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Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction
From an award-winning team of editors comes an anthology of thirty-two original stories showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.
A group of cabinet ministers query a supercomputer containing the minds of the country’s ancestors. A child robot on a dying planet uncovers signs of fragile new life. A descendent of a rain goddess inherits her grandmother’s ability to change her appearance—and perhaps the world.
Created in the legacy of the seminal, award-winning anthology series Dark Matter, Africa Risen celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and reach of African and Afro-Diasporic SFF and reaffirms that Africa is not rising—it’s already here.
Contents:
"The Blue House" by Dilman Dila
"March Magic" by WC Dunlap
"IRL" by Steven Barnes
"The Deification of Igodo" by Joshua Uchenna Omenga
"Mami Wataworks" by Russell Nichols
"Rear Mirror" by Nuzo Onoh
"Door Crashers" by Franka Zeph
"The Soul Would Have No Rainbow" by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
"A Dream of Electric Mothers" by Wole Talabi
"Simbi" by Sandra Jackson-Opoku
"Housewarming for a Lion Goddess" by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga
"A Knight in Tunisia" by Alex Jennings
"The Devil Is Us" by Mirette Bahgat
"Cloud Mine" by Timi Odueso
"Ruler of the Rear Guard" by Maurice Broaddus
"Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition)" by Tlotlo Tsamaase
"The Sugar Mill" by Tobias S. Buckell
"The Carving of War" by Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi
"Ghost Ship" by Tananarive Due
"Liquid Twilight" by Ytasha Womack
"Once Upon a Time in 1967" by Oyedotun Damilola Muees
"A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner" by Alexis Brooks de Vita
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran
"When the Mami Wata Met a Demon" by Moustapha Mbacke Diop
"The Papermakers" by Akua Lezli Hope
"A Soul of Small Places" by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo
"Air to Shape Lungs" by Shingai Njeri Kagunda
"Hanfo Driver" by Ada Nnadi
"Exiles of Witchery" by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
"The Taloned Beast" by Chinelo Onwualu
"Star Watchers" by Danian Darrell Jerry
"Biscuit & Milk" by Dare Segun Falowo
A group of cabinet ministers query a supercomputer containing the minds of the country’s ancestors. A child robot on a dying planet uncovers signs of fragile new life. A descendent of a rain goddess inherits her grandmother’s ability to change her appearance—and perhaps the world.
Created in the legacy of the seminal, award-winning anthology series Dark Matter, Africa Risen celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and reach of African and Afro-Diasporic SFF and reaffirms that Africa is not rising—it’s already here.
Contents:
"The Blue House" by Dilman Dila
"March Magic" by WC Dunlap
"IRL" by Steven Barnes
"The Deification of Igodo" by Joshua Uchenna Omenga
"Mami Wataworks" by Russell Nichols
"Rear Mirror" by Nuzo Onoh
"Door Crashers" by Franka Zeph
"The Soul Would Have No Rainbow" by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
"A Dream of Electric Mothers" by Wole Talabi
"Simbi" by Sandra Jackson-Opoku
"Housewarming for a Lion Goddess" by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga
"A Knight in Tunisia" by Alex Jennings
"The Devil Is Us" by Mirette Bahgat
"Cloud Mine" by Timi Odueso
"Ruler of the Rear Guard" by Maurice Broaddus
"Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition)" by Tlotlo Tsamaase
"The Sugar Mill" by Tobias S. Buckell
"The Carving of War" by Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi
"Ghost Ship" by Tananarive Due
"Liquid Twilight" by Ytasha Womack
"Once Upon a Time in 1967" by Oyedotun Damilola Muees
"A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner" by Alexis Brooks de Vita
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran
"When the Mami Wata Met a Demon" by Moustapha Mbacke Diop
"The Papermakers" by Akua Lezli Hope
"A Soul of Small Places" by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo
"Air to Shape Lungs" by Shingai Njeri Kagunda
"Hanfo Driver" by Ada Nnadi
"Exiles of Witchery" by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
"The Taloned Beast" by Chinelo Onwualu
"Star Watchers" by Danian Darrell Jerry
"Biscuit & Milk" by Dare Segun Falowo
514 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 2022
About the author
Sheree Renée Thomas
71 books223 followersSheree Thomas — also credited as Sheree R. Thomas and Sheree Renée Thomas — is an American writer, book editor and publisher.
Thomas is the editor of the Dark Matter anthology (2000), in which are collected works by some of the best African-American writers in the genres of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Among the many notable authors included are Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R. Saunders, Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Ishmael Reed, Kalamu ya Salaam, Robert Fleming, Nalo Hopkinson, George S. Schuyler and W. E. B. Du Bois. Dark Matter was honored with the 2005 and the 2001 World Fantasy Award and named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Thomas is the publisher of Wanganegresse Press, and has contributed to national publications including the Washington Post "Book World", Black Issues Book Review, QBR, and Hip Mama. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Ishmael Reed's Konch, Drumvoices Revue, Obsidian III, African Voices, storySouth, and other literary journals, and has received Honorable Mention in the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, 16th and 17th annual collections. A native of Memphis, she lives in New York City.
Thomas is the editor of the Dark Matter anthology (2000), in which are collected works by some of the best African-American writers in the genres of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Among the many notable authors included are Samuel R. Delany, Octavia E. Butler, Charles R. Saunders, Steven Barnes, Tananarive Due, Jewelle Gomez, Ishmael Reed, Kalamu ya Salaam, Robert Fleming, Nalo Hopkinson, George S. Schuyler and W. E. B. Du Bois. Dark Matter was honored with the 2005 and the 2001 World Fantasy Award and named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Thomas is the publisher of Wanganegresse Press, and has contributed to national publications including the Washington Post "Book World", Black Issues Book Review, QBR, and Hip Mama. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Ishmael Reed's Konch, Drumvoices Revue, Obsidian III, African Voices, storySouth, and other literary journals, and has received Honorable Mention in the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, 16th and 17th annual collections. A native of Memphis, she lives in New York City.
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November 7, 2022
11/7/22: Like any short story collection, there are obviously highs and lows. Not every story is going to appeal to every reader, and that's just fine. I had some favorites and some that were just okay, but the most appealing part about this collection is the overall project.
Africa Risen is a collection of speculative stories that are interesting, fun, dark, emotional, and unapologetic. It's an absolute delight to have this many short stories that focus on African and African Diaspora voices, and a huge range of them at that. I've read from SO MANY new authors in this collection too, which is so important and exciting. New (to me) voices telling new stories the way they want - it's so good.
Again, not every short story is for everyone, but there's enough great talent in here that every reader should find a few stories that appeal to them.
Some of my favorite stories: "March Magic" by WC Dunlap, "A Dream of Electric Mothers" by Wole Talabi, "Ghost Ship" by Tananarive Due, and "The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran.
Africa Risen will be available for sale on 11/15/22. Thanks to Tordotcom for providing an advanced copy!
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8/9/22: I just got an ARC of this from Tor and I lost my gd mind when I opened up the package. LOOK AT THAT COVER!! AAAHH I'M SO EXCITED
Africa Risen is a collection of speculative stories that are interesting, fun, dark, emotional, and unapologetic. It's an absolute delight to have this many short stories that focus on African and African Diaspora voices, and a huge range of them at that. I've read from SO MANY new authors in this collection too, which is so important and exciting. New (to me) voices telling new stories the way they want - it's so good.
Again, not every short story is for everyone, but there's enough great talent in here that every reader should find a few stories that appeal to them.
Some of my favorite stories: "March Magic" by WC Dunlap, "A Dream of Electric Mothers" by Wole Talabi, "Ghost Ship" by Tananarive Due, and "The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran.
Africa Risen will be available for sale on 11/15/22. Thanks to Tordotcom for providing an advanced copy!
---------
8/9/22: I just got an ARC of this from Tor and I lost my gd mind when I opened up the package. LOOK AT THAT COVER!! AAAHH I'M SO EXCITED
July 2, 2023
(Thank you Tordotcom and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review)
“Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction” is a collection of thirty-two original stories showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.
The Blue House by Dilman Dila💌
After the Great Burn, android Cana-B70 is researching ancient human civilisations when a little blue house causes her to have a thought. Her Security.sys, a part of her system that keeps her ‘safe’ from Organic.sys, shuts her down but when she awakes, she searches for answers to whether she is alive. This was the perfect introduction story, I loved it so much.
March Magic by WC Dunlap
This story follows the first point of view of Mama Willow as her and her coven conduct a ritual? I'm going to be honest, I understood nothing from this story. It started then it ended so abruptly.
IRL by Steven Barnes
The world has gone to hell. A toxic environment, a plague having killed off a good percentage of the population and corporations have slowly taken over governments. For Garrett, his virtual life where he rules as King, is better than the real world with his deceased mother and estranged father. This reminded me of Ready Player One with higher stakes. I loved the complex relationships portrayed and a glimpse in a possible virtual future.
The Deification of Igodo by Joshua Uchenna Omenga
Igodo, a legendary hero, learns the consequences of arrogance and greed. This read like the cautionary tales our grandparents or primary teachers would tell us when we misbehaved. The nostalgia hit me.
Mami Wataworks by Russell Nichols
Set in a futuristic world where water is scarce and the possibility of stealing water is enough to be burned, Amaya wants to make a change. If only her village would listen to her. I found this very interesting. The way mankind dealt with drought and how a new religion came up from that. How even the slightest hope can bring about chaos. It definitely had me thinking.
Rear Mirror by Nuzo Onoh
This reminds me of the story of the hearse that refused to move forward unless they were heading back to the deceased person’s home. They had to turn the corpse around to trick it then the car worked.
Door Crashers by Frank Zeph💌
Codename Yaro, is the Team Leader of the Data Retrieval Unit, which is a part of the UIC. The United Intelligence Committee’s efforts were a last-ditch attempt to shore up this dying world of 2067 and Yaro is known for hacking alternate realities. I want a full book of this. I was engaged from start to finish and I want to learn more of this future world, of Yaro and if Kraken got what he deserved.
The Soul Would Have No Rainbow by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
Langa has travelled back to Zimbabwe for her grandmother’s funeral, whom she lovingly calls Gogo. Gogo also happens to be the first name of Gogo Magera, a mythical praying mantis who clipped your hair when you were asleep, as told by her Gogo’s bedtime stories. When Langa finds her grandmother’s cookbook, she learns more of her grandmother’s life and how she fought for her country’s independence. This got me a bit teary-eyed.
A Dream of Electric Mothers by Wole Talabi
Iya Ajimobi, Minister of Defense must seek guidance from the Electric Mother on a possible war with a neighbouring kingdom but what she's advised isn't exactly what she wants to do. I enjoyed this futuristic setting with its way of life deeply rooted in African culture.
Simbi by Sandra Jackson-Opuku
This was short yet impactful as we follow Kasese, kidnapped into slavery as a child, and Simbi who stays with him throughout his life.
Housewarming for a Lion Goddess by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga
This made me hungry, lol
A Knight in Tunisia by Alex Jennings
John, a Paranorm, has been back on Earth for years but he struggles to fit in, even with those like him. The worldbuilding here was insane, especially since the story was so short. I loved this. Definitely a favourite.
The Devil Is Us by Mirette Bahgat
The story tells the tale of Abu-Ammar, a man who craves wealth and power, Sheikha Afrah, a rumoured half jinn sorceress and Ikbal, a woman who grew up wishing to be a prophet and who is in want of a child. I loved that this story focused on Islam. The insight given about the nature of jinns was fascinating to read.
Cloud Mine by Timi Odueso
This felt like it’s in the same world as the story “Mami Wataworks” with a drought that has left the world barren. In this tale, rainmakers are valuable and Salim eagerly awaits his uncle’s return for the people of Da’if are in need. Timi Odueso, your prose is downright gorgeous. I felt immersed in this world.
Ruler of the Rear Guard by Maurice Broaddus
Environmental collapse requires citizens to wear oxygenators to survive and our main character Sylvonne Butcher has returned to her ancestral home Ghana, to reclaim her identity. I loved this story because it reminded me of what my social studies teacher taught us in primary.
Kwame Nkrumah, who had led Ghana to political independence, in 1958 brought forward his vision for the future: the formation of a United States of Africa. Pan-Africanism is the belief in the unity, common history and purpose of the peoples of Africa and the diaspora and the notion that their destinies are interconnected. It was partly brought about by the need to oppose Eurocentrism and reclaim Africa’s rightful place in history. Several leaders have spoken out on a unified Africa, the most prominent and known being Muammar Gaddafi. Strangely enough, most of these leaders are dead. Gee, I wonder how they died.
Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition) by Tlotlo Tsamaase
Motsumi, what?
The Sugar Mill by Tobias S. Buckell💌
Our unnamed narrator is trying to sell his house after a hurricane devastated his home island. The commission he hopes to get from the sale will help him run away from his life but the shades on the land haunt him. The Old Mill behind the house is a graveyard of broken limbs of the slaves who worked the gears to get sugar and being of their blood, he sees them,, he hears them. This had me tearing up.
The Carving of War by Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi💌
There’s no way to explain anything that happens here, other than what a masterpiece.
Ghost Ship by Tananarive Due💌
Years in the future, with segregation even worse, Florida has been sent by her employer by ship to the US with a mysterious package. That last line was downright creepy.
Liquid Twilight by Ytasha Womack
Oh child of the land sea, born on the wrong side of the ocean, with all the tides against you. This was beautiful😭
Once Upon a Time in 1967 by Oyedotun Damilola Muees
Werefoxes, water goddesses, magic, friendship, love. This was a straight up fairytale.
A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner by Alexis Brooks de Vita
I am not easily triggered but this was very close. We follow a slave working on a plantation where the owner practises FGM on the girls and women he buys. This was horrifying but portrays practices that still occur to this day.
