Book Review: Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

 

Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa 

179 pages, Hardcover

Published May, 2024 by Tordotcom

 I have to admit at the onset that I have fallen way behind in my book reviews as I was sick and also fell behind on some deadlines so my book reviews are not going to be as elaborate as they have been in the past.  Lost Ark Dreaming by Suyi Davies Okungbowa an author who is new to me but this was right up my alley, I like African science fiction, I have an affinity for Nigerian authors and Cli-fi is the subgenre I consider most important. 

The way this book was marketed with a cross-comparison in the cover flap. “The brutally engineered class divisions of Snowpiercer meets Rivers Solomon’s The Deep in this high-octane post-climate disaster novella…”

Set off the coast east Africa when the tides have swallowed much of the coastline, the book is set mostly in towers that reminded me of the underrated Dredd movie written by Alex Garland. The Snowpiecer comparisons come from the class divisions that run through the tower, the connection to Solomon’s The Deep is a bit of spoiler that I am glad I forgot about between the time I put the book on hold and the library and it showed up.

The towers that have sections that are permanently below the sea level works because the Suyi Davies Okungbowa is very good at World-building. The book avoids major information dumps, and the novella feels lived in.  

The characters were not as strong an element for me, but they mostly worked. Yekini being a rookie on a mission going deep into the towers was a smart POV for introductions to the world-building. Tuoyo and Ngozi both play important roles, at times predictable but that also showed me I was sure fire hands structure wise.

There  are a few moments that felt a little more profound than your average SF novel.

“Every story you believe, that you incorporate within the self, decides who you are. And the greatest weapon against freedom is to believe stories that plant a seed in your heart yet have no place growing there.”

The voice of African Sci-fi is varied and no two authors are exactly alike but there is a vibe, and feeling of profound heart in all Nigeria SF that I have read. 

“I love how you say conquer when you mean erase.

Let me borrow from their sayings here: they who rewrite stories are doomed to create monsters.” 

The monsters and heroes of Lost Ark Dreaming exceeded my expectations and I had high ooes. Suyi Davies Okungbowa is a new author to me but one I will keep watching.

“This, friend, is the way the world always ends, has always ended since we have watched it together: with those who Have choosing demise—always demise—for everything but themselves.”