After the world-altering sacrifice of her daughter Onyesonwu, Najeeba—one of the few who remembers the erased past—seeks sorcerous training from Aro to confront a lingering evil and reconcile her trauma in a changed, post-apocalyptic Africa. Themes of memory, grief, and personal transformation intertwine with Africanfuturist worldbuilding as Najeeba, now in middle age, reclaims her power and identity amid the echoes of collective and personal loss.

Reader Review Summary

Set in the Africanfuturist universe first introduced in 'Who Fears Death,' this second installment in the She Who Knows trilogy follows Najeeba, mother of Onyesonwu, as she navigates a world fundamentally changed by her daughter's sacrifice. The story takes place decades after the events of the previous books, with Najeeba now in her forties, grieving the loss of her daughter and husband, and seeking to learn the powerful Mystic Points of sorcery from Aro, her daughter's former teacher. The narrative explores the aftermath of Onyesonwu's world-altering magic, which erased memories of the past for most people except a select few, including Najeeba and Aro. The book is structured as a novella and acts as a bridge between the events of 'Who Fears Death' and the anticipated conclusion of Najeeba's story, focusing on her journey through grief, memory, and the pursuit of power to confront a lingering threat known as the Cleanser. Themes of trauma, memory, generational legacy, and the lingering effects of violence and change are central, with the setting drawing on African mythology, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and speculative fiction elements.

Readers appreciated the evocative writing style, the depth of character development, and the exploration of complex emotional and psychological themes. Many highlighted the focus on an older female protagonist, noting the rarity of such representation in speculative fiction. The world-building, use of Nigerian mythology, and the depiction of magic and sorcery were frequently praised, as was the nuanced portrayal of grief, trauma, and healing. Several reviewers found Najeeba's internal journey compelling, especially her process of reconciling with the past and stepping into her own power. The connections to the broader universe, including references to 'Who Fears Death' and the impact of Onyesonwu's actions, were seen as enriching for those familiar with the series. The narration in the audiobook version, particularly by Yetide Badaki, was also singled out for enhancing the experience.

Criticisms centered on the novella's pacing, structure, and sense of incompleteness. Many readers described the plot as slow-moving, with much of the narrative devoted to Najeeba's training and introspection rather than external action or resolution. The book was often characterized as a 'middle book' or a bridge, lacking a strong standalone arc and ending abruptly without resolving key plotlines, particularly regarding the Cleanser. Some found the story meandering or repetitive, with significant time jumps and a focus on telling rather than showing. There was confusion among readers who had not read 'Who Fears Death,' as the book relies heavily on knowledge of prior events, and the provided summaries were seen as insufficient. A few reviewers expressed frustration with the lack of detailed explanations for certain elements, such as the magic system or the antagonist, and some felt disconnected from the characters or found the themes of trauma and misogyny overwhelming or insufficiently balanced.

The book is part of a larger interconnected universe, and its narrative assumes familiarity with previous works, especially 'Who Fears Death' and 'She Who Knows.' Content warnings include depictions and discussions of rape, sexual assault, violence, slavery, and animal cruelty, with these themes forming a significant part of the story's exploration of trauma and its aftermath. The novella is relatively short and is intended as the second entry in a trilogy, with the final installment yet to be released. The average reader rating is 4.1 out of 5, based on over 100 ratings and 60 full reviews, reflecting a range of responses from highly engaged fans to those who found the book less satisfying as a standalone work.