SEVHAGE Publishers has officially released Owuro Rising: Book One, a powerful debut novel by Nigerian writer Michael Olugbenga Olobadola.
At the centre of this story is Emmanuel, a teenager escaping a life of religious abuse, drawn into a world of secrets and ancient magic. Alongside characters such as Lola, a guilt-stricken siren, Kenny, a blossoming witch, the novel explores friendship, identity, and the courage to reclaim power in the face of personal and communal darkness.
“The other voices one comes across are that of Demola Kilani, a wizard who had a relationship with Kenny’s mother; Sadiat, the Vice Chair of Owuro Local Government Council; Jerry, the boyfriend of Lola’s best friend turned nemesis; and Ty (Taiye), Kenny’s twin brother. Together, they bring diverse perspectives and tell the same story from different sides creating a more rounded narrative.”
Award-winning author and scholar Soji Cole describes the novel as:
“Owuro Rising is an imaginative narrative that draws richly on African cultural contexts and storytelling traditions, offering a portrait of youth at the crossroads of the seen and unseen worlds… Its fusion of the quotidian with the magical, the personal with the communal, speaks to enduring questions about identity, power, and belonging in contemporary African society,” says Soji Cole, a multiple award-winning author, scholar, and Assistant Professor at St Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.”
Owuro Rising is Michael Olobadola’s first published novel and the opening to a planned series. As a writer deeply inspired by Nigerian culture and storytelling, Olobadola aims to spotlight young African voices in fantasy and speculative genres.
With a length of about 108 pages, the novel is positioned as an accessible and compelling read for both young adults and lovers of African-inspired fantasy. The book’s cover design is by Adakole Stephen Okopi, while editing was handled by S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema and Chinaza James-Ibe.
Published by SEVHAGE (Nigeria and UK) in collaboration with the Journal of African Literature and African & Black Creatives for Development (ABC4D), the book is set for release in both print and digital formats.
SEVHAGE, known for championing African literature and new writers, has listed the book for purchase via its official website, email orders, and retail locations across Makurdi, Abuja, Ibadan, Karu, Wolverhampton, and Nottingham.
For more information or bulk orders, readers can visit SEVHAGE’s official website or email sevhage@gmail.com
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
