Fore-Bearer's Sight

Strangers Among Us

Fiction - Mythology
219 Pages
Reviewed on 03/03/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite

Many years ago, there was only darkness and atmosphere. With time, these two entities became conscious and created the universe, earth, and humans. Unfortunately, the darkness, which later became known as Okunkun, imposed itself on mankind and considered itself superior to the atmosphere known as Olodumare. Seeing this, Olodumare used its bright eyes to dispel Okunkun and save creation from its control. However, one area remained in darkness, and so three vessels of Olodumare emerged to protect the area, becoming the founding fathers of the three great tribes in the Westlands: Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. They worship Olodumare and keep the Westlands out of the hands of Okunkun. During the Olodumare Festival, the worshippers are attacked by the remnant followers of Okunkun, who plan to gain control and spread their hatred, greed, and deceit. Join these mystical beings as they battle to save mankind from darkness's reign in Fore-Bearer's Sight: Strangers Among Us by Ayodeji Ayinde.

Fore-Bearer's Sight: Strangers Among Us is an entertaining, action-packed tale that features intriguing characters and intense moments. I found the book so captivating that I could not put it down, as I did not want to miss anything. It has all the potential to become a blockbuster West African movie as it delves into the region's culture and beliefs. I love books that spark my imagination and make me envision every character and scene, and the book does that, thanks to Ayodeji Ayinde’s creative and engaging storytelling. My favorite parts were the action scenes, where deities used natural elements, gravity balls, shooting stars, and incantations. The book includes familiar real tales about the Kingdom of Benin, slavery, and European expansion woven into the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who loves stories about African mythology and beliefs.

K.C. Finn

Fore-Bearer's Sight: Strangers Among Us is a work of fiction in the mythological adventure, cross-cultural fiction, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Ayodeji Ayinde, this engaging tale follows the journey of Frederick, a young British child adopted by Portuguese sailors, as he navigates the troubled shores of West Africa. Discovering the lingering presence of ancient cosmic darkness, Okunkun, Frederick finds himself entangled in a plot by Okunkun's minions, Egbe Okunkun, to regain power. As tensions escalate between the deities of Olodumare and the ancient Benin Kingdom, Frederick becomes caught in an unimaginable battle for survival and the fate of the land. Despite the chaos unfolding around him, Frederick forms a bond with Ifaromi, the son of a powerful deity, who sees Frederick's innocence and potential for good. However, when Egbe Okunkun's plot comes to fruition, Frederick finds himself at the center of a conflict that threatens to unleash the darkness he sought to escape.

Author Ayodeji Ayinde has crafted an atmospheric and immersive work that brings together elements of mythology, history, and fantasy to create a rich and captivating narrative. The dynamic characters, intricate plot twists, and vivid descriptions balance beautifully to create unsettling moods and a sense of displacement as Frederick tries to figure out his place amongst those he meets. I was particularly drawn to Frederick's journey and his bond with Ifaromi, and his well-penned struggle against the darkness all around him resonated with me on a profound level. These deep themes increase the stakes of the adventure, blending with the excellent scene craft and atmosphere to create an immersive experience that plunged me into a world of ancient cosmic forces and mythical battles. Overall, Fore-Bearer's Sight: Strangers Among Us is a compelling tale of courage, friendship, and the eternal battle between light and darkness that will stay with me long after reading.

Doreen Chombu

Fore-Bearer's Sight: Strangers Among Us by Ayodeji Ayinde is an epic fantasy novel that draws inspiration from West African mythology. The story begins with Frederick, the only survivor of a brutal massacre, who finds himself stranded on the West African coast. Because he is a child, he is spared by the mystical beings who show no mercy to his fellow crew members. Unfortunately, a supernatural war breaks out between the deities of Olodumare and those of the dark cosmic entity Okunkun. The dark forces aim to resurrect their master, who has been bound for many years. The deities of Olodumare suffer significant losses due to the unexpected attack, but just when they think all hope is lost, they realize that the stranger they spared may be their final line of defense against the ancient dark lord.

