Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.
ISBN: 9781250170972
by Panhuman Books
Zélie, a seventeen-year-old woman, and her friends go on a trip to a mythical island to find a way to restore magic to the kingdom of Orsha. This takes place in an imaginary world infused with West Africa's textures.
Diviners have hidden magical skills, indicated by the unusual white hair that sets them apart from their other countrymen. Zélie, who has a dark complexion, is a diviner. She protects Princess Amari, who was on the run from her father, King Saran, after stealing the scroll that can change diviners into magic-wielding maji. She then flees with Zélie's brother and Princess Amari. Zélie's brother was Zélie's brother. The scroll has been missing for eleven years since the king's genocide against the Maji, and Prince Inan, Amari's brother, has been tasked with locating it. When the three people discover that the upcoming winter solstice is their only chance to restore magic by connecting to Nana Baruku, the creator goddess of motherhood, they rush to find the last artifact they need for their ritual so they can beat both time and Inan.
The reader will be left hanging after the book because of a cliffhanger that will have them anxiously anticipating the next volume in the trilogy. Throughout the novel, allegiances change as people develop, change, and face traumas. This story is great because the characters are well-drawn, the plot is interesting, and the writing is good. The fact that it is also an insightful look at issues of racism, colorism, power, and injustice contributes to its greatness.
Adeyemi is an artist to keep an eye on since her work is powerful, engaging, and real. Exceptional.
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