The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library by Tobi Ogundiran💌
Well that was terrifying. Mr Badmus is late in returning a book to the library, then he starts to receive creepy messages from the librarian no matter how far away he runs. Librarians scare me now. This story also reminded me that I need to read Chinua Achebe.
When the Mami Wata Met a Demon by Moustapha Mbacké Diop
Fatuma, desperate to save her mother’s life, begins a ritual that summons mami wata. I’ve always loved the ocean and the descriptions shared in this story were of Her mystery, beauty and power.
The Papermakers by Akua Lezli Hope
Aviva works for the Guild that exists to use magic subtly, the magic of work and creating to make change through paper making.
A Soul of Small Places by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo💌
This story deserves an award. We follow Woppa Diallo in her small village where the lives of girls are not cared for and survivors are forced to marry their rapists. Just a heartfelt, breathtaking read that deals with family, love, being a woman, strength and survival.
Air to Shape Lungs by Shingai Njeri Kagunda💌
There are no other words to describe this except, beautiful. Enchantingly beautiful
Hanfo Driver by Ada Nnadi
That first sentence had me laughing so hard because we all have that friend with terrible business ideas they keep asking you to support.
Exiles of Witchery by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
This was a blend of ancient civilizations yet a futuristic world, fantasy yet science fiction. Comedy yet serious. Honestly impressive.
The Taloned Beast by Chinelo Onwualu💌
For as long as he could remember, Edim had always been able to hear the Voices of the Earth; it was his gift from the Goddess. They guided him home whenever he was lost. Following discovery, Edim is sent to be a doctor’s apprentice for his abusive Uncle Emmem. Wow. Just wow.
Star Watchers by Danian Darrell Jerry
For seventeen years, Seydou has trained with the Star Watchers to sense the slightest illuminations. He’s studied with his sister Djemba but as he longs for the night and stars, she longs for the sun.
Biscuit and Milk by Dare Segun Falowo
Now THAT’S how you end an anthology. Wow
This was quite a journey. I loved reading all these African stories from African authors. I recommend this book to everyone. Yes, everyone but like Sheree Renée Thomas said, as you read and explore these original stories, remember that this is a movement rather than a moment, a promising creative burgeoning. Because Africa isn’t rising— it’s already here.
As the origin of humanity and home to the world’s oldest civilizations, Africa is the origin story of storytelling.
“Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction” is a collection of thirty-two original stories showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.
The Blue House by Dilman Dila💌
“If it’s a mirage, shimmering in the heat wave, then I’m still alive.”
After the Great Burn, android Cana-B70 is researching ancient human civilisations when a little blue house causes her to have a thought. Her Security.sys, a part of her system that keeps her ‘safe’ from Organic.sys, shuts her down but when she awakes, she searches for answers to whether she is alive. This was the perfect introduction story, I loved it so much.
March Magic by WC Dunlap
Nature loves a free soul.
This story follows the first point of view of Mama Willow as her and her coven conduct a ritual? I'm going to be honest, I understood nothing from this story. It started then it ended so abruptly.
IRL by Steven Barnes
In real life. He hated that term.
The world has gone to hell. A toxic environment, a plague having killed off a good percentage of the population and corporations have slowly taken over governments. For Garrett, his virtual life where he rules as King, is better than the real world with his deceased mother and estranged father. This reminded me of Ready Player One with higher stakes. I loved the complex relationships portrayed and a glimpse in a possible virtual future.
The Deification of Igodo by Joshua Uchenna Omenga
‘Why remain a king, when you can be a god?’
Igodo, a legendary hero, learns the consequences of arrogance and greed. This read like the cautionary tales our grandparents or primary teachers would tell us when we misbehaved. The nostalgia hit me.
Mami Wataworks by Russell Nichols
Till the thief comes in the thunderous night
From the plains to the sky
As you reign from on high
May we bathe in your wondrous light
Set in a futuristic world where water is scarce and the possibility of stealing water is enough to be burned, Amaya wants to make a change. If only her village would listen to her. I found this very interesting. The way mankind dealt with drought and how a new religion came up from that. How even the slightest hope can bring about chaos. It definitely had me thinking.
Rear Mirror by Nuzo Onoh
‘Tenet seven. Finally, the most important lesson. Ensure that after the sleeper is cremated, the shoes worn by the soul-warriors to transport the coffin to the crematorium must be consecrated with holy water to prevent the departed spirit following them home. These are the seven tenets of the Christian funeral.’
This reminds me of the story of the hearse that refused to move forward unless they were heading back to the deceased person’s home. They had to turn the corpse around to trick it then the car worked.
Door Crashers by Frank Zeph💌
“Beware the crocodile,” the iguana transmitted. “And arrows from hunter in shadow.”
Codename Yaro, is the Team Leader of the Data Retrieval Unit, which is a part of the UIC. The United Intelligence Committee’s efforts were a last-ditch attempt to shore up this dying world of 2067 and Yaro is known for hacking alternate realities. I want a full book of this. I was engaged from start to finish and I want to learn more of this future world, of Yaro and if Kraken got what he deserved.
The Soul Would Have No Rainbow by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes didn’t have tears.
Langa has travelled back to Zimbabwe for her grandmother’s funeral, whom she lovingly calls Gogo. Gogo also happens to be the first name of Gogo Magera, a mythical praying mantis who clipped your hair when you were asleep, as told by her Gogo’s bedtime stories. When Langa finds her grandmother’s cookbook, she learns more of her grandmother’s life and how she fought for her country’s independence. This got me a bit teary-eyed.
A Dream of Electric Mothers by Wole Talabi
Don’t act out of fear. Not every animal that has sharp teeth is dangerous.
Iya Ajimobi, Minister of Defense must seek guidance from the Electric Mother on a possible war with a neighbouring kingdom but what she's advised isn't exactly what she wants to do. I enjoyed this futuristic setting with its way of life deeply rooted in African culture.
Simbi by Sandra Jackson-Opuku
She is known by many names: Mami Wata, Mistress Fish, Mamba Muntu, mermaid. Her rightful name is Simbi.
This was short yet impactful as we follow Kasese, kidnapped into slavery as a child, and Simbi who stays with him throughout his life.
Housewarming for a Lion Goddess by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga
“It’s a shame she killed her husband,” he says. “If she’d only trusted him more, I know he would’ve kept her lion form a secret.”
This made me hungry, lol
A Knight in Tunisia by Alex Jennings
I am Night. You are my knight and my clown. Midnight Paladin . Ask the power to survive. Claim the power of the darkest hours.
John, a Paranorm, has been back on Earth for years but he struggles to fit in, even with those like him. The worldbuilding here was insane, especially since the story was so short. I loved this. Definitely a favourite.
The Devil Is Us by Mirette Bahgat
In the 1980s, Abu-Ammar was a laborer in the Ministry of Antiquities, a digger who would take orders from his superior on where to dig and how deep, without knowing what he was digging for.
The story tells the tale of Abu-Ammar, a man who craves wealth and power, Sheikha Afrah, a rumoured half jinn sorceress and Ikbal, a woman who grew up wishing to be a prophet and who is in want of a child. I loved that this story focused on Islam. The insight given about the nature of jinns was fascinating to read.
Cloud Mine by Timi Odueso
He tries to remember the smell from his dreams, he tries to remember the abundance of water he had seen, but all his mind can reel out is an image of the wells in Da’if, large crevices with raised brick borders, filled only with the echoes of dried-up rivers.
This felt like it’s in the same world as the story “Mami Wataworks” with a drought that has left the world barren. In this tale, rainmakers are valuable and Salim eagerly awaits his uncle’s return for the people of Da’if are in need. Timi Odueso, your prose is downright gorgeous. I felt immersed in this world.
Ruler of the Rear Guard by Maurice Broaddus
“You cannot give what you do not have. You cannot speak on what you do not know and have never been taught.”
Environmental collapse requires citizens to wear oxygenators to survive and our main character Sylvonne Butcher has returned to her ancestral home Ghana, to reclaim her identity. I loved this story because it reminded me of what my social studies teacher taught us in primary.
Kwame Nkrumah, who had led Ghana to political independence, in 1958 brought forward his vision for the future: the formation of a United States of Africa. Pan-Africanism is the belief in the unity, common history and purpose of the peoples of Africa and the diaspora and the notion that their destinies are interconnected. It was partly brought about by the need to oppose Eurocentrism and reclaim Africa’s rightful place in history. Several leaders have spoken out on a unified Africa, the most prominent and known being Muammar Gaddafi. Strangely enough, most of these leaders are dead. Gee, I wonder how they died.
Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition) by Tlotlo Tsamaase
[INTRO: ANONYMOUS GIRL] ♪ ♫“ MY RELIGION” (FT. GBV) ♪ ♫
Motsumi, what?
The Sugar Mill by Tobias S. Buckell💌
“Hold your head up like the king you are,” she hissed at me. “My blood in your veins. You are royalty. Do not run from it.”
Our unnamed narrator is trying to sell his house after a hurricane devastated his home island. The commission he hopes to get from the sale will help him run away from his life but the shades on the land haunt him. The Old Mill behind the house is a graveyard of broken limbs of the slaves who worked the gears to get sugar and being of their blood, he sees them,, he hears them. This had me tearing up.
The Carving of War by Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi💌
“We are the rage of Idemili, unburdened by the constraints of love and companionship. We are fire and water, we are rain and lightning, our bodies are nothing but vessels.”
There’s no way to explain anything that happens here, other than what a masterpiece.
Ghost Ship by Tananarive Due💌
A pet was a companion if you were lonely.
Years in the future, with segregation even worse, Florida has been sent by her employer by ship to the US with a mysterious package. That last line was downright creepy.
Liquid Twilight by Ytasha Womack
“Every fight needs ample positioning. If you’re on land, you take the high ground. If you’re a bee, you role-play in the hive. But what do you do at sea, Asha? What is power when you’re on the ocean floor?”.
Oh child of the land sea, born on the wrong side of the ocean, with all the tides against you. This was beautiful😭
Once Upon a Time in 1967 by Oyedotun Damilola Muees
Family is everything.
Werefoxes, water goddesses, magic, friendship, love. This was a straight up fairytale.
A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner by Alexis Brooks de Vita
I hear her long before I can see her, before the sun has set and shadows blanket the corners of my shack in blackness. She is crawling. Which means that he is coming with more girls for me to cut.
I am not easily triggered but this was very close. We follow a slave working on a plantation where the owner practises FGM on the girls and women he buys. This was horrifying but portrays practices that still occur to this day.
The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library by Tobi Ogundiran💌
Dear Mr. Badmus
Well that was terrifying. Mr Badmus is late in returning a book to the library, then he starts to receive creepy messages from the librarian no matter how far away he runs. Librarians scare me now. This story also reminded me that I need to read Chinua Achebe.
When the Mami Wata Met a Demon by Moustapha Mbacké Diop
To believe meant to accept that the sea deities were our protectors. To exhibit infinite trust, to sprawl on the beach and strip ourselves naked, at the mercy of ocean winds and salt creatures. To be cradled in Their grace, or be denied of Their fierce love.
Fatuma, desperate to save her mother’s life, begins a ritual that summons mami wata. I’ve always loved the ocean and the descriptions shared in this story were of Her mystery, beauty and power.
The Papermakers by Akua Lezli Hope
Thank you for this day that filled my heart with making. Thank you for the plants that gave themselves creating. Thank you for my health that allows this sweet creating. Thank you for this joy I find in this deep making.
Aviva works for the Guild that exists to use magic subtly, the magic of work and creating to make change through paper making.
A Soul of Small Places by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo💌
“I can’t go back there, but I can’t leave this place either. This is my home. Turn me into stone, right here over the waters where I belong, so they remember me, and every young girl has a place to hide.”
This story deserves an award. We follow Woppa Diallo in her small village where the lives of girls are not cared for and survivors are forced to marry their rapists. Just a heartfelt, breathtaking read that deals with family, love, being a woman, strength and survival.
Air to Shape Lungs by Shingai Njeri Kagunda💌
We had been taught by the elders that we would recognize home by how the oxygen met our lips; by how we swallowed it without noticing that our bodies were working for this breath. We forgot what that felt like. To not wheeze exhales into the air.
There are no other words to describe this except, beautiful. Enchantingly beautiful
Hanfo Driver by Ada Nnadi
The excitement in Oga Dayo’s voice was the first sign that something Fidelis most likely would not enjoy was about to go down.
That first sentence had me laughing so hard because we all have that friend with terrible business ideas they keep asking you to support.
Exiles of Witchery by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
A monster wants to protect himself, and almost invariably, the only way he can see to do so is by harming somebody else.
This was a blend of ancient civilizations yet a futuristic world, fantasy yet science fiction. Comedy yet serious. Honestly impressive.
The Taloned Beast by Chinelo Onwualu💌
You should never be ashamed of who you are, the Voices whispered. Your power is greater than you realise.
For as long as he could remember, Edim had always been able to hear the Voices of the Earth; it was his gift from the Goddess. They guided him home whenever he was lost. Following discovery, Edim is sent to be a doctor’s apprentice for his abusive Uncle Emmem. Wow. Just wow.
Star Watchers by Danian Darrell Jerry
Only in the darkness can you see the stars
For seventeen years, Seydou has trained with the Star Watchers to sense the slightest illuminations. He’s studied with his sister Djemba but as he longs for the night and stars, she longs for the sun.
Biscuit and Milk by Dare Segun Falowo
Like a homing beacon it scratched and pinged, rushing in blinding crinkles across the secret garden of their telephasing brains, a whispering wind, a luminous vision of a before they never knew; the dreaming of a blue-green world that pulled at them, home to the living milks that brought their first cells to life.
