Nigerian author Akwaeke Emezi announces a new book titled Sọmadịna, a West African YA dark fantasy, set to be published by Underlined Press on April 15, 2025. Known for their genre-spanning work, Emezi returns with a work that combines the supernatural with elements of Igbo tradition and the Biafran War.

Emezi is a prolific writer. Sọmadịna is their ninth book, following Little Rot, released earlier in 2024. Sọmadịna is a “village girl fantasy.” It tells the story of a young girl who must save her missing twin while coming to grips with terrifying new powers. See full synopsis below:

Somadina and her twin brother, Jayaike, are practically the same person: they finish each other’s sentences and make each other whole. When the twins come of age, their magical gifts begin to develop, but while Jayaike’s powers enchant, Somadina’s cause fear to ripple through her town.

Always an outsider, Somadina now faces blatant–and dangerous–hostility. And things go from bad to worse when her brother—the one person she trusted—vanishes. Somadina knows that no matter the dangers, she must track him down. Even if it means entering the Sacred Forest.  Even if it means grueling, otherworldly travel she may not survive.  Even if it means finding the hidden places where those closest to the spirit world don’t dare to go. Does Somadina have the strength –within both her body and her soul — for the trying journey ahead?

The novel is set in a world inspired by precolonial Igboland and filled with spiritual lore, deities, and dịbịas (indigenous healers), drawing readers close to the spirit world. Emezi’s Instagram announcement hints at themes of reindigenization and liberation: “I believe with my whole being that reindigenization is fundamental to liberation, and so i’m glad to offer up this village girl fantasy,” they write in the Instagram caption.

The stunning cover art by Paul Davey captures the intense, mystical feel of Sọmadịna’s journey. The novel promises to take up issue of identity, family, and the supernatural. Going by other works by Emezi like Freshwater and PET, we should expect immersive world-building where spirituality and fantasy intersect.

As Emezi shared on Instagram, this book stands as part of a “clear” creative vision of crafting stories that honor Igbo culture and community resilience.

As anticipation builds for the book’s arrival, fans of Emezi’s work can begin to request Sọmadịna from local libraries, preorder it from independent bookstores, of simply follow this link.

 

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Emezi’s photo by Akwaeke Emezi via akwaeke.com