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Guardians of the Gods #1
Después de la caída
Dioses orishas, una guerra cósmica a punto de estallar y una joven exiliada atrapada por una red de secretos
Ashâke es la única acólita del templo Ifa a la que los orishas parecen haber olvidado. La única que no puede ascender para convertirse en sacerdotisa, el sueño por el que ha estado trabajando toda su vida.
Desesperada, inicia un peligroso ritual para invocar y atrapar a un orisha, pero, en su lugar, tendrá una horrible visión que despertará la atención de una poderosa secta enemiga y la catapultará al centro de una guerra ancestral que lleva siglos librándose y que destruirá todo aquello en lo que creía.
Ashâke es la única acólita del templo Ifa a la que los orishas parecen haber olvidado. La única que no puede ascender para convertirse en sacerdotisa, el sueño por el que ha estado trabajando toda su vida.
Desesperada, inicia un peligroso ritual para invocar y atrapar a un orisha, pero, en su lugar, tendrá una horrible visión que despertará la atención de una poderosa secta enemiga y la catapultará al centro de una guerra ancestral que lleva siglos librándose y que destruirá todo aquello en lo que creía.
170 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2024
27 people are currently reading
7458 people want to read
About the author
Tobi Ogundiran
30 books124 followersTobi Ogundiran is the award-winning author of the Guardian of the Gods duology (In the Shadow of the Fall, At the Fount of Creation) and the critically acclaimed collection, Jackal, Jackal. His work has appeared in several Year's Best anthologies, and on the hit podcast LeVar Burton Reads. Originally from Nigeria, he now lives and works in the US South.
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February 13, 2025Highly readable series-starter alt-African set novella about an unchosen one, an acolyte to whom the gods don't speak, getting caught up in a cosmic war against the godkillers. Lots of energy, colour, and action keep this whipping along marvellously, looking forward to finding out what happens next!
July 12, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
This was really good! In the Shadow of the Fall is a fantasy novella drawing on African mythology. It follows a young woman who has been training to become a priestess, but the orisha's won't talk to her and she has been stuck as an acolyte for years. So she does something desperate, not knowing there are larger things at play in the world. It's an engaging story and I'm invested in seeing what happens in book 2. The world-building and mythology are rich for such a short work, and the characterization is good too. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
This was really good! In the Shadow of the Fall is a fantasy novella drawing on African mythology. It follows a young woman who has been training to become a priestess, but the orisha's won't talk to her and she has been stuck as an acolyte for years. So she does something desperate, not knowing there are larger things at play in the world. It's an engaging story and I'm invested in seeing what happens in book 2. The world-building and mythology are rich for such a short work, and the characterization is good too. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
June 16, 2024
3.0 Stars
I enjoyed the setting of this novella. The writing was nice. The characters were decently complex given the length of this story.
However I struggled to become engrossed or engaged with the story itself. It's one I appreciated but didn't entirely love.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I enjoyed the setting of this novella. The writing was nice. The characters were decently complex given the length of this story.
However I struggled to become engrossed or engaged with the story itself. It's one I appreciated but didn't entirely love.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
August 17, 2024
4/5
This novella is a promising start to an innovative and intriguing series. I loved the world so incredibly much, I loved every morsel of discovery. I absolutely adored the influences of Yoruba mythology, it has sparked in me a hunger to consume more West African-inspired fantasy.
Because of its length, I did struggle to connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. However the length wasn't the only factor, the large amount of death in the story also affected this. As soon as I felt myself beginning to connect with a character they were gone. I just would've loved if this were longer so that we could spend more time in each moment.
I'm super excited to continue and to read the sequel once it's out. I hope the author decides to write novels as well, I think I'd absolutely love a longer, slower-paced story by Ogundiran. But this was a great first taste of his writing and storytelling!
Thank you Titan Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This novella is a promising start to an innovative and intriguing series. I loved the world so incredibly much, I loved every morsel of discovery. I absolutely adored the influences of Yoruba mythology, it has sparked in me a hunger to consume more West African-inspired fantasy.
Because of its length, I did struggle to connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. However the length wasn't the only factor, the large amount of death in the story also affected this. As soon as I felt myself beginning to connect with a character they were gone. I just would've loved if this were longer so that we could spend more time in each moment.
