This book is not what you think it will be when you hear - African inspired twist on the Hades/Persephone myth. That’s what it is, but that gives the impression that this will be fantastical and romantic. In reality it’s only loosely a fantasy interpretation of the myth- magical realism at most! The story is also pretty unconcerned with the love story between the Hades and Persephone characters.

What it is though is gritty, layered, and beautifully narrated. The story follows Òdòdó, a blacksmith (a profession performed by women treated as social pariahs and thought to be witches) abducted and whisked away from her life to marry the warrior king who’s recently conquered her home of Timbuktu. More so than focusing on the relationship between Òdòdó and the King though, this is the emotional journey of Òdòdó claiming her own agency after a life of subjugation and striving to navigating the complex tensions of the politically unstable state she’s being forced to marry into.

The story thrives in it’s precarious emotional balance, Òdòdó is delicately placed between the world she is joining and the community she’s been raised by. Many characters are morally shades of gray and brutal in their choices. The result is speculative and intriguing.

I think the mixed reviews are indicative of this book not quite matching its elevator pitch. But, it’s brilliantly written and well thought out. I’d absolutely recommend!

The narration was really well done and I enjoyed the audiobook a lot. I was so confused on what was happening while it also being slow. It felt like there was a bunch of storylines that just disappeared and were ever resolved and a lot that just got thrown in. Did not feel like the same story for the whole book.

*thank you so much Macmillan audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.75

What an incredible debut! I was initially drawn in by this gorgeous cover and then I saw Medieval West African political fantasy and I was sold. The book starts with Òdòdó in her hometown after it has been conquered by the king of Yorùbáland, then she is abducted and learns she is to become the second wife of the king that invaded her homeland.

I loved the world Sangoyomi created here and the way she took the bones of a Greek myth that's well known in Western cultures and used it to introduce her audience to history and culture of West Africa, which might be lesser known. I also found Òdòdó to be such a compelling main character. She is taken from her life where she was a social pariah and given power and fortune but it comes at a cost, and I loved following her as she navigates that. While this is classified as fantasy, it's more so historical/alternate history/mythology than a traditional fantasy book. There are mentions of witches, but in the sense that witches are women who live outside of traditional norms, and there are mentions of gods.

I will say that I found the first half to be quite slow. For a while I was thinking this would be a high 3-star read, but there are some twists in the back half that had me unable to put the book down. I absolutely love that Sangoyomi went there with her characters and I cannot wait to she what she writes next! I received an audio review copy and really enjoyed Ariel Blake's narration.

Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi is an intriguing, fast-paced fantasy that blends mystery, suspense, and social commentary. The novel follows a young woman, Nia, who becomes entangled in a web of deceit, lies, and dangerous secrets as she navigates a world of masks—both literal and metaphorical. Sangoyomi’s writing is enthralling, with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue that keeps the tension high throughout the book. The themes of identity and power are explored thoughtfully, making the novel both entertaining and thought-provoking.

While the plot is interesting and filled with twists, there are moments where the pacing slows, especially in the middle of the book, causing some of the tension to dissipate temporarily. However, the character development is strong, particularly Nia’s evolution as she confronts the secrets around her. Masquerade is a well-crafted and atmospheric, offering both excitement and depth.

Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi is intriguing, mysterious, and filled with suspense. There's a sense of secrecy and tension that keeps you hooked throughout.

I enjoyed this book a lot! The plot follows a young woman, Lara, who finds herself caught in a world of deception, hidden identities, and a masquerade that forces her to confront her own past. As she gets deeper into a complex web of secrets, things start to unravel in surprising ways. It’s a mix of thriller, mystery, and psychological drama, with twists that keep you guessing. If you're into stories with a lot of twists, secrets, and complex characters, this one definitely delivers!

Masquerade instantly drew me into its vividly reimagined West African world. The world building was incredibly well-done, and I was immediately swept up in Òdòdó’s story of a woman looking to make space for herself in a world not made for blacksmiths like her.

If you’re looking for an intricately crafted world with West African elements, morally gray characters, and tense political intrigue, you definitely want to pick this one up.

The audiobook narrator made this story really come to life. I loved her accents and definitely want to hear more books read by her.

ARC received from Macmillan Audio via Netgalley.

Sangoyomi’s debut Masquerade is an engaging historical fiction full of rich political intrigue and shifting alliances. Deeply feminist and empowering, this Masquerade is a strong debut that shows a deep love of history, culture, and character-based storytelling that praises the beauty in women friendships and alliances in societies dominated by patriarchal restrictions.

Whoa, the feminine rage was real and I was here for it. The last scene of this book will live rent free in my brain forever. I had such a good time with this. The audio book was so well done, if you’re an audiobook reader, this is a great one to pick up.

O.O. Sangoyomi’s Masquerade is a gripping tale of secrets, identity, and transformation. Set against a richly crafted backdrop, the story unfolds with suspense and emotional depth, exploring the masks we wear and the truths we hide. Sangoyomi’s prose is captivating, weaving a narrative that keeps readers hooked until the final page.

A perfect blend of mystery and heart, Masquerade is a compelling read that lingers long after it’s over.

I wasn't able to read this book due to time and other constraints. I liked the descriptions and expect it will be a good read.

