Akata Witch (5 points)

 The Akata Witch was quite an engrossing read. Each turn of the page made me more curious as to what would happen next. Events in the novel continued to grow ever more fascinating. The story itself made me think a lot of the Harry Potter series, although obviously different in a lot of ways considering it takes place in Nigeria. The fantasy and lore of the novel makes it a story that is greatly a compliment to the fantasy genre, especially with it's viewpoint. The main character, a black albino named Sunny, deals with the every day struggles of a normal person, difficulties with the family, and with bullies. But she is also bullied just for being who she is, and looking different. Throughout the story, characters show their dislike for Sunny for a few reasons; Sunny is a "free agent" (she has natural powers that everyone else has to use items to perform), she is a girl, and because she is albino. Like Sabrina in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Sunny must overcome some horrible truths, and battle the prejudice against her. In these stories, males trying to be dominant over females is present, and if not dominant, then not very accepting. In a story like Sabrina, she was not very welcome to become 'top boy'. In a story like Akata Witch, for example, a boy was reluctant to welcome her onto the soccer team because Sunny is a girl. In most of the stories of witches, however, the woman/girl is far from powerless, and may even take dominance over a man, which is seen in a movie like The Craft when the Witches take advantage of some of the guys. In The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Sabrina and a few other witches even scare some boys by manipulating by their minds, making them do embarrassing things. In Akata Witch, Sunny herself possesses natural abilities, and so she is a league ahead of just about anyone, even though she is new to juju, much like when Harry Potter first discovers his own abilities and the magical world of wizardry and witchcraft. Whether the purpose was to reveal that unexpected people can be of great importance, or the prejudice in society, the story is a well written novel and great asset to the fantasy genre.