thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc! 2.5/5 stars rounded up, a satisfying enough end to this duology

while ogundiran does a great job of creating an immersive world to dive into, I do think this is one of those novellas that should have been developed into a full length novel and suffers because it's so short. there's not much time allowed for character growth, and any character development is kind of shoveled in there alongside delving into the mysteries of the plot and the background that's led up to this. ashake is frustrating, to say the least. she's tugged back and forth by her desires and the orisha, and it doesn't feel like there's much time for her to really hash these feelings out and grow organically from them - she remains relatively naive and confused up until almost the end, until she suddenly understands what she needs to do. I really struggled to stay engaged because I was so frustrated with the wild pendulum swings of her emotions and how stubbornly naive she remained, despite all the danger she's facing. she believes almost anything that's told to her, ignores the orisha when her life is in danger, is so willing to give up near the end until she realizes her life is on the line - I really think we could've used more time to flesh out ashake's growth and see her try to navigate the truth out of all the things she's being told instead of just being jerked around and then coming out on top in the end. bahl'ul is another character who is given a relatively compelling backstory and ends up being flattened into a something two dimensional because of the length. I think his backstory and reasons for wanting vengeance are honestly compelling, but he moves so quickly from trying to avoid collateral damage to threatening the lives of an entire city that you lose interest in him. taking more time to make him more manipulative and show how his reasons for vengeance aren't as pure as he claims would've made him a much stronger character. how else could he have gathered so many followers if not for his strength of personality and ability to manipulate? overall, an interesting enough world but this definitely would've been a more satisfying read if it had been allowed more pages to grow.

Picking up right where the first book left off, we are once again swept up in a fantastical journey of gods and mortals as our characters wrestle with decisions of freedom and obligation.

The first book heightened the tensions by letting us see through the antagonist's eyes and know his plans. This book took that a step farther, by introducing more characters on different sides of this cosmic battle, and exploring the motivations of each. We see why characters would choose different sides, and the complicated and waring emotions of doing so.

Even our main character, Ashâke faces conflicting emotions about who is right in this grand power struggle spanning centuries. While Ashâke feels honored that she was chosen for an important task as the guardians of the gods, the weight of it wears on her, and she struggles with her lack of choice in the matter. She longs for freedom and the ability to choose her own path in life, but knows that comes with the cost of killing the gods she is meant to protect.

This duology makes great use of its short format, making every detail feel important, and keeping the story moving at a quick pace.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley

This was a good strong finish to this series. I was impressed with the author's ability to weave this complex story into such a short book. I do wish a few things had been expanded upon but for the most part this was a satisfying end.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available for me.

This book demonstrates quite nicely some potential problems with having too much faith in your gods., and that you really shouldn't ever meet your gods in person. The second novella in a duology, you really want to read the first book before diving into this one.

First, I should mention that I did not know this was a sequel until writing my review now. This book came highly recommended to me, so that is why I picked it up, but that makes sense why I didn't really understand what was going on. The writing was really atmospheric, so for those who really appreciate that in a fantasy novel, this one is for you.

I don't know what it was but I was more into the first one than this. I think this was just a case of bad timing for me but it's overall still very interesting. For such a short novella it was confusing for me to have the added POVs when we spent the first book with just Ashake so I just got in my head too much trying to figure stuff out. There were good twists in this and like Ashake's growth after the realization of who/what she is in the first one. I struggle a bit with novellas because I always think there should be more but despite the page count, I think both the novellas serve well in their respective bindings a the length they are.

Definitely a 4.5.

What a thrilling conclusion to this duology. I definitely went into this with high expectations because the first novella was great despite being so short. And I’m glad this one too lived up to my expectations.

This one dives even more into the Yoruba mythology, giving us well fleshed out characters of some of the orishas; we learn more about how Ashake is handling being the guardian, forever being chased by the godkillers; and the uneasy dynamic they all share. But I really thought the best part were the interludes, giving us a peek into the origins of the antagonist, and this context made the story so much more richer. There were twists and revelations and a thrilling but unexpected climax, which left me feeling extremely satisfied; though I would have loved an even longer epilogue.