I'm super excited to continue and to read the sequel once it's out. I hope the author decides to write novels as well, I think I'd absolutely love a longer, slower-paced story by Ogundiran. But this was a great first taste of his writing and storytelling!
Thank you Titan Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2024
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
TW: animal death, blood, child death, confinement, death, death of a loved one, fire/fire injury, injury/injury detail, medical content, violence, war.
Captivatingly vivid and beautiful written, this novella was so good.
I was concerned that the length would detract from my enjoyment of the story, but those fears were completely unfounded. Tobi Ogundiran used every single page to its fullest, somehow managing to weave a story that is both intricate and incredibly fast-paced in less than 200 pages. The characters, no matter how brief their appearance, were fleshed out and felt entirely real. Creating three-dimensional characters is something authors (reasonably) struggle with on a much larger canvas and yet this novella handled it with such ease, I felt like I was simply hearing about people that had once existed.
Pairing that with the use of African mythology and a cosmic war between the gods, this was one you're not going to want to miss.
TW: animal death, blood, child death, confinement, death, death of a loved one, fire/fire injury, injury/injury detail, medical content, violence, war.
Captivatingly vivid and beautiful written, this novella was so good.
I was concerned that the length would detract from my enjoyment of the story, but those fears were completely unfounded. Tobi Ogundiran used every single page to its fullest, somehow managing to weave a story that is both intricate and incredibly fast-paced in less than 200 pages. The characters, no matter how brief their appearance, were fleshed out and felt entirely real. Creating three-dimensional characters is something authors (reasonably) struggle with on a much larger canvas and yet this novella handled it with such ease, I felt like I was simply hearing about people that had once existed.
Pairing that with the use of African mythology and a cosmic war between the gods, this was one you're not going to want to miss.
January 16, 2026
In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran – Review
In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran is a vibrant, imaginative fantasy novella and the first book in the Guardians of the Gods duology, rooted in Yoruba mythology and cosmic mystery. It follows Ashâke, a devoted acolyte in the temple of Ifa who has always yearned to be chosen by the orisha yet remains unheard as her peers ascend to priesthood. In desperation she attempts a forbidden rite to summon an orisha, only to unleash visions so terrifying they draw the attention of dangerous foes and propel her into a world-shaking conflict she barely understands. Pulled from the sheltered temple into a wider world of magic, prophecy, and perilous enemies, Ashâke’s journey is both an epic mythic adventure and a personal trial of faith, identity, and purpose. Readers can expect brisk pacing, cosmic stakes, and rich mythic worldbuilding in a compact but compelling narrative.
What stayed with me most was how Ogundiran transforms ancient spiritual themes into a visceral, page-turning story that feels both intimate and grand in scope. Ashâke’s frustration with silence from the gods, her reckless determination to forge her own path, and the emotional turbulence that follows made her feel like a genuinely human protagonist caught in mythic currents larger than herself. The worldbuilding, inspired by West African cosmology, was lush and felt fresh in a genre often dominated by Western medieval tropes, pulling me into landscapes, rituals, and magic that felt alive and resonant. While the novella format meant some character arcs and revelations came swiftly and left me hungry for deeper exploration, the emotional and mythical energy carried me through, and I found myself eager for the promised second volume.
Rating: 4 out of 5 because its compelling blend of myth, magic, and self-discovery left a lasting impression and made me crave more of this world.
In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran is a vibrant, imaginative fantasy novella and the first book in the Guardians of the Gods duology, rooted in Yoruba mythology and cosmic mystery. It follows Ashâke, a devoted acolyte in the temple of Ifa who has always yearned to be chosen by the orisha yet remains unheard as her peers ascend to priesthood. In desperation she attempts a forbidden rite to summon an orisha, only to unleash visions so terrifying they draw the attention of dangerous foes and propel her into a world-shaking conflict she barely understands. Pulled from the sheltered temple into a wider world of magic, prophecy, and perilous enemies, Ashâke’s journey is both an epic mythic adventure and a personal trial of faith, identity, and purpose. Readers can expect brisk pacing, cosmic stakes, and rich mythic worldbuilding in a compact but compelling narrative.
