Onyeka And The Heroes Of The Dawn - TolÀ Okogwu

 

Solari - children with superpowers - have always operated in Nigeria, but Onyeka and her friends have been alerted to someone hiding in England.  The new Solari's identity and superpower remain a mystery, until a trail leads Onyeka to the truth.  But someone else has uncovered the secret, and they are up to no good... Can our superheroes save the day one again?

I have been a big fan of the Onyeka series since I received a proof copy of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun back in February 2022 (that proof copy has been well-loved by the children at school since then and remains a favourite read) and I was thrilled to hear TolÁ discussing the series at the recent Simon & Schuster brunch.  She talked about the fact that we all have the power to impact the world and it's up to us whether we use that power for good or bad.  Having finished the final book in the trilogy, Onyeka And The Heroes Of The Dawn, I now see that those words are reflected within the book.

There are several threads that run through the book and one of those is that Onyeka's Aunt Naomi, who leads the academy decides the team needs an Olórí, a leader, which causes some unrest.  Not only does the question of what it takes to be a leader come up but there is also the exploration of why people may choose to step-up to leadership and it certainly makes Onyeka think about her choices, actions and responsibilities.

The question of righting wrongs also comes up; old foes re-enter the picture and we are introduced to new characters.  Tobi makes a wonderful addition and his doubts and fears of being alone were well explored.  He was desperate to discover his ike and reminded Onyeka of how she felt when she first arrived at the academy.  I enjoyed getting to know him.

The final instalment of the trilogy is a gripping read and a race against time to prevent the energy crisis.  With friendships, identity and battling for good all major themes, Onyeka And The Heroes Of The Dawn feels like a fitting ending for the characters we have come to know and love.