If you enjoy reading novels by Nnedi Okorafor then you might also like the following authors:
Tomi Adeyemi is an author who writes stories rich with West African mythology and powerful themes. Her book “Children of Blood and Bone” follows Zélie, a young girl fighting to bring magic back to her world, which has been stripped of it by a ruthless king.
Along the way, she faces danger, confronts her fears, and discovers her own strength. The story blends elements of culture, family, and rebellion against oppression. If you’ve enjoyed Nnedi Okorafor’s works, this book might feel like a natural next step.
N.K. Jemisin is a writer who creates imaginative worlds filled with rich characters and unique magic systems. In her book “The Fifth Season,” the world is constantly reshaped by massive earthquakes, and certain people have the power to control these forces.
The story follows Essun, a woman on a mission to find her missing daughter, set against the backdrop of an empire inching toward collapse. The world-building is vivid and layered, and the survival themes run deep.
If you enjoy Nnedi Okorafor’s blend of fantastical elements and personal journeys, Jemisin’s writing might catch your attention.
Octavia E. Butler was a science fiction writer who explored themes of identity, survival, and power in ways that feel incredibly human. Her novel “Wild Seed” is an unforgettable story about two immortals, Anyanwu and Doro.
Anyanwu is a shape-shifter who can heal herself, while Doro is a spirit-like being who inhabits human bodies to survive. Their meeting sets off an intense power struggle as Doro’s methods clash with Anyanwu’s sense of morality.
The story spans centuries, touching on how their abilities shape their lives and the people around them. It combines suspense with deep emotional journeys, creating a narrative that’s hard to put down.
Tade Thompson is an author known for blending science fiction with African cultural elements. His book, “Rosewater,” is set in a near-future Nigeria and follows Kaaro, a man with psychic abilities who works for a government agency.
The story unfolds around a mysterious alien biodome that appeared years ago, sparking questions about its purpose as it starts affecting people in strange ways. Kaaro’s journey takes him through danger, secrets, and the unknown.
The world feels alive, filled with rich detail, and the mix of technology and tradition gives the story a unique edge.
Chinelo Onwualu is a Nigerian author known for her imaginative storytelling rooted in African cultures and traditions. Her collection of short stories, “Son of the Storm,” weaves together magic, political intrigue, and personal ambition in a richly built world.
The story follows Danso, a scholar who stumbles upon forbidden knowledge that challenges everything he has been taught. Secrets unravel as ancient powers resurface, drawing readers into a vivid and unpredictable journey filled with tension and discovery.
Fans of Nnedi Okorafor’s work will find similar themes of identity and transformation in Onwualu’s writing.
Lauren Beukes is a South African author who often blends science fiction, fantasy, and social commentary in her books. One of her standout novels, “Zoo City,” is set in a gritty, alternate version of Johannesburg.
The story follows Zinzi December, who has a sloth companion tied to her as part of a mysterious curse that marks people who’ve committed crimes. Zinzi uses her unique ability to find lost things to make a living.
When she gets hired to locate a missing pop star, the job pulls her into the dangerous underworld of her city. The book weaves dark magic, urban landscapes, and a tough, resourceful protagonist into its pages.
Rivers Solomon is a writer known for creating powerful stories that explore identity, community, and survival in vivid and imaginative ways. One of their books, “An Unkindness of Ghosts,” takes place on a massive spaceship segregated by race and class.
The protagonist, Aster, is a brilliant yet socially isolated medic who starts uncovering secrets about the ship, its rulers, and her mother’s mysterious death.
The setting pulls you into its layers of injustice and resistance, and Aster’s journey is filled with moments that will keep readers turning pages. Fans of Nnedi Okorafor’s works may connect with the rich world-building and the focus on personal and societal struggles.
Somto O. Ihezue is a Nigerian author whose work taps into African mythology and vibrant world-building.