What stayed with me most was how Ogundiran transforms ancient spiritual themes into a visceral, page-turning story that feels both intimate and grand in scope. Ashâke’s frustration with silence from the gods, her reckless determination to forge her own path, and the emotional turbulence that follows made her feel like a genuinely human protagonist caught in mythic currents larger than herself. The worldbuilding, inspired by West African cosmology, was lush and felt fresh in a genre often dominated by Western medieval tropes, pulling me into landscapes, rituals, and magic that felt alive and resonant. While the novella format meant some character arcs and revelations came swiftly and left me hungry for deeper exploration, the emotional and mythical energy carried me through, and I found myself eager for the promised second volume.
Rating: 4 out of 5 because its compelling blend of myth, magic, and self-discovery left a lasting impression and made me crave more of this world.
May 24, 2024
A new series with potential, but the first installment fell a bit short in characterization and dialogue. Ashâke comes off as entitled and spoiled, especially at first, and although it is stated on-page that she is 22, she often seems much younger. Many of the other characters seem to exist mainly to help or hinder her, rather than being fully fleshed-out people. However, I was drawn into the world-building and story, and do plan to continue the series when the next book comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.
they-told-me-to-read-it
November 6, 2025
August 16, 2024
“But faith was so easily manipulated. After all, what was faith but belief in something intangible? Something unseen, something unheard.”
After years of waiting for the orisha to speak to her and eventually become a priestess, Ashâke, an acolyte in the temple of Ifa, decides to try to summon a orisha to find some answers. But this act ends up attracting the attention of a powerful sect that, following the preaching of a person once called The Teacher, wants to wipe out all the orishas.
It took me a while to get into this story, as Ashâke got on my nerves on more than one occasion, although I have to say that I started to like her more as the story progressed. I really enjoyed the glimpses we get into this world and the twist the author threw in near the end. I especially loved the interactions with the griots, their scenes narrating events through songs in which the audience is transported to the time and place where they occurred.
Overall, a fast-paced and engaging novella inspired by Yoruba mythology. I look forward to reading the next and final instalment of this duology when it comes out.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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February 5, 2025
La lectura de Los Tambores del Dios Negro de P. Djèlí Clark me creó bastante curiosidad sobre la cultura Yoruba, así que cuando Duermevela anunció que iba a publicar esta bilogía que inicia con Después de la Caída, sabía que me la iba a leer.
Esta novela nos cuenta la historia de Ashâke, una acólita a la que los dioses orishas parecen haber olvidado y que no consigue ascender. Desesperada, inicia un ritual peligroso para invocar a un orisha, pero la cosa sale mal y tiene una visión que le granjeara enemigos y tambaleará todo lo que conocía hasta ahora.
Aunque la novela tira del tópico del personaje que descubre una cosa y descubre que su mundo es una mentira, pienso que la obra esta muy bien llevada, con un muy buen ritmo y buenos personajes acompañados de una gran ambientación de la cultura Yoruba.
Una novela fresca, diferente y muy dinámica que deja con ganas de ponerse con la segunda parte inmediatamente.
Esta novela nos cuenta la historia de Ashâke, una acólita a la que los dioses orishas parecen haber olvidado y que no consigue ascender. Desesperada, inicia un ritual peligroso para invocar a un orisha, pero la cosa sale mal y tiene una visión que le granjeara enemigos y tambaleará todo lo que conocía hasta ahora.
Aunque la novela tira del tópico del personaje que descubre una cosa y descubre que su mundo es una mentira, pienso que la obra esta muy bien llevada, con un muy buen ritmo y buenos personajes acompañados de una gran ambientación de la cultura Yoruba.
Una novela fresca, diferente y muy dinámica que deja con ganas de ponerse con la segunda parte inmediatamente.
March 3, 2026
Initial reaction: Looking like 3 or 3.5 stars. Very quick novella, but I feel like one critique was that the protagonist felt a bit younger for voice than I expected for her age.
Full review:
"In the Shadow of the Fall" is the first book of a duology fantasy novella, which ended up in a place I wasn't quite expecting and intrigued me. In the end, I gave this brief read 3.5 stars and I fully expect to pick up the sequel. The story revolves around a young acolyte who is desperately trying to find a way to connect with the orisha and become a priest. But Ashâke is the only one who can't hear the voices of the gods and makes a desperate attempt to reach one...only to fail in a monumental fashion. She ends up under the care of an elder (who was probably one of my favorite characters in the collective part of this story) after the aforementioned botched attempt, but doesn't evade trouble with those who saw Ashâke's actions as forbidden. Put under a trial, she's humiliated and imprisoned. Disillusioned, Ashâke escapes the temple out into the outside realm, and ends up discovering a lot of secrets about the gods as well as her own role to play.
I don't want to dig too much into spoilers since it's such a short read, but I found myself enjoying the ride for what it offered. The various perspectives, the dark imagery, and the overarching story had my attention to the end. I think the main part of this that I had a complaint about was that Ashâke's voice didn't feel her 22 years of age; she read a bit younger than what I thought this adult novella would be. There's cross-over potential for it to appeal to older YA audiences based on my reading of it. It definitely has moments of a coming of age/coming to terms story that I appreciated, with a few interesting twists that make me wonder where the follow-up will go. But overall, this was worth the time and I look forward to reading the sequel and more from the author.
Overall score: 3.5/5 stars.
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher.
Full review:
"In the Shadow of the Fall" is the first book of a duology fantasy novella, which ended up in a place I wasn't quite expecting and intrigued me. In the end, I gave this brief read 3.5 stars and I fully expect to pick up the sequel. The story revolves around a young acolyte who is desperately trying to find a way to connect with the orisha and become a priest. But Ashâke is the only one who can't hear the voices of the gods and makes a desperate attempt to reach one...only to fail in a monumental fashion. She ends up under the care of an elder (who was probably one of my favorite characters in the collective part of this story) after the aforementioned botched attempt, but doesn't evade trouble with those who saw Ashâke's actions as forbidden. Put under a trial, she's humiliated and imprisoned. Disillusioned, Ashâke escapes the temple out into the outside realm, and ends up discovering a lot of secrets about the gods as well as her own role to play.
I don't want to dig too much into spoilers since it's such a short read, but I found myself enjoying the ride for what it offered. The various perspectives, the dark imagery, and the overarching story had my attention to the end. I think the main part of this that I had a complaint about was that Ashâke's voice didn't feel her 22 years of age; she read a bit younger than what I thought this adult novella would be. There's cross-over potential for it to appeal to older YA audiences based on my reading of it. It definitely has moments of a coming of age/coming to terms story that I appreciated, with a few interesting twists that make me wonder where the follow-up will go. But overall, this was worth the time and I look forward to reading the sequel and more from the author.
Overall score: 3.5/5 stars.
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher.
April 11, 2024
What a fun and emotional read!
I loved how the author used the Chosen One trope and made it his own, infusing it with Yoruba religion and mythology.
This was a very quick read. The pacing was perfection. The author let us stew in the slower parts in order for us to understand what was happening, but then jerked us along when action scenes start rolling.
At times though, it does read like YA, but that didn't hamper my enjoyment. I think it actually helped that the FMC, Ashâke, was young, naive, and ignorant of the greater world around her because you experience the worldbuilding alongside her. I've read full-length novels that fail at this type of worldbuiling, so to have a novella excel in this aspect blew me away.
Speaking of the worldbuilding, for a setting that was very insular (Ashâke only goes to like 3 places), it was very rich and well-defined. You understand Ashâke's role as a failed acolyte, the temple's belief in the orisha and their role in promoting this belief, and the role of the griots as oral historians. It felt like I was physically in this world along with Ashâke. It was a wholly immersive experience.
I probably would've rated this higher if the reveal wasn't so YA. That was my only issue with this.
Anyway, I'll definitely be here for future installments!
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for this arc.
I loved how the author used the Chosen One trope and made it his own, infusing it with Yoruba religion and mythology.
This was a very quick read. The pacing was perfection. The author let us stew in the slower parts in order for us to understand what was happening, but then jerked us along when action scenes start rolling.
At times though, it does read like YA, but that didn't hamper my enjoyment. I think it actually helped that the FMC, Ashâke, was young, naive, and ignorant of the greater world around her because you experience the worldbuilding alongside her. I've read full-length novels that fail at this type of worldbuiling, so to have a novella excel in this aspect blew me away.
