Nnamdi is facing his worst nightmare. His mother is sobbing and the room is full. It is the day of his father’s funeral. Nnamdi’s dad was the Chief of Police of their Nigerian town called Kalaria. He had worked hard at fighting the corruption and crime that swirled through the town. Now someone has taken their revenge, shot and killed him.

What’s even worse is the arrival of the very criminals that he fought hard to bring down. They walk into the funeral as if they belong there, and no one stands to stop them. Nnamdi feels so powerless at only 12.

A year later, and the shame and pain has only dulled a little. The locals put on an anniversary party for his mum and many attend. All Nnamdi feels is anger, and he slips outside into his father’s neglected garden.

At the sight of a moving shadow on their compound, Nnamdi’s grief sends him after it. He is shocked to discover who it belongs to, but is left with a small talisman in the shape of a horned man – an Ikenga.

This Ikenga has been given to him for a reason and Nnamdi soon discovers he has superpowers. His hearing stretches across blocks, and his strength is like his favourite comic book hero, The Incredible Hulk. He doesn’t turn green, but he does turn, and struggles to control it.

His indecision to use his powers for good gnaws at him, as he has seriously hurt criminals as he captures them. But he knows he has a job to do and must do the right thing.

Reading a story based in modern Nigeria is new for me. I enjoyed learning about the Nigerian culture alongside daily life of a boy struggling to hide his inner super hero. It doesn’t come easy and Nnamdi makes mistakes along the way.

The urge to sweep through his town and hurt all those that hurt him is strong, but he digs deep and learns much about those he thinks have wronged him. It’s as much a story about growing up and making your own choices as a superhero tale.

Superhero fans will enjoy this one, just as I did. 

Author – Nnedi Okorafor

Age – 9+

(2020, Action, Conflict, Courage, Crime, Family, Fantasy, Friendship, Ghost, Greed, Grief, Murder, Mystery, Revenge, Secret, Nigeria, Superhero, Incredible Hulk, Father, Dad, Control)