The Nga'phandileh Whisperer is a science fantasy horror novella, written by Eugen Bacon and published by Stars & Sabers. A proposal set in the Sauútiverse (a planetary system shared across the works of multiple authors, blending together African culture and sci-fi), in which Bacon takes the opportunity to experiment with a unique form of storytelling, introducing some elements that takes this story to be the analogue to a folktale of this universe.

A story told in second person, describing the story of Chant'L and how she became a Guardian, meant to protect humanity from the Nga'phandileh; a story that is also divided in two timelines, as we get to know her relationship with her parents, and her bursts of uncontrolled power, and a second her challenging experience among the Guardians and how she's exiled to Savage Mound, a destiny that will put her in a different path than the one intended for her.

Bacon's writing style is certainly challenging for the reader: the own use of the second person is rather unusual, the words are ordered to create a certain rhythm in a novella which puts the sound in a central spot and the dual timeline is not simple; however, it also shows a rich setting and culture that is introduced to us in a really authentic way, offering a rather fascinating perspective to the reader. I can say that is worth the reading effort, as the author gifts us with a marvellous novella.

The Nga'phandileh Whisperer is certainly a quite unique work, a mix between cosmic horror and science fantasy that uses such an ignored tradition as the African one as the base for its worldbuilding, blending together tradition and innovation to deliver an excellent reading experience.