The Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, you should read Abi Daré’s novels in publication order. Because her second novel is a direct continuation of her debut, reading them in order is essential for understanding the plot, character growth, and emotional stakes.
- The Girl with the Louding Voice (2020)
- And So I Roar (2024)
The Adunni Series Details
Abi Daré's core fictional works focus on the life of Adunni, a young Nigerian girl fighting for her education and agency in a society that attempts to silence her.
1. The Girl with the Louding Voice (2020)
This debut novel introduces readers to fourteen-year-old Adunni, who lives in a rural Nigerian village and dreams of becoming a teacher. Instead, she is sold into marriage as a third wife and later forced into domestic servitude in Lagos. The story is told entirely in Adunni's distinctive, non-standard English, capturing her intelligence, humor, and determination to secure a "louding voice" for herself and other girls.
2. And So I Roar (2024)
Picking up shortly after the events of the first book, the sequel finds Adunni under the protection of Ms. Tia in Lagos. However, her hard-won peace is shattered when she is accused of a crime back in her home village of Ikati. Adunni and Ms. Tia must return to face the village's traditional authorities. The novel expands the narrative scope by alternating perspectives between Adunni and Ms. Tia over a high-stakes, 24-hour period.
Non-Fiction and Essays
In addition to her fiction, Abi Daré has contributed to anthologies celebrating Nigerian culture and literature:
- Of This Our Country: Voices of Nigeria (2021) — An anthology of personal essays by 24 Nigerian writers exploring their relationship with their homeland.
- "You Are Not Going Back" (2021) — Abi Daré's essay contribution to the Of This Our Country anthology. While some online bibliographies index this title separately as a standalone non-fiction work, it was originally published within this collection.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Abi Daré's books, keep these practical reading tips in mind:
- Can the books be read as standalones? We highly advise against reading And So I Roar on its own. The emotional weight, character relationships, and central mystery of the sequel directly depend on the events of The Girl with the Louding Voice.
- Linguistic style: Adunni's narration uses a broken English format. This intentional stylistic choice reflects her lack of formal education but highlights her brilliant mind and poetic outlook. It may take a chapter or two to adapt to, but it creates a deeply immersive reading experience.
- Trigger warnings: The books handle intense themes, including child marriage, domestic abuse, gender inequality, and class exploitation. Despite these heavy subjects, the narrative remains focused on hope, resilience, and female empowerment.