An absolute must read! Ogundiran is able to craft a beautiful, magical world with an immense amount of potential for this series in less than 200 pages. With a fascinating protagonist and lightning fast pace, I could not put this down for a second! The only thing I’m upset about is how long I’ll have to wait for the next installment.


Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This epic fantasy captivates with its rich storytelling, delving into African mythology. MC compelling backstory makes you root for her, leaving you yearning for more in this too-short journey. The narrative's depth ensures an engaging read, making each page a delight to turn.

4.75 ⭐️

This novella found me at the right time! It successfully scratched my high fantasy itch and did so in less than 200 pages! I loved the MC and you really root for her all throughout the book. Overall, worldbuilding was so vivid, I feel like I was truly in this book. The epic gods, or the orisha, were amazing and I really need to see more of that in the next book! The relationships in this was so tender, even if it was for a short time (💔). Can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Ashâke, my badass girl ^^

This is Chosen One tropes done well. This novella left me hanging - to be expected in a duology - in the best way. I am eager to read the next part to find out more about this world in which our main character must find the truth about who she is and how her life is to continue.

Summary: Ashâke, a hopeful acolyte in the temple of Ifa, dreams of the day she becomes a full-fledged priest and steps into the world to serve the orisha. There's just one problem – the orisha refuse to utter a word to her. As her peers ascend to full priesthood, Ashâke's desperation leads her to attempt summoning an orisha, but the consequences are far beyond her imagination. A vision unfolds, catching the attention of a powerful enemy sect and thrusting Ashâke into a centuries-old war that shakes the foundations of her world.


Pros:
🌟 Five stars for this gem! "In the Shadow of the Fall" may be a novella, but it's an explosion of epic fantasy that's sure to leave readers craving more.

😍 Quick read, but don't be fooled by the brevity! Ogundiran's prose is like a well-crafted spell, casting a vivid and immersive world that captivates from the very first page.

🌌 Great worldbuilding transports readers to a world where the clash of orisha and acolytes sparks a cosmic war. The intensity of this story is as powerful as a conjured storm.

🌟 Ashâke is a protagonist worth rooting for – her journey is fraught with challenges, making her a relatable and resilient character.

Cons:
🤷‍♂️ If you're looking for an epic fantasy saga with doorstopper volumes, this novella might leave you wanting more. But sometimes, the best things come in small packages.


📚 In conclusion, "In the Shadow of the Fall" is a delight that packs the punch of a full-length epic fantasy in a compact form. Tobi Ogundiran, you've crafted a spellbinding novella that leaves readers enchanted and eager for more adventures in this celestial world! Bravo! 🔮📚

Disclaimer: A celestial-sized thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for this ARC. All opinions are as uniquely mine as a supernova in a distant galaxy. 🌌📚

In the Shadow of the Fall introduces a fascinating world and lore. Ashâke is a protagonist I think has a lot of potential. Her backstory was well thought out and could make for a really wonderful series. However the story felt very rushed with a lot of plot put into a small number of pages. I kept wanting more time to be spent expanding the characters and the story.

I'll likely still pick up the next book to see where this goes, but would wish to see more of the book spent on character development and not feeling like the pace was too fast for the story it is telling.

I love it when the book cover depicts a scene in the story 👌 I loved this African-mythology based fantasy world. It did feel rushed at parts but I overall enjoyed my time with this novella and can’t wait for the sequel !
Thank you Tordotcom for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an immersive book with world building that was not overwhelming. Each new item did not leave you looking back to remember what was going on. This book had me in a trance and I couldn't stop reading. It was as if the Singers in the book were with me while reading.

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran
Book 1 - Guardians of the Gods (Volume 1)
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️4.925/5
Fantasy, Genre, Genre
Multi POV
➳ Divination 🔮
➳ Ancient Tomes 📜
➳ African Mythology 🌍
➳ Cosmic War 🌌
➳ Silent Gods 🪽
➳ Griots 🎶
➳ Temples 🛕

✨Experience the convergence of desperation and destiny in ‘In the Shadow of the Fall,’ as Ashâke’s attempt to trap an orisha catapults her into a captivating tale where gods remain silent, and war echoes through the ages.✨

📚📚📚
In "In the Shadow of the Fall," follow Ashâke, an aspiring acolyte in the temple of Ifa, longing to become a priest and serve the orisha. However, the orisha remain silent to her, a stark contrast to her peers who ascend to full priesthood. Fueled by desperation, Ashâke dares to summon and trap an orisha, leading her into a harrowing vision. This act not only fails in its intended purpose but also attracts the attention of a formidable enemy sect. Suddenly thrust into a centuries-old war, Ashâke finds herself at the heart of a conflict that threatens to shatter the very foundations of her world.

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*❦*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧
"In the Shadow of the Fall" establishes itself as a literary triumph, setting the gold standard for unparalleled world-building and character development. Tobi Ogundiran, a maestro of storytelling, intricately constructs a captivating universe inhabited by characters that breathe life into the pages, surrounded by a vivid lore that captivates the imagination. The novella unfolds within a luxuriously crafted universe, each detail meticulously designed to immerse readers in an enchanting and evocative experience. Ogundiran's expertly paced plot navigates a cosmic war, holding readers in suspense while seamlessly intertwining moments of tender reflection. This novella transcends its form, inviting readers on an extraordinary journey and solidifying Ogundiran's position as a luminary in the fantasy genre. "In the Shadow of the Fall" is not just a novella; it's a testament to the Ogundiran's narrative prowess, offering readers an immersive escape into a world deserving of acclaim.
“In the Shadow of the Fall” is a fantasy holy grail for 2024 that leaves you eagerly anticipating the forthcoming releases in the series. Make room on your TBR for this novella.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

