I read this book because I started following Dr. Okorafor on Twitter a few years ago. I don’t remember exactly what made me decide to follow her but I do know that part of it was due to my desire to avoid insularity. That and I’d heard great things about her books. I’ve already read the first two novellas in her Binti series; the third won a Hugo Award this year!
Akata Witch, if I were to grossly over simplify, is a different take on the young person discovers magic is real and they must adapt to this new world. Akata Witch is that, which I think leads to the easy comparison with Harry Potter, but HP is hardly the only fantasy novel with that motif, also I think the HP comparison is too easy and doesn’t accurately reflect the most interesting part of AW. AW follows a 13yo girl who moves from the US to Nigeria and quickly (for the reader) discovers that she has magical abilities.
I really enjoyed this book on many levels. It was fun and different and yet familiar. If you liked HP and you aren’t a Death Eater, you’ll like this book as well.
Oh she’s been on my tbr for years. I really need to get on with that!