I only managed to read two books during Pride Month and I'm so glad this was one of them! The titular 'vagabonds' are those who live (or have been pushed) to the fringes of society in Nigeria, so naturally this includes many queer people. While all of their stories resonated with me, I enjoyed the POV of Gold, a trans girl, the most because it explored fear and grief, but also family bonds and enduring love when trans people's narratives are too often limited in fiction.

Vagabonds! is a compilation of stories/character POVs laced together by the narration of a legendary being: Tatafo, trusted assistant to mythical Lagos, the corrupt embodiment of the city by the same name. I really enjoyed how the author intertwined fantasy and contemporary in this convoluted, genre-bending book. The many perspectives were never confusing or tedious to read. Also, don't be put off by the amount of Nigerian/Lagosian lingo if you're not from Lagos! I had to look some words up for clarity, but most are easily determinable by context clues and pausing to google a few things only added to the experience, in my opinion.

It's rare for a book to live up to the amount of hype I've seen for this one, but Vagabonds does so admirably and with style. Sometimes dreamlike, sometimes piercing, this is one of the most exciting books I've read in quite a while and one I highly recommend. (Do look up the trigger warnings, though; I intended to list some here, but my notes are in a library ebook I returned and haven't been able to re-check out due to the massive wait list.) Between the lyrical prose, the fabulist worldbuilding, and the vibrant cast, this book is a must-read.