As an avid fan of historical fiction, I’m always on the lookout for new books that showcase parts of history outside of the world wars, and this book obviously does that. It’s based in what is now Nigeria in the mid-19th century when a lot was changing as British involvement in the region increases and ultimately ends in the complete colonial takeover.

Fourteen year old Sikemi is stolen from her village by slave raiders, and over ten years or so, we see her as she struggles to survive not knowing what happened to her family and not knowing what her future holds.

As the description tells you, she does save her owner and is rewarded with the ability to train as a warrior. What happens after this is expected now that I look back, but I definitely not expect it whilst reading it. To avoid spoilers, I will just say that Sikemi is put in unimaginable circumstances and survives - I won’t judge how she does it.

What I enjoyed about this book was that it does not shy away from the dark parts of this history but it is not gratuitously violent. I think if you are reading this book (there are content warnings at the very start), you have at least some knowledge and awareness of the horrors of the slave trade both African and Atlantic.

Finally the pacing in this book was really good and the story got off to a quick start which pulled me in right away.

Thank you for NetGalley and Florence Olajide for this ARC!
4/5 ⭐️

This was really good! Very entertaining, with increasing tension all through the novel! I also found the story very interesting showing parts of a country we call Nigeria nowadays. In the mid 1850s much violence was everyday commonplace. Not only because kings and queens tried to overrule each other, not only because of the English intruders, but also because of slavery trading, these years were extremely turbulent. This will lead the main character, Ṣìkẹ́mi, a captured young girl sold as a slave to try and recover her freedom in order to return to her village. Her strong personality will make her follow a path full of twists and turns, danger, hope, despair and hope again.... The historical background is well researched and highly fascinating.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.