Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Suyi Davies Okungbowa (born Osasuyi E. Okungbowa in 1989) is a Nigerian science fiction, fantasy and dark fiction writer. He is the author of The Nameless Republic epic fantasy trilogy, beginning with "Son of the Storm" (Orbit, May 2021). His debut was the godpunk fantasy novel, "David Mogo", "Godhunter" (Abaddon, July 2019). His work is heavily influenced by the histories and cultures of West Africa and Nigeria, and discusses themes of identity, challenging difference and finding home. WIRED's Peter Rubin referred to him as "one of the most promising new voices coterie of African SFF writers."
Early life.
Okungbowa was born and raised in Benin City, Edo State in the southern part of Nigeria. His early life orbited around the University of Benin where his parents worked, and he then went on to obtain a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering from the same university between 2006 and 2011. He later moved to Minna, Niger State and then, Lagos. He went on to study at the University of Arizona in Tucson for an MFA in Creative Writing.
Personal life.
Okungbowa currently lives and works in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to that, he lived in Lagos, Nigeria and has worked in various fields, from construction engineering to professional services in finance to marketing communications to digital learning in nonprofit. He is married.
"David Mogo, Godhunter" (Abaddon, 2019).
Suyi Davies Okungbowa's debut novel, "David Mogo, Godhunter" was released by the Abaddon imprint of Rebellion Publishing in Oxford, UK on July 9, 2019 in the US and two days later in the UK and Europe. The novel follows the titular demigod, who is also a god hunter, as he scours the streets of Okungbowa's native Lagos, Nigeria, in the aftermath of an event called The Falling where thousands of orishas—Yoruba deities—have fallen to the city.
The novel received good reception, with venues like "WIRED" commenting that, "a number of books have been termed 'godpunk,' but Suyi Davies Okungbowa's novel may be the subgenre's platonic deific ideal," while "Publisher's Weekly" mentioned that "this story is captivating, and readers who enjoy non-Western fantasy, mythpunk, and tales of found family will find it delightful." However, there were critical mentions of the story structure, which was a novel in three parts, almost akin to a collection of novellas ("F(r)iction"'s Giancarlo Riccobon called it "three books for the price of one") and the treatment of some of the minor characters. But overall, the consensus was that the authorial voice was fresh and welcome, especially in a white-dominated sub-genre.
"American urban fantasy, like any established genre, can get predictable," L.E.H Light of "BlackNerdProblems" said in a lengthy, favourable review. ""David Mogo, Godhunter" is anything but."
In October 2020, "David Mogo, Godhunter" was announced as the winner of the 2020 Nommo Award for Best Speculative Novel by an African (the Ilube Award).
The Nameless Republic trilogy (Orbit, 2021-present).
In January 2020, Orbit Books (a science fiction and fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group, USA and Little, Brown UK) announced the acquisition of "an incredible new epic fantasy series" from Okungbowa. They referred to The Nameless Republic as "an evocative tale of myth and magic [that] invites readers into a rich and vibrant world inspired by West-African empires." Okungbowa himself commented: "This series is my love letter to all of us who know the magic that makes West-Africa tick–the lore and music, the harmattan and petrichor, the jollof rice and fried plantain." The first of these books, "Son of the Storm", is slated for release in May 2021.