There is a big battle near the beginning and I wasn't sure what was going to happen next. I didn't expect to have such a uniquely populated fantasy world to experience. This book was a new experience. I didn't know what I was getting into, but I enjoyed the experience. If you like a unique fantasy world and people battling for what is right, you will like this one.

Where the Dead Brides Gather is a beautifully written horror with deep Nigerian roots. I have to say I was intrigued by the blurb but more so by the mention of Suzuki, one of my favourite authors, and I was not disappointed. The story is complex and rich, as readers we are instantly brought into tale and never let go. I don’t like spoilers but I did enjoy how ‘possession’ was not used as it normally is but rather allowed Bata to help the malevolent ghost-brides. It was an unique accept that I adored.

The other thing is that while at times this is a terrifying read there are moments that a heartwarming, there are elements of family drama and how that is deal with and most importantly interesting explorations of death and the afterlife. Bata is a wonderful protagonist to follow. I adored how she came into her power.

While this was my first novel by Onoh I will most certainly be reading their other work.

As always thank you to the Titan Books and Netgalley for my copy. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

I don't usually gravitate towards YA books but I was intrigued by the premise of this fantasy/horror centered on an eleven year old girl named Bata in Nigeria. Bata is a young, intelligent child who desires an education as well as her family's acceptance and affection more than anything. However, she soon discovers that she is a Bride Sentinel and must fulfill her duties to save betrothed women from vengeful ghost brides.

While I understand Bata is relatively young, she is primarily portrayed as a fearful girl who makes silly mistakes and self deprecating monologues that are rather repetitive and trite. There were times I sympathized with Bata, especially with all the scrutiny she faced once she took on her new role. However, I found Bata's character one dimensional for a majority of the story and would have loved to witness more of her growth.

The story itself was informative regarding some of the cultural aspects and community practices in Nigerian villages but it did not always flow seamlessly. The beginning portion focused more on Bata’s discovery of her supernatural powers and time in a spirit realm while the latter half showcased the melodrama surrounding her family following her return to world of the living. Given this, the sequence of events felt random and disjointed at times. The story ultimately dragged during the latter half before somewhat connecting back to the Bride Sentinel piece. 

Overall, I appreciated the author’s attempt at crafting an African folklore based horror novel with a neatly wrapped up ending. While a true scare factor was missing for me, perhaps others who enjoy middle grade stories with supernatural elements may find this more enjoyable.

Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This story was a whirlwind. It was a little hard for me to keep up with the characters, because there were several of them within the family, not even taking into consideration the characters outside the family. I liked Bata, but did not love her character. I was intrigued by the idea of the Bride-Sentinel though, and the setting was rich and broody. All in all, enjoyable read for horror lovers, especially those looking for non-white authors and stories!

Where the Dead Brides Gather is a fascinating tale about ghosts, possession and the afterlife. I love stories that delve into different folklore and beliefs about the great beyond and this was such a brilliant exploration of these themes.

This Nigeria-set tale focuses on Bata and starts with her battling a ghost. But it is really when she dies (this isn’t a spoiler I swear, it is in the blurb) that things really start to happen. She is taken to the realm of dead brides which is such a specific and fascinating section of the afterlife. I have only read about ghost brides in one other book (‘The Ghost Bride’ by Yangsze Choo) and was completely taken by the idea. These young women are both tragic figures and aggressors. They can be sympathised with but also feared which is a great combination for a horror story.

Whilst I’m not sure I understood all of the references in this book and was, at times, confused by the world building, I was more than happy to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the setting. There are ghosts and ghouls but also some insightful looks at human nature. With Halloween coming up, it is the perfect time to read this unique book about possession and spirits.

Nuzo Onoh, the acclaimed “Queen of African Horror,” delivers a powerful and chilling supernatural tale in Where the Dead Brides Gather, blending West African folklore, family drama, and ghostly vengeance into a compelling narrative. Set in Nigeria, the novel masterfully intertwines horror with cultural richness, exploring the intersection of the spirit world and human emotions, all while presenting a heroine caught between both realms.

The story follows Bata, a young girl plagued by ominous nightmares who suddenly finds herself thrust into a battle between the living and the dead. Her cousin’s wedding day is overshadowed by the terrifying presence of a vengeful ghost-bride, a former fiancée of the groom, who seeks murderous revenge. Onoh crafts this opening with expert tension and atmosphere, drawing readers into the heart of a family haunted by more than just secrets—by spirits with unfinished business and deadly intent.

