I recieved this copy from Netgalley as an ARC, so thank you! I am a little biased, as I looove Nnedi Okorafors other books, but I'll try my best to give an honest review.

The story continues with Najeeba, as this is the second book in the She Who Knows series. I would recommend to read Who Fears Death before starting this series, as there are events that happens that would spoil Who Fears Death. It's not a must though, but it adds a lot more to the story - and it would likely be easier to follow the story.

I rated it 3.5 stars. I was honestly a little disappointed. Nnedi Okorafor writes in a unique way, where the pages almost feel magical. I've never read anything like it, and I was in awe the first time I read one of her books. But One Way Witch was a miss to me.

I rated She Who Knows 5 stars, but One Way Witch was not nearly as good. It's a shame, as the story and Najeeba are so interesting and fresh - but the writing was kinda boring. Okorafor only tells, not shows, what Najeeba is doing while learning magic, and I prefer when the author shows. I'd love to see how she learned her magic, see how she acted, and not just read it - if that makes sense?

The story of the Cleanser was so interesting, and the start of One Way Witch gives the impression that we will learn more about what the Cleanser is. The Cleanser never gets mentioned again, and Najeeba 'forgets' her purpose and why she wanted to learn magic and juju - it was all to kill the Cleanser. This is not mentioned again until the last page... The whole book was basicly Najeeba explaining that she is learning juju and magic, with a few sub-plots.

If there'll be a third book, I'd probably read it. I won't say anything for sure yet, as I was really disappointed, but I would still recommend some of Okorafors other books, like: Remote Control, She Who Knows and Who Fears Death.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

One Way Witch is tied to the She Who Fears Death universe and you thankfully receive a wee summary at the beginning. Despite enjoying the other books set in this universe, I found this installment boring somehow. The story was straightforward enough but the boring repetition of sexist assumptions and magic annoyed me, same as the focus on sex and possible pregnancy. I was a bit bored but the world building is still fascinating.

3 stars

Thank you to Daw for my gifted eARC. My opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Book 2 in the She Who Knows trilogy, this follows Najeeba after the events of Who Fears Death, as she embraces her suppressed magic following the actions of Onyesonwu.

Read this for:
- embracing power
- recovering your voice
- older main characters
- african-futurist novella
- confronting the past

My thoughts: I really enjoyed She Who Knows when I checked it out of the library last fall, and was thrilled to see the growth that Najeeba goes through as she recovers her voice and powers. I loved her character especially her ability to fly and transform.
As I not so patiently await the next book in the series, I think I’ll go back and read Who Fears Death to tide me over.

Highly recommend these two novellas and the novel. This is set post a cataclysmic event that has changed the world to a desert, and has an interesting mix of technology and magic.

This second novel in the series didn't feel as powerful to me as the first. I enjoyed seeing Najeeba find her strength and power, but I'm not sure it felt as compelling as the events of her daughter in the first one. Love Nnedi Okorafor, however, so will read anything she puts down!

That ending!!!!
For a story with so few pages, Okorafor manages to embed so much into each sentence. I often found myself rereading passages to see if I was missing anything. I still haven’t read Who Fears Death but I am so excited now that I have the beginning knowledge and the future for the story. There is still one novella left in this trilogy and I have so many thoughts about what could occur during the fight against the Cleanser. Also, is she pregnant?! Damn girl. Kind of symbolic of her being able to get pregnant after literally confronting her past.
Solid 4/5 for me and I cannot wait to see Najeeba’s growth. The story already managed to cover over 7 years and I didn’t feel cheated of any plot, so I have faith that the trilogy will end well.

Book two in the She Who Knows trilogy continues the magical world that Okorafor has built and continues to expand upon in such well-crafted ways. She is a master storyteller and that is on display here in One Way Witch. It’s a fast read and expands upon Najeeba’s character while setting her up for a quest/task that she needs to fulfill in the final chapter of the trilogy.

I am already counting the days until book 3!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to @dawbooks and @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

Najeeba’s name means “She Who Knows” and she is the One Way Witch of this novella trilogy. Which is both a prequel and a sequel to Who Fears Death, as is totally utterly fitting because Onyesonwu, the “who fears death” protagonist of that novel, is her daughter.

Was her daughter.

Past and present tenses get knocked a bit off-kilter in the second book of Najeeba’s story, as Who Fears Death happened between the first book of the trilogy, She Who Knows, and this second one.

But Onyesonwu didn’t merely die at the end of her story, she sacrificed herself in order to change the world, to kick the universe – or at least Earth’s little corner of it – onto an entirely different track. She literally changed the world and everyone in it, wiping out their history, their actions, even their memories, healing a whole lot that was toxic and wrong and erasing her own existence.

Najeeba remembers everything, both the ‘Before’ that only other sorcerers remember, and the ‘Now’ that everyone else believes has always been.

One Way Witch is the story of Najeeba’s reconciliation between the dark and painful past that already was – at least for her – with the ‘Now’ that moves forward into the future. The only way out is through, and it’s a ‘one way’ trip that demands that she move into the future with it – otherwise her powers will destroy not merely herself but everyone around her as well as a peace that is more fragile than she first imagined.

Escape Rating A-: As a reader who has not yet managed to get back and read Who Fears Death (so many books, so little time, so many shiny new adventures on the horizon), this second novella in the trilogy worked better for me because it is about Najeeba’s world as it now is. The story is moving forward, even though of course Najeeba looks back at the daughter she misses.

At the same time, the plot device that powers the story is a familiar one, both from SF and fantasy but also from fanfiction that deals with those genres. One Way Witch is a story about reconciliation, not so much between people or even countries as it is between the past one remembers and the crimes that were committed in it, and the new future that one has sacrificed so much to bring about.

Najeeba is surrounded by people who bullied and mistreated her daughter in the past that has been literally wiped away. She remembers how truly awful some of them were, but the people they are now aren’t actually guilty of anything. At the same time, the circumstances that created some of her deepest adult friendships also didn’t happen, so she’s forced to let those friendships go because they never were.

Every silver lining has a cloud, after all.

Just because people don’t remember the world her daughter wiped away, that doesn’t mean that the trauma that they suffered in that alternate history doesn’t linger in their subconscious. Or their collective memory. Or their souls. The world is reshaping itself as people who were slaves in the old past can’t bear to stay where they were shackled – even if they no longer remember any of it.

The world – or at least the people in it, are on the move, trying to find the places that their hearts call home – even if they don’t know why. The new peace is fragile because people are fragile, and it’s breaking.

(Something that I expect to be part of the final book in the trilogy.)

Unlike so many middle books in trilogies, One Way Witch is not a descent into deep darkness and despair – and it’s lovely to see a story break that pattern. Instead, this story feels like it’s a restart of Najeeba’s story. Not in the sense that she can’t remember the past, but rather that her past and THE past were defined by her trauma, and that this story is about reconciling with her own past and finding her own ‘one way’ into the future.

This reader is looking forward to a future where the final book in the trilogy will be available. Najeeba has plenty of journey and adventure yet to come, and I can’t wait to read it.

One Way Witch is the second novella in Nnedi Okorafor's She Who Knows trilogy. Her main character, Najeeba (which means "she who knows" originally appeared in Okorafor's 201o novel Who Fears Death as the mother of the main character in that novel. In the first Novella we see Najeeba come of age as a fiercely opinionated and confident teen who is compelled to break societal norms that deny women full agency. This second novella picks up the story after the events of Who Fears Death, to show how Najeeba evolves after the loss of her daughter.

While I did read She Who Knows, I have not yet read the original source material from Who Fears Death. I found that She Who Knows was interesting and easy to follow without a familiarity with that text. However, since there is quite a time jump I found this one harder to follow. Even so, Okorafor develops her characters in complex and compelling ways and kept me interested with her stunning prose, even when I felt a little lost. This one also ends in a bit of a cliffhanger to the third book. My recommendation would be to take the time to read Who Fears Death before taking on One Way Witch, especially since there is time to do so before the third volume is released.

Between She Who Knows and this one, I had to take a short detour to read Who Fears Death, as when I first picked She Who Knows, I had not realized that it acts as a prequel to Onyesonwu's story, and although it was a delightful read, I found myself confused by the assumptions in the narrative. Reading the books in the order and close timespan I did has allowed me to genuinely enjoy the series as a whole, and allowed me to reflect better. One Way Witch puts us back in the mind of Najeeba after her daughter sacrificed herself for the survival of her people, and now that everyone starts forgetting her, Najeeba prepares for her crusade against those who wronged her.

This " universe " has made me see the beauty fully realized in Okorafor's work. Firespitter and Who Fears Death are so deeply heartfelt, and beautifully crafted and written and I am excited for what is to come in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I read the first book in this series and found myself running to read the other books written in this world in preparation for this one. I didn't love this as much as the others because it seems to suffer from middle-book syndrome. I hope when people dive into this book they read the other outlying books to enjoy the full descent into this world the author is building. I think it's imperative to understand the full dynamic of the characters and the struggles to get the full intent the author is trying to portray here.
I love diving into Nigerian mythology and the culture displayed in this novella. I have started to gravitate outside my comfort zone and finding novels like this has really taught me there are so many amazing authors from different backgrounds. Nnedi Okorafor is beginning to make my auto-buy author books because of the topics she explores and her ability to immerse you into a work not yours but guides you to learn and understand.

