“The novel is by turns rollicking, romantic and solemn, always acutely aware of the historical forces shaping its characters’ destinies and fascinated with the culture shocks they experience as they move between continents.” -- Dave Itzkoff, The New York Times
“Blitz Bazawule is a phenomenal storyteller. The Scent of Burnt Flowers is at once deeply real and surprisingly magical. I am truly blown away by this novel.” -- Jacqueline Woodson, New York Times bestselling author of Red at the Bone
“Blitz Bazawule’s debut novel is so alive, so cinematic. I am thrilled to have fallen into this—a colorful, delicious ride through the senses and beyond; a tale of danger, love, and all the small, true things that will not be named.” -- Yrsa Daley-Ward, PEN Ackerley Prize–winning author of The Terrible
“This story has magic, political conspiracy, and romance, along with the historical elements of the U.S. civil rights movement and Ghanaian colonization. It will appeal to readers of many genres who enjoy an eccentric cast of characters in a vibrant historical setting.” -- Library Journal
“In a transportive debut set in the mid-1960s, Ghanaian artist Bazawule charts the fallout of the violent confrontation of an African American couple by a racist gang... Bazawule nails the atmosphere, loading it with cultural details on everything from palm wine to Highlife music. It’s an engaging . . . period piece.” -- Publishers Weekly