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Aquarian Dawn
In the middle of the 1960s counterculture movement in the US, Ada--a lonesome teen forced by impending civil war to flee her native West African birthplace with her mother--discovers an ability to connect with nature spirits as she joins other nonconformist youth to become an activist for her homeland, then discovers family secrets that impact her destiny forever. Nigerian-American Ebele Chizea's debut young adult novel is perfect for fans of Ibi Zoboi, Chibundu Onuzo, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
In the 1960s, Nabuka, a fictional Afrikan country is on the fringe of a civil war. The counterculture movement is gaining momentum in the United States, and teenage Ada has just relocated from sweltering Nabuka to the fictional small town of Greensberg, Pennsylvania with her elitist and overbearing mother. Ada is somewhat lonesome, but she has an uncanny ability to connect with nature spirits. Then comes Stacey, a boisterous hippie who ignites Ada's rebellious side, and Sal, a philosophical wanderlust who challenges Ada to share her inner world and surrender her heart. Will trauma and distance get in the way of their love?
After the war, Ada drops out of college and returns to Nabuka to find answers about the identity of her birth father. While there, she discovers crippling secrets about her lineage and falls for Obinna, a charismatic Harvard educated man who has just built a counseling center for former child soldiers. But when Sal, now a Sociologist, ends up in Nabuka on a work assignment, and Obinna is arrested for treason, Ada is left to forge a new path that will impact her destiny forever.
Author Ebele Chizea was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States at age sixteen. Since graduating with honors in 2004 from Thiel Colege in Greenville, PA, she has published fiction, poetry, and essays in various publications including The African, The Sentinel, The Nigerian Punch, Sahara Reporter, as well as her own online publication, Drumtide Magazine, which featured interviews with prominent figures in the entertainment and literary fields including Afro-punk pioneer Lunden DeLeon, afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, and award-winning Nigerian Belgian novelist, Chika Unigwe. She is the author of How to Slay in Life: A Book of Proverbial Wisdom. AQUARIAN DAWN is her debut novel. She lives in Santa Monica, CA.
In the 1960s, Nabuka, a fictional Afrikan country is on the fringe of a civil war. The counterculture movement is gaining momentum in the United States, and teenage Ada has just relocated from sweltering Nabuka to the fictional small town of Greensberg, Pennsylvania with her elitist and overbearing mother. Ada is somewhat lonesome, but she has an uncanny ability to connect with nature spirits. Then comes Stacey, a boisterous hippie who ignites Ada's rebellious side, and Sal, a philosophical wanderlust who challenges Ada to share her inner world and surrender her heart. Will trauma and distance get in the way of their love?
After the war, Ada drops out of college and returns to Nabuka to find answers about the identity of her birth father. While there, she discovers crippling secrets about her lineage and falls for Obinna, a charismatic Harvard educated man who has just built a counseling center for former child soldiers. But when Sal, now a Sociologist, ends up in Nabuka on a work assignment, and Obinna is arrested for treason, Ada is left to forge a new path that will impact her destiny forever.
Author Ebele Chizea was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States at age sixteen. Since graduating with honors in 2004 from Thiel Colege in Greenville, PA, she has published fiction, poetry, and essays in various publications including The African, The Sentinel, The Nigerian Punch, Sahara Reporter, as well as her own online publication, Drumtide Magazine, which featured interviews with prominent figures in the entertainment and literary fields including Afro-punk pioneer Lunden DeLeon, afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, and award-winning Nigerian Belgian novelist, Chika Unigwe. She is the author of How to Slay in Life: A Book of Proverbial Wisdom. AQUARIAN DAWN is her debut novel. She lives in Santa Monica, CA.
