked the worldbuilding in this book. The Nigerian culture was elegantly and subtly woven into the plot, with little details here and there that just really enhanced the story as a whole. I really liked the Nigerian setting, as it’s one I haven’t really seen in books before, so I found it interesting. The concept of the Solari and their powers, how they came to be, etc. was also VERY unique and the simplicity of the magic system really worked. So, yeah, that was great!
Lastly, the plot. The plot was pretty good I guess, but definitely the weakest part of the story in comparison to the characters, writing and worldbuilding. It had quite a slow start and the middle felt a tiny bit rushed, with lots of time skips. Those plot twists tho?? SO GOOD. But I do think the book would’ve benefited from being a little bit longer and having a bit more happening, particularly in the middle part.
Overall, however, I would definitely recommend Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun if you are looking for a fun and quick middle grade read! I really enjoyed it 😁😁🥰🥰
~ 3.5 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I really enjoyed this one! 😁😁🥰🥰 It was so fun. RTC!
June 3, 2022
Onyeka is a British Nigerian girl who has a head of long hair that she just can't tame. She doesn't understand why her mother is always harping on managing her hair and controlling her temper. Until one day there's an incident at a pool where she saves her friend from drowning. Her mother reveals to her she has special powers and is a member of a group of super-powered non humans called Solari. She then ends her away to a magic boarding school in Nigeria.
I see people comparing this to Amari and the Night Brothers. Not at all! The only thing it has in common with that book is Black girls at a magic school. The vibes and situation is way different. The X Men comp is spot on. It's X Men for kid set in Nigeria with a full Nigerian cast.
This is the first book in a series. There was a lot of setting up the world and the villain was fairly generic and easy to predict.It's not earning any points for twists because everything is laid out very standardly. But that did make it easier to follow.
It was enjoyable though and it's a fairly quick read and good length. Kids who are beginners to fantasy book will enjoy this one.
I see people comparing this to Amari and the Night Brothers. Not at all! The only thing it has in common with that book is Black girls at a magic school. The vibes and situation is way different. The X Men comp is spot on. It's X Men for kid set in Nigeria with a full Nigerian cast.
This is the first book in a series. There was a lot of setting up the world and the villain was fairly generic and easy to predict.It's not earning any points for twists because everything is laid out very standardly. But that did make it easier to follow.
It was enjoyable though and it's a fairly quick read and good length. Kids who are beginners to fantasy book will enjoy this one.
May 1, 2022
* This book just absolutely took my breath away. It is so beautiful and charming and fun. I can almost feel it settling under my skin because I know that this story has forever changed me and will always be a part of me. I’ve never read anything like it and I don’t think I’ll ever be so lucky again because this book is truly one of a kind. I wish I had such amazing stories to immerse myself when I was of middle grade age. It tells such an important story and shows us that sometimes the things we like the least about ourselves can become our greatest strength if we learn to love them. The way the author tells this story is just so unique and remarkable, I am truly floored by their talent. This book is so moving and yet so fun at the same time, I still can’t quite erase the smile from my face.
*Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for the review copy. This is no way affects or changes my review.
*Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for the review copy. This is no way affects or changes my review.
May 15, 2022
4.5* X-Men meets Amari and the Night Brothers in the first book in what is set to be a game-changing new middle grade series. Okyeka and the Academy of the Sun is both an action packed superhero story and an empowering celebration of Black hair and it's fabulous.
With exciting twists, kickass action sequences, heartwarming friendships and loveable characters, I'm devastated that I don't already have book two in my hands. This was truly fantastic and a wonderful and necessary addition to the middle grade sci-fi/fantasy genre.
With exciting twists, kickass action sequences, heartwarming friendships and loveable characters, I'm devastated that I don't already have book two in my hands. This was truly fantastic and a wonderful and necessary addition to the middle grade sci-fi/fantasy genre.
April 5, 2022
An incredible idea and set of bones for a story here, but ultimately it suffered from pacing and logic issues that took away from the really great characters and setting.
September 29, 2025
Read this with one of my kids and it was fun but left us on a cliffhanger! We need to pick up book 2. Kids with superpowers, an X-Men style school, and a girl wanting to find the father she never met, all set in Nigeria. Onyeka's hair is unruly but magical and she needs to learn to control its power. Along the way she meets new friends, faces unexpected dangers, and uncovers secrets from the past.