Speaking of the worldbuilding, for a setting that was very insular (Ashâke only goes to like 3 places), it was very rich and well-defined. You understand Ashâke's role as a failed acolyte, the temple's belief in the orisha and their role in promoting this belief, and the role of the griots as oral historians. It felt like I was physically in this world along with Ashâke. It was a wholly immersive experience.
I probably would've rated this higher if the reveal wasn't so YA. That was my only issue with this.
Anyway, I'll definitely be here for future installments!
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for this arc.
August 16, 2024
Finished this on the way home from Cody’s business trip. Really cool story and world. I am not super familiar with West African mythology, I know a little but not nearly enough, so the orisha were a new concept to me in terms of a fantasy setting. Ashake was a fun main character to follow, and I’m definitely interested in picking up the sequel.
I didn’t realize this was a novella before it arrived in the mail for my preorder, and I was a little disappointed (mainly because it cost so much while being so short lol), however I think the length was an asset. There was never any dull or slow moments. Something was always happening and the story was always moving forward.
I didn’t realize this was a novella before it arrived in the mail for my preorder, and I was a little disappointed (mainly because it cost so much while being so short lol), however I think the length was an asset. There was never any dull or slow moments. Something was always happening and the story was always moving forward.
February 25, 2026
A confident recommendation for readers interested in African mythology stories, and those already fans of Audition for the Fox or Godkiller!
I love when a new-to-me author blows me away. I entered with little expectations or knowledge about this novella, but it was one of those title-cover combinations that called to me. And I can confirm while writing this review that I have, since finishing book 1, picked up and finished At the Fount of Creation already! 😍 This is a hidden gem fantasy duology, and it absolutely SHOULD NOT BE. Read it!!
Highlights:
✅ fast-paced narrative plot
✅ likeable MC to root for
✅ thought-provoking world/society structure
✅ easy-to-read accessible fantasy for all reader types
I love when a new-to-me author blows me away. I entered with little expectations or knowledge about this novella, but it was one of those title-cover combinations that called to me. And I can confirm while writing this review that I have, since finishing book 1, picked up and finished At the Fount of Creation already! 😍 This is a hidden gem fantasy duology, and it absolutely SHOULD NOT BE. Read it!!
Highlights:
✅ fast-paced narrative plot
✅ likeable MC to root for
✅ thought-provoking world/society structure
✅ easy-to-read accessible fantasy for all reader types
Read
November 1, 2024Cuando leí «Aké» de Wole Soyinka me quedé prendada de la cultura y mitología yoruba, así que cuando descubrí este libro centrado principalmente en ella y sus dioses orishas sabía que era para mí.
La novela es endiabladamente adictiva, es sorprendente cómo el autor logra crear una historia tan sólida en tan poquísimas páginas... algo bastante a contracorriente de la moda en fantasía. En sí, es una historia "típica" de 'coming of age', donde nuestra joven protagonista va a descubrir que todo su mundo está construido a base de mentiras y engaños y debe crearse su propio camino iniciando una búsqueda.
Pero claro, poco típico es encontrarte una ambientación africana dentro del género fantástico, su cultura, dioses y adiciones como los maravillosos griots y su mundo de la palabra (e importancia de los cuentos narrados) convierten esta historia en algo único.
Si lo que buscáis es una novela que os tenga al filo del asiento y que no podáis soltar, esta es vuestra historia, si además os gustan las perspectivas diversas y las ambientaciones atípicas porque estáis hasta las narices del típico señor tristón del medievo europeo entre espadas y castillos... pues os va a resultar especialmente refrescante.
La novela es endiabladamente adictiva, es sorprendente cómo el autor logra crear una historia tan sólida en tan poquísimas páginas... algo bastante a contracorriente de la moda en fantasía. En sí, es una historia "típica" de 'coming of age', donde nuestra joven protagonista va a descubrir que todo su mundo está construido a base de mentiras y engaños y debe crearse su propio camino iniciando una búsqueda.
Pero claro, poco típico es encontrarte una ambientación africana dentro del género fantástico, su cultura, dioses y adiciones como los maravillosos griots y su mundo de la palabra (e importancia de los cuentos narrados) convierten esta historia en algo único.
Si lo que buscáis es una novela que os tenga al filo del asiento y que no podáis soltar, esta es vuestra historia, si además os gustan las perspectivas diversas y las ambientaciones atípicas porque estáis hasta las narices del típico señor tristón del medievo europeo entre espadas y castillos... pues os va a resultar especialmente refrescante.
