What an amazing debut! I can already see a series or at least a sequel. Omar Epps brought all the heat with this new dystopian novel. In post apocalyptic NY, displaced Nubian immigrants awaken to superpowers. Will they use it for good and the betterment of the whole Lower Quarter or will they use it to their advantage and seize power? In the battle of the haves and have nots, we are reminded of the phrase "with great power comes great responsibility." Absolutely loved this book. Its giving Wakanda vibes and I love the Afrofuturism featured here. And can we talk about the cover? Stunning!

Climate impact on the future cause the water levels to rise. The island population of Nubia is displaced to New York City. The impact forces the displaced Nubians to manage the social classes in a big city where there is a significant disparity between those that have and those who do not. This is where fantasy comes in. Nubian special powers (which have been dormant since the move to NYC), start to generate in the teenage generation.

Along with superhero-type magic, this book touches on some heavy topics like racism, corruption, and social issues.

I found the beginning to read a bit slow. There were many characters introduced and some complex background development. Once that setup occurs, the pace picks up and it is hard to put down by the end, clearly set up for a sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4/5 stars (maybe 3.75?)

I'm kind of a sucker for anything that's dystopian and inspired by non-white folklore and legend, so I was super excited for this science fiction/dystopian novel. The cover is STUNNING, and the premise sounded exciting and different than the usual stuff appearing.

The novel has a wide range of POVs, and at times it felt like it didn't let the characters develop as much as they could have, but it's also definitely the first book in a series. I think a lot more world building could have happened, as I'm still confused on a LOT of stuff as it gets revealed to the characters. Krazen is perfectly done as the villain though, along with his daughter, as I hate BOTH of them so much by the end of the novel and how manipulative they are to get what they want.

I both like and dislike separating the Nubians as a plot point, but it really just made me frustrated how it was used as an element to further separation and politics...but I'm pretty sure that's the point of it.

It is a relatively quick read though, and the action is nonstop.

This is an engaging teen sci/fi or fantasy book that tackles some important topics, such as family relationships, climate change, race, discrimination, and poverty. The ending paves the way for a sequel. The pace was a bit inconsistent, but it did improve as the story unfolded.

Nubia: The Awakening by Omar Epps and Clarence A. Haynes is one of the best adventurous, dystopian fantasy's I've had the pleasure of devouring.
I'm a huge Epps fan and to read his his debut is special.
Lencho, Zuberi and Uzochi are three teens and they are refugees from a fallen African utopia, who must navigate their powers in a climate-ravaged New York City.
I loved their journey and most of all their strength.
Epps writing style is light and witty. The plot is well-paced, full of red herrings, action and adventure.
Filled with corruption, friends, family and power I thought it was a pretty damn good read.
Plot wise, this was action packed, emotion filled and utterly addictive from the first page until the last
This was a truly phenomenal read

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Random House Children's & Delacorte Press,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Nubia the awakening
Powerful beyond measure!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

This book follows zuberi ,Uzochi and Lencho
As they try to trace their ancestral history and what happened before they were born. A massive storm destroyed their homeland and they were forced to flee from west Africa to New York. These kids end up having to deal with classism, being outcasted, and so much more. However! They also discover they have powers.
I think if you love Fantasy and futuristic vibes then this is the book for you. It does cover pretty heavy topics like climate change, classism, and segregation as well.

I liked this book! The world-building was amazing and I felt like each character was unique. The way the fantasy was blended with these topics was really good and kept me reading.

Afrofuturist is a genre I’m really enjoying. So I was thrilled when I received from @netgalley the ARC of Nubia The Awakening by Omar Epps and Clarence A. Haynes. This an Afrofuturist dystopian fantasy.

We meet 3 teenagers whose people are climate change refugees from an African utopia, Nubia. There are themes of poverty, oppression, immigration, family, race, discrimination, classism, abuse, ancestry, and magic.

The fist part of the book is world building and then it takes off! I’m ready for the next one and this isn’t even out yet. I know my kids are going to love this book so I’m going to get it for them.

I loved that the kids felt real. They weren’t perfect. They had normal reactions and emotions to stresses, etc. If you like Black Panther or The Ones We’re Meant to Find (loved the Up High city parallels).


#NubiaTheAwakening #netgalley

3.5 stars

This fast paced urban fantasy has all the makings of an incredible introduction to a series. The "haves" have ascended to live above while the "have nots" are left below in the slums to barely survive. But once the "have nots" begin to realize their supernatural powers, they become an ever bigger commodity to the powerful.

But something is off. The pacing in beginning is slow eventually picks up. Perhaps its the chunky transitions. It is still a mystery of what the benefits of the Nubia special powers are. Perhaps this is revealed in the follow up book. The cover does not tie in to the storyline.

I really enjoyed this cultural urban fantasy tale. Climate change, racism, social classes, political corruption, abuse, death, friendship, family ties, ancestry, magic and more. It had just enough and never too much.
Nubian’s had to evacuate their country after a storm destroyed destroyed their lands. They landed in NY where the are segregated to the swamp aka slums. The rich live in high towers with all the extras money can buy, the Nubians have nearly nothing. It’s a classic tale of the rich vs the poor, with oppression, racism, and hatred, but there is a twist that makes this so much more. The once great Nubian’s get some of their history reborn. This will be the change of everything.
Cliffhanger ending

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

This was an intense, fast-paced read that brought a lot of attention to where our world could be heading but in a fantasy setting.

Three teenagers that live in NYC around the year 2080, I believe, are connected not just by shared history and nationality but because they have discovered they have powers. Nubians fled their homeland in this tumultuous future when global warming began massively affecting this planet. Now many live in a rough district of NYC while the rich live in the sky, literally (a city built in the sky).

This story covers some dense topics particularly global warming and class segregation. It shows how those with power may take advantage but offers hope with the Nubians being finally able to start fighting back. These three teens with powers are just the beginning as is this book. I'm looking forward to the sequel!

Out November 8, 2022!

What an epic journey!

It was a bit of a slow start, but once the action got going I was hooked. I loved the Nubian people; their resilience, dedication, and their "gifts".

The flow was a little back and forth; smooth then a little clunky then back to smooth, but an enjoyable read all the same.

Not a standalone. Can't wait for the next!

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! I am fairly new to the fantasy genre but I have come to love it. I am so glad I took the plunge and read it because I was so hooked! I read it walking from my office to different offices as I had to go to meetings or get things done kind of hooked. The characters are so so so well developed and 3 dimensional, they felt so real! I also really enjoyed feeling like I was completely transported into a new world. This can be a bad thing if you then try to function back in reality. :-)

It is a book newbies like myself and long time fantasy fans can enjoy. There were a few twists that made me keep reading later than was wise when I had to work early.

I can't wait to read more books by Omar Epps and Clarence Haynes!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book has an interesting blend of teen struggles, dystopian future fraught with class division and the devastating impact of climate change, the fears and hopes of immigrants raising their children in a new country, the challenges of keeping their culture alive, and newfound supernatural abilities being used to help their community and abused by outsiders with power. I found it very easy to empathize with the three main characters (Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho) and their individual situations and challenges. Additionally, the main and supporting characters were realistic and even those who were presented as more antagonistic had reasons behind their behavior, even if those reasons didn't necessarily justify their actions. The book addressed the issue of trust, between the young characters themselves, trust in the adults around them, and trust in outsiders who offer a chance at a different life. These young adults have to make big decisions that have a broader impact on their families and community, at an age where they are often just discovering themselves and what they want from life. The supernatural Awakening of abilities experienced by the refugee community's new generation also raises the issue of responsibility to others. I finished the book wanting more, not only of the current story but of the history of the Nubian people.

I am providing my honest opinion of this book in exchange for receiving a copy from NetGallery and the author/publisher.