August 13, 2023
This was a fun book with a much appreciated X-Men in Africa vibe. Onyeka spent most of her childhood hiding and feeling ashamed of her thick, bounteous, "difficult to control" hair. Her mother has always taught her to hide that part of herself, and she has developed a complex about her hair. One day, a power awakens in which she is able to move her hair to help save her friend from drowning, and her mother is very upset that it happens. That's when her mother reveals her secret heritage passed down from her father. She is part of a rare few people in Nigeria with special powers. Her mother takes her to their school so that Onyeka can be safe and train to use her powers. Onyeka has to learn to allow her hair to be a tool and also to deal with her unchecked emotions, which activates her power. In the process, she wants to learn more about her father who she has not seen since she was very young. But there are others who are after people like Onyeka.
I was really excited to read this book, and I quite enjoyed it. There are a lot of excellent action scenes that were beautifully description. I loved the scenes where Onyeka's hair does its thing. She reminded me of Medusa from the Inhumans in Marvel Comics. But there is a lot of cultural relevance in that black girls are taught that having big bouncy hair is a negative instead of a strength. I suffered under those attacks as a young girl myself. It didn't quite hit its mark in some ways though. I felt like some of the language was repetitive, and the story was somewhat anticlimactic at the end. I was sometimes frustrated with Onyeka's choices and her negative self-talk (although I know that it's realistic for a young girl who has gone through situations that Onyeka's faced). But overall, I liked the characters and the action and descriptions. I appreciated learning more about Nigerian culture, food and the country itself. I always enjoy books about superpowered people, and it's so appreciated to have people of color in this setting. I think this will prove to be a very good ongoing series with each book stronger than the rest. I think that Onyeka will continue to develop into an excellent lead character, and I look forward to seeing other Solari and what their power sets are.
I was really excited to read this book, and I quite enjoyed it. There are a lot of excellent action scenes that were beautifully description. I loved the scenes where Onyeka's hair does its thing. She reminded me of Medusa from the Inhumans in Marvel Comics. But there is a lot of cultural relevance in that black girls are taught that having big bouncy hair is a negative instead of a strength. I suffered under those attacks as a young girl myself. It didn't quite hit its mark in some ways though. I felt like some of the language was repetitive, and the story was somewhat anticlimactic at the end. I was sometimes frustrated with Onyeka's choices and her negative self-talk (although I know that it's realistic for a young girl who has gone through situations that Onyeka's faced). But overall, I liked the characters and the action and descriptions. I appreciated learning more about Nigerian culture, food and the country itself. I always enjoy books about superpowered people, and it's so appreciated to have people of color in this setting. I think this will prove to be a very good ongoing series with each book stronger than the rest. I think that Onyeka will continue to develop into an excellent lead character, and I look forward to seeing other Solari and what their power sets are.
June 12, 2022
Touted as Black Panther meets X-Men, this story follows Onyeka, a British Nigerian girl whose Afro has psychokinetic abilities!
Onyeka and her mother flee to Nigeria seeking refugee amongst the other Solari (mutants) at the Academy of the Sun. Onyeka quickly learns that everything she’s been lead to believe is a lie and now she has to figure out who to trust before danger envelops her.
Gah! I loved EVERYTHING about this book! You’ve got an incredible cast of Black characters. The magic system is so freaking cool, and the academy has four different houses home to different abilities.
Black people are at the forefront of technological advances! This is something that I loved in Black Panther, so I was fully on board with the futuristic tech used throughout the story.
I loved the importance of family, friendship, and found family in this story. Watching Onyeka navigate through all three of these facets was inspiring and heartwarming!
And lastly, I loved the entire conversation surrounding Black hair and how magical it could be. As someone who was always taught to hate my own Afro, seeing Onyeka come to realize that her hair could be a strength was so powerful.
Thank you to Simon Kids for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Onyeka and her mother flee to Nigeria seeking refugee amongst the other Solari (mutants) at the Academy of the Sun. Onyeka quickly learns that everything she’s been lead to believe is a lie and now she has to figure out who to trust before danger envelops her.
Gah! I loved EVERYTHING about this book! You’ve got an incredible cast of Black characters. The magic system is so freaking cool, and the academy has four different houses home to different abilities.
Black people are at the forefront of technological advances! This is something that I loved in Black Panther, so I was fully on board with the futuristic tech used throughout the story.
I loved the importance of family, friendship, and found family in this story. Watching Onyeka navigate through all three of these facets was inspiring and heartwarming!
And lastly, I loved the entire conversation surrounding Black hair and how magical it could be. As someone who was always taught to hate my own Afro, seeing Onyeka come to realize that her hair could be a strength was so powerful.
