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Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon: The Nebula Award finalist and gripping magical heist novel

Wole Talabi

20 Reviews

Rated 0

Nigeria, Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945), Fantasy

A bold new contemporary fantasy from an awards-winning author, reminiscent of Master of Djinn and The City We Became.

The British Science Fiction Award-nominated and Nebula Finalist debut novel from Wole Talabi. This contemporary fantasy is filled with the mythos of Nigeria and features Yoruba gods liberating an artefact from the depths of the British Museum.

Shigidi is a disgruntled nightmare god in the Orisha spirit company, reluctantly answering the prayers of his few remaining believers to satisfy the demands of the company board. When he meets Nneoma, a sort-of succubus with a long and secretive past, everything changes.

Together, they attempt to break free of their constraints and live on their owns terms. But the elder gods have other plans for Shigidi, and the Orisha Spirit Company is not so easy to leave. The chairman has a final job for Shigidi and Nneoma, one that will take them to the very heart of the British Museum.

From the boisterous streets of Lagos to the rooftop bars of Singapore and the secret spaces of London, Shigidi and Nneoma will encounter strange creatures, rival gods and manipulative magicians as they are drawn into a spectacular heist that spans two realms . . . and which could turn their own worlds upside down . . .

A magical heist novel featuring gods, monsters, magicians and more. This is a contemporary fantasy perfect for fans of P. Djeli Clark's A Master of Djinn and Neil Gaiman's American Gods.

Here's what readers are saying:

'A fast paced heist story with a Nigerian twist . . . It was super unputdownable'

'Such an interesting look into African mythology and different settings that you don't often see'

'I love the way this book splices together both Nigerian and British myths and legends'

'It has everything: a tricky heist, African gods and succubi, romance. It was just a fun story with interesting characters and great world building'

'It is a fantasy heist book like nothing I have ever read. If American Gods and Oceans 11 had a baby it would be this book'

'This was OH SO SULTRY. There's poly rep with so much African Mythology featuring a Nightmare god and Succubus in a way that very vaguely reminds me of an adult version of Strange the Dreamer'

'This book was so ambitious trying to cram as many African (and even non African!) mystical/religious elements as possible but I think it delivered!'

'Wow - what a ride! I learned much about Yoruba and orishas in this fantastical tale of Shigidi and Nneoma's adventures'

'A fascinating story that is based in Nigerian Yoruba traditional mythos, updated with a very modern twist'

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Praise for Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon: The Nebula Award finalist and gripping magical heist novel

  • Fierce and urgent -- a remarkable new voice - Lauren Beukes, author of Zoo City and The Shining Girls

  • A high octane thriller that is simply unputdownable . . . Gods, demons, magicians, giants, all jostling for power and prestige within an all too human story. This remarkable debut rocked my world - T.L. Hunchu, author of The Library of the Dead

  • Shigidi is a richly written story of love between immortals, a high stakes supernatural heist, and a sweeping adventure across time, space, and perhaps realms of existence. This is godpunk, done with style. - P. Djeli Clark, Nebula Award-winning author of Master of Djinn

  • Shigidi surpasses expectations. It's fast-paced and fun, clever and beautiful. Filled with characters you want to spend time with in a world that is fresh and exciting. - Temi Oh, author of Do You Dream of Terra Two?

  • A high octane thriller that is simply unputdownable . . . Gods, demons, magicians, giants, all jostling for power and prestige within an all too human story. This remarkable debut rocked my world - T.L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead

  • Shigidi surpasses expectations. It's fast-paced and fun, clever and beautiful. Filled with characters you want to spend time with in a world that is fresh and exciting - Temi Oh, author of Do You Dream of Terra Two?

  • Shigidi is a richly written story of love between immortals, a high stakes supernatural heist, and a sweeping adventure across time, space, and perhaps realms of existence. This is godpunk, done with style - P. Djeli Clark, Nebula Award-winning author of Master of Djinn

  • Fierce and urgent -- a remarkable new voice - Lauren Beukes, author of The Shining Girls

  • Fast-paced and fun, clever and beautiful. Filled with characters you want to spend time with in a world that is fresh and exciting - Temi Oh, author of Do You Dream of Terra Two?

  • A richly written story of love between immortals, a high stakes supernatural heist, and a sweeping adventure across time, space, and perhaps realms of existence - P. Djeli Clark, Nebula Award-winning author of Master of Djinn

  • A high octane thriller that is simply unputdownable . . . Gods, demons, magicians, giants, all jostling for power and prestige within an all too human story - T.L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead

  • Readers of Neil Gaiman and Harry Turtledove will have encountered similar takes on the spirit realm; Talabi's freshness is in his language, his caustically amusing protagonist, and his commitment to having more fun than noir usually allows. Readers are in for a rollicking thrill ride - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

  • Readers of Neil Gaiman and Harry Turtledove will have encountered similar takes on the spirit realm; Talabi's freshness is in . . . his commitment to having more fun than noir usually allows. Readers are in for a rollicking thrill ride - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

  • Fast-paced and fun, clever and beautiful. Filled with characters you want to spend time with in a world that is fresh and exciting - Temi Oh

  • Fierce and urgent -- a remarkable new voice - Lauren Beukes

  • A richly written story of love between immortals, a high stakes supernatural heist, and a sweeping adventure across time, space, and perhaps realms of existence - P. Djeli Clark, Nebula Award-winning author of A Master of Djinn

  • The universe is anchored in African beliefs, but with a global perspective and modern twists - SFX, 5*

  • A smart, sexy postcolonial book about two freelance gods running from their past and stealing from the British Museum - Thomas D. Lee

  • A heist-caper with sex, violence, and superpowers popping off every technicolour page - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

  • Pure post-colonial magic and huge, heisty fun - Daily Mail

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