Now THAT’S how you end an anthology. Wow
This was quite a journey. I loved reading all these African stories from African authors. I recommend this book to everyone. Yes, everyone but like Sheree Renée Thomas said, as you read and explore these original stories, remember that this is a movement rather than a moment, a promising creative burgeoning. Because Africa isn’t rising— it’s already here.
It is from its vast lands that humanity first sought to make sense of our world, the cosmos above and beyond us, the natural flora and fauna below. And it is from Africa, perhaps first known as Alkebulan, Af-ru-ka, Ethiopia, Ortigia, Corphye, Libya, among others, that the first humans emerged from stardust and traveled far, carrying their stories with them throughout the continent and on to other distant lands.
October 17, 2022
Africa Risen is an excellent anthology bursting with imaginative stories. Each story had a compelling voice all its own and no two stories were alike, which made this a great read. I really enjoyed taking my time to savor these stories. Some particular favorites were:
- "The Soul Would Have No Rainbow" by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu // Langa inherits her grandmother's cookbook after she passes away and learns some family secrets. The story balances family history and world events in a way I found really gripping.
- "Simbi" by Sandra Jackson-Opoku // Kasese has an encounter with Mami Wata while running away from raiders. This was a short story that packed a powerful punch.
- "Ghost Ship" by Tananarive Due // In the year 2060, Florida is tasked with smuggling a genetically modified pet from South Africa to the United States. Her transportation is an ocean liner that largely transports wealthy, white "USians" home from vacation. Things on the voyage do not go as planned...
- "The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran // Wande loses a copy of Things Fall Apart checked out from a small library but the librarian will not rest until the book is returned. Ogundiran's writing was immersive and eerie.
- "Exiles of Witchery" by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori // Witchcraft + found family + a magical mode of transportation sort of like a TARDIS. That alone was enough to sell me on this story set in a world with a fascinating but dark take on magic.
Thank you to Tordotcom and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
- "The Soul Would Have No Rainbow" by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu // Langa inherits her grandmother's cookbook after she passes away and learns some family secrets. The story balances family history and world events in a way I found really gripping.
- "Simbi" by Sandra Jackson-Opoku // Kasese has an encounter with Mami Wata while running away from raiders. This was a short story that packed a powerful punch.
- "Ghost Ship" by Tananarive Due // In the year 2060, Florida is tasked with smuggling a genetically modified pet from South Africa to the United States. Her transportation is an ocean liner that largely transports wealthy, white "USians" home from vacation. Things on the voyage do not go as planned...
- "The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran // Wande loses a copy of Things Fall Apart checked out from a small library but the librarian will not rest until the book is returned. Ogundiran's writing was immersive and eerie.
- "Exiles of Witchery" by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori // Witchcraft + found family + a magical mode of transportation sort of like a TARDIS. That alone was enough to sell me on this story set in a world with a fascinating but dark take on magic.
Thank you to Tordotcom and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2023
3.5 Stars
I should admit up front that short stories are not my favourite format when it comes to fiction. I tend to prefer full length novels or even novellas that have more time to flesh out characters and worldbuilding.
I tend to respond well to diverse own voices narratives , so I was interested in the collection of African speculative stories. Many of the stories read more like than contemporary while I tend to prefer more fantastical or futuristic stories. The length of this stories as well as the topics had quite the range, which makes it harder to review the book as a whole.
Here are some of my personal favourites within the collection…
The Blue House
The Devil is Us
The Sugar Mill
The Ghost Ship
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I should admit up front that short stories are not my favourite format when it comes to fiction. I tend to prefer full length novels or even novellas that have more time to flesh out characters and worldbuilding.
I tend to respond well to diverse own voices narratives , so I was interested in the collection of African speculative stories. Many of the stories read more like than contemporary while I tend to prefer more fantastical or futuristic stories. The length of this stories as well as the topics had quite the range, which makes it harder to review the book as a whole.
Here are some of my personal favourites within the collection…
The Blue House
The Devil is Us
The Sugar Mill
The Ghost Ship
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
February 7, 2024
This micro review is for The Lady of the Yellow Painted Library by Tobi Ogundiran
I really liked this darkly funny story with a terrifying librarian. It would be great to see it brought to the screen. I will definitely seek out more from Ogundiran in the future.
It's nominated for this year's Ignyte short story award - https://ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com/...
And it's also available to listen to for free on Levar Burton Reads -
https://www.stitcher.com/show/levar-b...
I really liked this darkly funny story with a terrifying librarian. It would be great to see it brought to the screen. I will definitely seek out more from Ogundiran in the future.
It's nominated for this year's Ignyte short story award - https://ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com/...
And it's also available to listen to for free on Levar Burton Reads -
https://www.stitcher.com/show/levar-b...
April 6, 2023
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
Anthologies are always difficult to review. By the very nature of the project there will be hits and misses, especially with an anthology this large. I do think for my tastes this anthology was longer than I typically like them to be and had more misses and hits for my taste. Not everything in this collection is dark but there were more graphic and dark speculative stories than there were hopeful ones, which add that to how long the collection is made it for some difficult reading. I spent two months slowly reading this anthology with friends and loved all the conversations it sparked, and that is how I would recommend people approach this work. Especially if you are unfamiliar with some of the mythology these stories may pull from. Even when we didn't like a story it was very rewarding to unpack why something did or didn't work and what was on us as the reader vs just personal preference. For readers who have been looking to be exposed to unique stories in speculative space I think this is a good starting point, especially if you like your stories to lean on the darker side.
Anthologies are always difficult to review. By the very nature of the project there will be hits and misses, especially with an anthology this large. I do think for my tastes this anthology was longer than I typically like them to be and had more misses and hits for my taste. Not everything in this collection is dark but there were more graphic and dark speculative stories than there were hopeful ones, which add that to how long the collection is made it for some difficult reading. I spent two months slowly reading this anthology with friends and loved all the conversations it sparked, and that is how I would recommend people approach this work. Especially if you are unfamiliar with some of the mythology these stories may pull from. Even when we didn't like a story it was very rewarding to unpack why something did or didn't work and what was on us as the reader vs just personal preference. For readers who have been looking to be exposed to unique stories in speculative space I think this is a good starting point, especially if you like your stories to lean on the darker side.
Read
November 14, 2022If you are a short story lover, you want to check out this collection. You want horror? It has some. You want sci-fi? It has some. You want fantasy? It also has some. There are bigger-name authors such as Tananarive Dune and some fresh to the scene as well - but the collection feels balanced in content as we get a sampling across the many areas of speculative fiction.
I tried to pick a favorite story and failed, as I kept finding things I wanted to point out in different stories. There are ones that feel like they’ve been lifted out of a folktale, and there are others that feel like a tantalizing taste of an enormous imagined world. Maybe “Housewarming for a Lion Goddess” by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga? Or “Exiles of the Witchery” by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori? Oh, or “Hanfo Driver” by Ada Nnadi; that one made me grin. The breadth of stories available here is phenomenal, and there are so many vibrant tales packed into these pages. Not to mention that the cover itself is gorgeous (applause to artist Manzi Jackson).
If you aren't familiar with many African or African diaspora authors here is a chance to find 33 of them in concert, arrayed and edited to a stunning degree (although of course there are plenty outside of this collection too). Even as someone who isn’t a horror fan I devoured the stories here that fell into that genre.
Check content warnings for this - some of the stories get graphic and dark fast.
I tried to pick a favorite story and failed, as I kept finding things I wanted to point out in different stories. There are ones that feel like they’ve been lifted out of a folktale, and there are others that feel like a tantalizing taste of an enormous imagined world. Maybe “Housewarming for a Lion Goddess” by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga? Or “Exiles of the Witchery” by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori? Oh, or “Hanfo Driver” by Ada Nnadi; that one made me grin. The breadth of stories available here is phenomenal, and there are so many vibrant tales packed into these pages. Not to mention that the cover itself is gorgeous (applause to artist Manzi Jackson).
If you aren't familiar with many African or African diaspora authors here is a chance to find 33 of them in concert, arrayed and edited to a stunning degree (although of course there are plenty outside of this collection too). Even as someone who isn’t a horror fan I devoured the stories here that fell into that genre.
Check content warnings for this - some of the stories get graphic and dark fast.
September 3, 2023
This is a collection of short fiction in SF, fantasy, and horror genres written by authors either from Africa or from the African diaspora. The book has already been nominated for multiple genre awards. I read it as a part of the monthly reading for July 2023 at Speculative Fiction in Translation group, but only now (September!) managed to write a review.
Most story collections have their highs and lows and this isn’t an exception. To tell the truth, most of the stories haven’t “worked” for me, possibly because a notable share tends toward horror and dystopic, which just aren’t for my taste. So, while I fully support the publishing of more diverse SFF from all over the world, I cannot say that I really enjoyed this collection.
So, to individual stories:
“The Blue House” by Dilman Dila a solid start, an SF story about Cana-B70 robot, who somehow got partial memories of a human, in a post-apoc world where humans are gone. While the theme was used before, e.g. in Sea of Rust, still a good read. 3.5*
“March Magic” by WC Dunlap linking native magic and shamanism (?) to US civil rights movements. An interesting approach even if I guess it diminishes the effect real people had on these changes. 3*
“IRL” by Steven Barnes Virtual reality is so common that the protagonist’s father is framed for murder by the protagonist’s game opponent. 3.5*
“The Deification of Igodo” by Joshua Uchenna Omenga a folk tale-like story about a king wanting to be a god. 3*
“Mami Wataworks” by Russell Nichols a post-apoc dry hell on Earth, where people don’t shed tears not to lose precious water. A Biblical reference (“villagers of 19:28” supposedly refers to John 19:28. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty.") and ingenious automation are an interesting mash up. It is an interesting case, where the story finds a solution I see as unworkable (conservation of energy principle), but quite strong emphatically. 4*
“Rear Mirror” by Nuzo Onoh a horror story about a funeral house trying to do a Christian burial on a body of a person, whose relatives aren’t followers of Christ. A funny kind of horror. 3*
“Door Crashers” by Franka Zeph a time-travel story with a team led by Yaro, is the Team Leader of the Data Retrieval Unit, who tries to save our world of 2067 by hacking alternate realities. A bit too much condensed in the story to follow it. The potential is here but execution is lacking. 3*
“The Soul Would Have No Rainbow” by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu the protagonist inherits a cookbook from her grandma, but it's more than just recipes. 3*
“A Dream of Electric Mothers” by Wole Talabi an interesting futuristic setting, where a living Minister of Defense asks for a piece of advice regarding starting a war from the Electric Mother, sentient collection of memories of the deceased. 4*
“Simbi” by Sandra Jackson-Opoku a boy Kasese is captured by slavers, but river goddess Simbi helps him. 3*
“Housewarming for a Lion Goddess” by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga a shapeshifter wife named after a Lion Goddess thinks about following the steps of a folk tale and killing her husbands to keep the secret. 2.5*
I’ve supplied an overview of the first third of the stories. Among the reminders, my ratings are on average weaker, but I reiterate, it is me because my tastes are different.
“A Knight in Tunisia” by Alex Jennings
“The Devil Is Us” by Mirette Bahgat
“Cloud Mine” by Timi Odueso
“Ruler of the Rear Guard” by Maurice Broaddus
“Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition)” by Tlotlo Tsamaase
“The Sugar Mill” by Tobias S. Buckell
“The Carving of War” by Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi
“Ghost Ship” by Tananarive Due
“Liquid Twilight” by Ytasha Womack
“Once Upon a Time in 1967” by Oyedotun Damilola Muees
“A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner” by Alexis Brooks de Vita
“The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library” by Tobi Ogundiran
“When the Mami Wata Met a Demon” by Moustapha Mbacké Diop
“The Papermakers” by Akua Lezli Hope
“A Soul of Small Places” by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo
“Air to Shape Lungs” by Shingai Njeri Kagunda
“Hanfo Driver” by Ada Nnadi
“Exiles of Witchery” by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
“The Taloned Beast” by Chinelo Onwualu
“Star Watchers” by Danian Darrell Jerry
“Biscuit & Milk” by Dare Segun Falowo
Most story collections have their highs and lows and this isn’t an exception. To tell the truth, most of the stories haven’t “worked” for me, possibly because a notable share tends toward horror and dystopic, which just aren’t for my taste. So, while I fully support the publishing of more diverse SFF from all over the world, I cannot say that I really enjoyed this collection.
So, to individual stories:
“The Blue House” by Dilman Dila a solid start, an SF story about Cana-B70 robot, who somehow got partial memories of a human, in a post-apoc world where humans are gone. While the theme was used before, e.g. in Sea of Rust, still a good read. 3.5*
“March Magic” by WC Dunlap linking native magic and shamanism (?) to US civil rights movements. An interesting approach even if I guess it diminishes the effect real people had on these changes. 3*
“IRL” by Steven Barnes Virtual reality is so common that the protagonist’s father is framed for murder by the protagonist’s game opponent. 3.5*
“The Deification of Igodo” by Joshua Uchenna Omenga a folk tale-like story about a king wanting to be a god. 3*
“Mami Wataworks” by Russell Nichols a post-apoc dry hell on Earth, where people don’t shed tears not to lose precious water. A Biblical reference (“villagers of 19:28” supposedly refers to John 19:28. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty.") and ingenious automation are an interesting mash up. It is an interesting case, where the story finds a solution I see as unworkable (conservation of energy principle), but quite strong emphatically. 4*
“Rear Mirror” by Nuzo Onoh a horror story about a funeral house trying to do a Christian burial on a body of a person, whose relatives aren’t followers of Christ. A funny kind of horror. 3*
“Door Crashers” by Franka Zeph a time-travel story with a team led by Yaro, is the Team Leader of the Data Retrieval Unit, who tries to save our world of 2067 by hacking alternate realities. A bit too much condensed in the story to follow it. The potential is here but execution is lacking. 3*
“The Soul Would Have No Rainbow” by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu the protagonist inherits a cookbook from her grandma, but it's more than just recipes. 3*
“A Dream of Electric Mothers” by Wole Talabi an interesting futuristic setting, where a living Minister of Defense asks for a piece of advice regarding starting a war from the Electric Mother, sentient collection of memories of the deceased. 4*
“Simbi” by Sandra Jackson-Opoku a boy Kasese is captured by slavers, but river goddess Simbi helps him. 3*
“Housewarming for a Lion Goddess” by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga a shapeshifter wife named after a Lion Goddess thinks about following the steps of a folk tale and killing her husbands to keep the secret. 2.5*
I’ve supplied an overview of the first third of the stories. Among the reminders, my ratings are on average weaker, but I reiterate, it is me because my tastes are different.
