In 'And So I Roar,' Abi Daré gives silenced women a voice

Reviewer: Titi Oyemade
Title: And So I Roar
Author: Abi Daré
Year of publication: 2024
Number of pages: 376
Category: Fiction

And So I Roar by Abi Daré is not just a sequel to The Girl with the Louding Voice. It is a powerful story about women finding the courage to speak in places where silence is expected of them.

You do not have to read the first book before picking up this one. The story stands well on its own, although readers who already know Adunni and Tia may understand their journey better.

Adunni is preparing to begin school in Lagos when men from her village arrive to take her back to Ikati. She must answer questions about the death of Khadija, her former husband’s second wife. What should have been the beginning of a new life quickly becomes another fight for survival.

Adunni remains one of the most memorable parts of the book. She is only 14 and has little formal education, but she is intelligent, observant, and determined. She asks the questions many adults are too afraid to ask. She may sometimes appear naïve or too trusting, but she is never weak.

Her distinctive English may feel unusual at first. However, as the story develops, it becomes easier to understand and enjoy. Her words carry humour, innocence and wisdom. Some of her observations will make you laugh, while others will force you to think about the unfair treatment of women and girls.

Adunni’s dream of receiving an education also gives the book much of its emotional strength. For her, school is not simply about learning to read and write. It represents freedom and the chance to choose the kind of life she wants.
Tia, on the other hand, appears to have the life Adunni is fighting to achieve. She is educated, wealthy and composed. But underneath that calm appearance is a woman dealing with grief, betrayal, infertility and difficult questions about motherhood.

A conversation she overhears while visiting her sick mother in Port Harcourt leads her towards a family secret that has remained hidden for many years. This part of the story slowly reveals that money and education do not protect a person from every kind of pain.

The relationship between Adunni and Tia is one of the strongest parts of the novel. They come from completely different backgrounds, but they understand each other in ways that others do not.

Tia wants to protect Adunni, but Adunni also gives her strength. Their relationship is not only about a rich woman rescuing a poor girl. Both women are carrying pain, and each helps the other confront it.

Through their experiences, Daré explores serious problems affecting women and girls. These include child marriage, sexual abuse, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, lack of education, and the pressure placed on women to remain silent.

The story also looks at what happens when fear and superstition replace reason.

When rain stops falling in Ikati, the community looks for people to blame. Women and girls become easy targets for problems they did not create. Instead of questioning the environmental causes of the drought, some villagers hold on to beliefs that allow them to punish the most vulnerable people.

This connection between climate problems and the treatment of women gives the book another important layer. In fact, won the first Climate Fiction Prize in 2025.

Most of the events take place within 24 hours, and this keeps the story moving. Adunni is running out of time, Tia is desperate to save her, and hidden truths begin to emerge as the tension grows.

At some points, however, the story feels more like a film. Certain relationships and revelations appear too convenient. The connections between rich families, village girls and domestic workers may leave some readers wondering whether everything fits together too perfectly.

The book also takes on many social issues at once. While this makes it relevant, some of the issues do not receive enough attention before the story moves to the next one.

Still, these weaknesses do not take away from the strength of the characters or the importance of the message.
Daré also finds room for humour despite the painful subjects. Adunni’s way of looking at the world brings light into difficult moments. This balance prevents the book from becoming too heavy.

The different settings also play important roles. Lagos represents Adunni’s hope for education and a better life. Port Harcourt holds the answers Tia is searching for, while Ikati represents the customs and fears both women must confront.

More than anything, And So I Roar shows what can happen when women stop accepting silence as their only choice.
The novel does not pretend that speaking up immediately solves every problem. Adunni and Tia still face danger, pain, and resistance. But their courage shows that harmful systems survive when nobody challenges them.
This is an emotional and inspiring book about friendship, survival, education and the fight to be heard. It reminds readers that one person’s voice can also help others find the courage to speak.

The story is not perfect. Some parts feel unrealistic, and the many issues it raises sometimes compete for attention. Yet, Adunni and Tia remain with you long after the final page.