In One Way Witch by Nnedi Okorafor, we get Najeeba as the middle-aged warrior many women have been demanding. This is a follow-up to She Who Knows and part of Okorafor’s 2010 classic, Who Fears Death’s universe.

Najeeba is a middle-aged woman who has just about everything taken from her. Her husband is dead. Her daughter died righting the wrongs of the world (sorry, slight spoiler?), but she still remembers The Before Times. This is when she looks inward and returns to the magic she wields. The magic that she kept tight inside as she mothered and was a good wife. Free from those structures and cultural obligations, Najeeba seeks to push her own boundaries and fulfill her long-neglected potential.

This is also a tale of revenge and what one woman can accomplish when she has nothing else to lose. Najeeba’s teacher calls her reckless more times than I can remember - I wish I had kept count. But for me, this was her stepping into her own power. Outside of norms and expectations.

If you are like me, in that middle age space where it really is just you against the world, you may also cheer her on as she learns to be most powerful, even with the stumbles, and as she learns to love again.

Okorafor has plans for one more book in this universe and given the ending of One Way Witch, I am eager to see where our hero with all her beautiful flaws lands.

4/5 ⭐️ this book I enjoyed! I’m dying to reread Who Fears Death now! Which I will soon! I’m loving the backstory in book 1 to now this story of Najeeba after Who Fears Death! Like the world in Jwahir is coming together beautifully! To see Najeeba hone in on her sorcery and finally coming face to face with her past in order to move forward is giving clarity to having this soon to be a full circle moment! It’s the reason why I’ve given this a 4 star because we almost there and I need this end perfectly! So hopefully it does! But a solid sequel novella to wonderful story from Najeeba’s POV!

One Way Witch
Nnedi Okorafor

In the second book of the She Who Knows series, Najeeba is left to deal with the world after her daughter has free the world of its curse. She’s having trouble with the fact that people can’t remember the past. Most people will never understand the sacrifices that
Onyesonwu made.

There is an intense level of loneliness that Najeeba has to grapple with. Although she perseveres, she loses so much in her life time. While navigating her grief, she makes the decision to hone her kponyungo abilities. She soon enlists the assistance of Aro and a few others along the way.

I have a soft spot for Najeeba. She is powerful and yet so beautifully flawed. I find it endearing. She foraged through so much adversity. She help nurture her daughters gifts. Now, it’s her turn to fulfill her destiny. I love powerful women. I’m not mad at the cliffhanger. It’s a saga and it’s epic. I’m glad I’m reading the series in the order. It’s feels like a puzzle that slowly coming together.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

#netgalley #onewaywitch
#nnediokorafor #daw #readandtellwithshantel

Would I recommend reading "Who Fears Death" before this? Yes, probably for better context. However, I enjoyed this novella immensely even without having read WFD. The story of Najeeba is extremely powerful and raw, it is also an emotional ride, since we follow her right after the events of "She Who Knows" and experience her becoming more powerful and reclaiming what is truly hers after experiencing such strong trauma.

Nnedi, as always, writes immaculately - everything is exactly what it needs to be, with the structure and narrative packing in such a punch. The world-building and complex magic are fabulously entrancing. There is nothing that could have been left out, but enough to fill me with even more questions about the main characters future. That being said, I cannot wait for the next entry in this series and will in the mean time catch up with what I haven't yet read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review. And thank you to Nnedi Okorafor, you are brilliant.

Najeeba, narrator of She Who Knows, returns to continue her journey of recovery and magic. The second book of a planned trilogy, One Way Witch is very much a book of the after, after loss after violence, after rape and after everything changed.

When Onyesonwu, Najeeba's daughter died, her death triggered a great global change. Not everyone remembers or even knows this change occurred, but the world got better genocide, slavery and many other ills of humanity seem to be no more. But not everyone has been able to forget the world that was before. Some simple leave in search of something to provide their lives meaning, even abandoned family with no warning or way to follow them.

Najeeba's story centers on her village and her embrace of the life of a sorcerer, like her daughter she seeks training from the local masters. But she is also reckless and constantly balances her desire to learn and masters the skills of magicians against having a joyful loving life.

The book is set in the Afro-futurist world that many of Okorafor's books are placed. Similar technologies are used such as the water capture stations that give life in deserts. In this world change is constant, but the people we know might still reappear, there roles changed, but there drive and spirit constants.

