You know when you're asked a question that you've known the answer to all your life but at that moment, you forget everything related to that topic in particular, that exactly was what happened to me when I came across the #mondaybookprompt. I've read so many good books but most of them were chosen of my own volition or I went into them with the regular open mind. But you know, as you can't predict what happens in life, it's the same for some books.
Sometime around the beginning of this year, I came across a reel hyping this book I'm about to review but I swiped immediately because it was seeming so cringe. Anyways, about two months ago, one of my trusted persons recommended this book to me. I was reluctant to read it, thanks to the cringe line from the reel but when I finally got to do so, I entered it with a biased mind. I'd be lying if I said I didn't go into it, hoping to encounter flaws.
Well, I did and I was blown away. Positively. A masterpiece it was. And dear reader, this book I'm talking about is Amber Fire by Aminat Sanni-kamal.
The book follows Toyin, a young girl living in the city of Lagos. When her long-term boyfriend requests that she gives up her dream to become his wife, she refuses and invokes the wrath of Sango, the Nigerian god of thunder, on him. Meanwhile, in the city of the gods (Ilu-orisa), Sango is seeking to find a human who truly loves him otherwise he'll lose his rightful position as a god. Will a woman who just got her heartbroken fall in love again so quickly? And not only fall in love. Will she accept him as a deity?
From the first line, I was drawn into the beauty which is this book. Aminat's narration skill was very effective. It is one where you didn't need to think or imagine too hard to visualize the scenes. I loved how descriptive the narrative was. And for a beautiful world like theirs, the narration made it even more fascinating.
The plot. I love love loved the plot. If there's a genre I haven't really liked the books I've been reading on it, it is the Nigerian romance genre. I haven't read any that I found satisfying till I came across Amber Fire. Not only is it your regular romance, it is a romantasy. A Nigerian romantasy?!!! I haven't been so awed in a while by a romantasy book but with this one, it had me on chokehold for the time I spent reading.
There's also the characters. When I read, I'm not usually a fan of the main or leading characters. But Toyin? She was amazing. Her reactions, her behaviors were very realistic and understandable. I liked that the author didn't make her appear overly dramatic or outright stupid which would have been easy where a plot like this was concerned. From her actions to her thought process, she was smart. I wouldn't fan over Sango here but I'll let you, my dear reader know that he is everything you think he'll be and more. There's also Gbonka, Sango's aide. He was hilarious and cool. A very cool and sweet character I couldn't help falling in love with. His sense of humour was unmatched as well.
The author also didn't fail where the back stories were concerned. Each character had befitting back stories, that gave the story a better and easier flow. No loopholes. Just backstories that fit completely. This book hit so close to home where I was concerned. There's nothing like seeing an author create a new world entirely relating to the myths and traditional stories you grew up listening to. Aminat really outdid herself where this book is concerned. And to think this is her debut book? Amazing!
Remember I said at the beginning of this review that I read this book, looking for flaws. Well, I found none. And it was shocking. The book progressed at the same pace with which it started. The standard was the same from the very beginning to the very end. Probably there were flaws that I failed to notice because of how engrossed I was in the plot but I didn't find anything in it unsatisfying.
I'll rate this book a 9.7/10. I think this is my best read for the year as far as I've come. I can't wait to explore more of this author's work to see if there are other masterpieces to her name just like this. One of my top recommendations for romance and fantasy enthusiasts.
Thanks for reading
Images are screenshots from my e-library