In their book, “The Risen Gods,” a young girl named Adaora discovers she is at the center of an ancient battle between forgotten deities trying to reclaim their power in a world that has moved on from them.
As Adaora is drawn into this conflict, she uncovers secrets about her family and her identity that connect her to the fate of these beings. The story blends folklore, modern struggles, and a bit of wild unpredictability that keeps the twists coming.
Akwaeke Emezi is an author who creates stories infused with unique blends of reality and the supernatural. One of their novels, “Freshwater,” introduces Ada, a child born with several spirits living inside her.
As Ada grows up, these spirits influence her actions and her sense of self in ways that explore identity and trauma. The book transforms something as personal as a young woman’s inner life into a narrative that feels otherworldly.
If you enjoy authors who weave African spirituality and mysticism into contemporary settings, Emezi’s work might feel familiar and exciting.
Andrea Hairston is a writer known for blending science fiction and fantasy in ways that explore culture, identity, and history.
In her novel “Master of Poisons,” she tells the story of Djola, an adviser struggling to save his homeland from a spreading environmental disaster, and Awa, a young woman with a unique connection to magic.
Their paths cross in a world full of spirits, poisons, and complex allegiances. The book draws readers into its rich setting, where survival depends on both courage and unlikely alliances.
If you enjoy stories with deep worldbuilding and characters who challenge their fates, this book could be worth exploring.
Tochi Onyebuchi writes imaginative stories that explore deep social themes through vivid characters and unique worlds. His book “Riot Baby” follows Kev, a young Black man with extraordinary powers, and his sister Ella, who has even greater abilities.
Kev is incarcerated, but Ella’s psychic connection to him lets her experience his pain and anger. The story moves from their childhood in Los Angeles to a powerful vision of a transformed future.
Readers who enjoy Nnedi Okorafor’s blend of speculative fiction and sharp commentary might be drawn to Onyebuchi’s gripping take on resilience and systemic injustice.
P. Djèlí Clark is a writer who creates stories that blend fantasy, history, and magic in unique ways. One of his books, “A Master of Djinn,” is set in an alternate version of 1912 Cairo where magical beings share the world with humans.
It follows Fatma, a sharp-witted woman working as an agent for the Ministry of Alchemy. She is called to investigate a mysterious murder tied to a secret brotherhood and an ancient figure claiming to be a long-dead prophet.
The mix of detective work, mystical creatures, and a richly detailed setting makes for an exciting read.
Karen Lord is a Barbadian author who writes stories that blend sci-fi and fantasy with cultural richness. Her novel, “The Best of All Possible Worlds,” tells the story of a planet-wide tragedy that leaves the Sadiri people searching for a way to preserve their culture.
They team up with a team of researchers, including a woman named Grace Delarua, to find compatible communities for rebuilding their society.
The journey takes them across different settlements with unique lifestyles and traditions, showing how worlds and people connect in unexpected ways. It’s a book that mixes emotion and exploration in a really engaging way.
Marlon James is a Jamaican author known for rich storytelling that dives into mythology and history. His book, “Black Leopard, Red Wolf,” is set in a vibrant African-inspired world filled with magic, danger, and secrets.
The story follows Tracker, a hunter with a sharp sense of smell, who is tasked with finding a missing boy. Along the way, Tracker joins a strange group, including a shape-shifting leopard, and they face beasts, betrayals, and shifting truths.
The novel builds a world alive with powerful creatures, colorful landscapes, and deep lore. If you like immersive, imaginative tales, Marlon James might catch your interest.
Sheree Renée Thomas is a talented author who blends folklore, science fiction, and deep cultural roots in her stories. Her book, “Nine Bar Blues,” is a collection of short stories connected by themes of memory, music, and the mysteries of existence.
One story follows a musician whose songs can bend reality, while another explores a haunted river that carries the weight of history.
The vivid settings and lyrical storytelling create a world that feels rich and alive, full of characters who linger in your mind long after you close the book.