Son of the Storm

by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Overview

"Fantastical beasts and forgotten magic propel a story about ambition and conspiracy." —Fonda Lee

"Everything I love to see in a fantasy story. Masterful." —Jenn Lyons

"[A]mbition and intrigue cause surprises on nearly every page." ―NPR Books

From city streets where secrets are bartered for gold to forests teeming with fabled beasts, a sweeping epic unfolds in this richly drawn fantasy inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa. 

In this world, there is no destiny but the one you make.

In the ancient city of Bassa, Danso is a clever scholar on the cusp of achieving greatness—except he doesn’t want it. Instead, he prefers to chase forbidden stories about what lies outside the city walls. The Bassai elite claim there is nothing of interest. The city’s immigrants are sworn to secrecy.

When Danso stumbles across a warrior wielding magic that shouldn’t exist, he’s put on a collision course with Bassa’s darkest secrets. Drawn into the city’s hidden history, he sets out on a journey beyond its borders—and the chaos left in the wake of his discovery could bring down an empire. 

The Nameless Republic
Son of the Storm

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316428941
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	05/11/2021
Series:	The Nameless Republic , #1
Pages:	496
Sales rank:	136,180
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Suyi Davies Okungbowa is the author of Son of the Storm (Orbit, May 2021), first in The Nameless Republic epic fantasy trilogy, and the godpunk novel, David Mogo, Godhunter (Abaddon, 2019). His shorter works have appeared internationally in periodicals like Tor.com, Lightspeed, Nightmare, Strange Horizons, Fireside, and anthologies like Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda and Year's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy. He earned his MFA at the University of Arizona. He tweets at @IAmSuyiDavies and is @suyidavies on Instagram.

Editorial Reviews

02/15/2021

Okungbowa (David Mogo Godhunter) launches the Nameless Republic trilogy with this gripping epic fantasy about a deeply divided, West Africa–esque nation on the brink of disaster. Naive, idealistic Danso is intended to be married to headstrong, ruthless Esheme. It’s a match that would secure the political standing of both their households, which are set at the margins of the privileged Idu caste—if only Danso, who’s discriminated against for being Shashi, the mixed-race offspring of a mainlander and an outlander, would keep his nose down and focus on his duties as a jali novitiate instead of searching for the truth about his mother beyond the borders of his homeland. But when Danso crosses paths with Lilong, a skin-changing invader from the Nameless Islands who wields a mystical power that Danso believed to be mere folklore, the encounter challenges everything he thought he knew about his homeland. This polyphonic fantasy unravels at a deliberately measured pace, and while the myriad perspectives contribute to the story’s tension and urgency, readers may initially feel frustrated trying to orient themselves in such a complex society. Once the story coalesces, however, the hook will be set. This series starter promises more good things to come. Agent: Eddie Schneider, JABberwocky Literary. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"A mesmerizing coming of age tale set against a thrilling, fantastical adventure that introduces a beguiling new world...and then rips apart everything you think you know.” —S. A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass

"[A]mbition and intrigue cause surprises on nearly every page as characters reach for power in unpredictable and nuanced ways. More importantly, the novel purposefully reveals the lure of power and the generational impact of this intrigue, both from the perspectives of the powerful, and from the points of view of those who do not, will not, or cannot, hold power...The effect is rich, wild, and occasionally dizzying."—NPR Books

"Okungbowa weaves an intricate and irresistible plot around the tensions and contradictions of a corrupt, decadent society which is both dependent upon and resentful of its diverse migrant population. The result is a vibrant tale of betrayal, intrigue, and revolution which benefits greatly from an original setting, a fresh take on magic, and deftly executed characterization."—Anthony Ryan, author of Blood Song

"It’s always refreshing to find fantasies that break with all the old conventions and tropes, and Son of the Storm delivers on this like a flash of lightning in the dark! Set in a deftly craftedworld of forbidden sorcery, magical beasts, and fractured polities, this tale follows three characters whose seemingly disparate journeys are set for a collision course that will rewrite the fate of whole peoples and empires. Suyi Davies Okungbowa has created an original and fully conceived new world of fantasy teeming with brilliant possibilities and demanding to be explored!"—P. Djeli Clark, author of A Master of Djinn

"This is everything I love to see in a fantasy story: masterful, fully-realized worldbuilding, morally complex characters, thoughtful and piercing interrogations of power, privilege, and all the facets of human nature. Damn good book!"—Jenn Lyons, author of The Ruin of Kings

"Highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy based on non-European mythologies...readers who enjoy protagonists on troubled journeys...or anyone who likes to chew on stories with complex shenanigans."—Library Journal (starred review)

“Okungbowa's world feels fully formed from the first pages, sweeping readers away into an elaborately plotted tale of ancient magics and world-shattering politics. I, like many others, will be impatiently waiting for the next installment!”—Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter

"An epic fantasy set apart by how deftly Okungbowa unfurls his intricate, richly imagined world. It's not often you get to read a fantasy novel that spans not only ancient magic, sinister machinations, and monstrous forests but courthouses, college classes, and hairdressers too, evoking the terrible and fascinating city-state of Bassa in living, breathing detail."—A. K. Larkwood, author of The Unspoken Name

"I was completely under its spell, eager to see how the story continues."—FIYAH Literary Magazine

"A world so exquisitely observed in every detail, from the built environment to its social and political organization, that you can’t help but tumble headlong into its vivid, captivating reality. Esheme is a standout: her unflinching subversion of motherhood to serve her own ends absolutely thrilled me."—Shelley Parker Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun

"Energetic... Set in a lush secondary world inspired by West Africa. It’s the sort of elaborate classic fantasy scenario with magic and adventure that fans of the genre will adore."—Washington Post

"An original and fascinating epic fantasy full of bold characters, bloody action, and brutal politics. I thoroughly enjoyed it!”—James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

“Okungobwa’s richly-drawn and ruthlessly strict world never provides its conflicted characters with easy answers. Fantastical beasts and forgotten magic propel a story about ambition, conspiracy, and the elusiveness of belonging. This is epic fantasy that will make you think and leave you unsettled.” —Fonda Lee, World Fantasy Award-winning author

"Enthralling... This sweeping and politically charged fantasy explores race, gender, and culture in a complex and compelling world."—Buzzfeed News

From the Publisher