Book Review

Dennis Agyeman reviews “Don’t Join” by Azubike A. Ahubelem

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Cultism has infested deep into the fabric of our society. It has transcended the era of safe barricades confines of a university campus. Cultism is now everywhere; from political party systems, hoodlums and rich folks alike. Just the mere thought of this sends shiver down my spine.

With a rich narration by Azubike A. Ahubelem in his book: Don’t Join, you are surely going to find yourself in the protagonist shoes. You would feel his pains; you would be in his corruptible world right in your safe environment. You will find out why the protagonist joined Cultism for reasons best known to him.

Don’t Join is an avant-garde piece written in a witty and invigorating style, weaving through a 110 pages from the beginning to the very end. It is not just a book that sheds pain, blood, love, lust and rage. It is also a book that will send your ribs cracking with laughter. Azubike A. Ahubelem could also be a comedian if only he considers that line of career. He did a very good job in blending a gory scene picture with comedy, a cultist prayer and well written poetry of songs.

“We drink in barrels and not in bottles

Lazy Warrior, you drink in bottles

Warriors like to drink gin, but only in barrels

Lazy Warrior, you drink in bottles

Warriors like to drink beer but only in barrels

Lazy Warrior you drink in bottles”

 When you read a rarified yet extraordinary book like Don’t Join, you will have a different view about Death. It is inevitable and it is something that we should embrace now and probably plan towards it. The book adopted a University campus in Nigeria setting which comprised of radical students who believed in social pride, war and death. Even at the face of death, they feared absolutely nothing.

“Tell them how no one could tamper with you because you were my friend; tell them I died a hero and that my spirit dwells in Valhalla, a place where all great warriors go. Tell them that I am brewing [drinking] from Mimir, the fountain of wisdom with the gods.” Then he growled like a wolf, Awoo! Awoo!”

Each chapter in the book is preceded with a foreign quote by renowned people in academia such as Presidents, Nobel laureates, Musicians and etc. all having one thing in common: Art. The quotes were part of the author’s brilliant idea to paint a picture before you even begin a chapter.

“A man has less conscience when in love than in any other condition.” —Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860), German philosopher

The cultist believed in afterlife and they lived a brave life as such so their soul could be captured by a Valkyerie and transported to Valhalla or Hades, a rival eternal place for the weak.

“I woke up sweating, but full of excitement for it has just been confirmed that in death I would be a hero: yes, a fallen hero worthy to be lifted high, riding behind the Valkyries as they fly high on their wings of glory.”

Don’t Join painted an environment of quest for power and competition of ranking system, respect for mankind and pride. You would shed a deeper light into their choice of names, choice of punishment and choice to live in fear.

My favorite quote in the book would be;

“Do not be afraid to kill a man when the need arises, for murder is sacrifice.”

I almost cried when I read these lines…

“May the Valkyeries welcome you and lead you through Odin, father of Thor, great battlefield. May they send your name with love and fury so we might hear it rise from the depth of Valhalla and know that you’ve taken your rightful place at the table of Kings for a great man has fallen, a warrior, a chieftain, a brother, a friend.”

This book is an eye-opener that will enable you experience the nitty-gritty of this filthy environment in all its glory in your comfort zone and leave you with only one ultimate advice, (I am sure you can guess) Don’t Join.

 

Don’t Join is written by Azubike Akin Ahubelem and published by AuthorHouse UK

 

Hardcover | 6 x 9 in |110 pages| ISBN 9781496986962

Softcover | 6 x 9 in |110 pages| ISBN 9781496986972

E-book | ISBN 9781496986986

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

 

 About the Author

Azubike A. Ahubelem has a master’s degree in Information and Communication Technology from Anglia Ruskin University. He currently lives in the United Kingdom with his family. He is inspired by events around him and tries to relate it to topics he writes about. He writes purely fiction but he has been privileged to have his opinion expressed in the Punch Newspaper where his article “Taming the Monster” was published.

Contacts:

Website: http://www.jollyrogueseries.com

Twitter: @DTjoin

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jollyrogueseries

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Book Review Credit:

This review was first published by Dennis Agyeman.

Link: https://denizutopia.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/book-review-dont-join-by-azubike-a-ahubelem/

@kodili_nduka : “I am proud that a Nigerian wrote Guardians of the Seal”

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On September 02, 2016, I announced the winner of my giveaway of Tunde Leye’s newest book, Guardians of the Seal. Kodili Nduka won it. You can read the announcement here. Like I said in the post, it was a tough call to make as I also liked Seyi Adeoye’s entry. The singular determining reason I picked Kodili was because she promised to review the book after reading. So, the book was mailed to her and she has sent in her review. It is a short, but quite interesting review. She made me want to go read the book all over again. Her review reminds me of something I said to Tunde Leye when I went over to his office to collect my advance copy of the book. I told him, my greatest wish is to see the book being adapted into a movie – a Hollywood produced movie. The plot was just so un-Nigerian. You could think you were “watching” a Harry Porter movie whilst reading the book. The metal images forming in my head as I read the book were just too real. My reaction to the book is in tandem with Kodili’s conclusion: I am proud that the book is written by a Nigerian. You can find Kodili’s review below after the image.

guardian-of-the-seal_-tunde-leye-450x600

 

It is an interesting book! I noticed the following whilst reading:

  1. You can tell a lot of thought went into it to make sure the story fit together and blended somewhat with what we already know about some of the characters. E.g. pg 11, when Lucifer visited the garden of Eden, it was mentioned that he transformed to his pre-rebellion form because his present demon form would have been repelled by the nature of God…. Also, I liked that he noted that the demons had no love for each other and would cheer when one of them gets into trouble. That’s why they’re evil. Lol. Also, giving Gulliam the worst punishment despite the correct gist he brought was so unfair. Guess that’s why he’s the devil! The eni and eji transformation was cool too.
  2. I liked his use of words e.g. pg 8 where he mentioned that the formerly high-ranking demons retained the annoying habit of ‘speaking in circles’. Lol, I could visualize that scene.
  3. I liked the stones at the top of each new sub-story (I don’t know what to call it).
  4. The way he described the story around the Garden of Eden at the beginning of the book and filled in those parts that are “missing” from the Bible makes it so believable. Also, the book’s explanation of the role of the guardians and archangels is something I could tell my child. Though I’m not happy he didn’t talk about Angel Raphael.
  5. I noticed some typos e.g pg 65, the last word on line 19 should be ‘here’ not ‘her’; pg 158, line 23, I think it should be ‘cut off by’. From pg 95 to the end of the book, there’s a different font…I don’t know if it was intentional. Sometimes he used Lex instead of Alex…don’t know if that was intentional too but it was confusing at times.

In summary, I felt proud that a Nigerian wrote this kind of book. The book made me think about man’s relationship with God and raised some questions e.g. why did God allow Lucifer to distort the perfect life in the Garden of Eden? Surely he must have known that Lucifer would visit Adam and Eve and try to do something mischievous. Also, I feel if the book is modified just a little, it could be a good story book for kids as the fighting, magic, etc. would generate excitement.

 

*****

Addendum:

Have you read the book? What do you make of it?

You have not read the book? Here is a link on how and where to get/buy it: https://tlsplace.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/where-to-buy-guardians-of-the-seal/

 

Addendum2:

Would you like me to teach you how to blog? Read this post: “Blogging Masterclass for Beginners”