The Rosewater Insurrection by Tade Thompson

March 22, 2019

Please note The Rosewater Insurrection is a direct sequel to Rosewater. With that in mind it is likely, if you are not familiar with the first book in the Wormwood trilogy, then what follows may contain some minor spoilers. Consider yourself warned!

All is quiet in the city of Rosewater as it expands on the back of the gargantuan alien Wormwood. Those who know the truth of the invasion keep the secret.

The government agent Aminat, the lover of the retired sensitive Kaaro, is at the forefront of the cold, silent conflict. She must capture a woman who is the key to the survival of the human race. But Aminat is stymied by the machinations of the Mayor of Rosewater and the emergence of an old enemy of Wormwood…

Last September I read the first book in The Wormwood Trilogy, Rosewater by Tade Thompson. It was one of my highlights of 2018. The sequel, The Rosewater Insurrection, has recently been released and picks up where events left off.

The city of Rosewater has become a focal point, not just for Nigeria, but for the entire planet. A vast city-sized entity, known as Wormwood, is slowly changing the world we inhabit. Those that live in the shadow of the being are evolving in strange and sometimes frightening ways. Diseases as being cured but bodies are becoming something far more than human in the process. As far as the masses are concerned the intentions of this alien visitor remain shrouded in mystery. Some view Wormwood’s existence as the proof of some benign deity. Some see the changes as evidence that humanity can evolve and become something more. While others react with a defensive response; anything otherworldly should be feared and destroyed. Who is right? How will events in Rosewater reshape our world? There are only a select few who are beginning to understand just how far reaching the ramifications of this ever-changing relationship between mankind and alien will be.

Jack Jacques, Rosewater’s mayor, is a canny sort. He is a man who excels when it comes to the art of deal making. Rosewater is a potential powder keg at the best of times and any leader has to be able to keep multiple political plates spinning or risk any number horrific outcomes. Jacques views himself as the man for that job. Through natural skill, sheer bloody-mindedness, and on some occasions, pure dumb luck, he has risen to the ultimate position of power in the world’s most important city. When the President of Nigeria becomes distrustful of Jacques political vision the battle for Rosewater begins in earnest.

On the ground it is up to agents like Aminat to try and keep control of an extremely delicate situation. Being on the frontline events means her actions, and reactions, are directly contributing to the nature of the growing conflict. As things get worse and worse doubts are starting to creep into Aminat’s mind. Is she working for the right side? Operatives are expected to follow orders without question but Aminat knows that there is no simple resolution. Can she continue to follow commands, or is there some other way?

The head of the clandestine agency S45, Femi, makes a return. She remains a force of nature, Amanda Waller* on steroids. Containing an alien presence requires nerves of steel and a grim determination to get the job done. Femi is ever the opportunist and as much of a player as the mayor. The only real distinction between the two is that Jacques is upfront and in your face when it comes to his ambitions. Femi, what with being an agent and all, is far less overt. She manipulates events, cajoles other people and always tries to remain five steps ahead of everyone else. The moments between these two are some of the best in the novel.

Kaaro, the main protagonist from book one, also makes an appearance and it is fascinating to see how the psychological fallout he suffered previously continues to leave its mark. His relationship with Aminat is the real driving force behind his motivations and you get a real sense he is prepared to do anything to ensure her safety. Happy being relegated to the side lines, Kaaro reacts in a spectacular fashion when he is forced back into the epicentre of events.

I genuinely can’t fault anything about the characterisation in this novel. Tade Thompson’s writing deftly explores each different character’s perspective of events. There is a particularly brilliant section of the book where a character called Walter is briefly thrust into the midst of the unfolding crisis. Injecting this fresh viewpoint into the narrative just at that point in the plot is a stroke of genius. Events have reached fever pitch and suddenly there is an entirely new view of what is going on. It gives the reader the opportunity to re-evaluate all the characters from a slightly different angle.

Exploring everything from politics to religion, artificial intelligence to evolution, there is so much to savour in this story. The best genre fiction doesn’t just entertain a reader, it informs them. Thompson’s work is immediately captivating, solidly evocative and genuinely thought provoking. I always consider it a rare treat when I get to read such well executed fiction.

The Rosewater Insurrection is published by Orbit and is available now. Highly recommended. The Rosewater Redemption is set to follow. As far as I am concerned it cannot arrive soon enough. This series is Afro-futurism at its very best.

When I reviewed Rosewater I was lucky enough to have some musical recommendations from the author himself. I also suggested the wonderful sounds of King Sunny Adé for some additional Nigerian flavour. For the Rosewater Insurrection, I decided on something that I think perfectly captures the alien-ness of the novel. The atmospheric, evocative and entirely appropriate Arrival soundtrack by Jóhann Jóhannsson is my choice on this occasion.

* I reckon Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s portrayal of Amanda Waller in Arrow is pretty damned Femi-esque.**

**Just a quick casting suggestion for you there if Rosewater is ever adapted for the screen.

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