If you love reading fantasy novellas or mythology inspired books, you just can’t go wrong with this duology. The compelling storytelling makes for two unputdownable reads and I would highly recommend reading the two books back to back.

Thank you to Tordotcom for my gifted e-review copy.
The second in the Guardian of the Gods duology sees the continued story of Ashâke as she deals with being the vessel for the remaining Orisha as they set out to take down the Godkillers and their leader The Teacher.

I'm not sure how Ashâke handles having the Orisha in her head with out trying to taking them out, I was intrigued how everything happened and the how the choices that she made affected the world.

This is a short duology that I recommend for those that love mythologies and learning how cultures outside of the Euro-centric focus on very different aspects of right and wrong.

This was a fantastic conclusion to this novella duology! The pacing was fantastic and while it is a novella, nothing felt rushed. We got to see a lot more of the Orishas this time and there was a very satisfying conclusion to the story! It starts with a lot of POVs, but these come together in a way that makes the journey worth it.

Thank you to @tordotcompub and @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

⭐️: 4.75 / 5

Publication Date: January 28, 2025

I feel so grateful to have gotten to read both of these books as ARCs and I want to thank Tor Publishing and Net Galley for allowing me to get an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is the second book in a duology and picks up shortly after the end of the first. I enjoyed the more we got to learn about the different gods and even where the gods resided which was great to learn about. Revisiting old characters along with new ones was great as they were diverse with unique voices.

As for my reservations, I thought the ending wasn't quite as epic as the ending to the first book. Not to mention, some of the characters's decisions felt somewhat out of character for what had been presented thus far.

Overall I thought this was a spectacular book. There’s twists and turns throughout that kept me engaged the whole way through, and I enjoyed the ending. It left me feeling satisfied with the end of this character's journey as we've seen her.

Would recommend for those who are fans of
- Character driven stories
- Mythological stories
- Gods
- Short chapters

A very solid sequel in this amazing duology. I really enjoyed this one and loved how much the world was expanded. I loved book 1, but book 2 really took the storytelling up several notches and I loved it even more. We got so much more of the gods of this world, and I especially enjoyed all the flashbacks about The Teacher. The gods of this world are not always perfect, and often times, their traits are reflected in the people that serve them.

I really loved Ashake's journey throughout this story. Witnessing her evoljtionnin real time while she really stepped into her power was amazing. She remained empathetic towards others in the midst of war and destruction and sacrificed her wants for the good of the world. The revelations we got about the varying characters throughout the novel were so well timed and kept my interest peaked from start to finish. I'm happy to know that the story within the pages of this duology is just as amazing as the beautiful covers of each book.

Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for the gifted e-arc of this novel

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This was a satisfying conclusion to this duology, and I really appreciate how it built on and filled in the gaps of what was established in the prior book. Ashake is a compelling lead to follow, and I particularly enjoyed following her journey as the Guardian, especially tracking her development since the previous book. The narrative also makes great use of the novella form, being fairly fast-paced, but full of depth. Would recommend to readers looking for a rich, West African fantasy.

I really love the direction this went. It was action packed and kept me on my toes. It’s such a big story in a compact, novella form.

In the Shadow of the Fall was one of my favorites last year, and I’m pretty confident this will be one of my favorites this year.

Thanks to TorDotCom for providing an advanced digital copy through NetGalley for me to review!

There aren’t words to describe this book. For being so short, it packs in so much!

Following the revelation at the end of In the Shadow of the Fall, we see Ashâke grapple with what it means to be Guardian. Fear and lies are all around, and the tale is so beautifully told that I am in awe.

I love a good trickster god, so that element was truly fascinating for me as well. The making and unmaking of gods, the fragility and hubris of humanity, and the bonds of friendship and family are themes that really never get old.

Loved this follow up. Love the characters, the world, the author. Just yes.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

A knockout finale to this duology! I liked the first book, but this one? Oh, I absolutely loved it! At the Fount of Creation takes Ashâke's journey to the next level, diving deep into the rich waters of West African mythology. She’s caught in an epic showdown with the mighty Orisha and the merciless godkillers. This book is action-packed, complete with mind-blowing twists and jaw-dropping reveals, all leading to an unexpected conclusion. Trust me, you’ll want to binge both books for the full thrilling adventure!