306 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2022
About the author
Ebele Chizea
5 books16 followersEbele Chizea was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States at age sixteen. Since graduating with honors in 2004 from Thiel Colege in Greenville, PA, she has published fiction, poetry, and essays in various publications including The African, The Sentinel, The Nigerian Punch, Sahara Reporter, as well as her own online publication, Drumtide Magazine, which featured interviews with prominent figures in the entertainment and literary fields including Afro-punk pioneer Lunden DeLeon, afrobeat musician Seun Kuti, and award-winning Nigerian Belgian novelist, Chika Unigwe. She is the author of How to Slay in Life: A Book of Proverbial Wisdom. Aquarian Dawn is her debut novel. She currently lives in Santa Monica, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 10, 2022
*** Review of ARC
Aquarian Dawn is a charming and enlightening page-turner! The story is told around the periods of the Vietnam war, civil rights and Black Power movement, the Hippie and gay-rights movement, and the Nigerian civil war. Think 1960s and 1970s commotion:-)
The story begins in the small Pennsylvania town of Greensberg and ends in the fictional country of Nabuka. In 1966, Ada, a teenage immigrant from Nbuka, has just arrived in Greensberg with her single, strict, elitist mother. Fitting in has never been Ada’s “thing,” until she finds a friend in Stacey, a white, care-free hippie who lives her life buoyantly; and Sal, a boy far more mature for his age. Together, their friendship acts as a bridge between rebellion and reason, revolution and resolve.
When war breaks out in her native home of Nabuka, Ada heeds the urge to leave the life once unknown to the one she once knew but now barely recognizes. How will she fare? Will she finally find “fit in”?
The author has a way with words, you'll love and be annoyed by some of her characters, and you'll ponder her dialogue and brilliant narration.
The book is categorized as a teen/young adult read, but quite frankly, it's for everyone.
Aquarian Dawn is a charming and enlightening page-turner! The story is told around the periods of the Vietnam war, civil rights and Black Power movement, the Hippie and gay-rights movement, and the Nigerian civil war. Think 1960s and 1970s commotion:-)
The story begins in the small Pennsylvania town of Greensberg and ends in the fictional country of Nabuka. In 1966, Ada, a teenage immigrant from Nbuka, has just arrived in Greensberg with her single, strict, elitist mother. Fitting in has never been Ada’s “thing,” until she finds a friend in Stacey, a white, care-free hippie who lives her life buoyantly; and Sal, a boy far more mature for his age. Together, their friendship acts as a bridge between rebellion and reason, revolution and resolve.
When war breaks out in her native home of Nabuka, Ada heeds the urge to leave the life once unknown to the one she once knew but now barely recognizes. How will she fare? Will she finally find “fit in”?
The author has a way with words, you'll love and be annoyed by some of her characters, and you'll ponder her dialogue and brilliant narration.
The book is categorized as a teen/young adult read, but quite frankly, it's for everyone.
December 8, 2022
I loved this book. The main character is wonderful, she is down to earth and honest and I couldn’t wait to see where she was headed next. Reading books about people from different places in the world is my favorite, and this book is one of those that gives you the chance to see an outsider’s view of the US and an insider’s view of West Africa. It was easy to get lost in Ada’s world. I can’t wait to read another book by Ebele Chizea.
October 31, 2022
A coming of age story filled with nostalgia, heart and a compelling plot.
November 1, 2022
Will keep you engaged from beginning to end! A coming of age story full of history, love, inspiration and beauty.
August 3, 2022
In 1966, Ada, a teenage immigrant from Nabuka, Afrika, has just arrived in Greensberg, Pennsylvania with her strict, elitist mother after a split from her stepfather, Ben. Ada hasn’t ever cared too much about friends or fitting in, that is until she meets Stacey, a free spirited hippie who ignites Ada’s rebellious side; and Sal, a boy who catches her attention almost from day one.
After the civil war in Nabuka ends, Ada has an urge to go back home and find answers to her past - especially those from her birth father and her mother. There, she falls for Obinna, a charismatic Harvard-educated man who just built a counseling center for former child soldiers. But Ada’s own past isn’t quite left behind and she struggles to forge her path ahead.
The 1960s is an era in which I haven’t read much about, so this was an interesting book that I was excited to read.
This novel did jump forward here and there, usually through what would probably be seen as “boring bits” and Ada did always give a short summary about what happened during the time jump, which again, usually wasn’t anything too crazy. Besides that, the book moved smoothly and quickly.
I really enjoyed Ada’s relationship between both Stacey and Sal. . The way Ada and Sal always interacted at different stages of their life throughout the book always felt genuine. That relationship between your first love is always the hardest.
I do wish there was more to the ending. I did feel like that crept up on you and then everything was done in about 10 pages.
I know this is being marketed as YA (14+), but I would really market it under the New Adult genre. Only the first 70 pages or so talk about Ada in high school, the other 70% of the book is college and beyond. I’m not saying a 14-year-old won’t enjoy it (every reader is different), but I would probably start recommending this to older YA/New Adult readers first.
