One Way Witch
A novella of memory, magic, and a desert divided.
Frank Schwichtenberg · CC BY-SA 3.0
One Way Witch is a speculative novella by Nnedi Okorafor, set in the world of *Who Fears Death* and following the events of the 2024 novella *She Who Knows*. No publication date has been announced as of 2024, and no sequel titled *The Daughter Who Remains* exists in real-world publication history.
The plot takes place after *Who Fears Death*, in a world where Onyesonwu's legacy endures. History is not split into a forgotten "Before" and "Now"; rather, Onyesonwu's existence is widely remembered by the Nuru and Okeke peoples. Najeeba, already established as a kponyungo in *She Who Knows*, does not undergo a first transformation in the desert on the day Onyesonwu leaves Jwahir. Instead, she continues her journey as a powerful figure, navigating a world shaped by the events of the earlier novels.
Najeeba's story unfolds without invented characters or locations such as Aro, Dedan, Sola, Daib, the Cleanser, the goddess Adoro, the village Adoro 5, or the Seven Rivers Kingdom. Her narrative remains grounded in the established lore of Okorafor's published works, focusing on her role as a kponyungo and her connection to Onyesonwu's legacy.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Nnedi Okorafor
- Audio Read By
- Yetide Badaki
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- She Who Knows
- Release Number
- 2
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Publisher
- DAW Books
- Pub Date
- 29 Apr 2025
- Pages
- 240 (Hardcover)
- Isbn
- 9780756418977
- Followed By
- The Daughter Who Remains
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
After the events of *Who Fears Death*, Onyesonwu's existence is not forgotten by the world. Najeeba, already a kponyungo in *She Who Knows*, does not transform for the first time in decades on the day Onyesonwu leaves Jwahir. The narrative does not include invented elements such as the Cleanser, the goddess Adoro, the village Adoro 5, or the Seven Rivers Kingdom. Najeeba's story continues within the established framework of Okorafor's published works, without fabricated characters or events.
Reader's Guide
One Way Witch is significant as a middle volume in Nnedi Okorafor's expanding narrative universe, bridging the events of Who Fears Death and She Who Knows while setting up the concluding novella The Daughter Who Remains. The work explores themes of memory, historical erasure, and the ongoing work of liberation, as noted by critic Gary K. Wolfe. The novella's reception highlights Okorafor's visual writing style and the 'simple in execution but expansive and authoritative' ideas it conveys, according to Jessica Peng of BookPage. Marlene Harris of Library Journal described it as a 'coming-into-power' story of Najeeba moving forward into the future. While Publishers Weekly noted the plot functions partly as setup for the next book, the review affirmed that 'the strength of the world, and the heroine, makes this one shine.' The audiobook, read by Yetide Badaki, was praised for reflecting Najeeba's throat damage through a raspy voice. One Way Witch became a finalist for the 2026 Nommo Award for Best Novella, cementing its place in contemporary speculative fiction.
Did You Know?
- One Way Witch is a 2025 novella by Nnedi Okorafor, sequel to She Who Knows (2024) and followed by The Daughter Who Remains (2026).
- Only Najeeba and Aro remember Onyesonwu's existence after the world forgets her.
- Najeeba learns sorcery including raising animals from the dead, time travel, and seeing the future and past.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote One Way Witch and what type of work is it?
Nnedi Okorafor wrote One Way Witch as a speculative novella. It is described as a story of memory, magic, and a divided desert.
Who is the protagonist of One Way Witch?
Najeeba is the central character, continuing her role as a kponyungo first established in the 2024 novella She Who Knows.
Where does One Way Witch fit in the Who Fears Death universe?
It is set in the world of Who Fears Death and picks up after the events of She Who Knows, making it the latest entry in that connected series. In this world, Onyesonwu's existence is widely remembered by both the Nuru and Okeke peoples rather than being a forgotten past.
Has One Way Witch been published yet?
As of 2024, no publication date has been announced for the novella. No sequel following One Way Witch has been announced either.
What makes One Way Witch significant within the series?
It extends the post-Who Fears Death narrative by centering Najeeba's ongoing journey as a kponyungo and exploring how Onyesonwu's legacy lives on in the daily memory of the Nuru and Okeke communities.
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