January 9, 2024
Never has a novella left me so speechless, so intrigued, and so absorbed by a story—in such a short amount of time, too. In the Shadow of the Fall is a fast-paced, immersive fantasy that follows Ashâke as she navigates her life as an acolyte, one that is flipped on its head. From the start, we're introduced to an alluring, well-crafted world with intriguing characters and an engrossing plot. I couldn't stop reading. The atmosphere is felt from the first page with Ogundiran's prose, and the mystery behind Ashâke held my interest throughout. Not only are the world and characters so captivating, but the storyline itself—more specifically, the level of emotion pulled—gripped my heart. I enjoyed the twists, and Yaruddin's threatening presence was hugely felt through the page. If you're looking for an epic fantasy with cosmic-level stakes, while retaining its personable characters, read this novella. I will be—impatiently—waiting for the next installment. Seriously, this was an incredible read.
A huge thank you to the NetGalley team at Tor/Forge for this egalley in exchange for an honest review! 5.0 ⭐️
A huge thank you to the NetGalley team at Tor/Forge for this egalley in exchange for an honest review! 5.0 ⭐️
December 11, 2024
3.5 stars
My thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for a free eARC of "In the Shadow of the Fall" by Tobi Ogundrian.
This debut novella was a pleasant surprise as it had a self contained story and it left some threads for the next installment in what is a planed duology.
Tobi Ogundian manages to create a belivable Fantasy world with a few different forces that clash, all built around a nicely established lore. The glimpses of community and the internal struggles faced by the main heroine were well portrayed as well.
Considering this was just a novella, this is an impressive achievement.
You can now support my passion for books with a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/mariareadssff
My thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for a free eARC of "In the Shadow of the Fall" by Tobi Ogundrian.
This debut novella was a pleasant surprise as it had a self contained story and it left some threads for the next installment in what is a planed duology.
Tobi Ogundian manages to create a belivable Fantasy world with a few different forces that clash, all built around a nicely established lore. The glimpses of community and the internal struggles faced by the main heroine were well portrayed as well.
Considering this was just a novella, this is an impressive achievement.
You can now support my passion for books with a small donation here https://ko-fi.com/mariareadssff
July 4, 2024
I really enjoyed the African-inspired world building and I loved learning about the mythology. For a novella, the world building was fairly comprehensive and I could really see this world with acolytes and orishas. However, I unfortunately struggled to connect with the protagonist which prevented me from enjoying this more.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
February 20, 2026
Deserves all the hype. Absolutely brilliant. Jumping right into book 2!!
March 18, 2025
Trust, lies, loyalty and.... MFking singing🙄.
I hate musicals. (Except Moulin Rouge and Wicked on Broadway not this big screen monstrosity with Grande as Glinda). Just saying, if y'all decide to make a screen adaptation of this, just know I will not sit through the singing. What's even stranger? This book felt like it was written specifically with screen adaptation in mind, written to be optioned, perhaps courting producers - the pacing was a tad off.
All in all ... pretty much meh🤷🏽♀️. I had high expectations - it was an immediate TBR when I first caught sight of it. Look at that cover 😍Bit of a let down really. On the plus side, more people get to read about Orishas and West African Mythology - on the downside, this felt predictable. Why did it feel soo predictable especially it not being some run of the mill retelling? I have no cooking clue.
I tried soo damn hard not to see everything coming a mile away. But like that Ba Fatai character said: To glimpse the future is not a gift. It is a curse.”
Connecting and empathizing with the main character was a chore. I actually felt detached throughout and I should be drawn to the battle within Ashâke but I can't be bothered to love or hate her. And another thing, I normally find the antagonist pretty entertaining. I found this one as predictable as the rest of the story.
Favorite/Curious/Unique Scene:
Usually I can find something off the top of my head when I step away from a book. Heck not just one scene, multiple. Here, each scene was nice enough, like a spot of tea for a coffee connoisseur.
