Don’t Answer When They Call your Name by Ukamaka Olisakwe
INTRO
It’s a hot Thursday night, my T-shirt is so drenched in sweat that it sticks to me like second skin. As if things couldn’t get any worse. My good for nothing fan is better at making screeching sounds than actually doing what it was created to do.
However, I couldn’t care less because I’ve been transported to the wonderful, mystical world of Ukamaka Olisakwe’s latest book, Don’t Answer When They Call Your Name. If you’ve been following me long enough, you’ll know that I love, looooooove Ukamaka’s work. Her debut Ogadinma is a masterpiece. If you haven’t read it yet just know that I am shooting you a very bombastic side eye. Just kidding, but seriously you’ll need to hop on it.
SUMMARY
Don’t Answer When They Call Your Name is a young adult novel that centers on a young girl, Adanne. Adanne has been chosen in true hunger games fashion as a tribute to atone for a sin that transcends her time and world. She is hand-picked by the oracle to save her people and as such she must brave the Forest of Iniquity alone. Just one thing, no child chosen has ever made it back to the Village. As the threat of an impending drought threatens to destroy her village, Adanne forges through worlds unknown to tip the scales in her Favour and end her peoples suffering.
Don’t Answer When They Call your Name by Ukamaka Olisakwe
THE VERDICT
Let me just say that I am so excited for the younger generation because the quality of books and literary content that they have access to, is just mind-blowing. Let’s face it, we didn’t have so many inclusive books growing up. Where the heroine looks like us, talks like us and sports our gorgeous kinky hair as a crown.
That’s why this book is so important, young black people need to see themselves in the books they read. Don’t Answer When They Call Your Name is a book that does just that. I was hooked from the very first chapter. I did not move from my seat until I had completely globbed up every word. Ukamaka Olisakwe has done it again.And honestly, I cannot wait for everyone to get completely immersed in the wonderful world of Ani Mmadu. Don’t Answer When They Call Your Name is out in Bookstores on May 16th 2023.
I’d just like to say a big thank you to Masobe Books for sending me an Advanced Reader Copy.
Still next time,
