From award-winning editorial team Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight comes an anthology of thirty-two original stories showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.

A group of cabinet ministers query a supercomputer containing the minds of the country’s ancestors. A child robot on a dying planet uncovers signs of fragile new life. A descendent of a rain goddess inherits her grandmother’s ability to change her appearance―and perhaps the world.

Created in the legacy of the seminal, award-winning anthology series Dark Matter, Africa Risen celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and reach of African and Afro-Diasporic SFF and reaffirms that Africa is not rising―it’s already here.

In an anthology, one of the first things I look for is how well does the anthology fit the theme. In this book, various threads and beliefs are woven into each story in the anthology but all explore the diversity and vibrancy of Africa and give the reader authentic voices and perspectives.

What I love the most are the different voices. There are both authors I know, such as Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due but also new authors to me. What that gives me is the opportunity to hear other voices, other perspectives and beliefs other than the ones I grew up with. But not only do I get the chance to explore but every one of the stories is a marvel of imagination and wonder. Some deal with different religions from the one I grew up with. Others deal with generational trauma and what that means. Others show us a new way of looking at the world. From strange to heartbreaking, each story has a unique perspective and blends technology with wonder to create poignant beautiful stories. 

If you want to immerse yourself in science fiction at its best, enjoy authentic voices, and explore stories that blend technology or different religions from Africa, then I truly recommend this anthology. The stories are each beautiful, engaging, and woven with love from the authors. From Air to Shape Lungs to The Taloned Beast, each story is crafted beautifully. I believe readers will love this anthology showcasing the breadth of fantasy and science fiction from Africa and the African Diaspora.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars