Years of Shame tells the haunting tale of Patrice Ikebe, a man whose defiance and misplaced pride lead him to take the ukpa ji-ukpa nwa, a feared ritual oath of loss of wealth and children. The novel unravels the devastating ripple effects of this decision, spanning generations and culminating in a heart-wrenching reckoning for his descendants. With brilliant storytelling and unforgettable characters, Udenwe crafts a moving exploration of shame, loss, and the unrelenting grip of tradition.

As their lives intertwine—in bustling markets and underground clubs, churches and hotel rooms—vagabonds are seized and challenged by spirits who command the city’s dark energy. Whether running from danger, meeting with secret lovers, finding their identities, or vanquishing their shadowselves, Osunde’s characters confront and support one another, before converging for the once-in-a-lifetime gathering that gives the book its unexpectedly joyous conclusion.

In “When Ravens Become Flowers,” there is a lot of mirth and singing to celebrate the verses. Themes such as despair, trauma, loss, and grief are all present in the collection. The poems in this book demonstrate the fluid spectrum of human emotions, such as uncertainty, which leads to pain and misery, till they become triggers of anxiety. We also see the social effect of bigotry and institutionalized prejudice, which is often designed to silence us.

From shared laughter over mundane routines to life-changing events, each story reveals what it’s like to experience endings and beginnings in equal measure. Set in Kigali and beyond, this collection speaks to the rawness of growing up and the ache of a youth that fades too fast.

On the 28th of March 2022, a train from Abuja to Kaduna is attacked by terrorists. A month before, a young woman with big dreams finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Five years before then, two best friends survive a horic assault that alters the course of their lives. the room where an old man died.