Onoh’s use of possession as a tool for empowerment, rather than a purely terrifying ordeal, is an intriguing twist on the trope. Bata, through a supernatural possession, finds herself uniquely equipped to confront the vengeful ghost-bride. Her journey to the eerie Ibaja-La, the realm of dead brides, takes the novel into more surreal, nightmarish territory, where Onoh’s talent for atmospheric horror truly shines. This otherworldly realm is as vivid as it is terrifying, populated by restless spirits with tragic, unresolved stories.

Bata’s visit to Ibaja-La is more than just a test of her survival; it’s a transformative experience. There, she is granted secret powers and knowledge to combat the malevolent ghost-brides that haunt the living. Onoh balances the supernatural with themes of coming-of-age and self-discovery, as Bata must learn to wield her newfound abilities while grappling with the dangers that await her in both the spirit and human worlds.

What makes Where the Dead Brides Gather stand out is its rich thematic depth. Onoh doesn’t just give us a ghost story; she explores the weight of familial obligations, long-buried secrets, and the generational trauma that ties the living to the dead. Bata’s journey mirrors the tension between tradition and modernity, between individual freedom and familial duty, all while maintaining an emotional core that is as touching as it is terrifying.

The novel’s horror is both visceral and psychological. Onoh’s depiction of the ghost-brides, especially the vengeful spirit hunting Bata’s cousin, evokes genuine fear, but it is the emotional stakes—the love, loss, betrayal, and guilt—that elevate the horror. The dead in this novel are not faceless monsters; they are tragic figures whose unresolved lives spill into the present, making their presence all the more harrowing.

Onoh’s writing is evocative, seamlessly blending the supernatural with the everyday life of her Nigerian setting. The cultural context adds a layer of richness to the narrative, as Onoh delves into West African beliefs surrounding death, spirits, and exorcism. Readers unfamiliar with these traditions will find themselves immersed in a world where the boundary between the living and the dead is porous, and where spiritual battles are as real as any physical conflict.

Where the Dead Brides Gather is a story of survival and resilience, not only in the face of supernatural threats but also in the face of personal loss and familial obligations. Onoh weaves these elements into a deeply human tale, where the bonds between family members are tested by forces beyond their control, and where a young girl must navigate the horrors of both her inner and outer worlds.

For fans of supernatural horror, especially those who appreciate folklore-infused storytelling, this novel is a must-read. Onoh’s unique voice and her ability to blend terrifying ghost stories with profound emotional and cultural resonance make Where the Dead Brides Gather a standout in the genre. Readers will find themselves both touched and haunted by Bata’s journey, and by the lingering presence of the dead brides she must face.

In conclusion, Where the Dead Brides Gather is an evocative and terrifying journey into the realms of the living and the dead, filled with richly drawn characters, emotional depth, and a uniquely African perspective on horror. Nuzo Onoh has once again proven why she is regarded as a master of the genre.

This Nigerian-set fantasy-horror started full-throttle and (almost) did not stop. Eleven-year-old Bata is horrified to discover that, after a possession earlier in her childhood, she has become the Bride-Sentinel: her job is to stop evil ghost-brides attacking women on the eve of their weddings. But when her powers overwhelm her, the local medicine man sends her spirit on a sojourn to the realm of dead brides, Ibaja-La, where Mmuọ-Ka-Mmuọ, who collects the ghosts of ghosts, will help her to fight the ghost-brides.

I hoped Nuzo Onoh's Where The Dead Brides Gather might be a little like Zen Cho's brilliant 'The Terra-Cotta Bride', and it does have that same edge of absurd humour, in places, as it deliberately embraces melodrama. I especially enjoyed a manifestation of fiery, flying geladas [a type of baboon] to which the villagers react in chorus: 'People gathered outside, staring with horror at the band of gurgling, glowing baboons whirling over our house in their diabolical flight... "How in God's heaven can baboons fly? This is evil sorcery beyond human powers. Oh, Jesus!'. The voice, however, often did not land for me; Bata is written as very young for her age, and her internal monologue can be grating. The baboon scene would have been even funnier if Bata was able to regard the villagers with a level head, but she's always in the same register ('Oh, my cursed luck! I know this foul smell!')

The weakest section of the novel ended up being the one I was most looking forward to: Ibaja-La. Unlike Cho's brilliant tongue-in-cheek portrait of the Chinese afterlife, Ibaja-La just seemed silly to me, full of frothy fake weddings and dumb brides, and it's where the book veers into feeling most like children's fiction (though it's definitely not). I didn't feel truly engaged by Where The Dead Brides Gather until Bata returns from Ibaja-La and is drawn into the centre of a family conflict when she realises, to her dismay, that she can now read minds. But this new power - which ends up being the key driver of the book - feels only very tenuously linked to the ghost-bride material. Having said all this, though, I'd rather read an exuberant mess than yet another bland soulless cookie-cutter novel, and this definitely delivers. 3.5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this upcoming release!