*Thank you Three Rooms Press and LibraryThing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
After the civil war in Nabuka ends, Ada has an urge to go back home and find answers to her past - especially those from her birth father and her mother. There, she falls for Obinna, a charismatic Harvard-educated man who just built a counseling center for former child soldiers. But Ada’s own past isn’t quite left behind and she struggles to forge her path ahead.
The 1960s is an era in which I haven’t read much about, so this was an interesting book that I was excited to read.
This novel did jump forward here and there, usually through what would probably be seen as “boring bits” and Ada did always give a short summary about what happened during the time jump, which again, usually wasn’t anything too crazy. Besides that, the book moved smoothly and quickly.
I really enjoyed Ada’s relationship between both Stacey and Sal. . The way Ada and Sal always interacted at different stages of their life throughout the book always felt genuine. That relationship between your first love is always the hardest.
I do wish there was more to the ending. I did feel like that crept up on you and then everything was done in about 10 pages.
I know this is being marketed as YA (14+), but I would really market it under the New Adult genre. Only the first 70 pages or so talk about Ada in high school, the other 70% of the book is college and beyond. I’m not saying a 14-year-old won’t enjoy it (every reader is different), but I would probably start recommending this to older YA/New Adult readers first.
*Thank you Three Rooms Press and LibraryThing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
November 9, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! The writing was captivating, the protagonist pulls you in. i felt i was in the story. Highly recommend!
November 11, 2022
I love Ada! Her story was relatable. Though it's fiction, it felt so real, especially the tension with her mother and their ups and downs.
December 5, 2022
kind of boring during some parts but i loved the realistic characters and informational bits and pieces scattered around
July 26, 2022
--Uncorrected ARC provided by LibraryThing and Three Rooms Press in exchange for an honest review.--
So this is a coming-of-age tale, of sorts, concerning a young woman straddling two cultures and struggling with expectations from both external sources (like her mother's) and her own, internal and incompletely-formed. Clearly, Chizea is deeply and personally familiar with the American and Nigerian cultures we're engagingly swept through, but utterly foreign to the times and tides of 1966-75 of which she writes; the anachronisms and lack of sociopolitical familiarity build until she has her main character swipe a hotel key card...in Africa in 1975 (p.276). The Biafra War of 1966-70 (here, called the Afa Revolt) is central to the tale and well-addressed, but the US and global scenes are crepe-thin and inconsequential. It's just hard to care, after a point.
This is an uncorrected proof, so the typesetting flaws get a bye, but the sometimes-awkward and incorrect word usage makes Aquarian Dawn read as just sophomoric writing at times. Worse, the pacing and continuity are sloppy, choppy, and breathless, as if being narrated by someone out for a morning run, changing their topic every other block. With the constant speed bumps of cogitatio interrupta, the book begins to seem a case of GN-DN: 'goes nowhere-does nothing,' and this is reinforced by the main character's static nature; despite aging from 15-25 during the book, Ada doesn't really mature or develop emotionally.
Fine, this is a cross-cultural, female-centered bildungsroman for a YA audience, but that doesn't mean it should avoid being called out for its clear shortcomings as a novel.
2.5 Stars, rounded down.
So this is a coming-of-age tale, of sorts, concerning a young woman straddling two cultures and struggling with expectations from both external sources (like her mother's) and her own, internal and incompletely-formed. Clearly, Chizea is deeply and personally familiar with the American and Nigerian cultures we're engagingly swept through, but utterly foreign to the times and tides of 1966-75 of which she writes; the anachronisms and lack of sociopolitical familiarity build until she has her main character swipe a hotel key card...in Africa in 1975 (p.276). The Biafra War of 1966-70 (here, called the Afa Revolt) is central to the tale and well-addressed, but the US and global scenes are crepe-thin and inconsequential. It's just hard to care, after a point.
This is an uncorrected proof, so the typesetting flaws get a bye, but the sometimes-awkward and incorrect word usage makes Aquarian Dawn read as just sophomoric writing at times. Worse, the pacing and continuity are sloppy, choppy, and breathless, as if being narrated by someone out for a morning run, changing their topic every other block. With the constant speed bumps of cogitatio interrupta, the book begins to seem a case of GN-DN: 'goes nowhere-does nothing,' and this is reinforced by the main character's static nature; despite aging from 15-25 during the book, Ada doesn't really mature or develop emotionally.
