SEASON OF THE SERPENT

War is coming and it will touch all corners of Oon.

The hold the city of Bassa once had on the great unicontinent of Oon has collapsed, leaving splintered factions vying for control. The Nameless Republic and Kangala’s forces jockey for position while Biemwensé, Supreme Magnanimous, works to keep her people safe. Meanwhile, far from the center of power and conflict, Lilong, Danso, and their companions face off against the ibor-seeking creatures that have been unleashed on the world while wrestling with how they might make amends for the calamities that have befallen both Oon and the islands off the coast. As war looms ever closer, plans will be made and deals will be struck, but ultimately it is impossible to completely prepare for the coming death, loss, and change. The conclusion to the Nameless Republic trilogy, this installment sweeps from one end of the continent to the other, focusing on the relationships between characters even as events spiral and violence and destruction press ever closer. Okungbowa excels at exploring the inner workings and motivations of characters and the narrative turns easily from one to the next, demonstrating how the singular voice of one person can create a chorus with many others, rising to a final crescendo. Characters old and new converge in a satisfying, worthy conclusion to the series with space still to ponder. In this trilogy, Okungbowa has crafted an epic with heart and an unflinching portrayal of the best and worst of humanity and the mixtures in-between. Inseparable from its West African influences, this is a complex tale with both deep characterization and a grand scope, leading through many twists and turns to the inevitable, wrenching finale.

A shattering, transformative conclusion.