 | Orisha, vol. 1: With Great Power (Orish) Author: Umar, Huzayfa | |
| Price: $11.47 | ||
Summary:
An African teen named Aboki unexpectedly gains the superhuman power of an Orisha, a celestial being with godlike abilities, and must navigate alliances and enemies while grappling with the weight of his newfound powers and the potential corruption of humankind. In manga graphic novel format.
Reviews:
School Library Journal (+) (12/12/25)
Booklist (04/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 04/01/2025 Aboki often finds himself the target of bullying and ostracization because of the strange birthmarks on his face, and he ends up in the wilderness outside the village, alone. On one such occasion, he stumbles across a mysterious glowing object: a celestial seed belonging to a powerful Orisha. It fuses with Aboki, and he’s plunged into a cosmic power struggle between Orisha, voodoo beasts, and humans, complicated by prophecies and murderers vying for the power now resting in him. This is an action-packed story that balances world building with fight scenes and brings in a fresh perspective with its inspiration from African mythology. There are times when certain phrases become too repetitive, but readers will most likely forgive that in light of Aboki’s lovability and altruism, as well as the overall pace and interest of the storyline. Umar’s illustrations alternate between sketches and fine details, comical facial expressions and serious hero poses. This variety for different situations heightens the reading experience. Fans of Saint Seiya or InuYasha may also enjoy the mythology elements and adventuring aspects of this series. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 12/12/2025 Gr 7 Up—Due to unique birthmarks, Aboki is often singled out by people in his village. During a game in the forest, where he is once again playing as the monster instead of the hero, Aboki stumbles across an Orisha seed that magically bonds with him. A nearby spirit informs him that he is now the new celestial Orisha and that the powers he has inherited will draw beasts to him, right before a monster erupts into the clearing. Aboki needs to learn how to control and wield his new powers quickly to protect himself and others, but with other Orisha skeptical of him, it'll be an uphill battle to find someone willing to train him. Not everyone is as they seem; without full control of his abilities, will Aboki be able to hold on to his positivity and survive? Nigerian-born creator Umar has expertly crafted a fantasy world enriched with West African mythos. His black-and-white sketchy illustration style is excellent at conveying movement, and the art is explosive during battle sequences. VERDICT This blend of West African folklore and manga storytelling is highly recommended.—Lisa Rowland - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
