The writing is easy to follow, the pace was good, and it feels accessible for audiences. I stopped after chapter 1 (4%), but I’d imagine this will be a solid three to four stars with five for the right reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

3.5. This was really interesting. I liked the worldbuilding and thought the writing was pretty solid. I felt like it dragged a bit in places.

"Masquerade" by O.O. Sangoyomi is set in a reimagined 15th century West Africa and weaves a dazzling and lyrical tale exploring the true cost of one woman's fight for freedom and self-discovery. The story is set in Timbuktu, which has been conquered by the warrior king of Yorùbáland. Òdòdó, belonging to a blacksmith guild, faces worsening living conditions under the rule of Yorùbá.

Unexpectedly abducted, Òdòdó finds that her kidnapper is the warrior king himself, who had previously visited her guild in disguise. Now, swathed in riches, he claims Òdòdó as his wife and takes her to the capital city of Ṣàngótẹ̀. Òdòdó, who had experienced a lifetime of subjugation, suddenly rises to the heights of society. However, the power dynamics and political intrigue of this world become too tempting to resist.

As tensions rise with rival states, Òdòdó must navigate a world of battle and political savvy, defying the cruel king she was forced to wed. The story draws inspiration from the myth of Persephone and promises a journey of epic power struggles and political intrigue, turning an entire region on its head. "Masquerade" offers readers a richly imagined historical fiction narrative with themes of freedom, power, and self-discovery.