My favorite kind of horror is nestled in the cozy corner of own voices and different cultures. It is something we are seeing more and more but it still is not where it could be nor should be for the times. 'Where The Dead Bride Gather' is a beautifully written tale that blends culturally rich elements and gothic atmosphere. It blends fantasy and horror and does so with finesse.
This was wonderful, however, it just missed the mark.

This is a highly original story. I really enjoyed the narrative of the child, in this book! It has just about the right elements to keep you interested and on the edge of your seat. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to see what the author thinks of next.

I enjoyed reading Where the Dead Brides Gather, but it wasn't what I was expecting. Nor was it what I wanted--I had expected a more gothic horror story, but this felt more like a middle grade horror than anything else. I like Onoh's writing, I'm just not sure that I see this as adult level horror.

I got through about 20-25% of this book and decided to DNF it. But not because anything about the book was bad! On the contrary, the book was very well-written and I enjoyed the way the author established the characters.

I chose to DNF it because I had a hard time keeping track of what was happening within the story. This is a completely personal issue, but I'm finding that I struggle with keeping up with a ghost story. Some I can follow and some go over my head, and this book was the latter.

If you enjoy ghost stories and are more adept than I am at keeping track of everything, I would recommend this book. As I said, the writing was top-notch.

I've provided a rating as required by NetGalley based on the author's writing rather than the book as a whole since I didn't finish it.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I really loved the concept and the atmosphere of this book. I found the story itself to drag quite a bit in the middle. I felt more explanation could have been done for the brides, their realm, and Bata's powers. I wanted a little more world building and lore.

Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable read and one of the more unique books I've encountered this year.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Where the Dead Brides Gather is a mesmerising and eerie novel set in Nigeria, blending supernatural horror with rich cultural traditions. The story follows Bata, an eleven-year-old girl tormented by nightmares. One night, she wakes to find herself transformed—her hair, skin, and eyes a dazzling white—standing outside her cousin Keziah’s door. Keziah is set to marry the next day, but first, she must survive an attack from a vengeful ghost bride, a spirit who was once engaged to her groom. Possessed by a mysterious force, Bata fights and defeats the ghost-bride but collapses, and tragically dies during an exorcism attempt by the village witch doctor.

Bata’s journey continues in the spirit realm of Ibaja-La, where she encounters the ghosts of brides from different cultures who died tragically before their weddings. In this realm, she is given secret powers by Mmuọ-Ka-Mmuọ, the ghost-collector, to battle evil ghost-brides. When she returns to the human world, Bata must learn to harness these powers to protect her loved ones.

Where the Dead Brides Gather beautifully intertwines themes of Catholicism, African folk traditions, and supernatural horrors, particularly focusing on the experiences of women. The book offers vivid depictions of village life, mixing modernity and tradition, and explores the unseen forces that shape the world. Known as the "Queen of African Horror," the author delivers a haunting, immersive tale that lingers long after the final page. Fans of supernatural horror and folklore will find this book a must-read.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

This was a really different reading experience for me. I really enjoyed how the storytelling and flow wasn't necessarily what I expected, though I went into the story without any knowledge or expectations, not having read Nigerian-set fiction nor the work of Nuzo Onoh before. I very much enjoyed it though!

There were plenty of interesting supernatural elements that were new to me, and I loved how they were so woven into the cultural and personal focuses of the story. Being able to see a bit of Nigerian culture was fascinating as well as difficult, with issues raised around child brides, male violence, and misogyny.

The plot moved well most of the time, occasionally struggling with pacing. It didn't go in the directions I thought it would at times, and this was a pleasant surprise. The characters were mostly well-developed and distinct, especially seeing Bata's growth throughout while still remaining accurate to her age (so many young FMCs end up talking and thinking like adults very quickly in stories like this, which feels unrealistic, but not here).

There are elements however that I'm not certain on. There are instances of insensitive language, and some observations of what could be transgender characters within the story that could be offensive. I feel like through a cultural lens the words and actions of the characters are probably accurate considering the Nigerian setting, and the characters also speak positively/in defense of the mentioned background characters in a way, so this could be seen in a positive light too. The treatment of women within the story can also be seen as a statement against this misogyny, and how it realistically takes place within the culture, rather than condoning the treatment.