“A Knight in Tunisia” by Alex Jennings
“The Devil Is Us” by Mirette Bahgat
“Cloud Mine” by Timi Odueso
“Ruler of the Rear Guard” by Maurice Broaddus
“Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition)” by Tlotlo Tsamaase
“The Sugar Mill” by Tobias S. Buckell
“The Carving of War” by Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi
“Ghost Ship” by Tananarive Due
“Liquid Twilight” by Ytasha Womack
“Once Upon a Time in 1967” by Oyedotun Damilola Muees
“A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner” by Alexis Brooks de Vita
“The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library” by Tobi Ogundiran
“When the Mami Wata Met a Demon” by Moustapha Mbacké Diop
“The Papermakers” by Akua Lezli Hope
“A Soul of Small Places” by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo
“Air to Shape Lungs” by Shingai Njeri Kagunda
“Hanfo Driver” by Ada Nnadi
“Exiles of Witchery” by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
“The Taloned Beast” by Chinelo Onwualu
“Star Watchers” by Danian Darrell Jerry
“Biscuit & Milk” by Dare Segun Falowo
December 7, 2022
The experience of reading this anthology was a little different from reading DARK MATTER, a similar project. In that earlier collection, also edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, the stories were all so captivating that I gave them five stars overall.
In AFRICA RISEN, the stories are mostly good, though a little more uneven on the whole. Standouts (IMHO) were the stories written by WC Dunlap, the always fantastic Steven Barnes, and Yvette Lisa Ndlovu.
In AFRICA RISEN, the stories are mostly good, though a little more uneven on the whole. Standouts (IMHO) were the stories written by WC Dunlap, the always fantastic Steven Barnes, and Yvette Lisa Ndlovu.
February 3, 2023
Probably the most consistent anthology I've read - I loved 90% of the stories. They were imaginative and thought-provoking. Highly recommend!
January 5, 2023
I enthusiastically picked up Africa Risen: A New Era in Speculative Fiction having really enjoyed another collection that Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki edited. This one, too, is fantastic. Inevitably in an anthology some stories worked better for me than others but overall, this is an excellent collection of science fiction, fantasy, and horror that showcases and celebrates the diversity of African authors’ work in and with these genres. There is not a single story in this collection that I didn’t like, and some I absolutely loved; a few I did skip for ‘content warnings’ related reasons (it’s beyond the scope of this review to get into a detailed content warnings list, but it was two stories’ sexual violence related content - content I don’t think they handled very well - that made me skip ahead). Some of my absolute favourites from this collection include: "Ghost Ship" by Tananarive Due, "The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran, “Hanfo Driver” by Ada Nnadi, “A Dream of Electric Mothers” by Wole Talabi, “Simbi” by Sandra Jackson-Opoku, “Housewarming for a Lion Goddess” by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga, “Ruler of the Rear Guard” by Maurice Broaddus, “The Sugar Mill” by Tobias S. Bucknell, “Liquid Twilight” by Ytasha Womack, “The Papermakers” by Akua Lezli Hope, “Star Watchers” by Danian Darrell Jerry, and “Biscuits & Milk” by Dare Segun Falowo — yes, that’s a lot of favourites but there are a lot of great stories in here, some from authors I’ve read before and others from authors I look forward to reading more from.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan/Tor-Forge for providing an ARC in exchange for this review.
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan/Tor-Forge for providing an ARC in exchange for this review.
April 3, 2023
This is a collection of speculative fiction short stories by African and African diaspora authors. There were several stand out stories that I really enjoyed, but much of the rest of the collection was a miss for me. There were several stories that completely went over my head. I have to wonder if maybe I'm missing some cultural or historical context in these cases. While many of these stories didn't work for me, I'm still really glad that I read the collection. It is a treat to be able to read spec fic from cultures I'm less familiar with. Perhaps as I read more I will learn some of that context I'm missing.
November 28, 2023
9- A must for those interested in speculative fiction in the short story format and for those interested in diverse speculative fiction from around the world especially. For too long SF and fantasy have been presented as a predominantly 'white' or western genre, more specifically even: an English or American genre - as books and stories from these markets also dominated in other countries, in translation or in its original language (as in Holland where most readers are able to read in English). This leads to a particular western worldview dominating the speculative genre, with a focus on either secondary worlds based on medieval Europe or magical creatures staying hidden from 'normal' people. Or, in the SF-genre, on technology as either threat or solution, and a scientific worldview that is cold and calculating ('The Cold Equations'). The way we as readers think about the roots of our worldview (in our imagination) or the possible paths of the future (in our speculations) are boxed in by the a priori's of these stories.
So it is a good thing to be reminded that story telling is a quality of all mankind, and people from other continents, other cultures, can express their insights in stories and thus bring new perspectives to the table. They bring with them new views of the universe, not as a soulless machine, purely materialistic, but as a welcoming womb, suffused with life. They bring with them new views of nature, not as something to dominate, but as partner to live in community with. They bring new views of meaning, found in families, the threads passed from generation to generation and the community, where western stories focus on individuals (but these voices also illuminate the pain family can cause, and the toxicity of closed communities towards those percieved to be 'different'). And these stories can shine a light on the evil of colonialism, showing western readers what it is to suffer under colonialist regimes, and to be defined by the color of ones skin instead of ones own self. Also, we should not forget the new storytelling traditions and experiments these new voices bring to a genre that is starting to get a bit stiff in the hips. The nature descriptions in here are excellent, for example, and there is a joy in life, in being, that seems missing from a lot of western SF that seems to be a little bit 'navel gazey'.
All these new perspectives can be found in this volume, featuring stories from African authors and from Black authors from the African diaspora (e.g. living in the United States or the Caribbean). I had the impression the authors from outside of Africa chose more often to write hard SF, or post cyberpunk stories, and authors from Africa were writing more folkloristic tales, and fabulist stories (but I could be wrong). As I am more a fan of SF in short story format and personally do not enjoy fantasy in short story format as much, some of the more folkloristic stories got a bit repetitive to my tastes. I like AI's more than Jinns. It's a matter of taste, and others will love these tales based on other cultures a lot.
With 32 stories collected in here, there are too many to discuss them all, or even to discuss all stories that I especially liked. But these are a few of my favorites.
'The Blue House' by Dilman Dila was a great post apocalyptic tale with an android slowly breaking down crossing a desertified landscape.
'IRL' by Steven Barnes was a great story in the vein of 'Ready Player One' but with a father/son-relationship in the centre and a great conclusion.
'The deification of Igodo' by Joshua Uchenna Omenga read like a great fairy tale with, of course, a moral at the end.
'A Dream of Electric Mothers' is a fantastic story by Wole Talabi, who is fast becoming a favorite of mine. A great story that has technology facilitating communication with the ancestors. I like the fresh, sharp style that Talabi brings to his stories, that have a great humanist bent.
'The Devil is Us' is another great fairy tale like story, this time about a jinn ...
'Ruler of the Rear Guard' is a gentle near future tale from Maurice Broaddus.
A sharp contrast with 'Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition)' by Tlotlo Tsamaase, that is experimental and scratches the eyes with the prose and the story. A harrowing but ultimately uplifting tale about creativity, trauma and hurting others. The highlight of this collection for me.
'Ghost Ship' by Tanarive Due, a tale that starts gently enough, but wow ... That ending ...
'The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library' by Tobi Ogundiran. A fun horror story about what can go wrong if you don't return your book to the library on time ... dire consequences await!
'A Soul of Small Places' by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo: a tough story about the reality facing women in many places and a girl that has to lose herself to help save others ... A great sense of place in this one, that really rooted me in the story.
'Exiles of Witchery' by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori - a sort of African Doctor Who dealing with women accused of being witches ...
'The Taloned Beast' by Chinelo Onwualo - the plight of protagonist Edim is brought with much feeling, and from painful realism it goes into fantasy territory at the end.
And there's an experimental SF story called 'Biscuit & Milk' that I wanted to love, but it was (to me) a bit too unclear what was going on. The idea's were great, the execution not really to my taste.
But there were no stories here that I would describe as bad. The editors really did a great job. And this volume has only made me seek out more SF-collections from all over the world. The more perspectives I can immerse myselves in, the more I can escape from the Anglosaxon frameworks and gain new inspiration myself.
So it is a good thing to be reminded that story telling is a quality of all mankind, and people from other continents, other cultures, can express their insights in stories and thus bring new perspectives to the table. They bring with them new views of the universe, not as a soulless machine, purely materialistic, but as a welcoming womb, suffused with life. They bring with them new views of nature, not as something to dominate, but as partner to live in community with. They bring new views of meaning, found in families, the threads passed from generation to generation and the community, where western stories focus on individuals (but these voices also illuminate the pain family can cause, and the toxicity of closed communities towards those percieved to be 'different'). And these stories can shine a light on the evil of colonialism, showing western readers what it is to suffer under colonialist regimes, and to be defined by the color of ones skin instead of ones own self. Also, we should not forget the new storytelling traditions and experiments these new voices bring to a genre that is starting to get a bit stiff in the hips. The nature descriptions in here are excellent, for example, and there is a joy in life, in being, that seems missing from a lot of western SF that seems to be a little bit 'navel gazey'.
All these new perspectives can be found in this volume, featuring stories from African authors and from Black authors from the African diaspora (e.g. living in the United States or the Caribbean). I had the impression the authors from outside of Africa chose more often to write hard SF, or post cyberpunk stories, and authors from Africa were writing more folkloristic tales, and fabulist stories (but I could be wrong). As I am more a fan of SF in short story format and personally do not enjoy fantasy in short story format as much, some of the more folkloristic stories got a bit repetitive to my tastes. I like AI's more than Jinns. It's a matter of taste, and others will love these tales based on other cultures a lot.
With 32 stories collected in here, there are too many to discuss them all, or even to discuss all stories that I especially liked. But these are a few of my favorites.
'The Blue House' by Dilman Dila was a great post apocalyptic tale with an android slowly breaking down crossing a desertified landscape.
'IRL' by Steven Barnes was a great story in the vein of 'Ready Player One' but with a father/son-relationship in the centre and a great conclusion.
'The deification of Igodo' by Joshua Uchenna Omenga read like a great fairy tale with, of course, a moral at the end.
'A Dream of Electric Mothers' is a fantastic story by Wole Talabi, who is fast becoming a favorite of mine. A great story that has technology facilitating communication with the ancestors. I like the fresh, sharp style that Talabi brings to his stories, that have a great humanist bent.
'The Devil is Us' is another great fairy tale like story, this time about a jinn ...
'Ruler of the Rear Guard' is a gentle near future tale from Maurice Broaddus.
A sharp contrast with 'Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition)' by Tlotlo Tsamaase, that is experimental and scratches the eyes with the prose and the story. A harrowing but ultimately uplifting tale about creativity, trauma and hurting others. The highlight of this collection for me.
'Ghost Ship' by Tanarive Due, a tale that starts gently enough, but wow ... That ending ...
'The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library' by Tobi Ogundiran. A fun horror story about what can go wrong if you don't return your book to the library on time ... dire consequences await!
'A Soul of Small Places' by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo: a tough story about the reality facing women in many places and a girl that has to lose herself to help save others ... A great sense of place in this one, that really rooted me in the story.
'Exiles of Witchery' by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori - a sort of African Doctor Who dealing with women accused of being witches ...
'The Taloned Beast' by Chinelo Onwualo - the plight of protagonist Edim is brought with much feeling, and from painful realism it goes into fantasy territory at the end.
And there's an experimental SF story called 'Biscuit & Milk' that I wanted to love, but it was (to me) a bit too unclear what was going on. The idea's were great, the execution not really to my taste.
But there were no stories here that I would describe as bad. The editors really did a great job. And this volume has only made me seek out more SF-collections from all over the world. The more perspectives I can immerse myselves in, the more I can escape from the Anglosaxon frameworks and gain new inspiration myself.
November 22, 2022
Book Summary:
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
From an award-winning team of editors comes an anthology of thirty-two original stories showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
Created in the legacy of the seminal, award-winning anthology series Dark Matter, Africa Risen celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and reach of African and AfroDiasporic science fiction and fantasy and reaffirms that Africa is not rising—it’s already here.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
Thank you @b2weird, @shereereneethomas @penprice @authorzknight and @Tordotcompub for letting me have the opportunity to review this wonderful assortment of Afrofuturisim stories! Everything about this book, from the radiant cover to the amazing stories I LOVED. I really liked the variety of stories, plots and characters, it was always something new and exciting to discover! I enjoyed all the stories but the following stood out to me:
“March Magic” by WC Dunlap—I love Black women witches and this story did not disappoint! Full of great worldbuilding, characterization and magic, this was my favorite for sure and I love the historical bent.
“Irl” by Steven Barnes-This story is reminiscent of Ready Player One with creative and intricate power plays and at the center a son trying to save his father’s life.
I really would recommend this book to anyone that really would like an introduction to the world of Afrofuturism.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Five Star Book!
