Back in 2023, Wana Wa Magere Chapter 1: Umati introduced readers to a fresh take on Kenyan mythology, setting up a promising journey for the descendants of the legendary Luanda Magere.
Now, in 2025, we finally have Chapter 2 of this hero’s journey.
But before we look at the second chapter, let’s recap Chapter 1.
For those who missed it, the story begins when young people start disappearing in a small town, prompting college students Neema and Jawar, descendants of Magere, to investigate.
Their search leads them to lost cultural artefacts, cryptic prophecies, and a mysterious figure who may hold the key to saving the missing youth.
But as they dig deeper, they realise this crisis is bigger than they imagined, reflecting a generation trapped in cycles of addiction, unemployment and lost heritage.
Blending supernatural intrigue with sharp social commentary, Wana Wa Magere walks the fine line between myth and reality, where the fate of the youth hangs in the balance.
Availability
Wana Wa Magere Chapter 1: Umati and Chapter 2: Vigango are available for purchase online at Nuria Store.
Neema and Jawar, now at the Coast, seek the meaning of Jawar’s vision from a local witchdoctor. But a series of thefts disrupts the village’s peace, as well as the ancestral link needed to decipher this vision.
What I liked
Moving the story to the Coast adds depth and expands the universe, introducing a culturally rich and diverse setting.
It isn’t just a direct continuation of Chapter 1; it broadens the world and deepens the mythology. The exploration of vigango (ancestral memorial statues) adds another layer to the lore.
The humour, cultural references, and the way the witch-doctor is introduced feel uniquely Kenyan. These moments make the story more relatable, especially for Kenyan readers.
The story introduces several new characters, and by the final third of the book, you start getting invested. The writing gives each character clear motivations, and the main cast is pushed to work under pressure, making their struggles engaging.
A page from Wana Wa Magere Chapter 2: Vigango book.
Photo credit: Stanslaus Manthi | Nation Media Group
Visually, the artwork is okay, but not as good as the first book, we'll get to that later. What I like about this chapter is it incorporates more expansive shots, allowing the environment to play a bigger role.
As expected from Avandu Studios, the amount of research around vigango is impressive. The story takes time to explore their cultural and historical significance, which adds weight to the narrative.
What I didn’t like
Chapter 1 is the size of a standard comic book, making the characters feel larger than life. Chapter 2 is a smaller book, which takes away some of that grandness.
While the pencil work and colouring are okay, the lighting feels flat. Highlights and contrast between light and shadow are lacking, making some characters, like one of the vigango, blend into the background instead of standing out.
Unlike the first book, which had a satisfying conclusion while still setting up the future, this one leans into the typical comic book cliffhanger, something I’ve never enjoyed. If you’ve read my other reviews, you already know my issue with unresolved endings.
This chapter feels more restrained than the first. The story leans heavily on educating readers about vigango, which is interesting but, there are fewer action set pieces, making it feel slightly less dynamic.
Conclusion
Despite its issues, Wana Wa Magere Chapter 2: Vigango is a well-researched and engaging expansion of the world Avandu Studios is building. While it sacrifices some action and visual flair for exposition, the cultural depth and character development make up for it.
The best way to describe my experience with this book? Fun.
