The Dance of Shadows

Winner of the 2025 Aldiss Award for World Building, The Dance of Shadows is the debut epic from Rogba Payne that immerses readers in a West African-inspired fantasy world filled with myth, shadow magic, and music. The story follows Rumi, a young magician from a marginalized village, as he seeks liberation for his family amid dangerous conflicts with colonizing forces and divine battles. With the help of a dying god, Rumi begins his journey to wield shadow warriors and confront his destiny, all set in a richly woven universe praised for its compelling characters, vivid world-building, and gripping plot.