The Dance of Shadows

WINNER OF THE 2025 ALDISS AWARD FOR WORLD BUILDING

A young magician fighting for liberation is drawn into a battle between the gods in this West African-inspired epic from an incredible new voice in fantasy . . .

Rumi and his family are Odu, stricken with poverty and disparaged by the other tribes. When ruthless agents of the Palmaine – the colonising nation that dominates the continent of Basmine – threaten to destroy the village market, Rumi takes it upon himself to liberate his family. Taking a place in the prestigious Golden Room, where earnings from his music offer a chance at freedom, he shoulders his pride and resentment in a bid to make it to the top.

On what should be Rumi’s greatest night at the Golden Room, his life is turned upside down. A terrifying individual known as the Priest of Vultures attacks Rumi and his family. Before her death, Rumi’s mother, Adunola, solicits the help of a dying god and saves Rumi, setting him on the path to become a Shadowwielder: warriors with the ability to use their shadow as a weapon. But Rumi’s need for vengeance may be more important to him than the future of his people . . .

The Dance of Shadows is the award-winning first epic tale in the Song of Godhunters trilogy by Rogba Payne***,*** set in a richly imagined world of West African myth, shadow magic and music. Perfect for fans of Joe Abercrombie, S.A. Chakraborty and Patrick Rothfuss.

Reader reviews for The Dance of Shadows

***’***I loved everything about this book. The characters, the world building, the action scenes, the pacing, EVERYTHING’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Fantasy at its best’ ‘ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing characters, edge of your seat plot, fantastic and interesting magic and fascinating mythology all packaged together with a skill and finesse that blows my mind for a debut novel!’ ‘ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