Thank you to Simon Kids for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
May 27, 2022
this book was absolutely magical! x-men meets amari and the night brothers, it had so many twists and turns that had me GASPING ALOUD and so many underlying important messages. i hope the kids who need and deserve this book find it and see themselves in onyeka and adanna and hassan and niyí. ☀️
May 27, 2022
An empowering and fast-paced adventure, albeit not an entirely original one, ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN is a book of self-acceptance of superheroic proportions.
When her hair magically saves her best friend from drowning, Onyeka Adérìnọlá is taken to the Academy of the Sun, a secret superhero school in Nigeria. However, when the disappearance of her parents becomes central to a rebel groups' motives for attacks, Onyeka and her magical hair may be the key to finding them…
ONYEKA has been a book I've been following since its announcement, from the cover reveal to the Netflix deal, so I've been excited to read this for some time.
In a similar vein to SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF, ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN is another soon-to-be blockbuster British MG fantasy from Simon & Schuster. It's not hard to pick at the two books' similarities: recent MG publishing with near-identical titles that both feature a world adjacent to our own full of magic and mayhem, and a kid at the centre who doesn't quite feel like they belong. ONYEKA's heroine is the titular Onyeka Adérìnọlá (quick note: there's actually an accent over the ọ as well but for the life of me I cannot find a unicode for it), a young British-Nigerian girl that has always had a hard time managing her hair and, as such, feels self-conscious about herself and her appearance.
Whisked away to the Academy of the Sun, Onyeka meets Adanna, her prickly STEM-focused techno-empath roommate, Niyì, a determined young boy with ice powers, and Hassan, a jokester who can turn invisible. They're all fun, sweet characters with just enough depth peeking behind the plot to feel unique – Adanna especially is well characterised, even if it only takes one real talk between her and Onyeka to become best friends.
Onyeka herself develops as a character as she learns to accept her hair and the truth about her past; the book does a decent job at establishing the mysterious Solari people, a race of genetically mutated humans, in the same ballpark as Marvel's X-Men, whose altered DNA allows them to harness Ike, essentially the magic that fuels their superpowers. Is it the most original magic system ever? Maybe not, but its execution strikes as much more unique and interesting when there's also a debilitating catch to using superpowers: sickness in the form of nausea and migraines, even once causing Onyeka to fall unconscious for a few days.
Stripped down to its fundamentals, the setting of ONYEKA's universe is not wholly unique either, but the secret superhero school is located in an oft-forgotten area in children's literature, Africa, specifically the city of Lagos in Nigeria. Technologically advanced, Lagos is given the spotlight as Onyeka and her friends explore the local areas, giving the book an original flavour of set pieces and places of interest.
Up until the climax, I was pretty much hooked. It has all the ingredients I personally enjoy: Chosen One at magic boarding school with a mystery looming ahead, and whilst its execution might not be the most original you've ever seen, there is a great message, especially for black children, about accepting and loving yourself.
What had me less enthusiastic, however, was the ending. Imagine any derivative kids' film where the generic villain reveals their dastardly evil plan and then gets foiled at the last second by sheer stupidity. That's ONYEKA's climax. The villain first thoroughly underestimates Onyeka and friends. Powers get hurled around everywhere in a confusing word mishmash of limbs and bodies, and even though there are a dozen or so trained adults who presumably know the dangers of fighting Solari as they understand what Ike is, they lose badly to four thirteen-year-olds. Then the villain gets captured, only to mysteriously manage to escape so there can be higher stakes in the second book. I wasn't expecting anything hugely mind-blowing, but come on, maybe something a little more exciting than that?
That said, for all its faults, I enjoyed ONYEKA (probably on par with SKANDAR honestly). Original? No. Fun? Absolutely. For fans of the classic middle grade boarding school adventure, ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN is sure to be a hit.
WILL I READ ON? Yes.
eARC received from Simon and Schuster UK Children's via NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. This title releases on the 9th June 2022.
LAST REVIEW
When her hair magically saves her best friend from drowning, Onyeka Adérìnọlá is taken to the Academy of the Sun, a secret superhero school in Nigeria. However, when the disappearance of her parents becomes central to a rebel groups' motives for attacks, Onyeka and her magical hair may be the key to finding them…
ONYEKA has been a book I've been following since its announcement, from the cover reveal to the Netflix deal, so I've been excited to read this for some time.