#B2Weird #AfricaRisen #B2WTours
Bookstagrammer #blackgirlsread #blackgirlsreadtoo #bookwormsofinstagram #bookstagrammersunite #wellreadblackgirl #blackauthorsofinstagram #blackauthorsmatter #blackgirlsreading #amplifyblackvoices #blackbookstagrammer #blackbookstagram #blackgirlsreading #bibliophile #diversespines #bookstagram #bookish #blackbookstagram #blackbibliophile #blackandbookish #booklover #thisgirlreads #thisblackgirlreads #blackbooks
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
From an award-winning team of editors comes an anthology of thirty-two original stories showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
Created in the legacy of the seminal, award-winning anthology series Dark Matter, Africa Risen celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and reach of African and AfroDiasporic science fiction and fantasy and reaffirms that Africa is not rising—it’s already here.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
Thank you @b2weird, @shereereneethomas @penprice @authorzknight and @Tordotcompub for letting me have the opportunity to review this wonderful assortment of Afrofuturisim stories! Everything about this book, from the radiant cover to the amazing stories I LOVED. I really liked the variety of stories, plots and characters, it was always something new and exciting to discover! I enjoyed all the stories but the following stood out to me:
“March Magic” by WC Dunlap—I love Black women witches and this story did not disappoint! Full of great worldbuilding, characterization and magic, this was my favorite for sure and I love the historical bent.
“Irl” by Steven Barnes-This story is reminiscent of Ready Player One with creative and intricate power plays and at the center a son trying to save his father’s life.
I really would recommend this book to anyone that really would like an introduction to the world of Afrofuturism.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Five Star Book!
#B2Weird #AfricaRisen #B2WTours
Bookstagrammer #blackgirlsread #blackgirlsreadtoo #bookwormsofinstagram #bookstagrammersunite #wellreadblackgirl #blackauthorsofinstagram #blackauthorsmatter #blackgirlsreading #amplifyblackvoices #blackbookstagrammer #blackbookstagram #blackgirlsreading #bibliophile #diversespines #bookstagram #bookish #blackbookstagram #blackbibliophile #blackandbookish #booklover #thisgirlreads #thisblackgirlreads #blackbooks
January 29, 2023
Rec. by: Theme, range, and Thomas' established editorial expertise
Rec. for: Future historians
I read Sheree Renée Thomas' historic anthology Dark Matter just a year ago, although it came out in the year 2000. I thought it was amazing. Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction is an exciting and forward-looking followup—and it took me a lot fewer than twenty years to find, too!
The "Introduction" by editors Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight, sets the tone for the book, and drops many new names to look for. (I've adapted the Table of Contents with thanks from Tor.com, this time, by the way):
"The Blue House," by Dilman Dila, leads off the book with some straightforward SF about a cyborg—at least to end with.
"March Magic," by W.C. Dunlap.
But the radio says it's August... oh. That March.
"IRL," by Steven Barnes was a real highlight for me, a story of a player thoroughly played—or was he?
"The Deification of Igodo," by Joshua Omenga.
"Mami Wataworks," by Russell Nichols—I wasn't sure about the science in this one, but its heart is in the right place.
"Rear Mirror," by Nuzo Onoh.
There's nothing worse than an angry ghost, as every hearse driver knows—or ought to know.
"Door Crashers," by Franka Zeph is old-school sky-fie, what ho, with rampant bafflegab and sexist fantasies galore (the stunning "women with calf-length hair" on p.91, for one mild example). But... kinda fun, even so.
"The Soul Would Have No Rainbow," by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu.
A young woman from Zimbabwe confronts her beloved Gogo's demise and a surprising inheritance.
(This one appeared as "Lady Rainbow" in the original Table of Contents from Tor—not sure why.)
"A Dream of Electric Mothers," by Wole Talabi.
Relying on the past to guide the future—what could possibly go wrong?
"Simbi," by Sandra Jackson-Opoku.
A snapshot of Mami Wata, who is a recurring theme throughout Africa Risen, and whose rightful name can be spelled "Cymbee."
"Housewarming for a Lion Goddess," by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga.
Baggage. We carry it with us, all too often long after we no longer need to.
"A Knight in Tunisia," by Alex Jennings.
Speaking of baggage—all kinds of people, on- and offworld, have to carry theirs. No one's immune. And healing can involve going back, to open up some of those old locked bags and see what's still inside.
The moral of "The Devil Is Us," by Mirette Bahgat could be summarized as FAWJAFO—that is, .
"Cloud Mine," by Timi Odueso.
The title may be a clever pun, but it's also literal. This is another story set in—steeped in—a drought-stricken land, where the cost of survival is very, very high.
"Ruler of the Rear Guard," by Maurice Broaddus.
More of a project outline than a story—the first chapter of a utopia, perhaps.
"Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition)," by Tlotlo Tsamaase is all about "unorthodox ways of attaining superstardom" (p.238). Choppier and more graphic than most of the pieces in Africa Risen —think Cronenberg or Burroughs—or maybe Spinrad. Whatever your touchstones, be wary. Eventually, though, the biter does get bit.
"The Sugar Mill," by Tobias S. Buckell.
The old sugar mill on the island is up for sale. Just try to ignore all the extras that come with it.
"The Carving of War," by Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi.
A fable of transformation and motherly love.
"Ghost Ship," by Tananarive Due, took a dark turn, when young Florida gets sent to the U.S., carrying a mysterious burden on board a ship that embarks without any ghosts...
"Liquid Twilight," by Ytasha L. Womack was a lovely fantasy and another great highlight for me in this anthology, with sharp and memorable lines like these:
"Once Upon a Time in 1967," by Oyedotun Damilola Muees.
What looked like grammatical errors at first I came to see as Damilola Muees setting a cadence, the unique lilt of a fox-boy's speech trying for a clean kill in a war-torn Nigeria.
"A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner," by Alexis Brooks de Vita is another tale of the biter bit, or... the slicer slit? Any way you slice it, there are plenty of barbarisms to go around, on the plantation.
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library," by Tobi Ogundiran.
You know, librarians do not ordinarily concern themselves directly with fines and fees—other staff handle that—but this one is special.
"When the Mami Wata Met a Demon," by Moustapha Mbacké Diop.
Every coastal culture, I believe, has stories of the girl who came from the sea...
"The Papermakers," by Akua Lezli Hope.
Making paper—as the title says—but with intention, is an elegant and magical conceit.
"A Soul of Small Places," by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo.
"Air to Shape Lungs," by Shingai Njeri Kagunda.
Remember how easy it felt, the last time you dreamt of being able to fly?
"Hanfo Driver," by Ada Nnadi, was a whole lot of fun. How on Earth do you manage, after all, when your hoverbus breaks down in the midst of a traffic jam in Lagos? Just call Oluwatimilehin! You know you want to...
"Exiles of Witchery," by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori.
The Worm is a very different sort of transport, and it takes our fearless Ese on an involuntary mission of mercy. Two missions, actually. Maybe three...
"The Taloned Beast," by Chinelo Onwualu.
Endlessly escalating cruelties eventually receive an answer, but I did not like where this one went.
"Star Watchers," by Danian Darrell Jerry.
Unlike the wheeling stars above, people may sometimes choose their own paths.
"Biscuit & Milk," by Dare Segun Falowo, ends Africa Risen on a high note, with an oracular tale of exodus and ecological catastrophe that resonates with hope and homesickness (although the numbered paragraphs were an odd choice).
*
It is no accident that the title of this anthology uses "Risen," rather than "Rising." If, as a phrase with many possible attributions has it, "history is written by the victors"... are future histories written by future victors?
Perhaps...
At any rate, Africa Risen is a triumphant compilation of futures, bringing together writers from around the globe—the authors' biographies come from Uganda, Nigeria, Senegal, Malaysia, New Jersey, Canada and even "vagabonding around the world."
These stories show that original speculative fiction from, and about, and connected to the peoples of Africa is absolutely thriving, right here and right now.
Rec. for: Future historians
I read Sheree Renée Thomas' historic anthology Dark Matter just a year ago, although it came out in the year 2000. I thought it was amazing. Africa Risen: A New Era of Speculative Fiction is an exciting and forward-looking followup—and it took me a lot fewer than twenty years to find, too!
The "Introduction" by editors Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight, sets the tone for the book, and drops many new names to look for. (I've adapted the Table of Contents with thanks from Tor.com, this time, by the way):
"The Blue House," by Dilman Dila, leads off the book with some straightforward SF about a cyborg—at least to end with.
"March Magic," by W.C. Dunlap.
But the radio says it's August... oh. That March.
"IRL," by Steven Barnes was a real highlight for me, a story of a player thoroughly played—or was he?
"The Deification of Igodo," by Joshua Omenga.
"Why remain a king, when you can be a god?"Turns out hubris is not just a Greek concept.
—p.45
"Mami Wataworks," by Russell Nichols—I wasn't sure about the science in this one, but its heart is in the right place.
"Rear Mirror," by Nuzo Onoh.
There's nothing worse than an angry ghost, as every hearse driver knows—or ought to know.
"Door Crashers," by Franka Zeph is old-school sky-fie, what ho, with rampant bafflegab and sexist fantasies galore (the stunning "women with calf-length hair" on p.91, for one mild example). But... kinda fun, even so.
"The Soul Would Have No Rainbow," by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu.
A young woman from Zimbabwe confronts her beloved Gogo's demise and a surprising inheritance.
(This one appeared as "Lady Rainbow" in the original Table of Contents from Tor—not sure why.)
"A Dream of Electric Mothers," by Wole Talabi.
Relying on the past to guide the future—what could possibly go wrong?
"Simbi," by Sandra Jackson-Opoku.
A snapshot of Mami Wata, who is a recurring theme throughout Africa Risen, and whose rightful name can be spelled "Cymbee."
"Housewarming for a Lion Goddess," by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga.
Baggage. We carry it with us, all too often long after we no longer need to.
"A Knight in Tunisia," by Alex Jennings.
Speaking of baggage—all kinds of people, on- and offworld, have to carry theirs. No one's immune. And healing can involve going back, to open up some of those old locked bags and see what's still inside.
The moral of "The Devil Is Us," by Mirette Bahgat could be summarized as FAWJAFO—that is, .
"Cloud Mine," by Timi Odueso.
The title may be a clever pun, but it's also literal. This is another story set in—steeped in—a drought-stricken land, where the cost of survival is very, very high.
"Ruler of the Rear Guard," by Maurice Broaddus.
More of a project outline than a story—the first chapter of a utopia, perhaps.
"Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition)," by Tlotlo Tsamaase is all about "unorthodox ways of attaining superstardom" (p.238). Choppier and more graphic than most of the pieces in Africa Risen —think Cronenberg or Burroughs—or maybe Spinrad. Whatever your touchstones, be wary. Eventually, though, the biter does get bit.
"The Sugar Mill," by Tobias S. Buckell.
The old sugar mill on the island is up for sale. Just try to ignore all the extras that come with it.
"The Carving of War," by Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi.
A fable of transformation and motherly love.
"Ghost Ship," by Tananarive Due, took a dark turn, when young Florida gets sent to the U.S., carrying a mysterious burden on board a ship that embarks without any ghosts...
"Liquid Twilight," by Ytasha L. Womack was a lovely fantasy and another great highlight for me in this anthology, with sharp and memorable lines like these:
I hexed the patriarchy a minute ago but don't have time to wait for the whole thing to topple.and
—p.296
After a 2020 of emotional seesaws and upward spirals, my grip on reality's ground floor had loosened.
—p.302
"Once Upon a Time in 1967," by Oyedotun Damilola Muees.
What looked like grammatical errors at first I came to see as Damilola Muees setting a cadence, the unique lilt of a fox-boy's speech trying for a clean kill in a war-torn Nigeria.
"A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner," by Alexis Brooks de Vita is another tale of the biter bit, or... the slicer slit? Any way you slice it, there are plenty of barbarisms to go around, on the plantation.
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library," by Tobi Ogundiran.
You know, librarians do not ordinarily concern themselves directly with fines and fees—other staff handle that—but this one is special.
"When the Mami Wata Met a Demon," by Moustapha Mbacké Diop.
Every coastal culture, I believe, has stories of the girl who came from the sea...
"The Papermakers," by Akua Lezli Hope.
Making paper—as the title says—but with intention, is an elegant and magical conceit.
"A Soul of Small Places," by Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo.
My name's an odd one. Woppa is a ward. When you lose a child, you name the next with a ward, a name to confuse the evil eye and turn it away from the newborn. Woppa's one of those. It means go away.
—p.394
"Air to Shape Lungs," by Shingai Njeri Kagunda.
Remember how easy it felt, the last time you dreamt of being able to fly?
"Hanfo Driver," by Ada Nnadi, was a whole lot of fun. How on Earth do you manage, after all, when your hoverbus breaks down in the midst of a traffic jam in Lagos? Just call Oluwatimilehin! You know you want to...
"Exiles of Witchery," by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori.
The Worm is a very different sort of transport, and it takes our fearless Ese on an involuntary mission of mercy. Two missions, actually. Maybe three...
"The Taloned Beast," by Chinelo Onwualu.
Endlessly escalating cruelties eventually receive an answer, but I did not like where this one went.
"Star Watchers," by Danian Darrell Jerry.
Unlike the wheeling stars above, people may sometimes choose their own paths.
"Biscuit & Milk," by Dare Segun Falowo, ends Africa Risen on a high note, with an oracular tale of exodus and ecological catastrophe that resonates with hope and homesickness (although the numbered paragraphs were an odd choice).
*
It is no accident that the title of this anthology uses "Risen," rather than "Rising." If, as a phrase with many possible attributions has it, "history is written by the victors"... are future histories written by future victors?
Perhaps...
At any rate, Africa Risen is a triumphant compilation of futures, bringing together writers from around the globe—the authors' biographies come from Uganda, Nigeria, Senegal, Malaysia, New Jersey, Canada and even "vagabonding around the world."
