Where the Dead Brides Gather

Author Nuzo Onoh
$17.99 US
Titan | Titan Books
64 per carton
On sale Oct 22, 2024 | 9781835410561
Sales rights: US/CAN (No Open Mkt)
A powerful Nigeria-set horror tale of possession, malevolent ghosts, family tensions, secrets and murder from the recipient of the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement and ‘Queen of African Horror’. For readers of Octavia Butler, Ben Okri and Koji Suzuki.

Bata, a young girl tormented by nightmares, wakes up one night to find herself standing sentinel before her cousin’s door. Her cousin is to get married the next morning, but only if she can escape the murderous attack of a ghost-bride, who used to be engaged to her groom.

A supernatural possession helps Bata battle and vanquish the vengeful ghost bride, and following a botched exorcism, she is transported to Ibaja-La, the realm of dead brides. There, she receives secret powers to fight malevolent ghost-brides before being sent back to the human realm, where she must learn to harness her new abilities as she strives to protect those whom she loves.

By turns touching and terrifying, this is vivid supernatural horror story of family drama, long-held secrets, possession, death - and what lies beyond.
Praise for Where the Dead Brides Gather:


“Nuzo Onoh is a wordsmith who has earned the moniker The Queen of African Horror. Where the Dead Brides Gather is a creepy, well-crafted thrill ride powered by Nigerian mythology, haunting imagery and an unforgettable protagonist’s otherworldly nightmares inextricably woven with her deeply human heart.”
Tananarive Due, winner of the Bram Stoker Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize for The Reformatory 


“A heady, addictive horror delight that will keep you up at night for all the right reasons.”
Irenosen Okojie, award-winning author of Butterfly Fish and Nudibranch


“At times hilarious, at times terrifying, always gripping, Nuzo Onoh’s excellent novel joins sharply observed domestic conflicts and complications with deftly portrayed supernatural menace. With the assurance of a master, Onoh brings to vivid life characters who confront a frightening menace. Where the Dead Brides Gather is the latest triumph from the ever-impressive Nuzo Onoh.”
John Langan, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Fisherman


“Onoh does an electrifying job of conjuring the inner life of a child thrust into impossible circumstances, and the novel’s many twists are by turns terrifying, hilarious, and heartbreaking. The mythology at the center of the story is fascinating and rewarding to watch unfold. Supernatural horror fans owe it to themselves to check this out.”
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review


“A powerful ghost story whose beating heart is a living girl. Bata is a character readers will fall in love with instantly – a haunted child who holds onto her kindness and gentle spirit amidst terrifying events.”
A.C. Wise, award-winning author of Wendy, Darling and Hooked 


“Master of horror Nuzo Onoh deftly reaches into gruesome realms of ghost brides and family and tradition. Where the Dead Brides Gather is dark and magical, yet gripping and terrifying, as the horrors of the night seep into the day.”
Cynthia Pelayo, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Forgotten Sisters


“Nuzo Onoh is truly an irreplaceable voice in horror using her African heritage to give us something we have not seen before. Where The Dead Brides Gather is a brilliant unique take on possession, ghosts and retribution with a dash of humour. This should be one for your collection!”
V. Castro, author of The Haunting of Alejandra and Immortal Pleasures


“Nuzo Onoh never disappoints, and Where the Dead Brides Gather might be her best yet – both moving and shocking, it’s a great work of imagination rich with supernatural terrors that will haunt you long past the final page.”
Tim Lebbon, award-winning author of Netflix’s The Silence and Among the Living


“Nuzo Onoh masterfully embosses her signature as the ‘Queen of African Horror’ in Where the Dead Brides Gather’s sorcerous fest. She effortlessly cartwheels into the unformed mind of a haunted but gifted child in the mesmerism of a cross-cultural story entombed in numinous possession and the most haunting form of African divination. A sinister and gripping tale of spectral inhabitation by one of the craftiest horror writers of our time.”
Eugen Bacon, British Fantasy Award winner and Philip K. Dick Award finalist 


"A sinister and gripping tale of spectral inhabitation by one of the craftiest horror writers of our time"
Aurealis

About

A powerful Nigeria-set horror tale of possession, malevolent ghosts, family tensions, secrets and murder from the recipient of the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement and ‘Queen of African Horror’. For readers of Octavia Butler, Ben Okri and Koji Suzuki.

