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Cover of Imaro

Imaro

Charles R. Saunders (1981)

SubgenreHigh Fantasy
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingR
Pages (Standard (250-400))
SeriesImaro #1
Setting
CSM age16+
Goodreads3.91

Content levels

ViolenceStrong
Sexual contentMild
LanguageModerate

Hero archetypes

Outcast / Loner

Heroine archetypes

Warrior / Soldier

Protagonist archetypes

AntiheroVengeance-Driven

Synopsis

Saunders' novel fuses the narrative style of fantasy fiction with a pre-colonial, alternate Africa. Inspired by and directly addresses the alienation of growing up an African American fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy, which to this day remains a very ethnically homogonous genre. It addresses this both structurally (via its unique setting) and thematically (via its alienated, tribeless hero-protagonist). The tribal tensions and histories presented in this fantasy novel reflect actual African tribal histories and tensions, and provide a unique perspective to current and recent conflicts in Africa, particularly the Rwandan genocide and the ongoing conflict in The Sudan.

Tags

Sword and SorceryAfrican-Inspired FantasyHistorical ParallelsCultural Fantasy