Fine, this is a cross-cultural, female-centered bildungsroman for a YA audience, but that doesn't mean it should avoid being called out for its clear shortcomings as a novel.
2.5 Stars, rounded down.
January 26, 2023
Poetic. A bit unsure with the fictional African country but a good read nonetheless. Not many books with enigmatic black female leads so was pleased to read Ada’s story and felt emotionally invested. We need more stories like this.
July 23, 2022
What is family? What is home? How is it imprinted on our lives? Ebele Chizea tackles all this in her moving and beautiful debut young adult novel Aquarian Dawn.
Chizea draws on her experience as an immigrant to tease out how leaving home transforms our spirit. We meet her novel’s protagonist Ada Ekene in January 1966 at age fifteen, as she and her mother leave the fictional African country of Nabuka for the safety and educational opportunities of the United States. Rural Pennsylvania is a culture shock for Ada, who had been living the diplomat daughter’s life courtesy of her stepfather, who stays back in Nabuka as Afa separatists ramp up for civil war.
The civil war hovers above Ada’s teen and early college years like a menacing cloud, but her strict mother’s expectations for her create conflict closer to home. Ada, sitting in her Pennsylvania bedroom, sees only the differences between herself and her mother: “Ma left a trail of dust behind in Ogu” while Ada had “long settled into a state of detached melancholy.” Stacey and Sal, whom she meets in high school, are seekers and free thinkers, and in those friendships lies adventure, rebellion, disappointment, tragedy and love. But as Nabuka splinters and the Afa people’s secession fails, the unthinkable happens, and Ada drops out of college to return to her desiccated homeland. There, she meets Obinna, a bold mental health advocate dedicated to running a clinic for Nabukan children. “I guarantee you will end up falling in love with me,” he tells her at their first meeting, and his words prove true. But at age twenty, Ada still has much growing up to do as she grapples with family secrets and more loss. “A woman’s life is wrought with many changes, that way she can keep renewing herself,” Ada’s second mother Nne tells her and Ada begins to understand the familial patterns stamped on her heart even as she forges her own path.
A dazzling debut novel by a dazzling writer whose storytelling shines as bright and liquid as the African sun. Aquarian Dawn and its radiant protagonist Ada Ekene are a gift to the planet with heartfelt observation, sparkling beauty and insight into the perils and promise of growing up, breaking loose, and coming home.
Chizea draws on her experience as an immigrant to tease out how leaving home transforms our spirit. We meet her novel’s protagonist Ada Ekene in January 1966 at age fifteen, as she and her mother leave the fictional African country of Nabuka for the safety and educational opportunities of the United States. Rural Pennsylvania is a culture shock for Ada, who had been living the diplomat daughter’s life courtesy of her stepfather, who stays back in Nabuka as Afa separatists ramp up for civil war.
The civil war hovers above Ada’s teen and early college years like a menacing cloud, but her strict mother’s expectations for her create conflict closer to home. Ada, sitting in her Pennsylvania bedroom, sees only the differences between herself and her mother: “Ma left a trail of dust behind in Ogu” while Ada had “long settled into a state of detached melancholy.” Stacey and Sal, whom she meets in high school, are seekers and free thinkers, and in those friendships lies adventure, rebellion, disappointment, tragedy and love. But as Nabuka splinters and the Afa people’s secession fails, the unthinkable happens, and Ada drops out of college to return to her desiccated homeland. There, she meets Obinna, a bold mental health advocate dedicated to running a clinic for Nabukan children. “I guarantee you will end up falling in love with me,” he tells her at their first meeting, and his words prove true. But at age twenty, Ada still has much growing up to do as she grapples with family secrets and more loss. “A woman’s life is wrought with many changes, that way she can keep renewing herself,” Ada’s second mother Nne tells her and Ada begins to understand the familial patterns stamped on her heart even as she forges her own path.
A dazzling debut novel by a dazzling writer whose storytelling shines as bright and liquid as the African sun. Aquarian Dawn and its radiant protagonist Ada Ekene are a gift to the planet with heartfelt observation, sparkling beauty and insight into the perils and promise of growing up, breaking loose, and coming home.
August 17, 2022
I enjoy reading about immigrant experiences, so I was pleased to receive this title an an Advance Copy. The initial section of the book revolves around Ada's experiences at a Pennsylvania High School where she experiences ostracism due to her ethnicity. Her stepfather has left the family, and Ada and her mother have recently relocated from Afrika. The mother is distant and demanding, but Ada manages to find support from her classmates Stacie and Sal.
