Warrior of the Wind

by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Overview

From city streets where secrets are bartered for gold to forests teeming with fabled beasts, Suyi Davies Okungbowa's sweeping epic of forgotten magic and violent conquests continues in this richly drawn fantasy inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa. 

There is no peace in the season of the Red Emperor.

Traumatized by their escape from Bassa, Lilong and Danso have found safety in a vagabond colony on the edge of the emperor’s control. But time is running out on their refuge. A new bounty makes every person a threat, and whispers of magic have roused those eager for their own power.

Lilong is determined to return the Diwi—the ibor heirloom—to her people. It’s the only way to keep it safe from Esheme’s insatiable desire. The journey home will be long, filled with twists and treachery, unexpected allies and fabled enemies.

But surviving the journey is the least of their problems.

Something ancient and uncontrollable awakens. Trouble heads for Bassa, and the continent of Oon will need more than ibor to fix what's coming.

Praise for The Nameless Republic:

"A thrilling, fantastical adventure that introduces a beguiling new world . . . and then rips apart everything you think you know."—S. A. Chakraborty

"An original and fascinating epic fantasy full of bold characters, bloody action, and brutal politics.”―James Islington

The Nameless Republic
Son of the Storm
Warrior of the Wind

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316428972
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	11/21/2023
Series:	Nameless Republic Series , #2
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 5.90(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Suyi Davies Okungbowa is a Nigerian author of fantasy, science fiction, and general speculative work. He is the author of the epic fantasy trilogy The Nameless Republic (including Son of the Storm and Warrior of the Wind). His debut godpunk fantasy novel, David Mogo, Godhunter (Abaddon, 2019), won the 2020 Nommo Award for Best Novel. His shorter works have appeared in various periodicals and anthologies and have been nominated for various awards. He earned his MFA in creative writing from the University of Arizona and lives in Ontario, where he teaches at the University of Ottawa. Follow him on social media (as @suyidavies everywhere), or via his newsletter, SuyiAfterFive.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Broad and imaginative in scope even as it’s firmly grounded in a West African setting, this installment surpasses the first...From the heat of the savanna to the red eyes of a beast, there is much here to unspool and much still left to follow."—Kirkus (Starred)

"This book extends the well-built world of frightening beasts and bloodthirsty rulers that Okungbowa established in the first book of this series...the intricate, fascinating world and Esheme’s character journey are both worth the investment for lovers of epic fantasy."—Booklist

"Worth the investment for readers who love complex worldbuilding and beautifully drawn magic."—Paste Magazine

"A mesmerizing coming of age tale set against a thrilling, fantastical adventure that introduces a beguiling new world...and then rips apart everything you think you know.” —S. A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass on Son of the Storm

"[A]mbition and intrigue cause surprises on nearly every page as characters reach for power in unpredictable and nuanced ways. More importantly, the novel purposefully reveals the lure of power and the generational impact of this intrigue, both from the perspectives of the powerful, and from the points of view of those who do not, will not, or cannot, hold power...The effect is rich, wild, and occasionally dizzying."—NPR Books on Son of the Storm

"A world so exquisitely observed in every detail, from the built environment to its social and political organization, that you can’t help but tumble headlong into its vivid, captivating reality. Esheme is a standout: her unflinching subversion of motherhood to serve her own ends absolutely thrilled me."—Shelley Parker Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun on Son of the Storm

"It’s always refreshing to find fantasies that break with all the old conventions and tropes, and Son of the Storm delivers on this like a flash of lightning in the dark! Set in a deftly craftedworld of forbidden sorcery, magical beasts, and fractured polities, this tale follows three characters whose seemingly disparate journeys are set for a collision course that will rewrite the fate of whole peoples and empires. Suyi Davies Okungbowa has created an original and fully conceived new world of fantasy teeming with brilliant possibilities and demanding to be explored!"—P. Djeli Clark, author of A Master of Djinn on Son of the Storm

"This is everything I love to see in a fantasy story: masterful, fully-realized worldbuilding, morally complex characters, thoughtful and piercing interrogations of power, privilege, and all the facets of human nature. Damn good book!"—Jenn Lyons, author of The Ruin of Kings on Son of the Storm

"Highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy based on non-European mythologies...readers who enjoy protagonists on troubled journeys...or anyone who likes to chew on stories with complex shenanigans."—Library Journal (starred review) on Son of the Storm

“Okungobwa’s richly-drawn and ruthlessly strict world never provides its conflicted characters with easy answers. Fantastical beasts and forgotten magic propel a story about ambition, conspiracy, and the elusiveness of belonging. This is epic fantasy that will make you think and leave you unsettled.” —Fonda Lee, World Fantasy Award-winning author on Son of the Storm

“Okungbowa's world feels fully formed from the first pages, sweeping readers away into an elaborately plotted tale of ancient magics and world-shattering politics. I, like many others, will be impatiently waiting for the next installment!”—Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter on Son of the Storm

"Okungbowa weaves an intricate and irresistible plot around the tensions and contradictions of a corrupt, decadent society which is both dependent upon and resentful of its diverse migrant population. The result is a vibrant tale of betrayal, intrigue, and revolution which benefits greatly from an original setting, a fresh take on magic, and deftly executed characterization."—Anthony Ryan, author of Blood Song on Son of the Storm

"Energetic... Set in a lush secondary world inspired by West Africa. It’s the sort of elaborate classic fantasy scenario with magic and adventure that fans of the genre will adore."—Washington Post on Son of the Storm

"An original and fascinating epic fantasy full of bold characters, bloody action, and brutal politics. I thoroughly enjoyed it!”—James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost on Son of the Storm

"Enthralling... This sweeping and politically charged fantasy explores race, gender, and culture in a complex and compelling world."—Buzzfeed News on Son of the Storm

From the Publisher

★ 2023-09-09
As the world teeters on the brink of change, factions amass, lost magic beckons, and three young people continue their search for power.

In this sequel to Son of the Storm (2021), Danso and Lilong have journeyed into the world beyond Bassa. Lilong is still seeking the reason for her daa’s departure from their island home and the way his quest relates to the magical ibor, while Danso has turned to chronicling their journey and documenting the stories he hears—which may well be true. But the two cannot yet rest. Esheme, Danso’s one-time intended and now the Red Emperor, is still on their trail, using ibor to her own ends and drawing ever nearer. Ultimately, the three approach Lilong’s home in an archipelago shrouded in mystery and legend where revelations about ibor and their own personal quests may lie. Broad and imaginative in scope even as it’s firmly grounded in a West African setting, this installment surpasses the first as the characters’ world opens up and their motivations are explored more deeply. Though the pacing is still ponderous, the slow movement of the plot nevertheless pulls the characters along through increasingly tense and dangerous scenarios and allows room to explore their inner worlds and relationships with each other. From the heat of the savanna to the red eyes of a beast, there is much here to unspool and much still left to follow.

Slow-paced yet expansive, the book follows individual people to paint a much larger picture of empires as they rise and fall.

Kirkus Reviews