disclaimer: I received this free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

rep: west-african (yoruba) inspired fantasy & characters

In the Shadow of the Fall is a good novella, and a strong start to what could be an exceptional series but obviously I do think novellas sometimes struggle because of length. In the Shadow of the Fall is inspired by west african mythology, specifically yoruba & orisha deities. We follow our young protagonist Ashâke who is a acolyte in the temple of Ifa, yearning to be in communication with the orisha & made a priest. Throughout the novel we see her attempt a dangerous ritual, her faith & beliefs shaken & then come into her own power. For a novella, we get a decent amount of complexity with Ashâke & with the world around her, however, the secondary characters are so fleeting it drags you out of the story.

Overall though, a good novella ft rich worldbuilding, a celestial conflict, & an impulsive protagonist.