Book cover of Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon

Book description

A Washington Post top 10 best science fiction and fantasy book of 2023

"A heist caper with sex, violence, and superpowers popping off every technicolor page." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Defiantly ambitious...an action-packed thrill ride." -The Washington Post

A mythic tale of disgruntled gods, revenge, and a heist across two…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Wole Talabi’s debut fantasy novel is a love story, an adventure story, and a spirit world story, rivetted with non-human protagonists.

Shigidi is an Afrocentric novel that spans across London, Nigeria, Singapore, Ethiopia, and everywhere else, and traversing centuries in vacillation. This multi-hued narrative is fast-paced and a riveting read.

Now, this is a makeover. Minor Nigerian god Shigidi is ugly, low-status, and neglected, but he can’t quit his job: that’s just not an option when you’re a god. Unless a powerful succubus needs a sidekick to pull off an interdimensional heist.

This book was a ride, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Sort of crime-spree-meets-spiritual-reckoning, Shigidi has romance, action, and that all-important (to me) opportunity to find out who exactly you can be when you drop all the pre-conditions. I’m hoping for a sequel.

From Catherine's list on fiction about reinventing yourself.

If you love Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon.

Browse books like Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon

Book cover of Night Soldiers
Book cover of The City We Became
Book cover of Ancillary Justice

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,299

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, you might also like...

Book cover of Karl's War

Karl's War by Neil Spark,

Karl's War is a coming-of-age-meets-thriller set in Germany on the eve of Hitler coming to power. Karl – a reluctant poster boy for the Nazis – meets Jewish Ben and his world is up-turned.

Ben and his family flee to France. Karl joins the German army but deserts and finds…

Book cover of Girl in the Ashes

Girl in the Ashes by Douglas Weissman,

Odette Lefebvre is a serial killer stalking the shadows of Nazi-occupied Paris and must confront both the evils of those she murders and the darkness of her own past.

This young woman's childhood trauma shapes her complex journey through World War II France, where she walks a razor's edge…

5 book lists we think you will like!