Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa - Starting June 25th 2021

[Vippi]

From one of the most exciting new storytellers in epic fantasy, Son of the Storm is a sweeping tale of violent conquest and forgotten magic set in a world inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa.

"Everything I love in a fantasy novel. Damn good stuff!" —Jenn Lyons, author of The Ruin of Kings

In the ancient city of Bassa, Danso is a clever scholar on the cusp of achieving greatness—only he doesn’t want it. Instead, he prefers to chase forbidden stories about what lies outside the city walls. The Bassai elite claim there is nothing of interest. The city’s immigrants are sworn to secrecy.

But when Danso stumbles across a warrior wielding magic that shouldn’t exist, he’s put on a collision course with Bassa’s darkest secrets. Drawn into the city’s hidden history, he sets out on a journey beyond its borders. And the chaos left in the wake of his discovery threatens to destroy the empire.

[Vippi]

I am going to start it tomorrow. Hope to enjoy it :)

[Dannii]

I've fallen a little behind on BRs but am hoping to start this in the next few days :)

[Vippi]

Dannii wrote: "I've fallen a little behind on BRs but am hoping to start this in the next few days :)"

Don't worry! I totally hear you ;)
I get engulfed in an unputdownable series that screwed with all my plans.
Let me know when you are ready :) meanwhile, I'll use the time to catch up with the BRs I am already behind XD

[Dannii]

Vippi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I've fallen a little behind on BRs but am hoping to start this in the next few days :)"

Don't worry! I totally hear you ;)
I get engulfed in an unputdownable series that screwed wit..."

Oooh, which series is that? I'm going to hopefully finish all my current reads this weekend and start on Monday but if you start sooner I can catch up with your thoughts 😊

[Vippi]

Dannii wrote: "Vippi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I've fallen a little behind on BRs but am hoping to start this in the next few days :)"

Don't worry! I totally hear you ;)
I get engulfed in an unputdownable series th..."

I started Zodiac Academy and it totally captured me :)

[Dannii]

Vippi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Vippi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I've fallen a little behind on BRs but am hoping to start this in the next few days :)"

Don't worry! I totally hear you ;)
I get engulfed in an unputdow..."

I'll have to check it out :)

[Vippi]

It's really captivating (actually, addicting ,😅)

I am starting Son of the Storm today. Hope to enjoy it

[Vippi]

10%
(view spoiler)[So far it seems quite promising. I liked the original worldbuilding, even though, especially at the beginning, it was a bit confusing too. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I'm so sorry but I've fallen so far behind on my BRs and don't think I'm going to be able to squeeze this one into this month. I shall make it a priority for the first few days of July, though.

[Vippi]

Don't worry :)
I am on vacation with 2 little kids and nearly zero time to read, so you'll probably catch me up XD

[Dannii]

Vippi wrote: "Don't worry :)
I am on vacation with 2 little kids and nearly zero time to read, so you'll probably catch me up XD"

I hope you have a fun vacation :) I'll hopefully start it before the week is out :)

[Vippi]

20%
(view spoiler)[Esheme is quite creepy... the 'sex scene' was so so so weird that only stress further how determined and ruthless she is... I am eager to see what she will do with Danso whose attitude is her nemesis.

I hope to see what the yellowskin's agenda is. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I have FINALLY made some progress with this one :)

First thoughts - (view spoiler)[Oke mentioned a secret in the prologue, which had me immediately interested but then chapter one switched to Danso's perspective. I found him just as interesting a protagonist though and he provided lots of information about Bassa and the caste system it employed. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I am loving this one. The discussions of mixed-race are very important and, despite this obviously being a fantasy novel with a caste system in place, the insights to the struggle for identity have real-world parallels.

Danso's intended revealed that the meeting he missed focused on the closure to an important route into the city and the refusal of desertlander immigrants was imminent. He seemed sympathetic but she cold to those who sought a new home, even though there was no water left where they came from.

Nem and Esheme are also provided with a perspective and show again their differing viewpoint on the treatment of others, compared to Danso.

I wonder how Igharo is going to disrupt Esheme and Danso's relationship. There is no love between the two and each sees the other as a means to an end, anyway. Danso's friends hate what she stands for and Esheme thought Danso would be a puppet instead of her potential undoing. The appearance of the islander in Danso's barn might also form a further disconnect between the two as I can't imagine Esheme reacting to calmly and being so intrigued as Danso was. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Vippi wrote: "10%
[spoilers removed]"

It was a pretty dense introduction to the politics of the world but I feel, a quarter of the way in, I understand and am really interested in them now.

