Nuzo Onoh is back with another dose of African horror, which delves into the occult but is ultimately a tale of vengeance.
We follow the titular Sally-Mae who is violently assaulted and impregnated, but in the aftermath of her pregnancy she comes upon new abilities which will change her life forever and maybe give her the redemption she craves.
The Turning… is a very interesting swing by Onoh as nothing in terms of horror is off the table. We have possession, the ability to turn into snakes and even reading minds as core parts of the plot.
I must admit it does take its time to warm up, and for me personally, it’s ending which could have indulged in the carnage, fell a little flat.
Having said this, Onoh is certainly a unique voice in the literary horror sphere writing stories that provide representation for different communities whilst leaning into some tropes but also breaking new ground to readers who may not know much African lore.
The Turning of Sally Mae ultimately is a mixed bag, but will certainly delight readers of her previous work and turn others on to her work.
The Turning of Sally Mae by Nuzo Onoh is available now in various formats by Titan Books.
