This book is a standout debut that deserves attention! Masquerade blends African-inspired political fantasy with elements of the Hades and Persephone myth, focusing on a woman kidnapped by a warrior king who wants her as his bride. It's not your typical romance but a story of reclaiming agency and navigating power dynamics with gritty realism. Despite its low-magic setting, the narrative explores themes of strength and independence among women. I highly recommend it—plus, the audio narration is superb!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for an advanced audiobook!

I wasn't sure what to expect, but everything pulled together at the end. Òdòdó frustrated me in the beginning due to her naïvety, but she grew from that and firmly settled into her rage. Àrémó claimed to love her, but it wasn't healthy or true, especially since he had her kidnapped to become his bride. The story had a slow but consistent pacing. I am not familiar with Persephone's story, but this lack of knowledge did not hinder my understanding and enjoyment.

Content warnings: murder, violence, kidnapping, animal death, confinement, rape (minor, past), sexual assault (minor), toxic relationship, gaslighting, slavery (not MC), forced sterilization

This was a ride! I don't know where I expected this story to go but in the end, I was shocked, cheering, and just happy to be where we ended up! It was so many ups and downs starting with Òdòdó's kidnapping... by a handsome king. Well how am I supposed to feel about this? I'm kinda here for it. LOL. This is only the mere beginning of our flower's tumultuous journey. I didn't know who she could trust. (Spoiler Alert: No One!) And after a certain point, what really matters? I must say I thoroughly enjoyed all of the twists and turns in this ancient mythological tale!

I don't think I've ever listened to an audiobook performance from Ariel Blake but I think her voice was perfect for this story.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

An incredible debut! Masquerade is a vibrant historical fantasy with roots in pre-colonial West Africa. This story is action-packed and filled with political intrigue. I loved speculative insight into the tangled web of power, love, and freedom.

I listened to this on audio. Thank you @macmillian.audio for the gifted ALC!

Ariel Blake’s narration is bewitching. I was completely enthralled by her storytelling.

I loved it so much that I had to grab a physical copy for my shelf. 😍 This cover is absolutely gorgeous too!
My rating: 4.5⭐️

What to expect:
Political intrigue
Corruption
Folklore and mythology
Love vs. possession
Strong FMC

I truly do not have enough good things to say about this book. Ododo is one of the most beautiful complicated and intricately developed characters and her determination to be the master of her fate kept me hooked from the very first chapter.

This was amazing. I love the cover and I love the story even more. It was beautifully crafted and written. This is making it to my top books of the year . And for a Debut that is nothing short of amazing . I have no complaints. Everything about this was perfection. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Masquerade was a Macmillan audio pick, and I was so excited to read a historical fiction set in West Africa! This book had me so surprised at every turn. I did not know what to expect from Òdòdó, but immediately was taken with her drive to survive. Watching her grow a thirst for power and freedom was like a villain-era story, but there is nothing villainous about a woman’s quest for autonomy! Òdòdó begins with the expected naivety of a girl who has been sheltered by her elders, but her natural intelligence is fed by her experiences, and she grows to outwit those who would keep her down or harm her. She has become a favorite FMC of mine; I would love to know what she is doing after the events of the book!

It was interesting to watch Òdòdó fall for a man who loves her but was so clearly sexist and power-hungry. Every aspect of her relationship with Àrẹ̀mọ had me on my toes; I never knew if things would get darker or lighter between them. Meanwhile, Òdòdó’s relationships with other characters, like Rótìmí, Kọ̀lọ̀, and Ọmóṣẹwà, were so fascinatingly nuanced, and I found it exemplary writing when Òdòdó would have “silent conversations” with such characters; Sangoyomi’s ability to write interactions between characters that had little to no dialogue and consisted mostly of body language is truly a skill of great talent!

In the end, Òdòdó’s actions did not surprise me, I only found myself cheering for her, and, as I mentioned, wanting to see what she’d do next and after, so her story wouldn’t end! This book was definitely five stars for me, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in women taking hold of their power (which should be everyone!)!

As for the audiobook aspect, the narrator Ariel Blake has so many books under her belt, but this was my first by her, and I’ll definitely be looking out for her from now on!

I'm not sure why I went into this thinking it was fantasy - I think it was definitely more of a historical fiction, but I really enjoyed it. I loved the incorporation of African culture and myth and the story was really well paced. I just finished reading Markless, another new release, and I think lovers of that story could really enjoy this one too!

I was granted an audio ARC by MacMillan audio and definitely recommend this as the reading format for this book! The narration was exceptional!

Wooooooooooooow this was a really good book ! Love and war is a real thing lol . Such an eventful love story . I really disliked his mother , the beef she had with just any woman in his life was sickening and unnecessary. This was a really good read.

Òdòdó’s pure willpower emanates off of the pages of the book (and into your ears if you’re audiobooking like me)! I love how strong of a character she is and how she knows precisely what she wants no matter what circumstance she is thrown into (or off of).

