My review:
5 stars
From poverty to queen, from innocence to power, young Òdòdó has surpassed the morally grey format to become an amazing villain. May be dark and violent for some readers, but I love the origin story of a villain. And if we think about it, is she a villain? Her decisions are for the protection of the people, the poor, and the women...
A reimagined/Persephone-ish-inspired African historical fantasy (15th century West Africa) where blacksmiths are women who have lost all, becoming part of the lowest rank in society, they can only serve as crafting metal. Called witches also. It's not about magic.
Òdòdó is kidnapped to become the bride of a king who claims to love her and to do all to make her happy but also to him, women have a specific role and he imprisons, coherence, and threatens her constantly. She takes advantage of her situation to learn and gain power. She grows quickly as a character and learns from those who betray and taunt her. The political intrigue is a power struggle that she doesn't relinquish. A crescendo of twists and turns.
She is constantly torn between love and freedom until all becomes clear to her. The rescue is the most epic chapter and the end is exhilarating.
Read in one sitting. Couldn't stop reading/listening to it. Ariel Blake has the perfect voice for this story.
Get the book or audio here.
Synopsis from the publisher:
"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.
“A bewitching, thrilling and vibrant novel that had me enthralled with every twist and turn.” —Jennifer Saint, New York Times bestselling author
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."
“A bewitching, thrilling and vibrant novel that had me enthralled with every twist and turn.”
—Jennifer Saint, 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.”
—Hannah Whitten, 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!”
—Vaishnavi Patel, New York Times bestselling author
“A richly drawn world and tenacious heroine made this utterly transportive debut impossible to put down. I eagerly await any story O.O. Sangoyomi decides to tell next.”
—Genevieve Gornichec, national bestselling author
“Richly detailed worldbuilding and inspiration from the Persephone myth all lend to a layered, immersive storyline in Sangoyomi’s debut.”
—Library Journal, starred review
“[Masquerade] paints a vibrant picture of the people, the colors, and the sights of the era for the reader. And nothing is better imagined than the character Òdòdó, a female blacksmith by trade...Her growth into a leader is the highlight of the novel.”
—Booklist, starred review
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