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The writing style was nice, and I think there’s room for improvement, which is why I am still not ruling out the possibility of continuing with the series, especially because my main problem with the book was that the plot was too similar to other books I’ve read, but I believe in the next books it can get more original, if given the chance. But Onyeka and her new friends at the Academy soon have to put their powers to the test as they find themselves caught up in an epic battle . . . one that puts the future of all Solari at risk. Stripped down to its fundamentals, the setting of ONYEKA's universe is not wholly unique either, but the secret superhero school is located in an oft-forgotten area in children's literature, Africa, specifically the city of Lagos in Nigeria. Technologically advanced, Lagos is given the spotlight as Onyeka and her friends explore the local areas, giving the book an original flavour of set pieces and places of interest. Onyeka has always felt conscious about her hair, which is exuberant and often difficult to manage. She feels it draws unwanted attention which enhances her feeling that she does not quite fit in. She and her mother left Nigeria to come to England and her mother, although loving, is overprotective and unwilling to discuss Onyeka's father. When Onyeka goes to the pool with her best friend, Cheyenne, things go very wrong and Cheyenne nearly drowns; however, somehow Onyeka - and her hair - manage to save Cheyenne, leading to the discovery that Onyeka is not entirely human and her father was Solari, someone with amazing powers, and who is now missing. Together, they leave for Nigeria to get help from Dr. Dòyìnbó, her father's mentor and there, Onyeka meets other Solari children, notably Niyì, Hassan and Adanna, at a school where Solari children are trained. When her mother goes missing, Onyeka finds herself embroiled in a battle for the truth.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for an eARC of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun in exchange for an honest review. Summary: Timid Onyeka is doing exactly what her mother asks of her. Until her best friend has a pool party that changes everything. With her friend in danger, she jumps to her rescue. Only her hair is the one to save her in the end. Leading to even bigger reveals Onyeka is now headed to a school of magic that is a world away from her own. Will she be strong enough to embrace this new journey and new powers? With the help of new friends and old family history she is willing to give it her best shot. All Onyeka knows is that when they moved to the U.K. it was just the two of them. Onyeka's Mom keeps their past shrouded in mystery, preferring to ignore the topic rather than answering any of Onyeka's questions. An empowering and fast-paced adventure, albeit not an entirely original one, ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF THE SUN is a book of self-acceptance of superheroic proportions. I absolutely adored this story from the very first chapter. Getting to know Onyeka, she is such a special character, the kind who is easy to root for.
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Cheyenne’s face is twitching, like she’s trying to keep it straight. “You know what you’re gonna look like with all your hair crammed into that, don’t ya?” Other reviewers have mentioned that they thought the plot was quite predictable. I would say the plot was perfect for a middle grade reader. The hints and clues at where to look were in my opinion perfectly placed and timed and would give children a very satisfying feeling if they put the pieces together before the big reveal. Equally, it wouldn’t matter if they hadn’t pieced things together. Final Thoughts I don’t fit in here either, but it’s not always a bad thing” she replies with a grin. “Besides, it’s not as if you can change who you are, so you might as well own it.” The mystery is the part that I loved the most! What happened to Onyeka’s father? What created all these superpowered kids? There are so many big questions that come up that I absolutely needed answered that made me keep reading until I could find out more.
The book received generally positive receptions from book reviewers and readers alike. It was one of the most anticipated middle grade novels of 2022 by Book Riot, The Nerdist, and Publishers Weekly. [5] I would definitely recommend this book to any Middle Grade Reader, particularly if you are looking for diverse, culture-filled, immersive OWN-voices stories. Onyeka hates her wild mass of out-of-control hair. Everywhere she goes it attracts unwanted attention and unasked for comments. Just one more thing that makes her feel different and left out. However while they are both playing in the water something happens and Cheyenne ends up in distress. Onyeka, not a strong swimmer to begin with, cannot sit by while her best friend drowns. She has to help her, thus she learns the magic power of her hair.
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When her best friend Cheyenne has a freak accident at the pool not even Onyeka can explain what happened. Her mother knows and knows it’s time they must return to Nigeria, even with the danger this poses. They must find Onyeka’s father.
I wish,” I reply. “She thinks it’s cute.” I flatten the u into an oo sound in imitation of Mum’s strong Nigerian accent. Cheyenne smiles in instant recognition, her downturned eyes sparkling with glee. Hushed whispers spread across the salon and an annoyed look settled on Mum’s face. She hates standing out almost as much as she hates me standing out. Then her face evened out suddenly, just before she gave in to the peer pressure she’s always warning me about. Why do you two want to go swimming anyway when Cheyenne gets all those ear infections?” she continued. “You can’t even swim very well.”As Onyeka comes to terms with her newly-discovered powers, she initially struggles to control them and has to do a lot of growing up in a short space of time. With her sense of liberation comes the realisation of the responsibility she holds, both to herself and to others. The beauty, magic and power of Onyeka’s hair is interwoven throughout the story and I can see lots of children reading this story wanting hair just like Onyeka’s. However, the book shows the true treasure is embracing you and what makes you unique. Each character having their own superpower – even in the case of Cheyenne where her superpower is simply being an incredible friend. Onyeka is a twelve-year-old girl living in the U.K. with her Mom. They moved there from their native Nigeria when Onyeka was very young. In fact, she was so young she doesn't remember anything about her life in Nigeria where they lived with her father.
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