Fore-Bearer's Sight: Strangers Among Us is one of the most captivating tales I have ever come across. It has an engaging plot with numerous twists and turns, and it beautifully showcases the rich West African culture with intriguing characters who possess fascinating supernatural abilities. Ayodeji Ayinde's depictions of the fights were epic, and he did an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of what was happening at any given time. The story deals with issues such as the slave trade, racism, morality, and human nature, delving deep into man's greed, hate, jealousy, and thirst for conquest. I was particularly impressed with the plot twist about Frederick at the end, which added a shocking and realistic touch to the story. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from this tale, and I highly recommend this book. Great work!

Essien Asian

In a world where the gods walk among men, Orunmila leads Olodumare’s followers with the assistance of The Hands of Olodumare. They stand guard over the lives of men, protecting them from the antics of the dark lord, Okunkun, who persistently tries to mold the world into his dark and twisted image. Frederick and his fellow sailors become entangled in this conflict with devastating consequences when their boat beaches on African soil. As a crucial festival approaches, a plot plays out utterly unnoticed by Orunmila or his closest allies. Will Okunkun prevail this time, or can The Hands of Olodumare prevent Egbe Okunkun from carrying out nefarious plans in Ayodeji Ayinde’s Fore-Bearer’s Sight: Strangers Among Us?

Fore-Bearer's Sight by Ayodeji Ayinde depicts the ongoing struggle between good and evil. He draws on the rich African storytelling heritage to create a distinctive story featuring characters that are well-known to devoted fans of African folklore. The author takes time to craft witty exchanges between the characters, full of proverbs and idioms that give the story a distinct flavor while still being easily understood by all readers. The Yoruba dialogue translations are precise and well-placed to facilitate a deeper understanding of the storyline. Subplots range from romantic—like the love triangle involving Sango, Oya, and Amadioha—to darker ones, like Orisade's quest to win his father's respect. One thing that appealed to me about the narrative is how the author uses tangible concepts, like pressure bubbles and incantations, to illustrate African black magic battles. Ayinde’s Fore-Bearer’s Sight is a one-of-a-kind novel in a class of its own.

Keith Mbuya

Olodumare, the Supreme Being of the people of West Africa, had protected the West African kingdoms for long from Okunkun, the spirit of darkness. Descendants of fore-bearers, a group of native people with supernatural powers, ensured that no one fell prey to Okunkun’s evil, which still lurked in the land. It is the reason why the communities around the shores killed foreigners because they were deemed weak and could be easily possessed by the evil. However, it turns out the Oba of Benin had turned his back on his people and the Supreme Being. The Oba welcomed foreigners into his kingdom and sold his people to them as slaves. He had also armed his army with weapons from the foreigners, making them the strongest in the region. Orunmila, the powerful incarnate leader of the descendants of the fore-bearers, brings together a group of warriors chosen by the Supreme Being to subdue the Oba of Benin and end his treachery. Will they succeed? Find out in Ayodeji Ayinde’s Fore-Bearer’s Sight: Strangers Among Us.

Ayinde hurled me into a world of epic imagination, treating me to adventure, action, suspense, horror, thrills, and so much more. The vivid depictions uniquely captured the mood and setting of the scenes, colorfully bringing fifteenth-century West Africa to life. Ayinde effortlessly switches between the scenes of the designated characters, giving the storyline a beautiful flow. I learned a lot about West African folklore and traditions from the rich historical references of the region. Although it has a little twist of Christianity to it, I was intrigued with the West African description of the origin of the world and life, and why people on the continent have black skin color. The narrative urges Africans to be proud of their roots and skin color. Ayinde anchors the story in reality. The depictions of the characters' emotions allowed me to connect with them. Lovers of historical fiction novels with a touch of fantasy will find Ayodeji Ayinde’s Fore-Bearer’s Sight an enthralling read.