The Rosewater Insurrection

This book builds skillfully on the concepts from the last one, and the multiple POVs are a definite improvement (it's actually really interesting to see how everyone else sees Kaaro). I loved the webs of plots and relationships between the characters, but there was a little too much gratuitous sexual violence for me to give it 4 stars. Like yes I get the purpose of showing the “rape camp” run by the criminal army but the blase way it's described was a little much. 

Overall though, great sequel. 

The Nigerian setting of the Rosewater series instantly gives it a very distinctive vibe. This Africanfuturism series is based around a giant alien being called Wormwood that has settled somewhere in Nigeria, with a city called Rosewater that has grown about it. This alien being has slowly begun to alter many people in the vicinity, giving some superhuman powers, healing people of illness and sometimes even raising them from the grave.

This, the second book in the trilogy sees the mayor of Rosewater rebel against the government of Nigeria. At the same time, something is not well with Wormwood. The protagonists have changed a bit from the first book and we get some new POVs, although some favourites do return. This is an action packed romp with an interesting sci-fi twist and wonderfully Nigerian vibes. Much more political than the first book, it delves into mysterious government controlling cults, and also brings an intriguing look at where the story is going, what Wormwood is doing and its implications for the human race.

Very enjoyable - I have really enjoyed dabbling into africanfuturism as it really does provide a fresh twist on things. Rosewater is a really accessible entry point for this.