In a similar vein to SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF, ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN is another soon-to-be blockbuster British MG fantasy from Simon & Schuster. It's not hard to pick at the two books' similarities: recent MG publishing with near-identical titles that both feature a world adjacent to our own full of magic and mayhem, and a kid at the centre who doesn't quite feel like they belong. ONYEKA's heroine is the titular Onyeka Adérìnọlá (quick note: there's actually an accent over the ọ as well but for the life of me I cannot find a unicode for it), a young British-Nigerian girl that has always had a hard time managing her hair and, as such, feels self-conscious about herself and her appearance.
Whisked away to the Academy of the Sun, Onyeka meets Adanna, her prickly STEM-focused techno-empath roommate, Niyì, a determined young boy with ice powers, and Hassan, a jokester who can turn invisible. They're all fun, sweet characters with just enough depth peeking behind the plot to feel unique – Adanna especially is well characterised, even if it only takes one real talk between her and Onyeka to become best friends.
Onyeka herself develops as a character as she learns to accept her hair and the truth about her past; the book does a decent job at establishing the mysterious Solari people, a race of genetically mutated humans, in the same ballpark as Marvel's X-Men, whose altered DNA allows them to harness Ike, essentially the magic that fuels their superpowers. Is it the most original magic system ever? Maybe not, but its execution strikes as much more unique and interesting when there's also a debilitating catch to using superpowers: sickness in the form of nausea and migraines, even once causing Onyeka to fall unconscious for a few days.
Stripped down to its fundamentals, the setting of ONYEKA's universe is not wholly unique either, but the secret superhero school is located in an oft-forgotten area in children's literature, Africa, specifically the city of Lagos in Nigeria. Technologically advanced, Lagos is given the spotlight as Onyeka and her friends explore the local areas, giving the book an original flavour of set pieces and places of interest.
Up until the climax, I was pretty much hooked. It has all the ingredients I personally enjoy: Chosen One at magic boarding school with a mystery looming ahead, and whilst its execution might not be the most original you've ever seen, there is a great message, especially for black children, about accepting and loving yourself.
What had me less enthusiastic, however, was the ending. Imagine any derivative kids' film where the generic villain reveals their dastardly evil plan and then gets foiled at the last second by sheer stupidity. That's ONYEKA's climax. The villain first thoroughly underestimates Onyeka and friends. Powers get hurled around everywhere in a confusing word mishmash of limbs and bodies, and even though there are a dozen or so trained adults who presumably know the dangers of fighting Solari as they understand what Ike is, they lose badly to four thirteen-year-olds. Then the villain gets captured, only to mysteriously manage to escape so there can be higher stakes in the second book. I wasn't expecting anything hugely mind-blowing, but come on, maybe something a little more exciting than that?
That said, for all its faults, I enjoyed ONYEKA (probably on par with SKANDAR honestly). Original? No. Fun? Absolutely. For fans of the classic middle grade boarding school adventure, ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN is sure to be a hit.
WILL I READ ON? Yes.
eARC received from Simon and Schuster UK Children's via NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. This title releases on the 9th June 2022.
LAST REVIEW
December 13, 2022
Summary: Timid Onyeka is doing exactly what her mother asks of her. Until her best friend has a pool party that changes everything. With her friend in danger, she jumps to her rescue. Only her hair is the one to save her in the end. Leading to even bigger reveals Onyeka is now headed to a school of magic that is a world away from her own. Will she be strong enough to embrace this new journey and new powers? With the help of new friends and old family history she is willing to give it her best shot.
I really enjoyed this, there's something so refreshing about reading middle grade books that are done so well anyone can pick it up and read it. Even as an adult I felt so nervous about the high stakes and lessons Onyeka was learning along the way. I really loved the school setting and the not so nice roommate she had that she learned more about the more she let her in. The history of the magic, gods, and competition had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for book two. Big decisions will be made.
I really enjoyed this, there's something so refreshing about reading middle grade books that are done so well anyone can pick it up and read it. Even as an adult I felt so nervous about the high stakes and lessons Onyeka was learning along the way. I really loved the school setting and the not so nice roommate she had that she learned more about the more she let her in. The history of the magic, gods, and competition had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for book two. Big decisions will be made.
April 15, 2024
This was such a good story! Just leave me in the middle grade aged fantasy for a little while. We read about young Onyeka coming into herself and her powers that she didn’t know she had because of secrets kept by adults!
In this story we learn that it’s not always good to keep someone in the dark about something so important!
This story kept me on my toes, & although some parts were a little predictable this story was still so very enjoyable!!!
In this story we learn that it’s not always good to keep someone in the dark about something so important!
