🩸 Horror Fiction

Futility

✍️ Nuzo Onoh
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$18.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Nigerian horror novel about revenge through supernatural means.

Onoh examines how betrayal can corrupt the soul through a dual narrative structure. The text contrasts Chia’s culinary power with Claire’s domestic instability, showing both women losing control when they embrace vengeance. The work utilizes Nigerian folklore to ground its supernatural elements in specific cultural traditions rather than abstract horror tropes.

Key Themes
revenge betrayal supernatural spirits
Literary Context

The narrative is set in Abuja, Nigeria, and incorporates British expatriate experiences. It draws on Nigerian folklore involving trickster spirits to explore themes of gender dynamics and social resentment within a modern urban context.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Nnedi Okorafor · Lauren Beukes · Marlon James
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Titan Books (UK) 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781835414286

📝 Description: Futility

Nuzo Onoh presents a narrative centered on two women driven to vengeance by betrayal. Chia operates a prominent restaurant in Abuja, Nigeria, where her hot pepper soup contains a hidden element that enhances its appeal to male patrons. Her allure masks a darker reality tied to the dish's preparation. Claire, a fifty-year-old British resident of Abuja, finds her structured existence unraveling after visiting this establishment with her younger Nigerian partner and his cousin Shadae. Jealousy fuels her descent into chaos. The story draws upon trickster spirit traditions when these characters encounter an offer for retribution against the men who wronged them. Onoh, known for exploring African folklore and contemporary anxieties, weaves these elements into a tale of seething rage and bitterness. The plot does not rely on generic scares but focuses on the psychological weight of resentment and the consequences of accepting supernatural aid. Readers seeking straightforward horror may find the cultural specificity demanding, while those interested in gothic themes rooted in Nigerian settings will appreciate the detailed exploration of personal ruin and spiritual bargains.

💎 Our verdict on Futility

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Onoh crafts a compelling dual narrative that examines how vengeance can unravel structured existence through psychological depth rather than simple terror. By contrasting Chia’s culinary power with Claire’s domestic instability, the author highlights the corrosive nature of jealousy and betrayal. The integration of Nigerian trickster spirit traditions provides a fresh framework for exploring revenge, avoiding generic horror clichés. This approach demands attention from readers willing to engage with its cultural specificity. It suits those who enjoy dark fantasy and psychological horror rooted in authentic settings. The work effectively conveys the spiritual cost of retribution, making it a standout for enthusiasts of literary horror that prioritizes thematic resonance over jump scares.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in horror that transcends generic scares will find value in Onoh’s deep dive into the psychological weight of resentment. This book appeals to those who appreciate gothic themes grounded in specific cultural traditions rather than abstract tropes. It is ideal for audiences seeking a narrative where supernatural aid comes with severe personal ruin and spiritual consequences. Those fascinated by the intersection of African folklore and contemporary social dynamics will gain insight into how betrayal corrupts the soul. The text offers a unique perspective on rage and bitterness, making it suitable for readers who prefer demanding, culturally specific stories over straightforward horror entertainment.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Onoh crafts a compelling dual narrative that examines how vengeance can unravel structured existence through psychological depth rather than simple terror. By contrasting Chia’s culinary power with Claire’s domestic instability, the author highlights the corrosive nature of jealousy and betrayal. The integration of Nigerian trickster spirit traditions provides a fresh framework for exploring revenge, avoiding generic horror clichés. This approach demands attention from readers willing to engage with its cultural specificity. It suits those who enjoy dark fantasy and psychological horror rooted in authentic settings. The work effectively conveys the spiritual cost of retribution, making it a standout for enthusiasts of literary horror that prioritizes thematic resonance over jump scares.

✍️ More books by this author Nuzo Onoh

Futility
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Nuzo Onoh
Futility
$49.99
86
Read →
Where the Dead Brides Gather
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Nuzo Onoh
Where the Dead Brides Gather
$45.95
86
Read →
Where the Dead Brides Gather
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Nuzo Onoh
Where the Dead Brides Gather
$49.99
86
Read →
Futility
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Nuzo Onoh
Futility
$45.95
86
Read →
Where the Dead Brides Gather
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nuzo Onoh
Where the Dead Brides Gather
$17.99
78
Read →
A Dance for the Dead
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nuzo Onoh
A Dance for the Dead
$14.95
81
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Titan Books (UK)

Halloween Kills: The Official Movie Novelization
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Tim Waggoner
Halloween Kills: The Official Movie Novelization
$9.99
78
Read →
Blood Ties
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Brendan Deneen
Blood Ties
$9.99
78
Read →
Halloween Ends: The Official Movie Novelization
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
Paul Brad Logan
Halloween Ends: The Official Movie Novelization
$8.99
69
Read →
Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
James Lovegrove
Sherlock Holmes and the Highgate Horrors
$22.95
86
Read →
The Pale House Devil: The First of the Discreet Eliminators Series
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Richard Kadrey
The Pale House Devil: The First of the Discreet Eliminators Series
$17.99
78
Read →
Bloom
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Delilah S Dawson
Bloom
$22.99
86
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Futility
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Nuzo Onoh
Futility
$45.95
86
Read →
Dead Corspe
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Nuzo Onoh
Dead Corspe
$16.99
81
Read →
Frankenstein's Monster
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
J S Barnes
Frankenstein's Monster
$18.99
86
Read →
Teenage Girls Can Be Demons
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Hailey Piper
Teenage Girls Can Be Demons
$18.99
86
Read →
Dead Space - Catalyst
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Brian Evenson
Dead Space - Catalyst
$18.99
86
Read →
Dead Space - Martyr
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Brian Evenson
Dead Space - Martyr
$18.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist