Good day everyone,
So yeah, I’m one of those who sometimes wonder what would happen if the gods of old suddenly started walking and living among us, like I sometimes see in Kdramas. Would we recognize them? Obviously not, lol. Or would we just see them as just another person? I mean, think about it, if Sango (Sango is a Yoruba god, and he is the god of thunder) suddenly show up in the middle of a bridge with thunder cracking behind him. Well… people would probably just pull out their phones and start recording for Tiktok.
Well, this thought remained in my head while I was reading Amber Fire written by Aminat Sanni-Kamal. This book brings the Yoruba god of thunder into the chaos of the modern life and managed to make it believable, even romantic. I heard from a friend that this book was a romantasy and was deeply rooted in Yoruba mythology. I’m not Yoruba, but the Yoruba tribe is a tribe I admire so deeply and I sometimes wish I was Yoruba myself. What I found in the book was even better than what my friend described, it’s a story that smoothly blends modern Lagos life with the divine, while also giving us a love story that was both fiery and tender.
The Plot
Amber Fire tells us about Toyin, a young woman with dreams and ambition beyond simply getting married and settling into someone’s idea of what her life should be. Her boyfriend of many years does not understand this, he wants her to abandon her ambitions and marry her right away. When he became much, Toyin, out of frustration, call upon Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder and fire, to punish her boyfriend, and that action changed her life forever.
What Toyin didn’t know was that Sango has been waiting for someone like her, someone who still remembers him, honors him and isn’t afraid of invoking his name. From then, her life became intertwined with the god’s. Together, they tried to retrieve Sango’s lost symbol of authority, and they faced both mortal and divine threats. Then, they developed feelings for each other. A human and a god. A love that was forged in fire, trust and sacrifice.
The way Yoruba mythology is woven into this story is honestly one of my favorite parts, it wasn’t just there just for decoration or to simply make the book good, it was the heart of the book. The bustling and chaotic street of Lagos and the mystical realm of Ilu-Orisa gave the book an extra layer of magic. You can feel the cultural root in every chapter, and it makes the book stand out from the kind of fantasy we often see.
Toyin herself is another highlight. She’s not the typical female lead character waiting to be saved. She is stubborn, not perfect and fiery in her own way. She makes mistakes but refuses to give up her sense of self and that was what made her journey so easy to connect with. And then, there’s Sango. In folklore, we know Sango as a fierce and untouchable god, but in this book, he is also vulnerable. He is powerful, yes, but there is sincerity in his longing and the sacrifices he makes, and these really humanizes him. It made him an even better romantic lead than I expected.
Toyin and Sango romance is the slow-burn kind that makes you impatient, but in the best way. There were moments I found myself literally urging them to stop holding back, and when they finally gave in, it was worth every page of build-up. I also liked the humor in the story, especially from side characters like Gbonka, who lightened difficult moments.
Final Thoughts
Amber Fire is a story with love, danger, laughter and tenderness all rolled into one. It left me thinking about independence, courage and the way love can transform not just individuals but entire destinies. It’s also a story of culture.
I would highly recommend to anyone that’s into mythology, fantasy and slow romance, this is definitely a book you will want to read.
Ratings: 4.5/5
Image is a screenshot from my e-library