This story kept me on my toes, & although some parts were a little predictable this story was still so very enjoyable!!!
Read
January 22, 2022[Gifted]
An inventive, magic-meets-solarpunk take on the climate crisis through the eyes of a girl training to refine her psychokinetic powers in a high-tech version of Nigeria. Onyeka is a truly memorable protagonist, and this is a book absolutely crying out for a screen adaptation - it's X-Men meets Black Panther.
An inventive, magic-meets-solarpunk take on the climate crisis through the eyes of a girl training to refine her psychokinetic powers in a high-tech version of Nigeria. Onyeka is a truly memorable protagonist, and this is a book absolutely crying out for a screen adaptation - it's X-Men meets Black Panther.
June 24, 2022
This is in incredibly fun superhero story, focusing on loving Black hair, that I would comp to Amari and the Night Brothers and The Marvellers. I always love a superhero story, and I always love a magic school story, and this is such a refreshing one with some interesting twists and turns.
January 31, 2024
Adventurous and interesting middle grade book. I found it less engaging than Amari and the Night Brothers, but I'm going to continue with book 2.
May 16, 2022
What a fantastic read! Meet Onyeka, a new Solari learning about her new powers and struggling to find out about the strength she possesses and what it means to have a family. Any black girl will tell you about the struggle they often have with their hair but in this story, Onyeka’s hair is her power.
The book is refreshing read because there is nothing quite like this out there. With the mix of a girl raised in London going back to Nigeria, Okogwu describes some wonderful locations added with futuristic sci-fi elements. With such a big story arch, Onyeka’s path has only just begun so there must be more to come to properly resolve the story. Until then, add this book to your wish list and pre-order it now.
Due to be released this summer, ‘Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun’ is set to be adapted into a Netflix film produced by David Oyelowo and Will Smith.
The book is refreshing read because there is nothing quite like this out there. With the mix of a girl raised in London going back to Nigeria, Okogwu describes some wonderful locations added with futuristic sci-fi elements. With such a big story arch, Onyeka’s path has only just begun so there must be more to come to properly resolve the story. Until then, add this book to your wish list and pre-order it now.
Due to be released this summer, ‘Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun’ is set to be adapted into a Netflix film produced by David Oyelowo and Will Smith.
May 12, 2022
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is, for the most part, a cheesy middle grade paint-by-numbers mix of the Princess Diaries and X-Men. The writing is clunky and the plot strains credulity. But Black girls deserve to have cheesy paint-by-numbers books written about them, too. I'm glad this book exists and that it celebrates Afro-textured hair and cultures American kids might not otherwise be exposed to. And the cover is so, so cool. Feels like it should be released as a full-size movie poster.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
April 1, 2022
I LOVED this book. First off, take a second for that gorgeous cover. Then get ready for a fantastic story of self-acceptance, found family, and friendship. ONYEKA was at once everything I want from a 'magical academy' story with the fresh addition of futuristic technology, giving it a little bit of a sci-fi/X-men feel. Okogwu's writing is so lush, you can sink into it, and I enjoyed every word. I highly recommend snagging a copy!
February 16, 2022
It’s looking like a hot tea ☕️
And movie night!! 🍿🎥
And movie night!! 🍿🎥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2025
3.5 stars - This was such a fun middlegrade! Overall I enjoyed the story, I can totally see why so many people love this & I will be continuing on with the series. I also heard this series got a deal with Netflix and im (cautiously) excited to see what they'll do with the series since even if this wasn't perfect for me I think the story has a lot of potential.
I think Onyeka is a fun main character to follow & she's really interesting, I also really liked the world and the setting of a (slightly) futuristic Nigeria. That being set the pacing was a little all over the place and while Onyeka is a standout character a lot of the side-characters were very one-note and predictable. I'm very curious to see where the story will go because the end of the book was very action-heavy and I'm just curious what will happen next.
I think Onyeka is a fun main character to follow & she's really interesting, I also really liked the world and the setting of a (slightly) futuristic Nigeria. That being set the pacing was a little all over the place and while Onyeka is a standout character a lot of the side-characters were very one-note and predictable. I'm very curious to see where the story will go because the end of the book was very action-heavy and I'm just curious what will happen next.
June 1, 2023
I had high hopes for this book and was worried it would disappoint me. To the contrary, I immediately fell in love and knew I needed the sequel in my hands ASAP. This story combines some of my favorite stories on one: Black Panther, Amari and the Night Brothers, X-Men…
July 15, 2022
2.5 🌟
This is a case of “It’s not the book, it’s me” syndrome, because there was nothing too bad about it, I just don’t like this kind of fantasy. I hoped it would be one of the rare exceptions, because usually I am luckier with middle grades, but sadly this wasn’t the case.
