Title: Akwaugo
Author: Rosemary Okafor
Year of Publication: 2022
Number of Pages: 315
Category: Fiction
If you were ever a fan of DStv’s Epic Channel, this book might just take you back to those dramatic, intense Nollywood movies we couldn’t get enough of. Akwaugo brings the same mix of forbidden love, family drama, and raw emotions with even more heat.
From the subtitle alone, you can already smell trouble. We all know how it goes, start craving what you shouldn’t, and you’re already neck-deep in wahala. And as you turn the pages, one question begins to stir: who’s chasing the forbidden fruit here? Is it the pale-skinned girl with the strange, magnetic aura or the effortlessly cool, irresistible man?
Now let’s talk about Rosemary Okafor, the daring mind behind this sizzling tale. Honestly, she might need a few prayers and deliverance, her writing is that bold. Raw, unapologetic, and definitely not PG-rated, Akwaugo is strictly for grown-ups. If you’ve got kids at home, you might want to hide this one on the top shelf. But once you dive in, you’ll probably love it so much, you’ll forgive the author and start applauding her audacity.
Right from the jump, Rosemary warns that readers might feel like punching a wall. She’s not joking. This book gets under your skin. The plot centers around Akwaugo, Mezie, and Tobechukwu and it’s messy. In a desperate attempt to erase her husband’s shame, Akwaugo does the unthinkable, and things spiral. Nigerian readers might nod knowingly; foreign readers may raise an eyebrow or two. The book confronts heavy topics like infertility, lust, true love, and physical abuse, all delivered with intensity.
If you’re a woman, brace yourself, you might end up falling for Tobe. And Akwaugo? She’s a goddess, just not treated like one by her husband. There’s also a standout villain: insecure and cruel to the core. You’ll want to reach through the pages and shake him.
Curiously, Mezie, the husband, doesn’t get much room to explain himself. Each chapter is named after a character, and his limited presence almost feels like the author herself has written him off, nudging us instead toward louder, bolder voices.
The book is deeply rooted in Eastern Nigeria, with Igbo phrases laced throughout. Don’t worry if you don’t speak the language, it adds flavor without getting in the way. While much of the story unfolds in the village (with Mezie, the self-proclaimed local champion), the shift to Lagos and its business hustle is a refreshing change. It’s like escaping a stifling room into open air.
One of the most powerful parts of the story is how love is shown. Strong, determined, and almost like a fairytale. The kind that makes you ask: do men like this still exist? If you’re a romantic, you’ll be swept off your feet. If not, you may side-eye the author, thinking she’s a dreamer. Either way, the love in this book feels real (or unreal) and dangerously intense.
Then comes the twist, you start to wonder if what you’re witnessing is love at all. There’s heat, there’s passion, and there’s a ton of steamy dialogue that blurs the lines. Maybe there’s a very thin border between love and lust after all.
Despite the chaos, love wins. But not without taking you on an emotional rollercoaster. This book will stress you, frustrate you, and still leave you smiling at the end.
A quick and unforgettable read.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the Publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: titi.oyemade@gmail.com Social: @tiipreeofficial
