The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Nwoka, Okezie. God of Mercy. Astra House, 2021.

Okezie Nwoka's novel God of Mercy is written from the third person point of view and primarily in the past tense. The novel is divided into a prologue, three parts, and an epilogue.

When Ichulu villagers Ofodile and Nnenna first gave birth to their daughter, Ijeoma, they were delighted. However, as soon as it became apparent that Ijeoma was mute, Ofodile stopped loving his daughter. He believed that Ijeoma was cursed, and even tried convincing his wife to abandon her in the Evil Forest. Nnenna and the local dibia, or healer, Igbokwe, convinced Ofodile to keep Ijeoma.

When Ijeoma was nine years old, she discovered that she could fly. While levitating, she saw a vision and thanked the Supreme Being, Chukwu, for this new gift.

The village people soon learned of Ijeoma's capability and were unsure how to respond. When Ijeoma's cousin, Uzodi, heard the news, he marveled. Having been recently banished, he hoped that his cousin's gift might be a sign from the gods that he could remain free.

Nnenna was pleased with the news of Ijeoma's levitating abilities, but feared Ofodile's response. Just as she suspected, when Ofodile learned what Ijeoma was up to, he dragged her to Igbokwe, desperate for the man to cure her. Igbokwe examined Ijeoma and prayed to the gods for an explanation. He soon discovered that Chukwu had chosen Ijeoma as his vessel. Ofodile did not like or believe Igbokwe's assessment, and remained bitter and angry.

Not long later, the village was shocked to discover that a local couple's baby, Jekwu, was born with teeth. Deeming him cursed, they decided to bring him to the Evil Forest to die. Igbokwe told Jekwu's grieving parents that if Jekwu survived in the forest for a week, they could bring him home.

Ijeoma heard this news and became determined to help. She snuck into the Evil Forest and secretly fed Jekwu. His parents were filled with gratitude when the baby survived.

Furious with his daughter for her antics, Ofodile was thrilled when an emissary from Precious Word Ministries arrived in Ichulu seeking Ijeoma. The emissary told Ofodile that Pastor Innocent Nwosu served the white god and could heal Ijeoma. Without consulting anyone, Ofodile sent his daughter away.

The village despaired when they heard the news. Ijeoma had become their symbol of hope and balance. They cursed Ofodile for his foolishness.

Ijeoma spent the next nine years in exile in Amalike. She was kept in Nwosu's prison with a hoard of other condemned children. She was beaten and brutalized. However, Ijeoma never lost faith in Chukwu. She learned English and began writing to the Supreme Being in her diary. Meanwhile, she feigned faith in the Christian god. Only her friend and romantic interest, Ikemba, knew that Ijeoma did not believe in the god of the Bible.

When someone caught Ijeoma levitating in her quarters, Nwosu had her locked in a cell once more. For an endless string of days, Ijeoma begged Chukwu for deliverance. Just before she could take her own life, Chukwu broke open the cell and freed Ijeoma. She and Ikemba freed the other children, and fled to Ichulu.