The only objective issue I can highlight is that the characters, aside from Onyeka, fell a bit flat. They all had one main characteristic each and that was that; I couldn’t tell them apart from time to time and that was a shame, because I liked Onyeka as a main character. She was extremely flawed and a bit too stubborn, but she was a strong MC and I would have liked all the other characters to be as well built as she was. Seeing as this is just the first book in a series, maybe they will be more developed in later instalments.
The writing style was nice, and I think there’s room for improvement, which is why I am still not ruling out the possibility of continuing with the series, especially because my main problem with the book was that the plot was too similar to other books I’ve read, but I believe in the next books it can get more original, if given the chance.
The story reminded me a lot of a middle grade version of Raybearer, mixed with Black Panther, Nevermoor and Amari and the Night Brothers. Aside from Black Panther which is my favourite MCU movie alongside Shang Ci, I did not like the other medias I’ve mentioned, so I guess it’s only natural that I did not like this one either. Moreover, the villain was very obvious and I could tell from the first time they appeared that they were bad. I think even children won’t be surprised, if they’ve read more than one book in their life. It wasn’t very well crafted and the reveal felt almost useless at that point.
The world building was still interesting, even if it wasn’t the most original, and I found interesting how the powers worked (especially Onyeka’s hair and all it meant and symbolised) and how they were affected by emotions. I also really liked that the book was almost entirely set in Nigeria, it’s not often that we get fantasy books set in a different location than the USA or Europe/England, so I always appreciate “visiting” new countries.
I think I will keep on reading the series to know more about how the mutation works and what Solari will do to fight the sickness that comes with it. I would still recommend this book if you enjoy fantasy books and middle grade and if you are looking for a story about a powerful Black girl as a main character. I prefer Onyeka over Amari, but I think if you liked one, you could definitely like the other.
This is a case of “It’s not the book, it’s me” syndrome, because there was nothing too bad about it, I just don’t like this kind of fantasy. I hoped it would be one of the rare exceptions, because usually I am luckier with middle grades, but sadly this wasn’t the case.
The only objective issue I can highlight is that the characters, aside from Onyeka, fell a bit flat. They all had one main characteristic each and that was that; I couldn’t tell them apart from time to time and that was a shame, because I liked Onyeka as a main character. She was extremely flawed and a bit too stubborn, but she was a strong MC and I would have liked all the other characters to be as well built as she was. Seeing as this is just the first book in a series, maybe they will be more developed in later instalments.
The writing style was nice, and I think there’s room for improvement, which is why I am still not ruling out the possibility of continuing with the series, especially because my main problem with the book was that the plot was too similar to other books I’ve read, but I believe in the next books it can get more original, if given the chance.
The story reminded me a lot of a middle grade version of Raybearer, mixed with Black Panther, Nevermoor and Amari and the Night Brothers. Aside from Black Panther which is my favourite MCU movie alongside Shang Ci, I did not like the other medias I’ve mentioned, so I guess it’s only natural that I did not like this one either. Moreover, the villain was very obvious and I could tell from the first time they appeared that they were bad. I think even children won’t be surprised, if they’ve read more than one book in their life. It wasn’t very well crafted and the reveal felt almost useless at that point.
The world building was still interesting, even if it wasn’t the most original, and I found interesting how the powers worked (especially Onyeka’s hair and all it meant and symbolised) and how they were affected by emotions. I also really liked that the book was almost entirely set in Nigeria, it’s not often that we get fantasy books set in a different location than the USA or Europe/England, so I always appreciate “visiting” new countries.
I think I will keep on reading the series to know more about how the mutation works and what Solari will do to fight the sickness that comes with it. I would still recommend this book if you enjoy fantasy books and middle grade and if you are looking for a story about a powerful Black girl as a main character. I prefer Onyeka over Amari, but I think if you liked one, you could definitely like the other.
May 9, 2022
Described as Black Panther meets The X Men, Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun is the delightful and engaging first book in a new middle-grade fantasy series from
author Tolá Okogwu.
Smart, tender, and super freaking cool, I finished this book in two sittings, because I just couldn’t get enough! Okogwu’s writing is great, and Onyeka is such a relatable heroine. I loved the entire cast of teens, and the systems of science and superpowers were really fascinating. This book does a great job of weaving in Nigerian culture and Afro-futurism, while also exploring themes of family, fitting in, and really cool examples of “Black Girl Magic”. I loved that Onyeka’s hair - so often seen as wild and unruly - is also her greatest strength. The Academy of the Sun is fascinating, and I can’t wait for more world building in the coming books. We leave off on a really tantalizing note, and book two is already on my Most Anticipated list.