I also wouldn't say it was as horror-based as I expected, with more of the book based on the social/family aspects of Bata's experience. There were certainly some graphics elements, with warnings for animal death, but the rest was more centred around the spooky supernatural elements.

I think I'd happily read more from this author and would love to read more fiction with Nigerian settings or myths. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for access to this ARC - all opinions are my own, honest and freely given.

Powerful tale. Definitely some strong horror elements, but you shouldn't go in expecting this to be full-out horror. Still, impressive. 5 stars

"A powerful Nigeria-set horror tale of possession, malevolent ghosts, family tensions, secrets and murder from the recipient of the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement and 'Queen of African Horror'. For readers of Octavia Butler, Ben Okri and Koji Suzuki.

Bata, a young girl tormented by nightmares, wakes up one night to find herself standing sentinel before her cousin's door. Her cousin is to get married the next morning, but only if she can escape the murderous attack of a ghost-bride, who used to be engaged to her groom.

A supernatural possession helps Bata battle and vanquish the vengeful ghost bride, and following a botched exorcism, she is transported to Ibaja-La, the realm of dead brides. There, she receives secret powers to fight malevolent ghost-brides before being sent back to the human realm, where she must learn to harness her new abilities as she strives to protect those whom she loves.

By turns touching and terrifying, this is vivid supernatural horror story of family drama, long-held secrets, possession, death - and what lies beyond."

I mean, is there that many ghost-brides that they have their own realm? I mean obviously they have their own book and film genre...

Ghost Brides have fascinated me for years after reading The Ghost Bride by Choo. Where the Dead Brides Gather is set in Nigeria and is a different culture about this amazing phenomenon. I loved this story--beautiful and sad and terrifying at times. Bata is so young to have to carry the Bride-Sentinel burden! Every chapter of the book was just more fantastical and interesting. This is such a good read! Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

Plagued with nightmares, 11-year-old Bata believes she is nothing but a burden to her family. Her older sister and mother worry about her attention-seeking, her step-mother and the triplets are kind but distant, and her father is a force to be feared. That is until one night, while Bata believes she is having yet another nightmare, she has actually begun transforming into a Bride-Sentinel - a defender of brides from the ghosts of brides who were not. This is the instigating scene for Where the Dead Brides Gather. After learning what she did was real, Bata panics and her father takes her to the traditional spiritual advisor for the village - against her Christian mother's wishes. There the giant spirit Mmuọ-Ka-Mmuọ appears and takes Bata to the spirit realm to visit Ibaja-La, the realm of the dead brides. She spends thirty days here - a mere three hours on the mortal plane - learning how to detect good bride ghosts from evil bride ghosts. She succeeds and is given the eight faces - tools to pacify or destroy ghost brides who attack living brides. This isn't a boon, however much the ten villages believe her to be a new protector, as this makes her home life far, far worse.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I expected or hoped. It feels like the book has significant potential to be a great story, but that it just wasn't ready to be pushed to publication yet.

The main reason for this feeling is that a large part of the middle of the book has nothing to do with the dead brides - instead focusing on the suffering this duty has brought to Bata. At the same time, though, there's not enough explanation on some of the powers. For example, it turns out she's able to read minds once she's back in the realm of the living, but it isn't explained where this came from (since it wasn't mentioned as one of the gifts from the spirits in Ibaja-La). This particular gifts shifts the book from one about protecting from dead brides to one of using an 11-year-old as a spy within her own family. The prose also bothered me. On the one hand, it was simultaneously trying to sound like a scared 11-year-old, but also having much of the dialogue sound almost like High English speakers (despite mentioning several times that only Ola is university educated). Along with this, the prose is also questionable. For example, there's insensitive language (e.g. using "Eskimo" or describing "male brides" as requiring the same lipsticks and dresses as women brides), seemingly no women like each other (and can't talk about each other without talking about men), and the women are all talked about as being interchangeable but the men are individuals (e.g., the bride-sentinel not being allowed to harm a groom, or the groom being able to have a multitude of marriages throughout his reincarnations but brides only have one true marriage to which they belong).

The story is a bit all over the place and I personally feel this would’ve been better as a novella. Sometimes it’s okay to take out the things that don’t work. The actual premise of the book is so intriguing but it just gets lost in this authors writing style which is a bit clunky.

A new horror tale that is set in Nigeria inspired by the folklore of Ghost Brides which I’m not too familiar with, it is a Nigerian folk tale though! and we have evil ghosts, possession, a young child with a special gift and is chosen to protect brides from malevolent ghosts on their wedding night. It was wonderful and it’s being promoted for fans of Octavia Butler which is high praise and I agree with!