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Book Reviewed by:Set in a wonderfully reimagined 15th century West Africa, Masquerade is a dazzling, lyrical tale exploring the true cost of one woman's fight for freedom and self-discovery, and the lengths she'll go to secure her future.
Òdòdó's hometown of Timbuktu has been conquered by the warrior king of Yorùbáland, and living conditions for the women in her blacksmith guild, who were already shunned as social pariahs, grow even worse.
Then Òdòdó is abducted. She is whisked across the Sahara to the capital city of Ṣàngótẹ̀, where she is shocked to discover that her kidnapper is none other than the vagrant who had visited her guild just days prior. But now that he is swathed in riches rather than rags, Òdòdó realizes he is not a vagrant at all; he is the warrior king, and he has chosen her to be his wife.
In a sudden change of fortune, Òdòdó soars to the very heights of society. But after a lifetime of subjugation, she finds the power that saturates this world of battle and political savvy too enticing to resist. As tensions with rival states grow, revealing elaborate schemes and enemies hidden in plain sight, Òdòdó must defy the cruel king she has been forced to wed by reforging the shaky loyalties of the court in her favor, or risk losing everything―including her life.
Loosely based on the myth of Persephone, O.O. Sangoyomi's Masquerade takes you on a journey of epic power struggles and political intrigue which turn an entire region on its head.
1
Each day, countless fleets of camel caravans sailed across the desert sea to reach Timbuktu.
Here, in this port city on the southern edge of the Sahara, waves of men, women, and children flooded the market, searching for supplies. Farmers and craftsmen proudly showcased their wares from behind wooden stands or in front of tents. Threads of dancers wove through cheerful crowds; juggling entertainers could be found on every corner. Travelers' stories of far-off lands rose and fell with the playful chords of musicians. Vibrant colors and savory scents swirled in the air as Timbuktu teemed with the trading, buying, and selling of everything from exotic spices to brilliant fabrics to precious salt and gold.
But today, Timbuktu was still.
I stood in front of a wooden platform, along with what felt like half the market goers. Rain poured from the skies, soaking through my brown wrapper. Thunder rumbled as a Songhai general was dragged onto the platform by soldiers who were not his own.
They ...
Àrèmo's passion for Òdòdó launches Masquerade's plot and creates propulsive dramatic tension. Though Àrèmo is a charismatic man of charming words, bold displays of romance, and martial prowess, for Òdòdó, he is a growing source of frustration and rage. As the novel progresses, it leans into Òdòdó's suppressed fury arising from how her heroic contributions to Yorùbáland's wellbeing are attributed to Àrèmo. Beyond these characters and their convoluted political and personal entanglements that are the core of Masquerade's thrill, the book's atmosphere and locale are immersive. The setting, filtered through Òdòdó's wonderment as she takes in the sights of her new surroundings in Ṣàngótè, is extravagant, comprised of lush and elaborate descriptions of tempestuous royal elephants, gold-encrusted architecture, expensive clothes, and religious fanfare centered on the fickle Òrìṣàs...continued
Full Review
(960 words)
(Reviewed by Isabella Zhou).
Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author
With sweeping romance, an incredible setting, and a heroine who will stop at nothing to have the life she deserves, Masquerade is a triumphant blend of history and folklore that will keep you glued to the page. Jennifer Saint, New York Times bestselling author
A bewitching, thrilling and vibrant novel that had me enthralled with every twist and turn. Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author
Mixing political intrigue and slow corruption with a captivating heroine and gorgeously rendered setting, Sangoyomi delivers an incisive examination of gender, temptation, and the lengths people will go to hold power―a magnificent debut!
Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi repeatedly draws from mythology surrounding the Òrìṣà pantheon of deities from the Yorùbá religion, which is still practiced throughout southern Nigeria, other areas of West Africa, and the African diaspora. Ṣàngó, the bringer of thunder, is particularly highlighted: he is the namesake of capital city Ṣàngótè and a source of political legitimacy as the forefather of the Alàáfin (king). The novel depicts multiple Yorùbáland rituals starring Ṣàngó's storminess — after eating a chickpea during the first feast following her kidnapping by ruler Àrèmo, main character Òdòdó is only ...
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