These stories show that original speculative fiction from, and about, and connected to the peoples of Africa is absolutely thriving, right here and right now.
November 12, 2022
As always, I love a good anthology. This one, from editors Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight, showcases science-fiction and fantasy from both African authors and authors of African descent living elsewhere on the globe (mostly the Caribbean and the United States). Also, as always, I love reading SFF based in cultural traditions I’m less familiar with, and Africa has an enormous diversity of cultures to choose from. This one features 33 stories from 33 authors. I’ve heard of a few of them, and read some other short fiction from a few as well, but this is not an anthology built on existing star power.
This is not a particularly fun or light-hearted analogy. Life informs art, and (I’m generalizing here, because Africa is an enormous place) Africa has generally not had the best time of it the last few centuries. Numerous stories are based on the transatlantic slave trade. Stories from the North American authors are usually about slavery and/or present-day racism. Some of it is very contemporary; the pandemic and Black Lives Matter both come up. Many of the stories from African authors are about colonialism and all the injustices and atrocities that came of it. And more contemporary issues such as economic and environmental injustice come up as well.
Content warnings for this include sexual assault, domestic violence, cannibalism, and female genital mutilation.
Some of my favorite stories I particularly want to mention:
* “The Deification of Igodo” by Joshua Uchenna Omenga. A very mythological-feeling story about a greedy king who seeks to become a god and falls short.
* “Housewarming for a Lion Goddess” by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga. Interesting story that combines detailed descriptions of food preparation (really made me hungry) with a goddess
dealing with guilt over failing her people.
* “The Sugar Mill” by Tobias S. Buckell. A real estate agent in Jamaica is trying to sell an old sugar plantation to a wealthy American couple who want to turn it into a yoga studio, while the ghosts of his enslaved ancestors provide a kind of Greek chorus talking about all the horrible things that happened there.
* “The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library” by Tobi Ogundiran. It is a universal truth across all cultures that you do not fuck with librarians.
* “When the Mami Wata Met a Demon” by Moustapha Mbacké Diop. A child drives a jinn away who had been possessing his mother.
* “A Soul of Small Places” by Mame Bougouma Diene & Woppa Diallo. A girl in Senegal transforms into a cannibal demon and hunts down and devours rapists.
* “The Taloned Beast” by Chinelo Onwualu. A man frees himself, and an enslaved dragon, from the service of his abusive uncle.
My blog
This is not a particularly fun or light-hearted analogy. Life informs art, and (I’m generalizing here, because Africa is an enormous place) Africa has generally not had the best time of it the last few centuries. Numerous stories are based on the transatlantic slave trade. Stories from the North American authors are usually about slavery and/or present-day racism. Some of it is very contemporary; the pandemic and Black Lives Matter both come up. Many of the stories from African authors are about colonialism and all the injustices and atrocities that came of it. And more contemporary issues such as economic and environmental injustice come up as well.
Content warnings for this include sexual assault, domestic violence, cannibalism, and female genital mutilation.
Some of my favorite stories I particularly want to mention:
* “The Deification of Igodo” by Joshua Uchenna Omenga. A very mythological-feeling story about a greedy king who seeks to become a god and falls short.
* “Housewarming for a Lion Goddess” by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga. Interesting story that combines detailed descriptions of food preparation (really made me hungry) with a goddess
dealing with guilt over failing her people.
* “The Sugar Mill” by Tobias S. Buckell. A real estate agent in Jamaica is trying to sell an old sugar plantation to a wealthy American couple who want to turn it into a yoga studio, while the ghosts of his enslaved ancestors provide a kind of Greek chorus talking about all the horrible things that happened there.
* “The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library” by Tobi Ogundiran. It is a universal truth across all cultures that you do not fuck with librarians.
* “When the Mami Wata Met a Demon” by Moustapha Mbacké Diop. A child drives a jinn away who had been possessing his mother.
* “A Soul of Small Places” by Mame Bougouma Diene & Woppa Diallo. A girl in Senegal transforms into a cannibal demon and hunts down and devours rapists.
* “The Taloned Beast” by Chinelo Onwualu. A man frees himself, and an enslaved dragon, from the service of his abusive uncle.
My blog
April 2, 2023
Africa Risen is a collection of short stories inspired by african myths and legends. Every story falls into the speculative fiction genre, so either sci-fi, fantasy, or horror. Overall, the stories get very repetitive and start to blend together. There are a couple that really stood out to me as fantastic, and I am very excited to look into those authors more, but I think the editor should have narrowed down this work. Clocking in at 32 short stories, that's too much for an anthology.
Here are my ratings for each individual story. You'll notice I few times I wrote "narrator" instead of a rating. I listened to the audio for this book, and there were about 5-6 narrators telling these stories. I started to realize there was one narrator that I hated so much, that any time they read a story I instantly skipped those. So I marked them that way to show I didn't even give the story an honest shot.
The Blue House - 2
March Magic - 2
IRL - 3.5 (TOTALLY WORTH IT!)
The Deification of Igodo - 3
Mami Wataworks - 4 (FAVORITE!)
Rear Mirror - 2
Door Crashers - 1
The Soul Would Have No Rainbow - DNF
A Dream of Electric Mothers - DNF
Simbi - 1
Housewarming for a Lion Goddess - DNF
A Knight in Tunisia - 2.5
The Devil Is Us - DNF
Cloud Mine - 1
Ruler of the Rear Guard - 2
Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition) - DNF
The Sugar Mill - 2.5
The Carving of War - 2
Ghost Ship - 3
Liquid Twilight - 2.5
Once Upon a Time in 1967 - DNF
A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner - 3
The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library - Narrator
When the Mami Wata Met a Demon - Narrator
The Papermakers - 2
A Soul of Small Places - 3
Air to Shape Lungs - 3
Hanfo Driver - Narrator
Exiles of Witchery - 2
The Taloned Beast - Narrator
Star Watchers - Narrator
Biscuit and Milk - DNF
Here are my ratings for each individual story. You'll notice I few times I wrote "narrator" instead of a rating. I listened to the audio for this book, and there were about 5-6 narrators telling these stories. I started to realize there was one narrator that I hated so much, that any time they read a story I instantly skipped those. So I marked them that way to show I didn't even give the story an honest shot.
The Blue House - 2
March Magic - 2
IRL - 3.5 (TOTALLY WORTH IT!)
The Deification of Igodo - 3
Mami Wataworks - 4 (FAVORITE!)
Rear Mirror - 2
Door Crashers - 1
The Soul Would Have No Rainbow - DNF
A Dream of Electric Mothers - DNF
Simbi - 1
Housewarming for a Lion Goddess - DNF
A Knight in Tunisia - 2.5
The Devil Is Us - DNF
Cloud Mine - 1
Ruler of the Rear Guard - 2
Peeling Time (Deluxe Edition) - DNF
The Sugar Mill - 2.5
The Carving of War - 2
Ghost Ship - 3
Liquid Twilight - 2.5
Once Upon a Time in 1967 - DNF
A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner - 3
The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library - Narrator
When the Mami Wata Met a Demon - Narrator
The Papermakers - 2
A Soul of Small Places - 3
Air to Shape Lungs - 3
Hanfo Driver - Narrator
Exiles of Witchery - 2
The Taloned Beast - Narrator
Star Watchers - Narrator
Biscuit and Milk - DNF
October 21, 2022
This anthology was a mixed bag. There were some stories I really liked, some that were okay, some that bothered me, and a couple that I couldn't bear to read.
The highlights of the anthology for me were:
"The Blue House" - A sci-fi story about what it is to be human
"The Deification of Igodo" - This felt like an old legend or fable
"A Dream of Electric Mothers" - Probably my favorite, this sci-fi felt true to African culture and values, and it was beautiful
"Ghost Ship" - Very atmospheric and creepy
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" - This one was so fun with its threatening librarian who can't be escaped in her pursuit of an overdue book
"When the Mami Wata Met a Demon" - A lovely story of a child working together with a deity to save their mother's life
Now for the reason why this anthology got such a low rating from me...
Content warning:
A good deal of the second half of this anthology contained stories that either featured rape as the central theme or as an unnecessary addition. "Peeling Time" was the first and the most alarming. It was so graphic and twisted that I couldn't read the whole thing. "A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner" was the second most upsetting in its subject matter, in my opinion. I barely made it through that one. Reading about this topic over and over was really demoralizing.
So, I can only recommend reading a portion of this book, unfortunately. Those darker stories soured my overall experience.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
The highlights of the anthology for me were:
"The Blue House" - A sci-fi story about what it is to be human
"The Deification of Igodo" - This felt like an old legend or fable
"A Dream of Electric Mothers" - Probably my favorite, this sci-fi felt true to African culture and values, and it was beautiful
"Ghost Ship" - Very atmospheric and creepy
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" - This one was so fun with its threatening librarian who can't be escaped in her pursuit of an overdue book
"When the Mami Wata Met a Demon" - A lovely story of a child working together with a deity to save their mother's life
Now for the reason why this anthology got such a low rating from me...
Content warning:
A good deal of the second half of this anthology contained stories that either featured rape as the central theme or as an unnecessary addition. "Peeling Time" was the first and the most alarming. It was so graphic and twisted that I couldn't read the whole thing. "A Girl Crawls in a Dark Corner" was the second most upsetting in its subject matter, in my opinion. I barely made it through that one. Reading about this topic over and over was really demoralizing.
So, I can only recommend reading a portion of this book, unfortunately. Those darker stories soured my overall experience.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2023
I've been living for Tor.com's recent push into short story anthologies from underrepresented groups in SFF and Africa Risen is such a fantastic addition. Africa Risen is a short story anthology featuring African and African Diaspora authors with stories that span the range of SFF. Everything from high fantasy to contemporary SFF to horror to speculative sci-fi, there's a little bit of everything in this collection. What I love about these types of collections is that readers with little to no familiarity with the African literary scene get a broad curated exposure to a whole host of new authors to look into and a glimpse into the SFF genre of a different culture and perspective. And this is a big collection, so we get a ton of stories. My personal favorites from this collection were "Exiles of Witchery" by Ivana Akotowaa Ofori, "The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran, and "When the Mami Wata Met a Demon" by Moustapha Mbacké Diop. Overall, I rate this book a 4.5/5.
January 8, 2023
Rating: 3.5 stars
As with most anthologies, not all the stories worked for me.
However, I think this collection has a lot of interesting themes and some stories easily justify the price of admission.
They might not be the same stories for everyone so you should check it out and find out for yourself.
This truly was a collection of speculative fiction, because it had stories across the spec-fic genres, sci-fi, fantasy and horror were all included.
As with most anthologies, not all the stories worked for me.
However, I think this collection has a lot of interesting themes and some stories easily justify the price of admission.
They might not be the same stories for everyone so you should check it out and find out for yourself.
This truly was a collection of speculative fiction, because it had stories across the spec-fic genres, sci-fi, fantasy and horror were all included.
November 21, 2022
I really loved this collection! While every single story wasn't a favorite, the collection overall is fantastic. I love the African inspiration and the African Futurism explored throughout the stories. The stories were unique, and I loved the exploration of family, climate, mythology, change, and community. I highly recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor, and RB Media for providing an eARC and audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor, and RB Media for providing an eARC and audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 17, 2023
Eh. There is so much variation in quality of stories. I like the electric mother one best.
January 23, 2023
I love short stories... and there were a ton of awesome ones here. Not like anything else I've read. The stories varied, but most of them were excellent. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!
January 5, 2023
This big collection started out phenomenally, and I loved these stories:
-"The Blue House by Dilman Dila
-"March Magic" by WC Dunlap
-"IRL" by Steven Barnes
As I continued reading, I found my attention wandering, though I also liked these stories:
-"Mami Wataworks" by Russell Nichols
-"Read Mirror" by Nuzo Onoh
-"The Devil is Us" by Mirette Bahgat
-"Ruler of the Read Guard" by Maurice Broaddus
-"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran
-"The Blue House by Dilman Dila
-"March Magic" by WC Dunlap
-"IRL" by Steven Barnes
As I continued reading, I found my attention wandering, though I also liked these stories:
-"Mami Wataworks" by Russell Nichols
-"Read Mirror" by Nuzo Onoh
-"The Devil is Us" by Mirette Bahgat
-"Ruler of the Read Guard" by Maurice Broaddus
-"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran
October 8, 2022
A huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Africa Risen is an anthology collection of short sci-fi stories written by African authors. As with most anthologies, this brings a mixture of outstanding short stories that will leave a lasting impression on the reader, and some which are otherwise not as enjoyable or engaging.
I had great enjoyment with some of these titles and loved what it is they provided and told; stories such as IRL and a Dream of Electric Mothers were incredibly engaging, and gave a good twist and change on the sci-fi genre. There are also culturally rich stories such as the Soul Would Have no Rainbow and Mami Wataworks which were so interesting too.
However, as much as there were stories I really enjoyed, there were those I wasn’t so fond of. But, on the positive side of this, there is a good variety so there is sure to be something for any reader here.
I would say that it is definitely worth picking yourself up a copy of this novel when it goes on sale - it is so rare we get to see these types of stories get published, and it is important to showcase and share stories like those written by African authors. Plus, you get to see more unique perspectives on science-fiction and ways in which it can challenge other important topics, which is always a good thing!
Africa Risen is an anthology collection of short sci-fi stories written by African authors. As with most anthologies, this brings a mixture of outstanding short stories that will leave a lasting impression on the reader, and some which are otherwise not as enjoyable or engaging.
I had great enjoyment with some of these titles and loved what it is they provided and told; stories such as IRL and a Dream of Electric Mothers were incredibly engaging, and gave a good twist and change on the sci-fi genre. There are also culturally rich stories such as the Soul Would Have no Rainbow and Mami Wataworks which were so interesting too.
