Daughters of Oduma

December 15, 2022
Girls battle for their families in this West African-inspired world. Sixteen-year-old Sis Dirt used to compete in the girls' martial art of Bowing. Their training builds up to the God Bow tournament, from which come new recruits who become sisters in a Fam. As an elder and the Second sister of the Mud Fam, which only has the bare minimum of five members, Dirt is tasked with coaching younger Bowers in hopes of boosting their Fam's status and replenishing their ranks. If their numbers drop below five, Mud Fam will be disbanded. When she turns 17, each sister officially becomes a woman: She has her Scarring ceremony, travels to Antie Yaya's compound, and leaves her Fam forever--and Dirt turns 17 shortly after the next tournament, making victory more crucial. Sis Webba, the First and their star Bower, has a chance of winning it all, but when another competitor injures her with an illegal move, the family's hopes fall on Dirt, who is next in line but out of practice, out of shape, and lacking the confidence that she can save them. Mud Fam's underdog status and Dirt's journey are easy to root for. The immersive worldbuilding paints a picture of a community with a compelling social structure and lore, populated by Black girls who glory in their strength and large size. The fluid dialogue is written in an expressive pidgin. A vividly realized fantasy world centering strong girls and chosen family. (map) (Fantasy. 12-18)

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Starred review from January 9, 2023
In a fantasy world with a West Africa–inspired setting, teen girls must participate in an ancient martial art competition to protect their found families. Sixteen-year-old Dirt, part of the Mud Fam, is retired from the all-female fighting sport of Bowing. Now, she trains her younger Mud Fam sisters and supports their main fighter, Webba. A victory at the upcoming South God Bow tournament is crucial to helping them gain new recruits, as their dwindling numbers may lead to disbandment, especially with Dirt’s 17th birthday drawing near, after which she will transition into womanhood and be expected to leave her sisters behind for an adult compound. When Webba is injured following a violent attack by rival the Vine Fam, Dirt is forced to fight in her stead. Believing that war with the Gods is imminent, the Vine Fam intends to destroy Dirt’s family to gain all the new recruits for themselves. With the Mud Fam’s lives on the line, Dirt must train her body back into shape and endeavor to eradicate her debilitating self-doubt. Utomi weaves a tender depiction of girlhood and sisterhood via a cast of tenacious and complexly characterized Black girls. Employing abundant pidgin language, dynamic action, and intense interpersonal rifts, Utomi crafts an absorbing, striking debut. Ages 12–up.