💖
LIKES:
⋆ Immersive World-Building
⋆ Cultural Richness
⋆ Expert Pacing
⋆ Brilliant Lore

❤️‍🩹
DISLIKES:
⋆ none to note

**Fantasy Scoring**
Worldbuilding ➷ ✅ 5/5
Foreshadowing ➷ ✅ 4.9/5
Plot ➷ ✅ 5/5
Relationships ➷ ✅ 4.8/5

Thank you to the Tobi Ogundiran, Tor, Tordotcom and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

This was so good that I’m almost upset that I read it so early because that means I have to wait that much longer for the sequel. Even though it’s the first novella in a series, it’s already created such an interesting fantasy world, building off some already established mythology to create something captivating. It manages to capture a rich and vivid story that has its own arc while also setting up the potential for an absolutely epic and harrowing series of battles and adventures, also rich in the characters that inhabit them. It’s absolutely worth the read and I can only hope the next installment is soon to follow.

The story begins in a temple garden, with a desperate acolyte trying to summon an orisha so she can finally figure out how to ascend to priesthood. What follows is a complete unraveling of the life that she’s known. The first few chapters are interesting world and character building, but after that the story sincerely begins. Ashâke is such a fascinating protagonist and the amount of new things we learn about her in the process of this book is exhilarating. I wasn’t expecting the plot twists built into the world-building (which there’s a decent amount of without feeling overwhelming), but there were multiple things that shocked me and just made me want to keep reading.

Frankly, so much that feels significant happens in this novella that the blurb doesn’t even cover. There’s such a rich and fantastic story inside that’s so easy to basically devour in one sitting. I was initially drawn in the cover but staying for the story inside was absolutely worth it and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

such a beautiful cover and i was literally obsessed from the first page. loveee how short it is yet descriptive enough

Acolyte Ashâke wants nothing more than to become a priest, but she has failed for five seasons to accede. Desperate to understand why the orisha have ignored her, she attempts to summon and bind one; instead, the forbidden ritual shows her a terrible vision of the future. The aftermath brings to light a cataclysmic truth and forces Ashâke to take a leading role in a centuries-old war.

This novella is a deftly woven story, packing an intriguing plot, an African-inspired fantasy world, and a fleshed out protagonist into just over a hundred pages. The length was a refreshing change of pace from all the massive fantasy novels I've been reading lately. This was an excellent story and I'm excited to read the next installment in this duology.

Absolutely gorgeous fantasy. Absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for the arc! Would recommend this cosmic, wide scale novella. Thanks for the ARC!

This was such a great novella. I ate it up and I absolutely loved the setting! The writing was so well done for such a short book.

Fast-paced and beautiful, In the Shadow of the Fall embodies everything I love in a fantasy novella.

The Ashâke is passionate and relatable in so many ways (and I love that we’re seeing more and more strong females in their 20’s). Her pov is written smoothly and reads quickly. I was wrapped up from the first page.

The folklore, emotion, and worldbuilding all wound up in under 200 pages, are impressive. Some novellas feel rushed or incomplete, but I got none of that here. The pacing and twists were timed to perfection to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Tobi Ogundiran is truly a master.

Thanks to Tor publishing and NetGalley for the advance read of this title (seriously, thank you). All opinions are my own.

I've been craving a lot of good novellas after reading and falling in love with The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo, so this one advertising it for fans of N. K. Jemisin (I loved The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and just bought the last two books of the Inheritance Trilogy) seemed right up my alley. An absolutely stellar novella that is fast paced in the best way that allows for intense action and beautifully quiet moments. Ashake is a young girl learning to come into her own and uses the power she didn't ask for to help in the best way she can; I'm looking froward to the next installment and see how Ashake deepens her connection to the orisha.

I really love novellas. Always feel accomplished after finishing something so quick. This one felt kind of like a chapter plucked from a larger story. The epilogue and prologues helped make it feel a little more complete, but I am a little skeptical to think it will wrap up with just a second novella. Still enjoyed it enough to want to pick up the second. Felt very appropriate for YA readers.

I found the Griots to be an incredible group of people, and their parts of the novella (particularly in their storytelling) I thought were incredibly done. I would have loved to get more time with them in this story, to learn more about them! I also found myself wanting more background on the Orisha and Teacher; I hope that this is something that we get in the second half of the duology, as I have so many questions!

I wanted to love this story so badly, but I felt that very few parts of the story were given enough time to develop, which personally made it harder for me to get into. It seemed to try and fit a movie’s worth of story into a 30-minute television episode; I just found myself wanting more time with each scene, to learn more about both where the plot was going and the characters themselves.

I would give this novella 2.5 stars, but as that isn’t available I am giving it 3.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book. First of all let me just say that the cover is AMAZING. This novella had gripped me from the beginning. The Author sent us into the story immediately so it is fast paced. Askâke went through so much and there was a lot of character development within her so that’s something I liked. In the Shadow of the Fall is a high fantasy with many twists and turns that will have you wanting more.

Excuse me? An African mythology cosmic war fantasy??? Yes, please! I honestly had no idea that this was what was missing in my life. But, ok, I'm here for it. Lessgo 🙌🏻

Ashâke, an acolyte in the hidden temple of Ifa, grapples with her identity and faith as she finds herself embroiled in a celestial conflict that has simmered for centuries.

The author does not ease us into this story, we are dropped feet first with a simple, implied, command of "keep up". In 114 pages, we are given the ingredients of an epic-level fantasy baked with a contemporary voice but the flavor palette of literary canon. And I say that with the utmost sincerity and reverence because stories like this are why I fckn love literature.

I believe the chonky fantasy novels are here to stay, but I also see the emergence of fantasy novellas, particularly those featuring non-western tales, as a valuable and necessary expansion to the genre.