Recommend to readers of science fiction, shared world fantasy or strong women driven stories.

*In order to understand this book I HIGHLY recommend reading Who Fears Death as it is the story about Najeeba’s childhood*

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Najeeba is all alone now. After Onyesonwu saved the world, Najeeba is left to live her life without anyone remembering her daughter. She now decides to ask the sorcerer who trained her daughter to train her as she has always stifled her witching powers. As she begins to learn, she realizes she must take on difficult things from her past while also forging her new future.

This was a different pace than She Who Knows. The stakes are not nearly as high. I still enjoyed this book quite a bit! There’s very little that Okorafor writes that I won’t enjoy. This may or may not be a spoiler to some so proceed with that expectation.
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The ending is ambiguous. I’m not sure if there will be another installment in this series or if it will be the end with this very liquid ending. For this reason I did give it 4/5 stars.

Ahoy there me mateys!  This book is the second in a trilogy.  This novella overlaps slightly and continues after the book Who Fears Death.  According to the author's foreword for this story, it should not be read without knowledge of that novel.  Unlike the first book, this middle novella is lighter on action and is much more reflective.  The main character, Najeeba, is training to be a sorcerer and is dealing with the trauma of the past.

What I really found fascinating wasn't Najeeba's training (as cool as it was) but the themes of memory and trauma.  Najeeba's daughter, Onyesonwu, had Changed the world for the better.  The problem is that people don't remember the world as it was with the exception of Najeeba and a few others.  Najeeba has the memories of the Before and the Now.  She has sorrow because Onyesonwu saved the world and no one remembers her.  She misses her deceased husband.  She misses the friends that no longer remember their prior bond.  She chooses to keep going and have a greater goal rather than give up on life.  Najeeba becomes better acquainted with her own power and who she wants to be.  She might still make mistakes based on her trauma but she is growing and maturing in how she handles those issues.

However, just because the world became better didn't mean that all evil had left the world.  Those with no memories of the Before still have residual effects from the trauma in their pasts.  A person finds themselves wanting to leave a spouse or move to a new town seemingly out of the blue.  This is because the trauma leaves a mark on the being.  I loved the juxtaposition of Najeeba dealing with her two sets of memories and the stories and consequences  of the Change on regular folk.

The other aspect that I loved was how these novellas about Najeeba wrap around and comment on Onyesonwu's story.  I don't normally need the Before and Now after the saving the world but in this case how they intertwine and cause the reader to reevaluate the original novel is just so thought-provoking and wonderful.  Najeeba gets to learn about her daughter on multiple levels.  She even shares the same teacher.  I cannot wait for the final book in the trilogy and seeing how Najeeba continues to fight evil in her past and follow Onyesonwu's legacy into the future.  Arrrr!

4.5 rounded up

I don't think this was necessary. In the world where Onyesawu exists, I felt this instalment added nothing to her story or expanded the plot.

It's possible that if I'd read the other, related series, this would have hit harder. I really do recommend reading this in conjunction with "Who Fears Death." I had hoped that just because I'd read book 1 of this series, I'd be able to follow everything. There were notes at the beginning that helped, so I didn't feel entirely lost, but there were some things that were a bit hard to follow without context. (My own fault, of course, but I'm just suggesting that you might want to be wiser than I was.)

I really enjoy Najeeba as a character---"She Who Knows" was quite enjoyable, but I really appreciated that this book follows her as an older woman starting over. I believe she's about fifty in this book, and she's coming back into her own power after a series of devastating losses that happen off-page in this series, but which I believe are detailed in the related books. I don't see a lot of books about older female protagonists, though there have been more coming out recently, and seeing a character whose personal journey is ongoing makes me feel... hopeful, I suppose. The Najeeba of this story makes very different choices than she made in book 1, in part because of her trauma, but also because she's matured and knows herself better than she did when she was younger. At the same time, Najeeba makes different mistakes than before, often based on her fears around her prior traumas and losses.

I look forward to seeing how this series ends, especially with the hints this book provides re: future events. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I plan to go back and read the related books before the final installment of this series releases!

One Way Witch is the second novella in a planned trilogy, set in the same universe as Okorafor’s previous novel Who Fears Death.

I decided to go back and read Who Fears Death before reading One Way Witch. I am so glad that I did! The added context and history of Who Fears Death definitely gave me a greater appreciation of One Way Witch.

One Way Witch draws us further into the world of Who Fears Death with a focus on Najeeba’s story. A solid follow-up to She Who Knows, this book captivates and Okorafor’s character-driven storytelling shines.