I really enjoyed how the very real world was built into this fantastical take and how you could feel the heart of this world beating. The narrator, Ariel Blake, breathed even more life into this world and created easily distinguishable voices for the characters, both major and minor.

There are a lot of heavy topics covered in this story including kidnapping, SA, and some gruesome deaths, so be sure to check out the CWs.

The last quarter of this book has some wiiiiild moments that I did not see coming. Chapter 25 was like a punch to the gut and the final chapter was just so good. Yesss Òdòdó. Boss move. She goes through so much in this story that she deserves the ending.

Unedited review
Publishes in Minnesota: July 6 (partnered with local bookstore that features book the following week)
Publishes in South Dakota: July 12

Travel to 15th century West Africa in the pages of O.O. Sangoyomi's new historical fiction, "Masquerade," published in hardcover format on July 2.

The stage is set in Timbuktu, where Òdòdó, the youngest in a guild of blacksmiths, goes about her work. Blacksmiths guilds were composed of single, socially undesirable women and were considered outcasts and witches — considered to command the elements to forge the weapons they truly made with metal, fire and no small measure of hard work.

When Timbuktu is overtaken by warriors from Yorùbáland, Òdòdó is captured and taken across the Sahara. Certain she is to be sold into slavery, she is shocked to see a familiar face. Previously mistaken for a harmless vagrant in Timbuktu, the headstrong Òdòdó caught the attention of the warrior king, Àrẹ̀mọ, who brought her to the capital city of Ṣàngótẹ̀ to be his bride.

A man ruled by passion and fury, Àrẹ̀mọ sets out to prove his love for Òdòdó and she, in turn, sifts through the complicated task of organizing her feelings and emotions about life, love, politics and relationships in this story of self-discovery and freedom that is unlike any other.

There is violence of various natures expressed throughout the book, though it isn't overly graphic in nature. As is customary of the culture and timeframe, polygamy is regularly mentioned and discussed. Self harm, suicide and human sacrifice are prevalent topics.
Reviewer opinion: "This is the first West African historical fiction that I have had the opportunity to read. I enjoyed the surprising twists and, while I was a little bit intimidated by the names and places at first, once I got into it, the story really sucked me in! I may have gotten really upset at a character or two along the way. I found myself scheming and pondering right alongside Òdòdó — fuming through the trials and cheering through the victories."

"Masquerade" by O.O. Sangoyomi

c. 2024, 352 pages, $27.99

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC Audio Copy! 4.5 Stars

First I want to start with recommending the Audio of this book if you are debating on what format to read. The narrator did such a fantastic job with this story, and this will forever be on my list of Audiobook recommendations based on narration alone.

I love a good mythology/retelling and this is probably one of my favorite that I have ever read. I knew nothing about the story going in and am still not familiar with the original story, but this makes me want to read so much more African Mythology.

The FMC in this book is so well written, she faces so many things through the course of the story and she maintains her bada**ness while also remaining realistically human.

I will absolutely be reading anything this author writes.

This was an absolutely compelling premise with a slightly off kilter execution for me. While my overall feelings were those have enjoyment, I did have a couple of problems that kept me from being totally immersed in this novel.

The things that were done well were the folklore and historical aspects of the novel. I really felt like I was transported to the time when this was happening. The description of the clothing, the food and the way the structure and the hierarchy was assembled was very well explained and written. I really enjoyed the political intrigue and the "trust no one" vibes that accompany this book as well.

I struggled with the pacing of this book, as well as my likability and believability in the main female character. For the first 50% of the book or so I really felt like not much was happening towards the overall development of the plot. I was starting to get a little concerned that the ending was going to feel very rushed because I was running out of time for important things to happen to further develop the story. I also had problems with the main female character. Despite being kidnapped by the king of the region, she immediately falls in love with him and apparently has no problems with being kidnapped. She never tries to escape or questions why this was done. She just accepts it. I also feel like severe mistrust should be placed in some of the people she's placing her trust in and they are showing her clear signs that she should not trust them and yet she continues to. I could not believe how utterly naïve she was about everything that was happening to her. Then out of nowhere with mere months of training, she becomes this epic warrior. I just feel like the character of development was too light to explain how she was so humble and naïve in the beginning to becoming the person she was at the end of the novel.

I am unsure if this is a standalone or a series, but I am leaning towards the possibility of a series based on how the first book ended. I will be interested in reading the second book to see if any further developments are made, and if it gets any better from here, I did overall enjoy the book as I read it just a couple reservations with a few things that I mentioned.

I was provided an audio ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This follows Òdòdó, a young blacksmith who strives for more than the life she and the other women of her guild have been granted. As blacksmith's they are shunned and called witches, yet they are expected to work themselves to the bone for their kingdom. Òdòdó quickly learns that the world is not a kind place, and enemies lurk around every corner. She is kidnapped and taken to be the bride of the king and she quickly has to learn the games that those in power play.

