Rise by D.U. Okonkwo is an engaging and exciting story that makes you root for the heroine.  Riana or Ria, who is socially awkward and struggling due to her facial scars, is an extremely talented artist but unable to pay bills due to her withdrawn nature. Readers feel her pain and rejoice at her success. The reader experiences her self-actualization at every step.

This book made me fall in love with art, mostly sculpting. Author D.U. Okonkwo’s use of imagery in the book is exceptional. The representation of art in the book is charming, elegant, and exotic at the same time. The visual appeal of the book keeps you hooked and the characters are endearing and compassionate. One of the beauties of the book is the relationship of Ria with her family. Especially the mother-daughter relationship between Ria and her mother is beautiful. Ria is scared and intimidated by the world around her, but her mother is always there for her. She also finds support in her close friends. The chemistry with her romantic interest is also terrific. The overall dynamics between the characters portrayed are quite heartwarming.

One of the positive aspects that I liked about Rise by D. U. Okonkwo is the length of chapters. Okonkwo keeps the chapters short, concise and unfolds in a manner that keeps you yearning for more. The book is an enjoyable experience and keeps you entertained till the end. It soothes your heart and creates warm fuzzy fluttering in your heart.

The story begins as a fun and entertaining read that turns into her experiences with God, and the rest of the book is filled sermons of Pentecostal ideology. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book, because it was an interesting fictional account of a serious medical condition that’s handled in a compelling way.

Rise will appeal to readers looking for a feel-good empowering book. Author D. U. Okonkwo has given readers a stimulating inspirational religious fiction novel.

Pages: 358 | ASIN: B00RUMK4ZM