Treasure and her mother faced poverty following the death of Treasure's father. In the midst of bargaining for necessities in the market, Treasure encounters a man who hovers just inches above the ground, revealing himself as a spirit. He makes a promise that could alter their fate, offering to resurrect Treasure's father in exchange for a terrible task. Meanwhile, Ozoemena grapples with an unusual call to destiny—an itch on her back signalling a patrilineal honour unprecedented for a girl. Tasked with defending the land and its people by becoming a Leopard, a duty her vanished father emphasised as an honour, Ozoemena finds herself at odds with her desires and the challenges of fitting in at a new boarding school. As both girls navigate the complexities of their emerging wildness and the mysteries surrounding their missing fathers, Ozoemena's fellow students mysteriously disappear. The spirit's demands on Treasure intensify, while Ozoemena's responsibility as a Leopard deepens.
Dazzling truly stands out in its deep dive into Nigerian mythology and culture. Emelumadu skillfully explores Igbo spirituality, taking the time to delve into nuances like the tradition of closely-cropping the hair of secondary schoolgirls, to mark their maturity. The attention to cultural customs enhances the overall storytelling by adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. What is noteworthy is Emelumadu's effort to clarify cultural nuances for non-Nigerian readers, making the narrative accessible. The portrayal of the enduring influence of ancient beliefs, seamlessly woven into modern practices, is a strong aspect of the novel. It resonates well with the theme of ancestral legacy, particularly evident in Ozoemena's inheritance of the magical gift of the Leopard from her father, showcasing how legacies persist through time.
Furthermore, the narrative strength of our main characters, Ozoemena and Treasure, shines through with distinct and compelling voices. The author skillfully crafts both girls, making them intricately complex in their own unique ways. The heart-wrenching experiences, especially those of Treasure, add a poignant layer to the story. The parallel struggles faced by both girls, with Treasure dealing with the literal loss of her father and Ozoemena grappling with his absence, underscore the deep connection between them. These shared challenges contribute to the richness of their intertwined narratives. Emelumadu employs a clever stylistic choice to differentiate the two girls' stories. Ozoemena's chapters are narrated in the third person, featuring Igbo and dialect vocabulary, while Treasure's account is presented in her own voice, predominantly in Pidgin English. This linguistic richness becomes a distinct pleasure within the book, enhancing the overall reading experience.
Overall, Dazzling emerges as a captivating exploration of identity, legacy, and the complexities of Nigerian mythology and culture.
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