SHIGIDI AND THE BRASS HEAD OF OBALUFON

How to get a head

RELEASED 8 FEBRUARY

304 pages | Hardback/ebook/audiobook

Author Wole Talabi

Publisher Gollancz

At its heart, this fantasy novel is a heist caper. Nneoma is a succubus, and her partner Shigidi is a minor nightmare god employed by the Orisha Spirit Company. The pair branch out as freelancers, accepting a dangerous assignment: retrieving an artefact from the British Museum. Given recent discourse, righteous anger at the museum’s possession of plundered treasures feels apt.

The characters’ dynamic is terrific, and this is also the story of their relationship, with a well-constructed arc that starts in medias res, yanks us back through history, and returns to a satisfying conclusion.

The book joins the canon of literature set in a world behind our own. Fans of Neil Gaiman and Kate Griffin will feel at home, although Wole Talabi reveals his story through the lens of Yoruba tradition, drawing on his Nigerian background. The universe is clearly anchored in African beliefs, but with a global perspective and modern twists, like sigils drawn on smartphones. The gods operate as ruthless corporations, with events such as the Crusades described as

The universe is anchored in African beliefs

hostile takeovers. It has the energy of an Avengers movie, and its punch-ups are described with a thrilling intensity.

If it appeals, you’ll be happy to learn that there’s more: though this is Talabi’s debut novel, he’s published many short stories, including several featuring Shigidi (bit.ly/shigidishort). Dave Bradley

The titular brass head is a real artefact – a 14th or 15th century sculpture, dug up during house-building works in 1938.