African Inspired sci-fi and fiction books – 14 Best Books

Literature is an enormous sea of dominance, submission, persistence, resistance, superstition, and more. From the time colonizers approached Africa to educate and colonize Africans, to today’s human behaviour on racism and colourism, there is a lot to discover. For those who want to read about Africa and African literature, this article is for you. In this article, we are going to read about 14 best African Inspired sci-fi and fiction books.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Sunny is a twelve-year-old boy, born in NY, and living in Nigeria. Being an albino, she is sensitive to the sun. She just wants to play football and pass a day peacefully without getting bullied. When she gets familiar with Chichi and Orlu, she gets familiar with the world of Leopard People, where your worst defect becomes your best asset. Their goal is to track down Black Hat Otokoto. He is responsible for abducting and maiming children.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Deka is different from other people for having a certain intuition. She prays for red blood to feel like she belongs. At the age of 16, she is scared if she will become a member of this village or not. On the day of the blood ceremony, Deka’s blood runs gold and she realizes that the result will be worse. The color gold is a symbol of impurity. A mysterious woman offers her two choices – to stay and submit or to join the army of girls like her. They are known as alaki. Alaki’s are almost immortal with an unnatural gift. Deka leaves to join alakis in the pursuit to be trained for the battle to protect the empire.

Children of Blood And Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Zélie Adebola still recalls when Orïsha hummed with magic. The tiders beckoned waves, burners ignited the fire, and how Zélie’s  Reaper mother called forth souls. However, everything altered when the magic faded away. Under the authority of a brutal king, Zélie was left without hope and a mother. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must overpower the hell-bent authority and bring magic back.

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor

In a post-nuclear holocaust Africa, the Nuru, are determined to go by the great book and exterminate the Okeke. When the only surviving member of Okeke village is violently raped, she managed to run away. She becomes a mother of a girl with skin the color of sand. The moment she saw the child she knew this girl is different. She decides to name her Onyesonwu, in the African language it means “who fears death?”

David Mogo Godhunter by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

This book is set in a post-apocalyptic Nigeria. It is focused on a titular demigod. He is also a popular and good hunter. The demigod scours the streets of Nigeria, specifically Lagos, as a consequence of an event known as The Falling. In this event, thousands of orishas have in this city.

The Famished Road by Ben Okri

Azaro is an abiku or spirit child. In the Yoruba tradition of Nigeria, an abiku exists between life and death. The life Azaro sees for himself and the stories he narrates are full of tragedy. However, he was born with a smile on his face. He was summoned to the land of the dead, and to protect their child his parents became destitute.

The Killing Moon by N.K. Jemisin

The only law in Gujaareh is peace. Upon the rooftops and among the shadows of the ancient city’s cobbled streets wait the Gatherers. They are the keepers of this peace. The duty of the priests of the dream-goddess is to yield the magic of the sleeping mind and utilize it as healing, calm, and kill the corrupted ones. But, when a plan blooms within the great temple, the Gatherer Ehiru must think about all the things he knows. Something or someone is killing naive dreamers in the goddess’s name.

Acacia by David Anthony Durham

The ruler of the Known World is Leodan Akaran. He has inherited peace and prosperity won by his ancestors, ages ago. Leodan is a widower of high intellect and he has an empire known as Acacia. He kept the reason behind their prosperity a secret from his children. The traffic in drugs and humans is the source of their affluence. He wishes to change this situation however he has to go through several conflicts. On his deathbed, he plots a plan for the escape of his children, to their separate destinies. His children begin a pursuit to avenge their father’s demise and get hold of the Acacian Empire, based on universal freedom.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

Tracker is famous for his skills as a hunter. He is engaged in the task of finding a boy who disappeared three years ago. Tracker always had a rule of working rule, however this time he has to break the rule. He had to form a band, filled with random characters with secrets of their own. Marlon James has drawn the idea from African mythology and history and offered his imagination words through this work of fiction.

Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi wa Thiong’o

The novel is set in the “Free Republic of Aburiria”. It deals with a battle for overpowering the souls of the Aburirian people. The contenders are High Mighty excellence; corrupt Christian Ministry; Wizard, an avatar of wisdom and folklore; and wicked Global Bank. This book reveals humanity in all its corruption and complexity.

Daughters of Nri by Reni K Amayo

Naala grew up in her small and quiet village seeking adventure. Sinai lives in political and cold Nri. Albeit they are miles apart, still they have an indestructible connection. They share the same face, and blood and have the power of similar unspoken magic. They got split at birth. Both of them are examined in ways that awaken a formidable and supernatural power deep within the girls. In the end, their path will lead back to Eze.

Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

In the year 1750 – Kintu Kidda sets free a curse that will plague his household for generations. In this tale of the Kintu clan and of Uganda, author Makumbi weaves the stories of the descendants of this clan. They seek to shatter the burden of their history and settle the inheritance of tradition and their future.

The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi

Jess Harrison is eight-years-old. Her father is English and her mother is Nigerian. Due to her possession of excellent imagination, she had a hard time in school. It is only with her visit to Nigeria, that she was able to make a true friend. Tilly is her new friend. Her visits became disturbing till Jess realizes that she doesn’t know her friend at all.

A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar

After the death of Jevick’s father, he begins to yearly sell trips to Olondria. Olondria is a distant land where books are as common as they are rare in his house. His life is as close to content as he can think of. However, with Olondria’s Rabelaisian Feast of Birds, he becomes haunted by a ghost of an uneducated young girl. Jevick’s struggle to free her and him makes it a fascinating read.

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