However, as much as there were stories I really enjoyed, there were those I wasn’t so fond of. But, on the positive side of this, there is a good variety so there is sure to be something for any reader here.
I would say that it is definitely worth picking yourself up a copy of this novel when it goes on sale - it is so rare we get to see these types of stories get published, and it is important to showcase and share stories like those written by African authors. Plus, you get to see more unique perspectives on science-fiction and ways in which it can challenge other important topics, which is always a good thing!
November 26, 2022
In the last few years Speculative Fiction has quickly risen to the very near top, if not the top itself, of my favourite genres list. The great thing about this kind of "umbrella" genre is that it gets to include elements from many other genres, while solidly founded in the un-real, or rather, in the things not proven to exist or yet in existence. And so we get horror elements, a lot of fantasy and science fiction influences, and much more. There are also many brilliant authors working in Speculative Fiction and with this collection Thomas, Ekpeki, and Knight have introduced me to a whole new set. Thanks to Tordotcom and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Speculative Fiction, as I said, is a wonder. And so is the African continent. Everyone who has looked at a map of Africa knows the wide expanse of land, culture, and history it covers. Africa Risen practically sings with the many different voices it contains and while each voice sings its own tune, these stories nonetheless come together into a unified song. Various themes come to the fore in this collection, specifically concerns about climate, the searching of a home, the desire for connection with one's self and with the past, and the unlimited capacity of the human mind to wonder. Whether these stories take place in Morocco or Ghana or South-Africa, they are united by these very human themes. But no matter how united they are, each author brings a unique skill and way of writing to the table. Each story is infused with a specific culture, with particular details that rise above the idea of 'Africa' as a block. Yes, these stories are united, but they are also a sign of the diversity of this continent, of the way each element adds to the whole.
Africa Risen contains 32 stories, meaning this is quite a large collection. As such I can't really describe or discuss every single story. For a full list of the authors included, please scroll down. For now, I'll just describe some of my favourites and the ones that intrigued me most, so that you nonetheless get a taste of what Africa Risen has to offer. 'March Magic' by WC Dunlap was the story that made me fall in love with this collection. With her marsh and her people under threat, Mama rises again and calls to her her sisters from across the US. It is a story of diaspora, of sisterhood, of unity under pressure, and of violence. I loved the rhythmic urgency of it, the way it felt both deeply grounded and yet utterly fantastical. Another favourite was 'A Dream of Electric Mothers' by Wole Talabi, where an AI Mother, made up of everyone's memories becomes a source of potential wisdom. It was really touching and I loved the mix between culture and technology Talabi explored. 'Housewarming for a Lion Goddess' by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga is a beautiful mix of reality and mythology, of past trauma and present difficulty. It is very lyrical without departing from real life. 'A Knight in Tunisia' by Alex Jennings felt like a really different story, in the sense that it felt very modern and speculative. It is like an introspective take on the superhero narrative, set in Northern Africa.
In their introduction Thomas, Ekpeki, and Knight describe the growing recognition of African voices in the Speculative Fiction genre and state that '[t]his anthology is inspired by this exciting growth and celebrates African and Afrodiasporic writers and the many stories they have to share with the world.' What struck me most was the beautiful balance they achieve between African and Afrodiasporic writers, almost showing the way African storytelling and mythology have found roots all across the world. To a large extent this spread is due to the injustices and crime of slavery, but Africa Risen also shows how universally true these African stories are.
Authors Included:
Dilman Dila
WC Dunlap
Steven Barnes
Joshua Uchenna Omenga
Russell Nichols
Nuzo Onoh
Franka Seph
Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
Wole Talabi
Sandra Jackson-Opoku
Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga
Alex Jennings
Mirette Bahgat
Timi Odueso
Maurice Broaddus
Tlotlo Tsamaase
Tobias S. BUckell
Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi
Tananarive Due
Ytasha Womack
Oyedotun Damilola Muees
Alexis Brooks de Vita
Tobi Ogundiran
Moustapha Mbacke Diop
Akua Lezli Hope
Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo
Shingai Njeri Kagunda
Ada Nnadi
Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
Chinelo Onwualu
Danian Darrell Jerry
Dare Segun Falowo
While not every story in a collection can or will be a hit, Africa Risen is consistently refreshing, intriguing, surprising, and touching.
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...
Speculative Fiction, as I said, is a wonder. And so is the African continent. Everyone who has looked at a map of Africa knows the wide expanse of land, culture, and history it covers. Africa Risen practically sings with the many different voices it contains and while each voice sings its own tune, these stories nonetheless come together into a unified song. Various themes come to the fore in this collection, specifically concerns about climate, the searching of a home, the desire for connection with one's self and with the past, and the unlimited capacity of the human mind to wonder. Whether these stories take place in Morocco or Ghana or South-Africa, they are united by these very human themes. But no matter how united they are, each author brings a unique skill and way of writing to the table. Each story is infused with a specific culture, with particular details that rise above the idea of 'Africa' as a block. Yes, these stories are united, but they are also a sign of the diversity of this continent, of the way each element adds to the whole.
Africa Risen contains 32 stories, meaning this is quite a large collection. As such I can't really describe or discuss every single story. For a full list of the authors included, please scroll down. For now, I'll just describe some of my favourites and the ones that intrigued me most, so that you nonetheless get a taste of what Africa Risen has to offer. 'March Magic' by WC Dunlap was the story that made me fall in love with this collection. With her marsh and her people under threat, Mama rises again and calls to her her sisters from across the US. It is a story of diaspora, of sisterhood, of unity under pressure, and of violence. I loved the rhythmic urgency of it, the way it felt both deeply grounded and yet utterly fantastical. Another favourite was 'A Dream of Electric Mothers' by Wole Talabi, where an AI Mother, made up of everyone's memories becomes a source of potential wisdom. It was really touching and I loved the mix between culture and technology Talabi explored. 'Housewarming for a Lion Goddess' by Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga is a beautiful mix of reality and mythology, of past trauma and present difficulty. It is very lyrical without departing from real life. 'A Knight in Tunisia' by Alex Jennings felt like a really different story, in the sense that it felt very modern and speculative. It is like an introspective take on the superhero narrative, set in Northern Africa.
In their introduction Thomas, Ekpeki, and Knight describe the growing recognition of African voices in the Speculative Fiction genre and state that '[t]his anthology is inspired by this exciting growth and celebrates African and Afrodiasporic writers and the many stories they have to share with the world.' What struck me most was the beautiful balance they achieve between African and Afrodiasporic writers, almost showing the way African storytelling and mythology have found roots all across the world. To a large extent this spread is due to the injustices and crime of slavery, but Africa Risen also shows how universally true these African stories are.
Authors Included:
Dilman Dila
WC Dunlap
Steven Barnes
Joshua Uchenna Omenga
Russell Nichols
Nuzo Onoh
Franka Seph
Yvette Lisa Ndlovu
Wole Talabi
Sandra Jackson-Opoku
Aline-Mwezi Niyonsenga
Alex Jennings
Mirette Bahgat
Timi Odueso
Maurice Broaddus
Tlotlo Tsamaase
Tobias S. BUckell
Somto Ihezue Onyedikachi
Tananarive Due
Ytasha Womack
Oyedotun Damilola Muees
Alexis Brooks de Vita
Tobi Ogundiran
Moustapha Mbacke Diop
Akua Lezli Hope
Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo
Shingai Njeri Kagunda
Ada Nnadi
Ivana Akotowaa Ofori
Chinelo Onwualu
Danian Darrell Jerry
Dare Segun Falowo
While not every story in a collection can or will be a hit, Africa Risen is consistently refreshing, intriguing, surprising, and touching.
URL: https://universeinwords.blogspot.com/...
December 15, 2022
African ancestor worship blends seamlessly with advanced AI to deliver what Arthur C. Clarke would recognize as magic. “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
For the past two years, I’ve traveled to Malawi Africa on mission trips. I hope to return again next year. Each time I go, I fall more in love with the people, the culture, and the history. Each visit brings into stark contrast the opposing forces of tradition and progress, old beliefs and new faith. It is a fascinating place and people. Africa Risen showcases every dream of the continent through the shop front window of futurism.
The anthology delivers on the hard work of award-winning editorial team Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight. Thirty-two original stories showcase the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.
The collection follows in the footsteps of the pioneering Dark Matter anthology series. African science fiction and fantasy is celebrated with vibrancy and diversity, while demonstrating the reach and cultural impact of her talented writers.
Several of the tales stood out more than others. Topics covered by all thirty-two tales are vast. A small cross-section of those stories exhibits the wide variety and exceptional writing craft of the talented contributors.
"A Dream of Electric Mothers" by Wole Talabi welcomes readers like a brochure announcing the world fully delivered by Phillip K Dick in Minority Report. Hosting conversations with ghosts - real or electronic - will quicken the pulse of any reader, and leave them questioning the advice of the ancients. While the story had a rough opener, those who stick with the tale will enjoy a most satisfying twist.
"IRL" by Steven Barnes is reminiscent of Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash or Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk worlds. The line between virtual and reality blurs as threats to the protagonist get more stark. Readers are rewarded with complex character development, and exploration of a world just out of our current grasp. (* Keep trying Zuck.)
“Mami Wataworks” by Russell Nichols warns ‘keep your tears to yourselves’ and for good reason. The harsh, unforgiving, dystopia envelopes readers - gripping their parched throats as tight as the hold it has on the main character. The way through surprises and delights, but not before breaking hearts. The story sticks with you, forcing reflection. The implications of which could change our current society.
"March Magic" by W. C. Dunlap illustrates the arrival of African goddesses to the swamps and soils of the New World. The vivid depiction provides entry for old faiths trying to make a place for themselves in the midst of modern struggles. Readers will sense, and cheer on, the coming judgment of established prejudice. And if not, make readers as themselves why.
"Rear Mirror" by Nuzo Onoh is a wonderful, spooky, and exhilarating tale. Dealing with the dead is tricky business not for the faint of heart, weak of mind, or timid in spirit. And especially not for anyone unwilling or unable to follow the rules of engagement. The wrestling match between faith and religion is evident without being heavy-handed. The experience delivers a satisfying full-bodied story for the characters and readers alike.
For the past two years, I’ve traveled to Malawi Africa on mission trips. I hope to return again next year. Each time I go, I fall more in love with the people, the culture, and the history. Each visit brings into stark contrast the opposing forces of tradition and progress, old beliefs and new faith. It is a fascinating place and people. Africa Risen showcases every dream of the continent through the shop front window of futurism.
The anthology delivers on the hard work of award-winning editorial team Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight. Thirty-two original stories showcase the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.
The collection follows in the footsteps of the pioneering Dark Matter anthology series. African science fiction and fantasy is celebrated with vibrancy and diversity, while demonstrating the reach and cultural impact of her talented writers.
Several of the tales stood out more than others. Topics covered by all thirty-two tales are vast. A small cross-section of those stories exhibits the wide variety and exceptional writing craft of the talented contributors.
"A Dream of Electric Mothers" by Wole Talabi welcomes readers like a brochure announcing the world fully delivered by Phillip K Dick in Minority Report. Hosting conversations with ghosts - real or electronic - will quicken the pulse of any reader, and leave them questioning the advice of the ancients. While the story had a rough opener, those who stick with the tale will enjoy a most satisfying twist.
"IRL" by Steven Barnes is reminiscent of Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash or Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk worlds. The line between virtual and reality blurs as threats to the protagonist get more stark. Readers are rewarded with complex character development, and exploration of a world just out of our current grasp. (* Keep trying Zuck.)
“Mami Wataworks” by Russell Nichols warns ‘keep your tears to yourselves’ and for good reason. The harsh, unforgiving, dystopia envelopes readers - gripping their parched throats as tight as the hold it has on the main character. The way through surprises and delights, but not before breaking hearts. The story sticks with you, forcing reflection. The implications of which could change our current society.
"March Magic" by W. C. Dunlap illustrates the arrival of African goddesses to the swamps and soils of the New World. The vivid depiction provides entry for old faiths trying to make a place for themselves in the midst of modern struggles. Readers will sense, and cheer on, the coming judgment of established prejudice. And if not, make readers as themselves why.
"Rear Mirror" by Nuzo Onoh is a wonderful, spooky, and exhilarating tale. Dealing with the dead is tricky business not for the faint of heart, weak of mind, or timid in spirit. And especially not for anyone unwilling or unable to follow the rules of engagement. The wrestling match between faith and religion is evident without being heavy-handed. The experience delivers a satisfying full-bodied story for the characters and readers alike.
February 28, 2023
Anthologies are pretty difficult to review in general, this one especially so. Ultimately, I think it's definitely worth your time.
The editors of Africa Risen had a very interesting question to answer with this collection: what should a collection of African speculative fiction look like? Should it prioritize a familiar short story trope or structure but with clear African influence? Should it dive headfirst into African folklore? Should it make no apologies and read like something true to African storytelling?
The simple answer is that it should feature a ton of talented African writers doing a wide variety of things. This is a meaty anthology and variety is a major strong suit. There is likely something for everyone. But I think one of the reasons you buy a ticket to this anthology is to immerse yourself in something unfamiliar.
Reviewing an anthology of this size also presents the interesting challenge of bang-for-buck vs quality of time invested. The number of good stories within is comparable with a decent short story collection of a normal size. Does that make the field of other stories just gravy? Especially if things are so varied.
To me, a lot of these stories were weak. Sad to say it approaches a majority, particularly in the back half which was much weaker than the first few stories. I've read some other reviews that appear to bounce off some of the stories steeped in African folklore, but I just think a lot of the stories lack a compelling emotional hook, and a surprising amount of plots devote a lot of time to needless things.
