The Changing Man - by Tomi Oyemakinde (Hardcover)

About the Book

A teenage girl is pulled into investigating her new boarding school's decades-old legend in this debut Young Adult speculative mystery by Tomi Oyemakinde that's perfect for fans of hit show Stranger Things and asks the question: what makes you you?

Book Synopsis

Get ready to go back-to-school with this supernatural mystery where the overly privileged classmates at Ife's new boarding school become the least of her worries when there might be truth to the rumors of a dangerous entity targeting students--and Ife or her new friends could be next!

In hidden rooms...from shadows of the night...his steps come soundless...his eyes glow bright...

Ife Adebola hasn't been at Nithercott, her new prestigious boarding school, for long, but she's already over the petty gossip, the silly lore of a being known as the Changing Man, and the classmates who won't let her forget she's in the Urban Achievers scholarship program. Bijal, another student in the program, is the only one trying to befriend her, but Ife doesn't need new friends. After all, she's perfectly happy with the ones at her old school.

As Ife settles in at Nithercott, she starts to notice strange mushrooms and an earthy yet unsettling smell that lingers on--and even off--campus. Then a classmate begins acting different one day. And there are the whispers among the teachers. As things get weirder, Ife can't help but wonder if there could actually be any truth to the decades-old lore of the mysterious Changing Man. Or if there's any connection to the missing brother of her classmate Ben.

Needing answers, Ife has no choice but to team up with Ben and Bijal to investigate. But can the trio act quickly enough to uncover who--or worse, what--is behind the Changing Man, before they become
his next victims?

Review Quotes

"In this mind-bending supernatural debut, Oyemakinde uses a dark academic setting to examine themes of loss, loneliness, friendship, and change. Ife's developing bonds with Bijal and Ben help transform her from a withdrawn introvert into a fierce final girl as she navigates the narrative's hair-raising horrors." --Publishers Weekly

". . .charmingly fun and heartwarming" --BCCB

"An interesting premise and some imaginative and horrific scenes. . . Ife's developing abilities to manage her anxiety are a highlight." --Booklist

". . .this debut offers highly visually evocative and eerie descriptions of characters and events and will appeal to fans of creature horror, social commentary, and dark academia. A descriptive and atmospheric paranormal social thriller. . ." --Kirkus

"Oyemakinde's eerie and unsettling debut will have you checking your locks and looking over your shoulder. Get ready to welcome an exciting new voice in the world of horror!" --Caleb Roehrig, author of The Fell of Dark

"You'll be pulled headfirst into Ife's world as she and her friends discover that the Changing Man isn't the only malevolent entity stalking the ivied gardens and darkened halls of Nitercott...and the reality may be way more terrifying than any urban legend. A twisty, atmospheric thriller will leave you peering into dark corners with plenty of goosebumps and the smell of warm, wet pavement lingering in your nose." --Ginny Myers Sain, New York Times-bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies

"The Changing Man is clever, atmospheric, and horrifying in all the best ways. Tomi Oyemakinde deftly weaves a compelling story of isolation, fear, and ultimately friendship. This book will stick with you long after you've read the explosive final pages. I can't wait to read more from this brilliant, and terrifying, new voice in YA fiction!" --Kathryn Foxfield, author of Good Girls Die First

"The Changing Man is compulsively readable and utterly thrilling. I devoured it and hugely enjoyed every moment--even when I was genuinely frightened! Tomi Oyemakinde is an exciting new voice in the YA thriller space and sure to be a huge hit with fans of dark academia, thrillers, and horror." --Katherine Webber, author of Twin Crowns

About the Author

Tomi Oyemakinde grew up in London, before being uprooted at the age of 6 to head across the North Sea to the Netherlands. He is committed to crafting stories centered on Black protagonists thriving across genres, audiences & worlds. When Tomi is not busy writing, he can be found daydreaming about his future dog (namely a Rottweiler named Pan) and geeking out over all things anime. The Changing Man is his debut novel.