some chapters are narrated by creatures like spiders or swordfish, and some chapters end with the death of its narrator. some appear for only a chapter or two, and some recur with greater frequency. There are many different voices in this novel. add to this adaora's husband's jealousy, a sick president, various crimes where people are taking advantage of the chaos to loot and riot, and things just aren't going to go as planned. ayodele's promises of peace and security are undermined as more people begin to find out about her presence - religious groups fear her and accuse her of being a marine witch, the military wants to destroy the aliens, the local drug lords want to kidnap her for profit, and the lgbt community wants to use her as a spokesperson. The four of them go back to adaora's home, where she has a lab set up, and they run tests and begin to plan their next steps. these people were chosen to become intermediaries between the aliens and the humans, and the fourth body that washes out of the wave is one of the aliens themselves - a shapeshifting being who takes the form of a human woman, named ayodele by adaora, after a childhood friend. adaora is a marine biologist, anthony is a celebrated rap sensation from ghana, and agu is a soldier. three people are taken by this wave, four are returned. strange aquatic species begin to appear in the waters, sonic booms fill the air, and a wave crashes over the beach. The aliens in this case set up camp under the sea. since folktales frequently make their way into african fiction, or any other culture's fiction where there is an emphasis upon oral tradition, it was not terribly jarring for me to get into the swing of this story.Īnd like most folktales, this story is a little allegorical twist that simultaneously tells its alien invasion story alongside the story of modern lagos its social ills and potential, and the strength and failings of its people. fortunately for sci-fi noob me, the aliens are not metallic chitinous types toting advanced weaponry, and the story has more of a folktale feel to it than anything more traditionally spaceshippy. i have read plenty of african fiction, but this is the first time extraterrestrial life has ever been a part of the story.
since folktales frequently make their way into african fiction, or any other culture's fiction where there is an this is a science fiction novel in which aliens descend upon lagos. This is a science fiction novel in which aliens descend upon lagos. All that stands between 17 million anarchic residents and death is an alien ambassador, a biologist, a rapper, a soldier, and a myth that may be the size of a giant spider, or a god revealed.more Meanwhile, the earth’s political superpowers are considering a preemptive nuclear launch to eradicate the intruders. Soon the military, religious leaders, thieves, and crackpots are trying to control the message on YouTube and on the streets. Soon the military, reli It’s up to a famous rapper, a biologist, and a rogue soldier to handle humanity’s first contact with an alien ambassador-and prevent mass extinction-in this novel that blends magical realism with high-stakes action.Īfter word gets out on the Internet that aliens have landed in the waters outside of the world’s fifth most populous city, chaos ensues. After word gets out on the Internet that aliens have landed in the waters outside of the world’s fifth most populous city, chaos ensues. It’s up to a famous rapper, a biologist, and a rogue soldier to handle humanity’s first contact with an alien ambassador-and prevent mass extinction-in this novel that blends magical realism with high-stakes action.