There are definitely some good stories in here. Wole Talabi's "I Dream of Electric Mothers" was the standout, and I wish more of the stories had centered around that mesh point of African culture with a sci fi premise. Some other standouts include "The Blue House", "Housewarming for a Lion Goddess", "A Knight in Tunisia", "Ruler of the Rear Guard", and "The Sugar Mill".
It's worth it to read up on a POV that isn't expressed much in mainstream SF. I am more enriched for having read this collection and have a handful of fun new writers to follow.
The editors of Africa Risen had a very interesting question to answer with this collection: what should a collection of African speculative fiction look like? Should it prioritize a familiar short story trope or structure but with clear African influence? Should it dive headfirst into African folklore? Should it make no apologies and read like something true to African storytelling?
The simple answer is that it should feature a ton of talented African writers doing a wide variety of things. This is a meaty anthology and variety is a major strong suit. There is likely something for everyone. But I think one of the reasons you buy a ticket to this anthology is to immerse yourself in something unfamiliar.
Reviewing an anthology of this size also presents the interesting challenge of bang-for-buck vs quality of time invested. The number of good stories within is comparable with a decent short story collection of a normal size. Does that make the field of other stories just gravy? Especially if things are so varied.
To me, a lot of these stories were weak. Sad to say it approaches a majority, particularly in the back half which was much weaker than the first few stories. I've read some other reviews that appear to bounce off some of the stories steeped in African folklore, but I just think a lot of the stories lack a compelling emotional hook, and a surprising amount of plots devote a lot of time to needless things.
There are definitely some good stories in here. Wole Talabi's "I Dream of Electric Mothers" was the standout, and I wish more of the stories had centered around that mesh point of African culture with a sci fi premise. Some other standouts include "The Blue House", "Housewarming for a Lion Goddess", "A Knight in Tunisia", "Ruler of the Rear Guard", and "The Sugar Mill".
It's worth it to read up on a POV that isn't expressed much in mainstream SF. I am more enriched for having read this collection and have a handful of fun new writers to follow.
November 18, 2022
Thank you to Natgellay and RB Media for providing me an audioARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Quality of the book: 4.25*
Personal enjoyment: 3.5* (but only because of the format combination. I'm currently very burned out on shortstories and the audiobook format doesn't help as it doesn't automatically stop after a story (which would give me time to reflect on what I just consumed) but instead carries on with the next story. If it weren't for the different narrators I would have had a hard time noticing one story ending and the next one starting (more because of the time I read this and my general state of mind atm. than the book itself).
That said, it was an interesting ride filled with fascinating ideas and visions. I'm happy to see a little more African inspired Sci Fi and Fantasy being published and promoted.
For me personally, this wasn't my first foray into African Futurism, but it was my first time reading a short story anthology written solely by African authors and authors of the African diaspora.
In my opinion, the collection was very well edited and broad together as it fulfills what it promises to be in the synopsis. While each story had its own ideas and specialties, there were also elements binding the many stories into ine whole, such as family, community, climate change, mythology and technical advancements.
It's an anthology I truly see as one combined piece of literature rather than many small ones.
I think I'll pick up a physical copy some day and reread some of the stories when I feel more like reading short stories.
Quality of the book: 4.25*
Personal enjoyment: 3.5* (but only because of the format combination. I'm currently very burned out on shortstories and the audiobook format doesn't help as it doesn't automatically stop after a story (which would give me time to reflect on what I just consumed) but instead carries on with the next story. If it weren't for the different narrators I would have had a hard time noticing one story ending and the next one starting (more because of the time I read this and my general state of mind atm. than the book itself).
That said, it was an interesting ride filled with fascinating ideas and visions. I'm happy to see a little more African inspired Sci Fi and Fantasy being published and promoted.
For me personally, this wasn't my first foray into African Futurism, but it was my first time reading a short story anthology written solely by African authors and authors of the African diaspora.
In my opinion, the collection was very well edited and broad together as it fulfills what it promises to be in the synopsis. While each story had its own ideas and specialties, there were also elements binding the many stories into ine whole, such as family, community, climate change, mythology and technical advancements.
It's an anthology I truly see as one combined piece of literature rather than many small ones.
I think I'll pick up a physical copy some day and reread some of the stories when I feel more like reading short stories.
November 2, 2022
I have been excited for this title for a long time and it's fantastic. I'm not sure I can do it justice. This is another seminal work that continues to stress the importance of writers of African descent as with "Dark Matter" also edited by Thomas, and anthologies like "Mojo: Conjure Stories" edited by the phenomenal Nalo Hopkinson.
One of my favourites from this anthology was "March Magic" by WC Dunlap. It started off with swamp waters and old witch bones, and I was hooked pretty much just from that. The Southern Gothic and richness of Dunlap's prose as well as the raw emotion and uniqueness are fantastic on here in full display. Every sentence is a work of art. When even more witches showed up in the story, I was enthralled. Set with the foreground of the Civil Rights movement in the early 1960s, the monsters, both human and supernatural, converged in this tale with plenty of tension. My only regret was that when it ended, I wished for so much more. I hope that Dunlap receives award recognition and wins for this triumphant tale.
Steven Barnes introduces readers to a man called Shango, named for the powerful orisha spirit. Although "Irl," abbreviated for 'in real life,' is about as afrofuturist as stories come, it is so much more than that. It deals with gaming-obsessed teens, of virtual reality, of strained relations between father and son, as well as parallels between the pandemic and the 'Spider' pathogen of the story.
In 'the Deification of Igodo' by Joshua Uchenna Omenga, readers learn more about the land of Igodomigodo and get wrapped up in violence as well as war. Someone comes along to test Igodo's godhood or to strip him of it. There are calls to Eshu Elegbara, another powerful orisha spirit of the Yoruba people, sometimes identified with Papa Legba in Haitian Vodou. In this story, Eshu Elegbara is the maker of gods. Igodo runs into some difficulties, and the story ends on an interesting note.
Nuzo Onoh, one of the foremost African writers of speculative fiction, presents "Rear Mirror." It starts off with folks who have to deal with the dead. One of the members of the group isn't so sure that he can continue. Some of his people are afraid that he might bring the curse of the dead back with him and will kick him out of their group if he doesn't leave his post. The story takes on an interesting spin with Christianity, burial, and ancestors.
Other notable tales include those from Yvette Lisa Ndlovu with "the Soul Would Have No Rainbow," which starts with the funeral of the protagonist Langa's grandmother, or Gogo. The protagonist finds grandmother's cookbook and takes it. To say that recipes are not exactly what the protagonist finds would be an understatement. There's a link to the praying mantis that I don't want to spoil, and it was very interesting to read about. The history of Zimbabwe is integral to this tale, including its history when it was formerly known as Rhodesia, of 'pass booklets' and other legacies of colonization. It's also suffused with rich mythology and family secrets.
One of my favourite writers, Alex Jennings, presents "A Knight in Tunisia," which had a very interesting X-men bent to it. The protagonist, John, is not originally from Earth, but has been back for several years. Things still don't make sense to him here, like time. He has to do things like report to a group at an institution which is less than benign. I wish they would make this story into a film or television show; it's so dynamic and interesting, full of tension and pulse-pounding action, as well as a ton of heart.
Another of my favourite stories was from Maurice Broaddus, called "Ruler of the Rear Guard." It's not for the faint of heart and deals with sensitive subject matter, including a dungeon of enslaved people at the start of the story. Broaddus writes here of Ghana, of drones, and the Castela de Sao Jorge da Mina, later called Elmina Castle. While here, the protagonist, Sylvonne, reflects about the horrors of Living While Black in America, which prompted her to seek out something new. There's an organization, PACC, which invited a return of the African diaspora to Ghana in 2019, marking the anniversary of the Dutch ship White Lion arriving in Jamestown (what would become Virginia in the United States) and the beginning of one of the names for transatlantic slavery, Maafa, or holocaust. But in the story, it doesn't quite go as envisioned, and Sylvonne faces tests to 'prove' her blackness, for lack of a better term. Like Steven Barnes's story, there are strong currents of afrofuturism here but many more layers, as well.
Tananarive Due marks her entry with "Ghost Ship," in which the protagonist, Florida, has been sent on "a re-creation of her long-ago ancestors' Middle Passage" which turns out to be far more. Next, Ytasha Womack presents "Liquid Twilight" in which ghosts are real and waters demand answers. Folklore and passed down family stories are also strong elements in this story.
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran starts off with a notice to a patron that a book they borrowed is one day overdue and that failure to return the book immediately "will result in dire consequences." He originally checked out the book not because he wanted to but because the older librarian where he came to sell rotary phones had insisted on it. Now faced with a younger librarian, the protagonist does his best to try to explain how the book has gone missing and he doesn't seem to remember where he placed it last. Things get creepier and worse until the crescendo of an ending. Definitely one of the best stories of the anthology.
Some stories are quite short, while others are a bit longer, which I felt lent a good balance to the reading experience. While some of the tales focused on mythology and fantasy, others went into science fiction territory, so there is plenty for readers of different tastes to enjoy.
In "Africa Risen," readers experience landscapes most have never heard of with stories of people who are endlessly fascinating and unique, of different religions and beliefs, of super powers, grief, family secrets, and so much more.
One of my favourites from this anthology was "March Magic" by WC Dunlap. It started off with swamp waters and old witch bones, and I was hooked pretty much just from that. The Southern Gothic and richness of Dunlap's prose as well as the raw emotion and uniqueness are fantastic on here in full display. Every sentence is a work of art. When even more witches showed up in the story, I was enthralled. Set with the foreground of the Civil Rights movement in the early 1960s, the monsters, both human and supernatural, converged in this tale with plenty of tension. My only regret was that when it ended, I wished for so much more. I hope that Dunlap receives award recognition and wins for this triumphant tale.
Steven Barnes introduces readers to a man called Shango, named for the powerful orisha spirit. Although "Irl," abbreviated for 'in real life,' is about as afrofuturist as stories come, it is so much more than that. It deals with gaming-obsessed teens, of virtual reality, of strained relations between father and son, as well as parallels between the pandemic and the 'Spider' pathogen of the story.
In 'the Deification of Igodo' by Joshua Uchenna Omenga, readers learn more about the land of Igodomigodo and get wrapped up in violence as well as war. Someone comes along to test Igodo's godhood or to strip him of it. There are calls to Eshu Elegbara, another powerful orisha spirit of the Yoruba people, sometimes identified with Papa Legba in Haitian Vodou. In this story, Eshu Elegbara is the maker of gods. Igodo runs into some difficulties, and the story ends on an interesting note.
Nuzo Onoh, one of the foremost African writers of speculative fiction, presents "Rear Mirror." It starts off with folks who have to deal with the dead. One of the members of the group isn't so sure that he can continue. Some of his people are afraid that he might bring the curse of the dead back with him and will kick him out of their group if he doesn't leave his post. The story takes on an interesting spin with Christianity, burial, and ancestors.
Other notable tales include those from Yvette Lisa Ndlovu with "the Soul Would Have No Rainbow," which starts with the funeral of the protagonist Langa's grandmother, or Gogo. The protagonist finds grandmother's cookbook and takes it. To say that recipes are not exactly what the protagonist finds would be an understatement. There's a link to the praying mantis that I don't want to spoil, and it was very interesting to read about. The history of Zimbabwe is integral to this tale, including its history when it was formerly known as Rhodesia, of 'pass booklets' and other legacies of colonization. It's also suffused with rich mythology and family secrets.
One of my favourite writers, Alex Jennings, presents "A Knight in Tunisia," which had a very interesting X-men bent to it. The protagonist, John, is not originally from Earth, but has been back for several years. Things still don't make sense to him here, like time. He has to do things like report to a group at an institution which is less than benign. I wish they would make this story into a film or television show; it's so dynamic and interesting, full of tension and pulse-pounding action, as well as a ton of heart.
Another of my favourite stories was from Maurice Broaddus, called "Ruler of the Rear Guard." It's not for the faint of heart and deals with sensitive subject matter, including a dungeon of enslaved people at the start of the story. Broaddus writes here of Ghana, of drones, and the Castela de Sao Jorge da Mina, later called Elmina Castle. While here, the protagonist, Sylvonne, reflects about the horrors of Living While Black in America, which prompted her to seek out something new. There's an organization, PACC, which invited a return of the African diaspora to Ghana in 2019, marking the anniversary of the Dutch ship White Lion arriving in Jamestown (what would become Virginia in the United States) and the beginning of one of the names for transatlantic slavery, Maafa, or holocaust. But in the story, it doesn't quite go as envisioned, and Sylvonne faces tests to 'prove' her blackness, for lack of a better term. Like Steven Barnes's story, there are strong currents of afrofuturism here but many more layers, as well.
Tananarive Due marks her entry with "Ghost Ship," in which the protagonist, Florida, has been sent on "a re-creation of her long-ago ancestors' Middle Passage" which turns out to be far more. Next, Ytasha Womack presents "Liquid Twilight" in which ghosts are real and waters demand answers. Folklore and passed down family stories are also strong elements in this story.
"The Lady of the Yellow-Painted Library" by Tobi Ogundiran starts off with a notice to a patron that a book they borrowed is one day overdue and that failure to return the book immediately "will result in dire consequences." He originally checked out the book not because he wanted to but because the older librarian where he came to sell rotary phones had insisted on it. Now faced with a younger librarian, the protagonist does his best to try to explain how the book has gone missing and he doesn't seem to remember where he placed it last. Things get creepier and worse until the crescendo of an ending. Definitely one of the best stories of the anthology.
Some stories are quite short, while others are a bit longer, which I felt lent a good balance to the reading experience. While some of the tales focused on mythology and fantasy, others went into science fiction territory, so there is plenty for readers of different tastes to enjoy.
In "Africa Risen," readers experience landscapes most have never heard of with stories of people who are endlessly fascinating and unique, of different religions and beliefs, of super powers, grief, family secrets, and so much more.
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