This was a delight - perfect for fans of The Akata Witch, Witchlings, and superhero movies.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book, from Simon & Schuster Canada, in exchange for my honest feedback.
author Tolá Okogwu.
Smart, tender, and super freaking cool, I finished this book in two sittings, because I just couldn’t get enough! Okogwu’s writing is great, and Onyeka is such a relatable heroine. I loved the entire cast of teens, and the systems of science and superpowers were really fascinating. This book does a great job of weaving in Nigerian culture and Afro-futurism, while also exploring themes of family, fitting in, and really cool examples of “Black Girl Magic”. I loved that Onyeka’s hair - so often seen as wild and unruly - is also her greatest strength. The Academy of the Sun is fascinating, and I can’t wait for more world building in the coming books. We leave off on a really tantalizing note, and book two is already on my Most Anticipated list.
This was a delight - perfect for fans of The Akata Witch, Witchlings, and superhero movies.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book, from Simon & Schuster Canada, in exchange for my honest feedback.
February 26, 2023
3.5 stars
this was such a cute and fun read
i loved the friendship between Onyeka and her best friend, how deep it was and so full of support and love. i loved how this book is set in nigeria for the second half of it and the different towns we get to see. i loved the different powers we learnt about. i loved a lot of things lol.
the plot was pretty predictable though, but this is a middle grade so of course i was going to guess it easily so that didn't take away from my enjoyment. what did bother me was the way onyeka spoke to her mother and how hurtful she was at times even though her mother did EVERYTHING for her. the disrespect was just too much.
this was such a cute and fun read
i loved the friendship between Onyeka and her best friend, how deep it was and so full of support and love. i loved how this book is set in nigeria for the second half of it and the different towns we get to see. i loved the different powers we learnt about. i loved a lot of things lol.
the plot was pretty predictable though, but this is a middle grade so of course i was going to guess it easily so that didn't take away from my enjoyment. what did bother me was the way onyeka spoke to her mother and how hurtful she was at times even though her mother did EVERYTHING for her. the disrespect was just too much.
May 21, 2022
3.5⭐️
This was really fun, definite Amari and the Night Brothers vibes so would recommmend this for fans of that. Loved how it celebrates textured hair and I think it’s so important that books like this are out there for young readers. For me personally, I found the pacing a little off at times, and didn’t love how this ended, but overall really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.
This was really fun, definite Amari and the Night Brothers vibes so would recommmend this for fans of that. Loved how it celebrates textured hair and I think it’s so important that books like this are out there for young readers. For me personally, I found the pacing a little off at times, and didn’t love how this ended, but overall really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.
June 22, 2025
Varken hennes mamma eller den tolvåriga Onyeka gillar att stå ut i mängden men har man ett stort afrikanskt och magiskt hår, så är det svårt.
Det här är en roman som omfamnar det annorlunda. Okogwu är snabb med att introducera ovanligheter och minoriteter.
Huvudkaraktärerna är från Nigeria och har flytt till England, vilket är en utmaning i sig! Att dessutom ha ett ostyrt afrikanskt hår som sedan är magiskt, livsförändrande svårt.
Förutom det introduceras även en karaktär med Turners syndrom och så omfamnas nördighet och furry, på en sån fin nivå!
Onyeka får med tiden lära sig vad hon är, en solari som enkelt kan översättas till mutant med magiska krafter. Fast kraft och styrka kommer alltid med ett pris. De som inte kan kontrollera eller använder sin ike frekvent, mår snabbt illa.
Men förutom att Onyeka måste förstå om sig själv, söker de även efter hennes pappa!
Resan till Nigeria, Onyekas historia, de magiska mutanterna och de fina vännerna hon hittar på vägen är en sådan spännande läsupplevelse!
Under sin tid på Solens akademi får hon vara med i den årliga turneringen och för att klara utmaningarna behöver hon samarbeta med sina fiender, vänner och sin ike.
Denna del är rätt liten men ändå riktigt underhållande.
Utmaningarna och Solens akademi är en blandning mellan Harry Potter och den flammande bägaren, X-men och Hungerspelen.