This was very well written and the audiobook was very well done. The narrator did an excellent job with the performance of all of the various characters that Òdòdó interacts with as she navigates court life and court politics. I was expecting more of a fantasy element to the story, but this is definitely more of a historical fiction and retelling. The magical elements I was expecting, and perhaps that was my own misunderstanding of the synopsis, were missing but I still enjoyed the book. I feel this would be good for older YA readers as there are some more mature topics, but nothing overly graphic. Òdòdó really comes into herself and grows quite a bit as she truly discovers her inner strength and the motivations of those around her.

Overall I think this is a solid debut, and I'm looking forward to seeing more from the author in the future.

The fact that Masquerade is Sangoyomi’s debut novel is shocking to me. Very loosely based on the Persephone myth, the novel features a 15th-century West African blacksmith, Òdòdó. Blacksmiths are known as “witches” in Yorùbáland because they don’t belong to a man (widows, single mothers, unmarried, etc.), and they are outcasts in a society built on power and hierarchy. When Òdòdó is kidnapped and taken to the royal city, she discovers that the king has chosen her to be his bride, and she is forced to learn the political maneuverings of the court if she wants to survive.

The premise sounds like a romance or a courtly novel, but neither of those terms encompasses the layers of story that build to several shocking plot twists. Aside from the gorgeous writing, Òdòdó is the greatest strength of this story, acting as a protagonist who is conflicted, learning, and willing to fight for her own agency. Sangoyomi applies a feminist perspective to a historical setting without making it feel incongruous, and the way female characters wield both subtle and direct power is masterful. We support women’s wrongs!

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me listen to this gorgeous audiobook ahead of the July 2nd release!

Sometimes, you know a book will be amazing just by looking at the cover, and that was absolutely true for Masquerade. After I found out this was a Hades and Persephone retelling, I knew I needed to read it.

The book follows Òdòdó, a woman who is abducted by a warrior king who has fallen in love with her. He takes her to his kingdom, where she is presented with more power than she has ever dreamed she might wield. There is court intrigue, danger, and a lush, beautifully built world that reimagines 15th century West Africa. The prose, too, is absolutely stunning. I adored following Òdòdó as she regains her agency and finds her innate power as a woman. This was so excellent, and I will absolutely be reading whatever O.O. Sangoyomi comes out with in the future. Also, I think this is a debut? If so, just... wow. Very impressive.

Since I read this via audio ARC, I also want to say that the narrator did a fantastic job. Audiobook narration can be so hit or miss, especially when you can't listen to a sample beforehand, and Ariel Blake did a beautiful job.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and to Netgalley for granting me an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This story follows along a Hades & Persephone/Beauty & the Beast storyline, with Òdòdó’s mother missing, while she is fighting for her independence and freedom. Òdòdó also must decide how to proceed after being elevated so much and having access to resources and status that she never possessed before.

This standalone novel offers political intrigue, power struggles, while highlighting the beauty of the riches and culture in Yorùbáland. The audio is narrated by Ariel Blake, and she does a great job - I am glad I listed to the story, and would be interested in stories told by Sangoyomi or narrated by Blake in the future.

I would recommend this book for fans of mythos retellings, and those interested in historical fiction and West Africa culture. I also recommend this specifically for fans of Jennifer Saint and Madeline Miller.

I enjoyed this one but I feel as if Tor mismarketed this book quite a bit. It's comped to The Woman King and marketed as a fantasy and didn't fully have the vibes of historical fiction often using words that wouldn't fit the time period. I would say Ododo is less badass woman and more a naive girl who wants power but just believes it will be handed to her. Which causes her to be duped by the people around her constantly. So the ending when she does finally claim her power is hard to swallow. It's more of a court intrigue story and that along with the audiobook and constant twists is what kept me invested.

I was entranced by this book and devoured it. The world building was rich and while the conditions facing the main character were frequently horrible it was a beautiful world I wanted to stay in. I listened to about half of the audiobook and half with a physical copy (I am ever impatient). The narrator did a great job and I thought her accent (or the accent she used) helped to bring the story to life for me. I can understand why some of the other reviews didn’t love the book, it takes an untraditional path and I loved it more for that. This book is a love story, but as Ododo learns love makes us all dangerous. Ododo lives with her mother and her aunties as a blacksmith, one of the few ways a woman can make a life for herself without a man. They are considered unnatural and are called witches and while they are taken care of for the work they do it is barely enough and they are given no respect. One day while at market Ododo is abducted and taken to the capital city and is surprised to find the man she thought to be a vagrant is truly the high king and he would like to wed her. This book was full of darkness but it was rich and so enjoyable. I loved the ending because anything else would have been a travesty and while that may be a minority opinion I thought it was perfect, so perfect I am only upset that it means I am unlikely to ever revisit this world.

In "Masquerade" by O.O. Sangoyomi, Òdòdó goes from being a shunned blacksmith in Timbuktu to the warrior king's wife in a wild twist of fate. Picture this: one minute she's fending off societal scorn, the next, she's kidnapped and swept off to the opulent capital by a man who turns out to be the very king who conquered her home. I found this a bit difficult to get into even though the story is very transportive.