O.O. Sangoyomi’s Masquerade takes you on a journey through a reimagined, pre-colonial West Africa, amid power struggles and political intrigue that turn an entire region on its head.
Òdòdó’s hometown of Timbuktu has been conquered by the the warrior king of Yorùbáland. Already shunned as social pariahs, living conditions for Òdòdó and the other women in her blacksmith guild grow even worse under Yorùbá rule.
Then Òdòdó is abducted. She is whisked across the Sahara to the capital city of Ṣàngótẹ̀, where she is shocked to discover that her kidnapper is none other than the vagrant who had visited her guild just days prior. But now that he is swathed in riches rather than rags, Òdòdó realizes he is not a vagrant at all; he is the warrior king, and he has chosen her to be his wife.
In a sudden change of fortune, Òdòdó soars to the very heights of society. But after a lifetime of subjugation, the power that saturates this world of battle and political savvy becomes too enticing to resist. And as tensions with rival states reveal elaborate schemes and enemies hidden in plain sight, she must re-forge the shaky loyalties of the court to her favor, or risk losing everything–including her life.
Loosely based on the myth of Persephone, Masquerade is a dazzling, lyrical tale of the true cost of one woman’s fight for freedom and self-discovery in a patriarchal society, and the lengths she’ll go to secure her future.
Praise for Masquerade
”This debut novel is a page-turning blend of historical fiction with a retelling of the story of Hades and Persephone, deftly interweaving West African culture with mythology in a way that keeps a familiar tale feeling fresh and new. An intricately woven tale inspired by West African history.” ―Kirkus, starred review
“Richly detailed worldbuilding and inspiration from the Persephone myth all lend to a layered, immersive storyline in Sangoyomi’s debut.” ―Library Journal, starred review
“Highly recommended for fans of palace intrigue, like N.K. Jemisin’s The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (2010), or scheming characters in a historical-fiction setting, like Jamila Ahmed’s Every Rising Sun (2023).” ―Booklist, starred review
“An immersive, one-of-a-kind story.” ―People
“With sweeping romance, an incredible setting, and a heroine who will stop at nothing to have the life she deserves, Masquerade is a triumphant blend of history and folklore that will keep you glued to the page.” ―Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf
