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Awakened

The page-turning, spiritual and captivating debut novel

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Awakened

By: Kelechi Okafor
Narrated by: Kelechi Okafor
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About this listen

 A hidden power. A sinister force. A mystery she can't ignore.

In a near-future London where technology affects everything from our bodies to our politics, journalist Pels Badmus wants to make a real difference. She's desperate to solve a spate of disappearances of young Black kids-including her friend's brother. But her boss doesn't want to hear it. Instead, he assigns her to cover the "unreasonable" protests thousands of miles away in Benin, against culturally oblivious tourists travelling to partake in sacred Spirit Vine rituals.

Pels soon finds herself in West Africa, ignoring her boss's motives in assigning her to this piece and hoping to use it as leverage later. She's also trying to ignore the strange, ethereal dreams she's been having...

However, when Pels takes the Spirit Vine herself, she experiences something mind-boggling. Something that points to an unfulfilled destiny that could change the course of her life. But first she must return home and confront an otherworldly conspiracy related to the missing children.

Because she may just be the only one able to stop it.

A bold imagining of our future through the lens of ancient spirituality, Awakened is a page-turning fable about a Black woman coming into her power, perfect for fans of N.K Jemisin and Netflix's Supacell.©2025 Kelechi Okafor Africa Contemporary Dystopian Science Fiction Disappearance

Critic reviews

a dazzling dystopian fantasy novel
All stars
Most relevant
Brilliant listen! Left me with thoughtfully and touched by the many subjects touched upon. Desperately counting down for Kelechi's next book!

Wholesome, spirtual & entertaining

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This second installment by Kelechi Okafor is an incredible journey of becoming and the awareness that underpins the heroine. I listened with rapped excitement and bates breath.

Kelechi's spiritual powers are ablaze in this book and I am glad to recognise it.

This is afrofuturism with a London voice. I can't wait for what the author has in store.

Afrofuturism

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I really enjoyed this but couldn’t shake the feeling that it was too short! I’d have loved it to go on for a good few hours more. I really hope there’s a second instalment, as there is so much scope for more….

There needs to be a book 2!

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The story in its entirety is anchored in our Morden reality and Kelechi was able to weave the magic of spiritual and fantasy beautifully. This made the story seem plausible and not fictional. If ever there was a story told that can warn and galvanised you into action. This is it! I can't wait for the concluding parts.

Nothing about this book seems farfetched

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A beautiful and gripping way to learn about the power we all have inside us!

Inspiring, a fresh perspective

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