At the Fount of Creation sees to a satisfying conclusion in this gripping fantasy duology. This second installment dives deeper into the mythos of the Orisha and the devastating legacy of the Godkillers, with Ashâke at the center of it all. Carrying the spirits of the surviving Orisha within her, Ashâke is a flawed protagonist whose journey to gather allies and face the enigmatic Teacher is fraught with challenges, betrayals, and moral dilemmas. Her decisions—while at times frustrating—are a testament to her humanity, shaped by the lack of control she’s had over her life, making her ultimate growth feel earned.

The story truly shines in its world-building and exploration of the Orisha, bringing to life a vibrant and richly imagined universe that feels steeped in culture and divinity. The Teacher, a looming figure in the background until now, is finally unveiled, adding to the conflict and raising thought-provoking questions about the worthiness of the Orisha and the price of worship.

While some of Ashâke's choices might test readers' patience, the overarching themes of resilience and the complexities of divine legacy keep the narrative engaging. Ogundiran’s prose are as lyrical and powerful as ever, weaving a tale that is equal parts action-packed and reflective. At the Fount of Creation is a compelling conclusion that solidifies this duology as a must-read for fans of African-inspired fantasy and rich storytelling.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Second in a duology inspired by Yoruba mythology, At the Fount of Creation continues the story of Ashake, who in the first novella (In the Shadow of the Fall) learned that she had been created to be the Guardian of the gods.

In this book she learns just how precarious her position is. She's being tracked by the godkillers, who will do anything to keep the gods from reentering the world. At the same time, the more she learns about the gods whose existence she safeguards, the more she realizes she means nothing to them as an individual.

I like this concluding entry more than the first novella, since Ashake takes more of an active role in the plot. I also really liked the ambiguity of her position as guardian. I recommend reading both at once if you can!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.

I really enjoyed this. I felt this conclusion cleared up any murkiness or obscure plot points from book 1. It ended up making me want more of the gods. How interesting it would be to get backstories and watch them interact with each other and the mortals.

At its core, this novella looks at the reciprocity in relationships between gods and their supplicants, worshippers, observers. It delves into the characteristics that gods share with mortals. The very things that make us human and fallible make the gods callous and selfish. I appreciate reading stories like these that maybe tell a tale of imperfect perfection and of how actual trust and communication can lead to understanding, which goes a long way in establishing true relatability and compassion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom for letting me read an e-ARC of At the Fount of Creation by Tobi Ogundiran!

This was an absolutely wonderful return to our main character, Ashâke's, world as the Guardian. Where I found the first installment occasionally tepid, this sequel and conclusion was white-hot and traveled at a breakneck speed. There was so much growth in the characters and everything about the world felt so much more fleshed out. In hindsight, honestly, the first book is mostly world-building and setup for this epic conclusion. The twists and turns kept me hooked and I loved the big reveal that comes out of the handful of interludes throughout the novella. The ending was unexpected (but, then again, I’m very bad at predicting plot - I just enjoy being along for the ride), but I thought it wrapped up the storylines nicely in a lovely bow, especially after such a brutal climax.

I would gladly read more novellas or a full-length novel about this world and our characters. I found them enthralling thanks to this second story. If you’re looking for a fast read or a great fantasy duology with lots of West African inspiration - I’d recommend this series!

Very solid conclusion to an excellent fantasy novella duology. This is the rare novella where I find myself simultaneously satisfied with the tight story and pacing while also wanting so much more in this world.

Mr. Ogundiran manages to squeeze real nuance into his characters, despite the limitations of the novella format. In the first novella, our main character begins as a meek acolyte with no real knowledge of the world outside the temple walls. Her character arc from there through the end of this book is so satisfying, believable, and all too human.

Read this duology for interesting, non-European inspired, fantasy worldbuilding with dynamic characters and flawed "gods."

Strong recommendation.

Thanks to @tordotcompub and @netgalley for the eArc.