Bata, a young girl tormented by nightmares, wakes up one night to find herself standing sentinel before her cousin’s door. Her cousin is to get married the next morning, but only if she can escape the murderous attack of a ghost-bride, who used to be engaged to her groom.

A supernatural possession helps Bata battle and vanquish the vengeful ghost bride, and following a botched exorcism, she is transported to Ibaja-La, the realm of dead brides. There, she receives secret powers to fight malevolent ghost-brides before being sent back to the human realm, where she must learn to harness her new abilities as she strives to protect those whom she loves.

By turns touching and terrifying, this is vivid supernatural horror story of family drama, long-held secrets, possession, death - and what lies beyond.

Praise

Praise for Where the Dead Brides Gather:


“Nuzo Onoh is a wordsmith who has earned the moniker The Queen of African Horror. Where the Dead Brides Gather is a creepy, well-crafted thrill ride powered by Nigerian mythology, haunting imagery and an unforgettable protagonist’s otherworldly nightmares inextricably woven with her deeply human heart.”
Tananarive Due, winner of the Bram Stoker Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize for The Reformatory 


“A heady, addictive horror delight that will keep you up at night for all the right reasons.”
Irenosen Okojie, award-winning author of Butterfly Fish and Nudibranch


“At times hilarious, at times terrifying, always gripping, Nuzo Onoh’s excellent novel joins sharply observed domestic conflicts and complications with deftly portrayed supernatural menace. With the assurance of a master, Onoh brings to vivid life characters who confront a frightening menace. Where the Dead Brides Gather is the latest triumph from the ever-impressive Nuzo Onoh.”
John Langan, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Fisherman


“Onoh does an electrifying job of conjuring the inner life of a child thrust into impossible circumstances, and the novel’s many twists are by turns terrifying, hilarious, and heartbreaking. The mythology at the center of the story is fascinating and rewarding to watch unfold. Supernatural horror fans owe it to themselves to check this out.”
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review


“A powerful ghost story whose beating heart is a living girl. Bata is a character readers will fall in love with instantly – a haunted child who holds onto her kindness and gentle spirit amidst terrifying events.”
A.C. Wise, award-winning author of Wendy, Darling and Hooked 


“Master of horror Nuzo Onoh deftly reaches into gruesome realms of ghost brides and family and tradition. Where the Dead Brides Gather is dark and magical, yet gripping and terrifying, as the horrors of the night seep into the day.”
Cynthia Pelayo, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Forgotten Sisters


“Nuzo Onoh is truly an irreplaceable voice in horror using her African heritage to give us something we have not seen before. Where The Dead Brides Gather is a brilliant unique take on possession, ghosts and retribution with a dash of humour. This should be one for your collection!”
V. Castro, author of The Haunting of Alejandra and Immortal Pleasures


“Nuzo Onoh never disappoints, and Where the Dead Brides Gather might be her best yet – both moving and shocking, it’s a great work of imagination rich with supernatural terrors that will haunt you long past the final page.”
Tim Lebbon, award-winning author of Netflix’s The Silence and Among the Living


“Nuzo Onoh masterfully embosses her signature as the ‘Queen of African Horror’ in Where the Dead Brides Gather’s sorcerous fest. She effortlessly cartwheels into the unformed mind of a haunted but gifted child in the mesmerism of a cross-cultural story entombed in numinous possession and the most haunting form of African divination. A sinister and gripping tale of spectral inhabitation by one of the craftiest horror writers of our time.”
Eugen Bacon, British Fantasy Award winner and Philip K. Dick Award finalist 


"A sinister and gripping tale of spectral inhabitation by one of the craftiest horror writers of our time"
Aurealis