This book addresses some pretty heavy topics under the YA genre, and I’m here for it! It follows several teens as they discover their unique abilities and connection to each other. They face climate changes, family dynamics, gang involvement, class, discrimination, and race issues as they attempt to survive in New York in 2098 after fleeing from their homeland after a storm. The pacing of the book was inconsistent for me…sometimes it flowed better than at other times, but it was engaging and addressed difficult topics well. I look forward to continuing the saga in book two.

Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Writing Style: 4
Cover: 4
Enjoyment: 4
Buyable/Re-readable?: Yes.

First off, it was a lot of fun. Though the pacing was inconsistent (and when it was off, it felt clunky maybe?), the story is worth sticking with and even following into the next installment, which I will be doing. The gifts/abilities/powers are super neat! I like the little tweaks and personal take Epps added to already existing abilities. Should this be turned into a movie/show, they would translate well visually. Definitely got a "Bioshock: Infinite" vibe with the cities in the sky thing (LOVE.THIS.) The story is told from third person POV with each chapter being a different character (around four characters total). And they each, for the most part, had their own voice, as well. Nothing overly angsty for me, either, given that the characters are in high school and I'm nearing forty, heh.

Only one hiccup for me - I am confused about Uzochi's...we'll call it outburst to stay vague that then turns into a rapid reverting in thinking, as it seems to come from no where? I understood his breaking point, but it's the lack of working through it or anything that that left me dissatisfied and uncertain. I get the feeling book 2 will be rescue and training and 3 will be taking down Big Baddie if Epps does a trilogy, IDEK. Regardless, looking forwards to the rest of the story! Wonderful start to an interesting series.

This book gave so much! It has such strong main characters, an amazing plot, and I loved the world-building. It covered heavier topics well, and it is well worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book before publication date in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Set in the near future, suffering through the aftermath of climate change and rising ocean levels, a group of young teens in the New York are beginning to develop powers. This is so much more than a simple sci/fi or fantasy book for teens. It explores family relationships, the safety some feel in gangs, and an interesting take on how life could be 70 years in the future.

TW/CW: Violence, death, domestic abuse, brief mention of sexual assault

REVIEW: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Nubia: The Awakening takes place in New York in 2098. Climate change has made a good bit of the world uninhabitable and the rich live in a city in the sky while the poor live in a New York that is only barely protected from rising sea levels by a leaky seawall. The area closest to the wall is inhabited by the Nubians – refugees who barely escaped the destruction of their own land. They live in grinding poverty, most barely getting by. That is, until a group of Nubian teenagers start realizing they can do things that nobody else can do…that they have powers – and that those powers can change everything.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, interesting, and had a story that keeps the reader captivated. It makes important points about discrimination, poverty and race, truly, it’s an integral part of the story and makes it that much more powerful. It is very much the first book in a series – it ends, but not completely and there is still a lot left to be done when this book is finished.

I recommend this book to fans of sci-fi/fantasy and YA novels.

Nubia: The Awakening was a fun read with a lot of deep themes.

In a future New York City, climate change has caused for the rich to escape the swamps of the city into a floating city of grandeur. The Nubians, immigrants from a destroyed island off the coast of Africa. have lived in the city and suffered overt discrimination. Zuberi, Uzochi, and Lencho are of the first generation of Nubians to be raised in NYC and have varying experiences with the white majority of the city. Zuberi, the quiet warrior, Uzochi, the token Nubian, and Lencho, the gang member, all share a connection and must tap into it to save their people.

I loved reading this book and appreciated the take on several issues within the Black community. I look forward to the rest of this series and highly recommend it for all ages.
Some things I like:
The approach to the realities and perceptions of token minorities
Strong Black woman character
Pre-revolution vibes
The magic system

In this debut book by Omar Epps the future in NYC looks bleak as the rich have ascended and left the city below to fester in the ravages of climate changes. Lower manhattan has become home to the Nubian people who came to NYC after their home was destroyed in the climate storm. Treated badly and held down by the government it is. It until they start to come into their supernatural powers that the rich take notice. Now these teens must learn to harness and control their powers and decide if they want to fight for their Nubian people or ascend to an easier life. An enjoyable read with some important issues and clearly the beginning of a series of books. I look forward to the next book!