By Nuzo Onoh.
Where the Dead Brides Gather is a mesmerising and eerie novel set in Nigeria, blending supernatural horror with rich cultural traditions.
The story follows Bata, an eleven-year-old girl tormented by nightmares. One night, she wakes to find herself transformed—her hair, skin, and eyes a dazzling white—standing outside her cousin Keziah’s door.
Keziah is set to marry the next day, but first, she must survive an attack from a vengeful ghost bride, a spirit who was once engaged to her groom. Possessed by a mysterious force, Bata fights and defeats the ghost-bride but collapses, and tragically dies during an exorcism attempt by the village witch doctor.
Bata’s journey continues in the spirit realm of Ibaja-La, where she encounters the ghosts of brides from different cultures who died tragically before their weddings. In this realm, she is given secret powers by Mmuọ-Ka-Mmuọ, the ghost-collector, to battle evil ghost-brides. When she returns to the human world, Bata must learn to harness these powers to protect her loved ones.
Where the Dead Brides Gather intertwines themes of Catholicism, African folk traditions, and supernatural horrors, particularly focusing on the experiences of women.
The book offers vivid depictions of village life, mixing modernity and tradition, and explores the unseen forces that shape the world.
Known as the "Queen of African Horror," the author delivers a haunting, immersive tale that lingers long after the final page. Fans of supernatural horror and folklore will find this book a must-read.
Thank you so much to the author - Nuzo Onoh as well as Olivia at Titan Books for sending me an advance reader copy!
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