Favorite/Curious/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “What needs doing must be done well.” (which is ironic considering this could have been done better🤦🏽♀️)
Favorite/Curious/Unique Concepts:
■ The White Eye
■ Griots
GR Rating: 3⭐
CAWPILE: 5
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Novellas by 2025
I hate musicals. (Except Moulin Rouge and Wicked on Broadway not this big screen monstrosity with Grande as Glinda). Just saying, if y'all decide to make a screen adaptation of this, just know I will not sit through the singing. What's even stranger? This book felt like it was written specifically with screen adaptation in mind, written to be optioned, perhaps courting producers - the pacing was a tad off.
All in all ... pretty much meh🤷🏽♀️. I had high expectations - it was an immediate TBR when I first caught sight of it. Look at that cover 😍Bit of a let down really. On the plus side, more people get to read about Orishas and West African Mythology - on the downside, this felt predictable. Why did it feel soo predictable especially it not being some run of the mill retelling? I have no cooking clue.
I tried soo damn hard not to see everything coming a mile away. But like that Ba Fatai character said: To glimpse the future is not a gift. It is a curse.”
Connecting and empathizing with the main character was a chore. I actually felt detached throughout and I should be drawn to the battle within Ashâke but I can't be bothered to love or hate her. And another thing, I normally find the antagonist pretty entertaining. I found this one as predictable as the rest of the story.
Favorite/Curious/Unique Scene:
Usually I can find something off the top of my head when I step away from a book. Heck not just one scene, multiple. Here, each scene was nice enough, like a spot of tea for a coffee connoisseur.
Favorite/Curious/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “What needs doing must be done well.” (which is ironic considering this could have been done better🤦🏽♀️)
Favorite/Curious/Unique Concepts:
■ The White Eye
■ Griots
GR Rating: 3⭐
CAWPILE: 5
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Novellas by 2025
January 9, 2024
Thank you Net Galley for this arc.
Tobi Ogundiran has crafted a masterful African mythology tale. This book sucks the reader in with its premise but then gives the reader a sense of more at the end. This novella main character Ashâke takes the reader on a journey of self exploration as she battles with the idea why she hasn’t become an Orisha. Not knowing her story has just begun. The antagonist of the story brings a sense of fear to the reader. I can’t wait to read more from Mr. Tobi
Tobi Ogundiran has crafted a masterful African mythology tale. This book sucks the reader in with its premise but then gives the reader a sense of more at the end. This novella main character Ashâke takes the reader on a journey of self exploration as she battles with the idea why she hasn’t become an Orisha. Not knowing her story has just begun. The antagonist of the story brings a sense of fear to the reader. I can’t wait to read more from Mr. Tobi
February 23, 2025
How does Tobi Ogundiran fit such rich and complex world building in 149 pages??? Masterclasssssssss
August 3, 2025
4.5 🌟
First of all, a round of applause to this beautiful book for being short and fast-paced, that alone made me love it so much. Ashâke’s story is honestly very beautiful. The back and forth in the storyline didn’t lose me at all… it was clear and engaging.
The world building felt so familiar, from the names to the deities. I genuinely love this book and I can’t wait to read Book Two!
First of all, a round of applause to this beautiful book for being short and fast-paced, that alone made me love it so much. Ashâke’s story is honestly very beautiful. The back and forth in the storyline didn’t lose me at all… it was clear and engaging.
The world building felt so familiar, from the names to the deities. I genuinely love this book and I can’t wait to read Book Two!
February 25, 2026
Fast paced African fantasy that picked me up and threw me into the world. Ogundiran is able to do what most fantasy authors struggle with, giving just enough detail to get the readers imagination going and building a world with history and culture. I loved the naïvety of the main character before she is pushed into the world and the plot starts twisting!
Thank you to NetGalley and TOR for this arc.
Thank you to NetGalley and TOR for this arc.
February 24, 2025
3.75⭐️
I thought this has a really promising start, and packed a lot in a 160 page novella! Even though it was short, the world still felt rich. I’m hoping things will pick up more though in book two!
I thought this has a really promising start, and packed a lot in a 160 page novella! Even though it was short, the world still felt rich. I’m hoping things will pick up more though in book two!
June 20, 2024
Amazing for a novella to pack so much. Loved the characters, world, pacing. And the ending!!! The ending was so good!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
August 2, 2025
¿Me he acabado el libro en un día? Sí 🤓
No podía dejar de leerlo. Una acólita que se rebela, dioses orishas, un misterio que NECESITAS saber y ese final... ¿Cuánta tensión caben en 163 páginas?