The fact that Ada struggles to adjust to American life, while missing her Grandmother and worrying about the civil war engulfing her home country, should make her a sympathetic character for American teens. Ada later returns to Afrika and builds a life for herself there.
I would recommend this to older teens, new adults, and anyone interested in learning about other cultures.
The fact that Ada struggles to adjust to American life, while missing her Grandmother and worrying about the civil war engulfing her home country, should make her a sympathetic character for American teens. Ada later returns to Afrika and builds a life for herself there.
I would recommend this to older teens, new adults, and anyone interested in learning about other cultures.
July 11, 2022
While an interesting story, I felt like it didn’t go anywhere. I’m failing to grasp what the take-away is, so apparently this book wasn’t for me.
With 5 pages left it felt like the story was just reaching one of many climatic events in the book. There were still so many things going on and the ending felt very rushed. For a moment I did think that the story was going to continue on to a sequel, but apparently not. The ending fell flat for me and I didn’t particularly agree with the ending. Ada went through all that for her ending to be mentioning a man that she has been seeing on and off for the entirety of the story? Not the inspiring ending I was hoping for, honestly.
With 5 pages left it felt like the story was just reaching one of many climatic events in the book. There were still so many things going on and the ending felt very rushed. For a moment I did think that the story was going to continue on to a sequel, but apparently not. The ending fell flat for me and I didn’t particularly agree with the ending. Ada went through all that for her ending to be mentioning a man that she has been seeing on and off for the entirety of the story? Not the inspiring ending I was hoping for, honestly.
October 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ — A stunning story, beautifully told
Aquarian Dawn was such a rich, immersive experience. The storytelling was layered and poetic, full of history, culture, and heart. I learned so much and felt deeply connected to the journey.
But what truly made it unforgettable was the narration. You brought such warmth, rhythm, and soul to every word—I was completely drawn in. Honestly… I might’ve blushed a few times at how captivating your voice was. You made the story feel alive.
If I had one wish, it’d be for a bit more at the end—I wasn’t ready to let go! Still, this was a beautiful ride. 4.5 stars from me!
Aquarian Dawn was such a rich, immersive experience. The storytelling was layered and poetic, full of history, culture, and heart. I learned so much and felt deeply connected to the journey.
But what truly made it unforgettable was the narration. You brought such warmth, rhythm, and soul to every word—I was completely drawn in. Honestly… I might’ve blushed a few times at how captivating your voice was. You made the story feel alive.
If I had one wish, it’d be for a bit more at the end—I wasn’t ready to let go! Still, this was a beautiful ride. 4.5 stars from me!
January 25, 2023
The story fell flat, the main character had little growth, nothing really happened in the story. Perhaps that was the point, nothing happens just like real life.
The story tried to incorporate too many predictable themes from the “hippy” era, glossing over events, and creating stereotypical characters. It also contained many historical inaccuracies, e.g., smoking a blunt at the concert, spandex, vanilla air freshener.
I wanted more from this book.
The story tried to incorporate too many predictable themes from the “hippy” era, glossing over events, and creating stereotypical characters. It also contained many historical inaccuracies, e.g., smoking a blunt at the concert, spandex, vanilla air freshener.
I wanted more from this book.
September 11, 2022
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this book and WOW. It’s gorgeous! The writing is vivid, the characters well developed and interesting, and the story is a rollercoaster. It’s a beautiful coming of age novel.
November 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! The writing was so poetic. Absolutely beautiful descriptions! The reader feels like they are on the journey with the characters. I loved how history is tied into the story. I learned so much about Nabuka and the culture. Definitely recommend!!
October 9, 2022
I liked this story. I do think I would have liked more development and situational expansion as Ada moved from adolescence to early adulthood.
January 8, 2023
A solid debut following a young teen navigating her way through college and carving out her place as an immigrant living in America and revisting her home town in Africa. Ada is a strong independent and smart girl and as a main character I love her. The story fell a bit flat for me, though. Hard to describe but I struggled with connecting to any of the characters and there wasn't much movement with the story. It was like a journey without a destination. I will be interested in seeing what is next for Ebele Chizea.
Thank you to the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced readrrs copy.
Thank you to the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced readrrs copy.
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