Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon
The Nommo Award Winner.
The Nebula Award Finalist.
The World Fantasy Award Finalist.
The British Science Fiction Award Nominee.
A contemporary fantasy filled with the mythos of Nigeria, featuring Yoruba gods liberating an artefact from the depths of the British Museum.
Shigidi is the god of nightmares.
Once a feared and powerful member of the Yoruba spirit world, these days he haunts people for scraps of power, which he must give up to the executives of the Orisha Spirit Company.
Nneoma is a deadly succubus.
Fierce, independent and unpredictable, she’s not afraid to take dangerous risks to free herself from the mistakes of her past.
Two soulmates. One bid for freedom.
To gain the independence they both desire, the two of them are about to embark on a heist that spans both the real world and the spiritual world. But they’ll find far more than they bargained for in the depths of the British Museum . . .
A contemporary fantasy novel rich in Nigerian mythology, and an eviscerating examination of cultural theft in the real world. This is perfect for fans of P. Djeli Clark, Nnedi Okorafor and Neil Gaiman.
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Reviews
Talabi keeps in balance his kinetic mix of noir heist fiction, erotic romance, political intrigue, and supernatural fireworks without distracting too much from the genuinely affecting relationship between Nneoma and Shigidi, who are a pair we wouldn't mind seeing again, and won't forget anytime soon
Wole Talabi treats his readers to a journey steeped in mysticism... The book draws on centuries of African history and legends, as well as Nigeria's modern colonial past
Exuberant writing and ebullient imagination made this a lot of fun
A high octane thriller that is simply unputdownable. Talabi deftly weaves different mythos spanning centuries across continents and borders to create a truly fantastical story. Gods, demons, magicians, giants, all jostling for power and prestige within an all too human story. This remarkable debut rocked my world
Fast and sharp as talons, Shigidi is a high-stakes art heist love story with Nigerian gods and demons and some Succession-level corporate politics and Alan Moore-ish deep dives into occult lore and mythologies. If you thought Killmonger was right or loved American Gods and Akata Witch, this one is very much for you
A heist caper with sex, violence, and superpowers popping off every technicolor page . . . Readers are in for a rollicking thrill ride
Talabi weaves a high-stakes, fast-paced tale of corporate greed, an interdimensional heist, and warring deities entrenched in Yoruba culture. Perfect for fans of the Ocean's film franchise and Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora (2006), this book will have readers holding their breath as Shigidi and Nneoma try to accomplish the impossible
A smart, sexy, postcolonial book about two freelance gods running from their past and stealing from the British Museum. I had so much fun with these characters and I can't wait for the next book in the series. Perfect for fans of American Gods
A captivating and entertaining story of a nightmare god and his succubus lover, Nneoma, pulling a heist across two worlds
[A] debut fantasy novel that's everything at once: love story, adventure story, spirit world story . . . Talabi excites the reader with the beauty of his language
Pure post-colonial magic and huge, heisty fun
Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon is an explosion made of other explosions. As soon as I read the opening-taut, rollicking, rooted in physicality and emotion-I was charmed. This book is incantation, a sorcerous working that bound me to its story and drew me along as it sped toward its destination. Wole Talabi is a brilliant short fiction writer, and now he is revealed as a brilliant novelist, as well
For those who feel as if they've been waiting years for a novel by Wole Talabi, 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.
A vivid, entertaining tale of love, power and revenge
The universe is anchored in African beliefs, but with a global perspective and modern twists
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. And I'm absolutely here for it!
A thoroughly entertaining read which balances a confident sense of its Nigerian identity with an awareness of contemporary fantasy
Shigidi is a tale that will excite any lover of contemporary African fantasy. What better thrill than two globetrotting, timetrotting, worldtrotting beings caught between a love story, a heist and a ghastly contract with a spirit company? Talabi's imagination, already obvious in previous works, shines through, offering us a world of deities and monstrosities trading in belief and supplication. An innovative addition to the godpunk roster-if you loved David Mogo, you'll love this!
Complex, entertaining, and absolutely *fun* - and beyond that, heartwarming in its characters and in its conclusions. A story which left me wanting to believe in it
[A] delightfully entertaining novel . . . a defiantly ambitious work . . . [and] also an action-packed thrill ride . . . Talabi's snarky narration keeps the tone light, while leaving room for a sweet love story