Review of Unchained

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Hydah Katrina Kerry
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Latest Review: Unchained by Chinonso Mathias Elom

Review of Unchained

Post by Hydah Katrina Kerry »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Unchained" by Chinonso Mathias Elom.]
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4 out of 5 stars
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Sexual identity is a very controversial topic today. Some people acknowledge the existence of different sexual orientations, while others struggle with accepting this new norm. Set in the backdrop of Nigeria, the book explains how culture, religion, environment, and personal beliefs shape someone's life. It is the story of Ikenna Azubuike, a young Nigerian man born into a society with strict social and cultural norms and expectations. In an attempt to conform to these expectations, Ikenna yearns for the freedom that comes with embracing his true identity. What is the cost of this freedom? Grab a copy of Unchained by Chinonso Mathias Elom to find out.

You will travel to one of the famous states in Nigeria. The author offers detailed information about Ikenna's home, emphasizing the dos and don'ts of its religious, cultural, and traditional norms. Here you will meet Ikenna's parents, who are charming, hopeful, and full of positive expectations for their son. I was moved by their caring nature, which made them compromise, sacrifice, and seek every possible help for Ikenna. You will know more about Ikenna and understand his perception of his people's lifestyle. There are two interesting characters in this book. The first is Amara, a confident woman who helped Ikenna navigate the complexity of his emotions and questions of his identity. The second is the 'Spiritual Leader' whose words of wisdom opened a new chapter for Ikenna. By the end of chapter two, the dilemma in this book is clear, keeping you hooked in anticipation of what happens next.

I applaud Elom's choice of a young African man to present a relatable and debatable concept among both the youth and the older generation. Ikenna is portrayed as a hardworking man with self-awareness, the ability to form long-lasting relationships with people, and the ability to adapt to changes in new environments. His creativity and competence emphasize the power of social media platforms in creating awareness and mobilizing people. You will be surprised by how fast he grows and builds his confidence to the extent of becoming a champion, building a circle of trusted and reliable people around him, and becoming a beacon of hope for many people. Those interested in cybersecurity will learn much from his involvement with an organization called ' Voices of Hope.' The book also highlights the milestones that the LGBTQ community has achieved in claiming their rights and position in today's society.

This book has crucial themes such as sexuality, identity, stigma, and family dynamics. However, I feel like the chapters were rushed, preventing a full discussion of these themes. For example, in chapter seven, during a heated conversation between Ikenna and his parents, the author used general terms such as 'this', denying the scene the thrill and tension I expected. I did not like the fast-paced nature of this book, which made me fill in words and scenes in my head while trying to catch up with the events in the book. For this reason, I rate this book four out of five stars .

The editing team did well; I encountered no errors while reading. I recommend this book to an open-minded person who does not mind stories about the LGBTQ community.

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Unchained
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