I was impressed by how much was covered in this novella, a lot happened. It was a very good read with lots of world building and a cool cast of characters. I look forward to seeing where this series goes next

In the Shadow of the Fall is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that blends fantasy with deep, personal stakes. The story centers on a world on the brink of destruction, where characters must confront their own fears, secrets, and destinies to survive. The writing is atmospheric, with vivid world-building and a plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seat. The themes of resilience, betrayal, and the search for identity resonate throughout, making it not only an exciting adventure but also a reflection on the strength found in the face of adversity. If you enjoy rich narratives with emotional depth and complex characters, this book is a powerful and engaging read.

Thank you for the opportunity to read!

Intriguing, fascinating, excellent storytelling and worldbuilding
Liked it . Due to health issues cannot will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mineA more extensive review will follow

Tobi Ogundiran's "In the Shadow of the Fall" is a powerful and moving exploration of faith, doubt, and the complex relationship between fathers and sons. Set against the backdrop of a Nigerian Pentecostal church, the novel delves into the lives of Pastor Joshua and his son, Michael, as they grapple with personal struggles and the weight of expectation.

Ogundiran's writing is both insightful and empathetic, capturing the nuances of human emotion and the complexities of religious belief. He skillfully portrays the internal conflicts of his characters, particularly Michael's struggle to reconcile his own desires with his father's expectations and the doctrines of his faith. The novel doesn't shy away from the difficult questions surrounding religion, exploring themes of hypocrisy, forgiveness, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and unjust.

The strength of "In the Shadow of the Fall" lies in its character development. Pastor Joshua is a complex figure, driven by his faith but also flawed and human. Michael's journey of self-discovery is relatable and poignant, as he navigates the pressures of family, community, and his own burgeoning identity. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, adding depth and richness to the narrative.

While the novel explores heavy themes, it's not without moments of humor and warmth. Ogundiran's prose is engaging and accessible, making the story both thought-provoking and enjoyable to read. The setting of the Nigerian church community is vividly depicted, adding a layer of cultural richness to the narrative.

"In the Shadow of the Fall" is a compelling and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading. It's a must-read for anyone interested in exploring themes of faith, family, and the search for self. Ogundiran has crafted a story that is both deeply personal and universally relevant, marking him as a writer to watch.

Great take on African mythology especially in a time when we don’t see or hear about it in the mainstream. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

"A cosmic war reignites and the fate of the orisha lie in the hands of an untried acolyte in this first entry of a new epic fantasy novella duology by Tobi Ogundiran, for fans of N. K. Jemisin and Suyi Davies Okungbowa." This line and the cover caught my attention and I knew I had to read this book. Thank you Netgalley for letting me read and review it. I want to read the second book in this duology, but I hope the next book will be a little longer. This novella was too short, we couldn't learn enough about the world or the characters. I just want to learn a lot more about the world and get to know the characters better.

In the Shadow of the Fall is my favorite Ogundiran so far!

This novella explores fitting in as a young person. The added magical elements take this story to another level! When Ashâke tries to summon an orisha, she ends up in the middle of a centries old war.

This is a very quick read which makes it perfect for anyone who wants something meaty but fast to read.

This is the first in a duology, and for a novella it was good. I was intrigued by the premise, and think the author did an amazing job expanding the world and the magic in a short period of time. However, there were multiple povs, and I would’ve loved to spend longer and sit longer with some of these characters and their feelings. There were sections that were really direct and fast paced, which I enjoyed for the most part, but other times, I would’ve loved for it to be a little more detailed and drawn out. Overall, I believe this would’ve been more impactful as a full novel, especially for the things the characters were attempting to overcome.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

**Review of *In the Shadow of the Fall* by Tobi Ogundiran**

Tobi Ogundiran’s *In the Shadow of the Fall* is an enthralling fantasy debut that intertwines African-inspired mythology with a deeply emotional exploration of loyalty, loss, and the pursuit of redemption. Set in a richly imagined world teeming with magic and danger, the story follows siblings Eni and Koré as they embark on a perilous journey to defy fate and protect one another from the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

Ogundiran’s prose is evocative and lyrical, painting vivid pictures of sprawling landscapes, ancient cities, and the shadowy forces that lurk in the background. The world-building is intricate, drawing from African traditions and folklore to create a setting that feels both timeless and unique.

At its heart, this is a story about the bonds of family and the sacrifices people make for those they love. Eni and Koré are fully realized characters, their relationship a compelling mix of tenderness and tension. The narrative is paced well, blending moments of introspection with heart-pounding action, though some subplots could have been explored more deeply.

*In the Shadow of the Fall* is a powerful and immersive read, showcasing Ogundiran’s talent as a storyteller. Fantasy readers looking for fresh perspectives and emotional depth will find this book unforgettable.

This West African myth inspired novel as a marvelous multifaceted read. This intriguing novel had me in its death crib and I am now anxiously waiting for the second half of this duology.

Ashâke who’s been living in a temple for as long as she can remember, is unable to hear the Orishas. In a desperate attempt to hear them she goes through a dangerous ritual. That ritual is one used to summon bind an Orisha, so she can get her answers.

But nothing is as it seems and when all is revealed, is not at all what it seemed to be.

Wonderful plot and flow, I loved the danger involved from the very beginning until the very end with that bit of a cliffhanger.

In the Shadow of the Fall is the first half of a West African myth inspired fantasy duology by author Tobi Ogundiran. The story follows (a few interludes aside) the 22 year old Ashâke, who has lived seemingly her whole life in a Temple to the Orisha...Orishas she is distressed to be unable to hear, which causes her to take desperate measures that reveal the world isn't what she knows...and into conflict with an enemy who seeks to destroy the very gods she was raised to follow.

It's an intriguing setup and told very well, although it does very much seem like the first half of the story....so it might not be satisfying enough on its own for some readers (I'm kind of torn on this myself). But I enjoyed it enough that I'll probably be back for the conclusion next year.

More specifics after the jump:

Plot Summary:
Ashâke is 22 seasons old and yet still an Acolyte at the Temple of the Orishas...despite the fact that all of her peers were five years into their own priesthoods. The reason is that she alone cannot hear the Orishas and she finds that silence agonizing. And so she resorts to a desperate measure: engaging in a dangerous and forbidden ritual to summon and bind an Orisha to get answers.

But when the ritual goes wrong and she finds herself punished on account of it by the High Priestess of all people, Ashâke has had enough...of the Temple and of the Orishas themselves. And so she finds a way to escape into the world she knows so little about - a world filled with peoples who might be friendlier and kinder than she could ever hope, but also filled with monsters who seek to destroy all that she was at once brought to believe in.....

With the exception of a pair of interludes, both which feature an early look at the mentality and powers of an antagonist (although one is set from the POV of a good supporting character), In the Shadow of the Fall is told from the perspective of Ashâke, its protagonist. And that's an effective way to tell the story, as Ashâke is a very understandable and enjoyable protagonist: she's a well meaning if impulsive person who is desperate to not be alone as the last acolyte and to find answers to why she seems to be forsaken. And when those answers never come, she (with some pushing) sets out to the rest of the world in hopes of finding the one friend she once had before she left to be a priestess...an impulsive, not well thought out decision, but one that's easily understandable.

Add to that solid main character a West-African myth inspired world featuring Orisha, an Orisha-killing cult, and a loving and kind community of griots who keep and spread the world's history, and you have a really intriguing setup for a story here. The only question I have and one I am not really sure my feelings on, is if this novella is satisfying as a story....because it's so clearly just the first half of the story, with the conflict only just established before the story ends. And yet, the novella ends at a reasonable stopping point, at a point where Ashâke is taking new steps into the world to face the unknown, with the issues of her earlier panic resolved, so it is kind of satisfying. Overall, I think I would recommend this novella, and will be coming back for the second half of the story.

loved the world so incredibly much, I loved every morsel of discovery. I absolutely adored the influences of Yoruba mythology, it has sparked in me a hunger to consume more West African-inspired fantasy.

Because of its length, I did struggle to connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. However the length wasn't the only factor, the large amount of death in the story also affected this. As soon as I felt myself beginning to connect with a character they were gone. I just would've loved if this were longer so that we could spend more time in each moment.

I'm super excited to continue and to read the sequel once it's out. I hope the author decides to write novels as well, I think I'd absolutely love a longer, slower-paced story by Ogundiran. But this was a great first taste of his writing and storytelling!

Didn't realize it would be a novella, which hardly ever works for me with epic fantasy. Writing style felt stilted. Read like a translation that wasn't working for me. Wasn't hooked at all from the start.

A novella i desperately wish was longer. I enjoyed the world building, and the characters and would have liked to spend more time with the story as a whole.

Ashâke’s life is a mess. She’s stuck sweeping floors and experiencing existential despair while her peers are busy chatting with divine Orishas. Frustrated and desperate for divine validation, she tries a forbidden summoning ritual. Because what can go wrong, right?

Ashâke’s journey from temple reject to potential chosen one is packed with twists and turns, and decisions that will make you ask “Girl, why?” on repeat. Along the way, she meets colorful people, and genuinely terrifying villains.

I loved the setting inspired by Yoruban mythology (Orishas, griots, magic). On top of this, we get familiar fantasy tropes (chosen ones, epic quests) spiced up with West African culture and traditions. But for every moment of dazzling worldbuilding, there’s a plot hole lurking in the shadows. Additionally, the novella’s fast pace keeps things tight and exciting, but it also leaves you hungry for more context and insights into the socio-political intrigue hinted at throughout.

Ashâke’s journey is interesting but also typical - she’s the type of protagonist who lacks what everyone else has, only to discover they’re secretly the most special. It’s done well, though. And Ogundiran’s engaging prose and vibrant characters make it work.

The ending is a soft cliffhanger - just when things really heat up, it stops. Frustrating? Sure. But it sets the stage for exciting things to come.

Tobi Ogundiran’s *In the Shadow of the Fall* is an incredible blend of African mythology, rich world-building, and compelling storytelling. It's amazing how much was packed into this novella. The vivid prose and compelling narrative make this a standout read for fans of speculative fiction. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this novella and can’t wait for the conclusion. I appreciated the addition of west African elements and the fast pacing. I read this in one sitting and felt so much along side the characters journey. Even seeing the cover, after meeting her I didn’t know where she would end up, and I’m so excited for the second novella.

Loved the world building and loved the characters. I feel like this could definitely be a long series because I really wanted more in a good way.

This was a fast paced read. It takes the chosen one trope and shakes it up a bit while invoking some humor and Yoruba religion.

TL;DR

Tobi Ogundiran’s In the Shadow of the Fall opens up a duology in which ambition leads to the re-ignition of an old war. Can Ashâke handle the consequences of her actions? Recommended.

Disclaimer: The publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions that follow are mine alone.

Review: In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran

Fantasy is a field that possesses endless possibilities. We read it to escape, but we also read it to escape to a world where good can overcome evil. Where the little one can defeat the big bad. And where we can be so much more than ourselves. Ashâke, the main character of In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran, understands this. She sees others passing her by, making more of themselves and their lives than she’s doing. So, she decides to take action and force the issue. Her attempt reignites an old war for the cosmos. She will learn that she may have more parts to play in this war than she knows and that her ambition has unseen consequences.

Ashâke is a woman with ambition. She wishes to summon and bind an Orisha, and the story starts with her attempting to do so in the Sacred Grove. Ashâke is a priestess in training, and the final part of her journey is to be visited by an Orisha as have all the others she’s studied with. It just hasn’t happened for Ashâke yet, but she’s determined to force the interaction if she has to. Inexplicably, the ritual goes wrong. Ashâke is visited by visions of fire and burning. She failed, but she doesn’t know how badly she’s failed. Yet. In fact, she’s nearly turned away from the temple. Only through the interaction of the High Priestess does she stay. Her punishment doesn’t sit well with her though, and Ashâke decides to escape the temple. Out in the world, she meets Griots, travelers and storytellers. But Ashâke is in danger, and her very presences has put the Griots in danger. For her failure with the Orisha signaled to an ancient enemy that the temple has been weakened. The time for this enemy to destroy the temple and rid the world of the Orisha may be at hand.

In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran is a third person fantasy novella about hidden potential, secret intentions, and fitting in. It’s a fast paced, lovely story that ends a bit too soon for my tastes. While there is a conclusion to the story, it doesn’t feel like a conclusion. I don’t mean that it ends on a cliffhanger; it just sort of ends at a point that feels like mid-way in other stories. To be fair, In the Shadow of the Fall is being sold as a duology with At the Fount of Creation, which arrives on January 28th, 2025. The story, itself, leading up to the ending is fun and interesting; so, I think despite the ending it’s definitely worth reading.

Worldbuilding

Ogundiran has created a world worth exploring, and the structure of the novella does just that. We begin the novel focused in on Ashâke, alone, and soon expands to the temple. From there, Ogundiran takes us out of the temple, and we, along with Ashâke, get to experience the world outside. Ashâke has spent so much time in the temple that she doesn’t know much of the outside world; so, we get to experience the wonder of it through her. And there is wonder. I enjoyed Ashâke’s encounters with the Griots. They were joyful and playful in way that Ashâke seemed to need.

Next, the enemies of the temple get their own point of view during interludes in the story. Ogundiran does a good job making the enemies feel not-quite-human and menacing while still adaptable enough to blend in. I look forward to learning more about then in At the Fount of Creation.

Conclusion

Tobi Ogundiran’s In the Shadow of the Fall starts off the duology with an interesting and inventive world. The ending feels a little lackluster, but overall this is a story worth reading. I’m looking forward to the conclusion, and I’m sure you will too.