This story was well-written and engaging to read. But I couldn't get into the story because I'm not a huge fan of first-person writing styles. Also, some of the minor details were repeated way too many times. How many times do I need to be told that Àrèmo could put his hair up correctly and he never noticed? There wasn't any real chemistry between any of the characters not even the love interest so that fell a bit flat.
Òdòdò is a morally gray character who feels more selfish than someone who did bad things for a good reason. Her motivation felt only self-serving.

I might have to do a reread to fully connect but this first read did not meet my expectations.

I was going in one direction and Masquerade kept changing paths to the point of my frustration. Although, twists were nothing compared to the character of the protagonist and her choices. Deeper into the book, more and more writing became sloppy and chaotic. The MC made no sense after some time - it’s either she went into madness or just became unlogical beyond Stockholm syndrome. Constant repetition took me out of the story, and although I felt there might be a very sensual romance brewing, it ultimately left me unsatisfied. It started so strong, it finishes dragging. I would say that the potential for the best book of 2024 was there for me, but fell short.

Audiobook was a treat and I love the narration. The narrator is the only reason why I finished this book.

In Masquerade, we follow Ododo, a blacksmith which are known as witches for being independent and unmarried. She gets kidnapped and whisked away by the warrior king Alaafin, to be his wife. As his wife she is involved in politics and war and aids the Alaafin in schemes and war strategies risking her life in the process.

I loved the fact that Ododo is a morally grey female character. Like all the other women and children in this book, Ododo was always underestimated. Ododo does however use this to her advantage to reclaim her power. As a morally grey character, she tasks risks and does whatever is necessary to get what she wants

I am not familiar with African mythology, or culture. But it was a very intriguing way to do a hades and Persephone retelling.

I listened to the audiobook and at first I struggleed keeping track of the names, but I very quickly picked up who was who. And I also loved Ododo’s name. Whenever it was said I would repeat it out loud. It’s a beautiful name that just rolls off the tongue.

I’m not sure if this was an unpopular opinion, but Alaafin’s love and dedication to Ododo was so enticing. I loved the way he did everything in his power to make her happy and satisfy her.

The ending had me shook

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

This was a really great debut West African mythology fantasy novel from O.O Sangoyomi. We follow Òdòdó as she navigates court politics when we is kidnapped by a warrior king. She learns how to get what she wants and who to trust the more she stays in this new home.

I really enjoyed the world Sangoyomi created and watching Òdòdó learn and grow. If you enjoy character driven mythology stories, like Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel, I think you could enjoy this one. If you are looking for an action-packed plot, I don't think it will work as much for you. While there is a plot to follow, it takes a back seat to Òdòdó's character growth.

In the end I wanted a little more from the plot. The ending 1/3rd lost me a little because I was hoping for a bit more. I also wanted more magic since it is shelved under fantasy as it's first tag. We had glimpses of magic and ancient gods, but those were very small moments in the story. Overall, its 4 stars and I would recommend it to mythology readers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillion Audio for providing me with an ARC for review!

- MASQUERADE is a gorgeously rich story. A loose Persephone and Hades retelling set in precolonial West Africa, the world of this story drew me in immediately and the beautiful writing kept me hooked.
- I took some issue with characterization in this book. Òdòdó didn’t have a very solid personality, and she veered between naive and smarter than a room full of generals depending on what the story needed.
- I did love how it was entirely women that drove the plot forward. Women who were trying to break out of the confined roles they were given, and each choosing different ways to try to do it.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was more and better than I was expecting! Very well written, and the ending was just perfect. I would absolutely read more by this author. The narrator did a great job.

This was such a beautiful journey! I loved Ododo's character arc and the ending was completely unexpected. I ended up doing some light research on who the Alaafin of Oyo was to get some cultural context since this was new to me, but it was not necessary to understand the story (I was just curious). I had moments where I wanted to scream at Ododo only to realize I was making the same mistake as those around her and not valuing her intelligence, resilience and bravery. I truly loved this audiobook and the narrator was perfect.

Masquerade by O. O. Sangoyomi was a good read. I enjoyed the character work, world building and message of the book but it was really slow for too long so I started to lose interest a little. Overall a worth reading.

I did end up enjoying this one. I had a good time while listening. The story itself was done well. My only problem with it really felt like a me problem, not one with the book. It just seemed to go on forever. I would think that I listened to a lot but then there was still so much left. But even then I did enjoy it and would recommend it. Just check content warnings first because there are a few

Thank you Tor Forge, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for an ARC and advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a wonderful surprise of a novel and an incredibly strong debut! Thoroughly engaging and nuanced, I fully support Òdòdó’s rights and wrongs. Sangoyomi’s medieval pre-colonial West Africa is rich and in some ways, Masquerade reminds me a bit of another favorite, She Who Became the Sun. While I didn’t always remember this was a Hades and Persephone retelling (it’s more like broad strokes of the Greek myth, I think), the storytelling is solid and Òdòdó’s journey was very compelling. I loved the prose and Sangoyomi does such a great job at portraying deeply complex emotions and scenarios.

Ariel Blake is a great narrator and I think the audiobook elevated the reading experience, with each character feeling distinct. Definitely recommend!