Suerte que ya tengo el segundo para seguir leyendo 🤭
Gracias a duermevela por la traducción 😍
No podía dejar de leerlo. Una acólita que se rebela, dioses orishas, un misterio que NECESITAS saber y ese final... ¿Cuánta tensión caben en 163 páginas?
Suerte que ya tengo el segundo para seguir leyendo 🤭
Gracias a duermevela por la traducción 😍
March 26, 2025
4'5*
Me recuerda un poco a Djèlí Clark y «Los Tambores del Dios Negro», aunque aquí tengo la sensación de que todo ocurre muy, muy rápido.
Me recuerda un poco a Djèlí Clark y «Los Tambores del Dios Negro», aunque aquí tengo la sensación de que todo ocurre muy, muy rápido.
April 28, 2024
Definitely more of a 4.5 star.
I’m always excited for Tor’s novella debuts and this seemed even more fun because I love exploring new mythologies. And while I didn’t read this quickly because life got away from me, it’s definitely a very easy one sitting read.
The author does a marvelous job creating this world based on Yoruba mythology, making us feel like a part of it in just a few pages. Interspersed with other tales and POVs, we mainly follow the narrative through Ashake’s eyes, who is feeling a conflict with her faith but finds herself on even more shakier ground as the story goes, when revelations and twists open her eyes to the actual reality. This gives us the opportunity to learn about the world along with her, feeling immersed in an organic way and never being overwhelmed with infodumps despite the low page count.
The epilogue especially thrilled me because of its implications as it now feels like we’ll have three groups with differing motivations, unsure who’ll prevail at the end. I can’t wait to see what happens next but unfortunately it’s probably gonna be more than a year long wait.
I’m always excited for Tor’s novella debuts and this seemed even more fun because I love exploring new mythologies. And while I didn’t read this quickly because life got away from me, it’s definitely a very easy one sitting read.
The author does a marvelous job creating this world based on Yoruba mythology, making us feel like a part of it in just a few pages. Interspersed with other tales and POVs, we mainly follow the narrative through Ashake’s eyes, who is feeling a conflict with her faith but finds herself on even more shakier ground as the story goes, when revelations and twists open her eyes to the actual reality. This gives us the opportunity to learn about the world along with her, feeling immersed in an organic way and never being overwhelmed with infodumps despite the low page count.
The epilogue especially thrilled me because of its implications as it now feels like we’ll have three groups with differing motivations, unsure who’ll prevail at the end. I can’t wait to see what happens next but unfortunately it’s probably gonna be more than a year long wait.
November 18, 2024
La reseña completa en https://inthenevernever.blogspot.com/...
«Vislumbrar el futuro no es un regalo. Es una maldición».
¿Qué estarías dispuesta a hacer para llamar la atención de los dioses? ¿Qué pasaría si llevases toda tu vida dedicada a los orishas pero fueses la única persona en el templo incapaz de oírlos? ¿Qué límites llegarías a traspasar con el objetivo de pasar de ser una acólita y convertirte en una sacerdotisa? ¿Qué ocurriría si todo lo que crees conocer fuese mentira? Hoy quiero recomendarles Después de la caída, de Tobi Ogundiran, una alucinante novela de fantasía llena de dioses orishas, una guerra cósmica a punto de arrasar con todo y una protagonista que, sin pretenderlo, se ve arrastrada al centro del caos. El espectacular inicio de la Saga de la guardiana de los dioses.
«Vislumbrar el futuro no es un regalo. Es una maldición».
¿Qué estarías dispuesta a hacer para llamar la atención de los dioses? ¿Qué pasaría si llevases toda tu vida dedicada a los orishas pero fueses la única persona en el templo incapaz de oírlos? ¿Qué límites llegarías a traspasar con el objetivo de pasar de ser una acólita y convertirte en una sacerdotisa? ¿Qué ocurriría si todo lo que crees conocer fuese mentira? Hoy quiero recomendarles Después de la caída, de Tobi Ogundiran, una alucinante novela de fantasía llena de dioses orishas, una guerra cósmica a punto de arrasar con todo y una protagonista que, sin pretenderlo, se ve arrastrada al centro del caos. El espectacular inicio de la Saga de la guardiana de los dioses.
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