A historical African-Wild West horror story of supernatural vengeance and terrifying occultic magic from the winner of the Bram Stoker Award® for Lifetime Achievement. Two fearsome deities battle each other for the souls of white twins destined to either bring vengeful devastation or salvation to their community in Texas, USA, for a great injustice done to their mother.
When Sally-Mae Jenkins is violated and impregnated by the twin scions of a wealthy rancher, she’s sent to join the African missionary ship as a widow. Pregnant and terrified, Sally-Mae vows vengeance on all those who abused her and her family.
Amara is a young woman with the body and face of an old hag. The village outcast, Amara can ‘eat’ the diseases ravaging the villagers and cure the most deadly ailments. But her powers drain her youth and her strength and the only help she has is the fearsome entity that claimed her soul, the spirit known as Aja-Mmọ, the death-giver and physician of the dead.
When Sally-Mae arrives in Amara’s village, her unborn twins become the focus of both the Python-Goddess, Asata, who wants the twins dead, and Aja-Mmọ, who wants the twins alive in her service, just like Amara. And suddenly, Sally-Mae finds the boys, with their unearthly and fearsome powers, have become the weapons of her vengeance against the unsuspecting citizens of her home town back in Texas….
A gripping tale of supernatural horror, bitter revenge and battling deities, suffused with Onoh’s trademark thrilling storytelling, wit and dark humor.
Nuzo Onoh is an award-winning Nigerian-British writer of Igbo descent. She is a pioneer of the African horror literary genre. Hailed as the "Queen of African Horror”, Nuzo’s writing showcases both the beautiful and horrific in the African culture within fictitious narratives. Nuzo’s works have featured in numerous magazines and anthologies. She has given talks and lectures about African Horror, including at the prestigious Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, London. She has also appeared on many radio shows and podcasts, including BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. Her works have appeared in academic studies and been longlisted and shortlisted. She is a Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Nuzo holds a Law degree and Masters degree in Writing, both from Warwick University, England. She is a certified Civil Funeral Celebrant, licensed to conduct non-religious burial services. An avid musician with an addiction to Jungyup and K-indie, Nuzo plays both the guitar and piano, and holds an NVQ in Digital Music Production. She resides in the West Midlands, United Kingdom.
“Onoh’s masterful prose is so unique, so captivating. She remains a singular voice in horror fiction, impossible to imitate.” Eric LaRocca, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke
“Vengeance has never been so thrilling. Feminist rage at its finest and so darkly funny you’ll laugh until your stomach hurts.” Neena Viel, author of Listen to Your Sister
“A dark and twisted tale permeated with African spirits and horror. Nuzo Onoh brings the vivid beauty of Nigerian folklore and culture to life, alongside chilling vengeance and justice rendered. This is one book I’ll be thinking about for a very long time.” Del Sandeen, author of This Cursed House
“A visceral descent into the grotesque underbelly of desire, power, and ancestral wrath. Onoh conjures a story as culturally rich as it is deliciously depraved.” Lindy Ryan, author of Bless Your Heart
“Nuzo Onoh is a wordsmith who has earned the moniker The Queen of African Horror. Where the Dead Brides Gather is a creepy, well-crafted thrill ride powered by Nigerian mythology, haunting imagery and an unforgettable protagonist’s otherworldly nightmares inextricably woven with her deeply human heart.” Tananarive Due, winner of the Bram Stoker Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize for The Reformatory
“A heady, addictive horror delight that will keep you up at night for all the right reasons.” Irenosen Okojie, award-winning author of Butterfly Fish and Nudibranch
“At times hilarious, at times terrifying, always gripping, Nuzo Onoh’s excellent novel joins sharply observed domestic conflicts and complications with deftly portrayed supernatural menace.” John Langan, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Fisherman
A historical African-Wild West horror story of supernatural vengeance and terrifying occultic magic from the winner of the Bram Stoker Award® for Lifetime Achievement. Two fearsome deities battle each other for the souls of white twins destined to either bring vengeful devastation or salvation to their community in Texas, USA, for a great injustice done to their mother.
When Sally-Mae Jenkins is violated and impregnated by the twin scions of a wealthy rancher, she’s sent to join the African missionary ship as a widow. Pregnant and terrified, Sally-Mae vows vengeance on all those who abused her and her family.
Amara is a young woman with the body and face of an old hag. The village outcast, Amara can ‘eat’ the diseases ravaging the villagers and cure the most deadly ailments. But her powers drain her youth and her strength and the only help she has is the fearsome entity that claimed her soul, the spirit known as Aja-Mmọ, the death-giver and physician of the dead.
When Sally-Mae arrives in Amara’s village, her unborn twins become the focus of both the Python-Goddess, Asata, who wants the twins dead, and Aja-Mmọ, who wants the twins alive in her service, just like Amara. And suddenly, Sally-Mae finds the boys, with their unearthly and fearsome powers, have become the weapons of her vengeance against the unsuspecting citizens of her home town back in Texas….
A gripping tale of supernatural horror, bitter revenge and battling deities, suffused with Onoh’s trademark thrilling storytelling, wit and dark humor.
Creators
Nuzo Onoh is an award-winning Nigerian-British writer of Igbo descent. She is a pioneer of the African horror literary genre. Hailed as the "Queen of African Horror”, Nuzo’s writing showcases both the beautiful and horrific in the African culture within fictitious narratives. Nuzo’s works have featured in numerous magazines and anthologies. She has given talks and lectures about African Horror, including at the prestigious Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, London. She has also appeared on many radio shows and podcasts, including BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour. Her works have appeared in academic studies and been longlisted and shortlisted. She is a Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Nuzo holds a Law degree and Masters degree in Writing, both from Warwick University, England. She is a certified Civil Funeral Celebrant, licensed to conduct non-religious burial services. An avid musician with an addiction to Jungyup and K-indie, Nuzo plays both the guitar and piano, and holds an NVQ in Digital Music Production. She resides in the West Midlands, United Kingdom.
“Onoh’s masterful prose is so unique, so captivating. She remains a singular voice in horror fiction, impossible to imitate.” Eric LaRocca, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke
“Vengeance has never been so thrilling. Feminist rage at its finest and so darkly funny you’ll laugh until your stomach hurts.” Neena Viel, author of Listen to Your Sister
“A dark and twisted tale permeated with African spirits and horror. Nuzo Onoh brings the vivid beauty of Nigerian folklore and culture to life, alongside chilling vengeance and justice rendered. This is one book I’ll be thinking about for a very long time.” Del Sandeen, author of This Cursed House
“A visceral descent into the grotesque underbelly of desire, power, and ancestral wrath. Onoh conjures a story as culturally rich as it is deliciously depraved.” Lindy Ryan, author of Bless Your Heart
“Nuzo Onoh is a wordsmith who has earned the moniker The Queen of African Horror. Where the Dead Brides Gather is a creepy, well-crafted thrill ride powered by Nigerian mythology, haunting imagery and an unforgettable protagonist’s otherworldly nightmares inextricably woven with her deeply human heart.” Tananarive Due, winner of the Bram Stoker Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize for The Reformatory
“A heady, addictive horror delight that will keep you up at night for all the right reasons.” Irenosen Okojie, award-winning author of Butterfly Fish and Nudibranch
“At times hilarious, at times terrifying, always gripping, Nuzo Onoh’s excellent novel joins sharply observed domestic conflicts and complications with deftly portrayed supernatural menace.” John Langan, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Fisherman