[Dannii]

Vippi wrote: "20%
."

(view spoiler)[Right? That scene was so unemotional and sudden. I had to double check I had read what was occurring correctly. I can see Esheme and Danso quickly becoming enemies as they seem to have less and less to tie them together. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Nem overpowered the islander, in disguise as a Bassai, with her water Possession. I want to learn more about this magic!

I can understand Danso's guilt at this attack, even though he sided with the islander, as his silence after witnessing her allowed her an easier entrance when no guards were on alert.

I'm glad Zag left with Danso as his death would surely have been the price for staying, after Esheme witnessed Danso with the islander.

I was looking forward to them exploring the Breathing Forest. With a name like that I felt it was sure to be fascinating.

Lilong's perspective was introduced in this quarter as well and I liked seeing Danso and Zaq from her perspective. Despite escaping with her, Danso revealed he still kept many Bassa ideologies. Zaq seems to be the most hesitant about their escape, and the one with most to gain from returning. (hide spoiler)]

[Vippi]

33%
(view spoiler)[Dannii wrote: "Vippi wrote: "10%
[spoilers removed]"

It was a pretty dense introduction to the politics of the world but I feel, a quarter of the way in, I understand and am really interested in them now."

The political and social implications are pretty interesting. What makes me struggle is that I find the overall flow of the story very slow-paced.

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - Nem overpowered the islander, in disguise as a Bassai, with her water Possession. I want to learn more about this magic!

I can understand Danso's guilt at this attack, even though..."

That idea that magic comes with a (high) cost really intrigues me. I wonder if the islanders have found a way to lessen the backlash of using it.

Zaq is surely the one who has the most to lose since he is leaving his beloved behind. I feel he may play a central role in future events...

Lilong's perspective has puzzled me a bit. She does not trust Danso and is quite wary of their newfound alliance. However, when they met for the first time, she decided to spare his life... why did she decide to keep him alive? and why was she wandering by his house in the first place? (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Vippi wrote: "33%
Dannii wrote: "Vippi wrote: "10%
[spoilers removed]"

..."

(view spoiler)[I agree with you about the slow pace. I got to half-way through the book and as interesting as I found it, whilst actively reading it, I found I had no compulsion to complete the book once I had set it aside. I made myself finished the book, this morning, so tore through the second-half. I liked it but still continued to find a few pacing issues.

Jaq's character was one of the most interesting for me at that point too as he came from a different place in the social hierarchy compared to the others he was with and so it had given him a different outlook on events. He was more wary I felt as he had seen more hardships. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[ Abuso's funeral showed the reader more customs of the land and again, like everything that has come previously, I found it interesting to witness but it was another chapter that slowed the pace and diverted a little from the central narrative. It did, however, make the reader aware of Esheme's swaying feelings over how Bassai is ruled. (hide spoiler)]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I feel like there was so much potential here, but the book didn't really work for me. There was a heavy introduction to the ruling classes and the segregation of those deemed 'other' but I just wanted more action scenes to run alongside this.

For a 500+ page book I feel I have remarkably few things to say about it... I liked that a new Bassa was witnessed in the epilogue and that the different castes were mingling with one another, with Esheme to fairly rule them. (hide spoiler)]

[Vippi]

Dannii wrote: "I agree with you about the slow pace. I got to half-way through the book and as interesting as I found it, whilst activ..."

I am 40% into it (view spoiler)[but I cannot find any desire to go on... it's becoming more a burden than a joy to read it.
It pains me, but I raise my hands and surrender. Sorry for the incomplete BR! ╯︿╰ (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Vippi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I agree with you about the slow pace. I got to half-way through the book and as interesting as I found it, whilst activ..."

I am 40% into it but I cannot find any desire to go on......"

There is honestly no need to apologise. You didn't miss a whole host of content, imo, as at 40% I think it was clear the direction the book would take, and it did :)

[Vippi]

Dannii wrote: "Vippi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I agree with you about the slow pace. I got to half-way through the book and as interesting as I found it, whilst activ..."

I am 40% into it but I cannot find any desi..."

Thank you!
I am looking forward to read Legendborn with you 🤗

[Dannii]

Vippi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Vippi wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I agree with you about the slow pace. I got to half-way through the book and as interesting as I found it, whilst activ..."

I am 40% into it but I canno..."

Same here. Hopefully we have more luck with it :)

[Vippi]

I have read very enthusiastic reviews. I am pretty optimistic ☺️ *fingers crossed nonetheless*