Författarinnann använder även av autentiska ord och slang från pidgin (Afrika är ju stort med många språk, dialekter och slang, så ni får ta min okunskap med nypa salt, för jag tror att det är fler ord och språk som används, pidgin är bara ett som faktiskt nämns i boken) som förklaras med viss översättning, kontexter i scener och med en ordlista i slutet av boken.
Flickan med det magiska håret är en representerande, självkännande och varm roman där minoriteter och olikheter verkligen får skina och stå på pedistalen!
Boken är spännande och en underbar introduktion till Nigeria och de magiska mutanterna, solari.
Det är rätt mycket som är intryckt på några få sidor men de är en bra introduktion till de framtida delarna.
Jag längtar till att läsa mer om Nigeria, om solariernas kamp för rättvisa och om Onyekas familjs.
Det här är en roman som omfamnar det annorlunda. Okogwu är snabb med att introducera ovanligheter och minoriteter.
Huvudkaraktärerna är från Nigeria och har flytt till England, vilket är en utmaning i sig! Att dessutom ha ett ostyrt afrikanskt hår som sedan är magiskt, livsförändrande svårt.
Förutom det introduceras även en karaktär med Turners syndrom och så omfamnas nördighet och furry, på en sån fin nivå!
Onyeka får med tiden lära sig vad hon är, en solari som enkelt kan översättas till mutant med magiska krafter. Fast kraft och styrka kommer alltid med ett pris. De som inte kan kontrollera eller använder sin ike frekvent, mår snabbt illa.
Men förutom att Onyeka måste förstå om sig själv, söker de även efter hennes pappa!
Resan till Nigeria, Onyekas historia, de magiska mutanterna och de fina vännerna hon hittar på vägen är en sådan spännande läsupplevelse!
Under sin tid på Solens akademi får hon vara med i den årliga turneringen och för att klara utmaningarna behöver hon samarbeta med sina fiender, vänner och sin ike.
Denna del är rätt liten men ändå riktigt underhållande.
Utmaningarna och Solens akademi är en blandning mellan Harry Potter och den flammande bägaren, X-men och Hungerspelen.
Författarinnann använder även av autentiska ord och slang från pidgin (Afrika är ju stort med många språk, dialekter och slang, så ni får ta min okunskap med nypa salt, för jag tror att det är fler ord och språk som används, pidgin är bara ett som faktiskt nämns i boken) som förklaras med viss översättning, kontexter i scener och med en ordlista i slutet av boken.
Flickan med det magiska håret är en representerande, självkännande och varm roman där minoriteter och olikheter verkligen får skina och stå på pedistalen!
Boken är spännande och en underbar introduktion till Nigeria och de magiska mutanterna, solari.
Det är rätt mycket som är intryckt på några få sidor men de är en bra introduktion till de framtida delarna.
Jag längtar till att läsa mer om Nigeria, om solariernas kamp för rättvisa och om Onyekas familjs.
January 31, 2023
3,5. Onyeka appartient à la tranche basse du middle grade en termes d'âge. C'est un chouette début de sage afrofuturiste jeunesse !
J'ai trouvé l'exposition peu convaincante et un peu longue, j'étais heureuse quand Onyeka est enfin arrivée au Nigéria. L'univers est sympathique mais gagnerait à être un tout petit peu plus développé, j'aurais aimé voir davantage Lagos que l'académie. Les personnages sont sympathiques et variés, mention spéciale pour le Nchebe. J'ai aussi apprécié l'académie. Encore une fois, je pense que c'est un aspect qui aurait pu être un peu plus montré. La relation d'Onyeka avec ses cheveux m'a aussi plus, surtout le temps et l'énergie qu'elle leur consacre, sa confiance qui s'installe peu à peu...
La fin de ce tome est un peu prévisible mais permet de poser les bases pour le tome suivant qui devrait être riche en rebondissements. 👀
J'ai trouvé l'exposition peu convaincante et un peu longue, j'étais heureuse quand Onyeka est enfin arrivée au Nigéria. L'univers est sympathique mais gagnerait à être un tout petit peu plus développé, j'aurais aimé voir davantage Lagos que l'académie. Les personnages sont sympathiques et variés, mention spéciale pour le Nchebe. J'ai aussi apprécié l'académie. Encore une fois, je pense que c'est un aspect qui aurait pu être un peu plus montré. La relation d'Onyeka avec ses cheveux m'a aussi plus, surtout le temps et l'énergie qu'elle leur consacre, sa confiance qui s'installe peu à peu...
La fin de ce tome est un peu prévisible mais permet de poser les bases pour le tome suivant qui devrait être riche en rebondissements. 👀
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