The author of A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars brings a magical touch to a bewitching story of myth, family secrets and awakened power as a young girl raised by West African witches finds her power growing and through it a way to unlock the secrets of her past.
Longlisted for the Jhalak Children’s & Young Adult Prize 2022
African myth and magic beat in the dark heart of this fable about witchcraft, superstition, the bonds we choose and those we cannot.
Born into a family of West African witches, Sheba's terrified of her mother who can turn into a crow. But like mother, like daughter - magic runs through her blood and Sheba discovers powers of her own.
Her touch can unravel people's innermost thoughts; their hopes, their fears - their secrets. Sheba too can shape-shift. Through the communion of ancient magic, blood and friendship, she slowly uncovers the murderous truth about her stolen childhood and steels herself for the future. She must protect the hunted from the hunter - her mother.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781789540857
Number of pages: 336
Dimensions: 210 x 130 mm
Interest age: From 12 years
Language: English
Written with lushness and lyricism, this is a complex tale of friendships, community and family conflict expressed in fantastical metaphors - Sunday Times, Book of the Week
A stirring fantasy, rich in west African legend, investigates the bonds of blood, love and friendship, and what it takes to grow into your power - Guardian
Myth, magic and superstition course through this dark and mesmerising novel of witchcraft, family and coming of age. I loved both A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars and Wolf Light, but this is Badoe's best YA novel yet - Editor's Choice, The Bookseller
Fierce and thrilling, Lionheart Girl delivers on the promise of Badoe's debut, and then some. I loved this original, lyrical, dark fable - Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of A Secret of Birds of Bone
Vividly imaginative, brave, passionate and original heroine. A different kind of magical adventure that draws on West African myth for a story of universal interest' - Amanda Craig, author of The Golden Rule
Unlike anything I've ever read. Mythical, vivid, unsettling and utterly page-turning, Lionheart Girl explores bonds of blood, friendship and the power of being true to yourself. Both unique and brilliant - Ele Fountain, author of Melt
This is a magical tale, one that I loved... Yaba's writing is a rich feast to be savoured. Filled with unforgettable images that leave you breathless, it is about the strength of love' - Sally Gardner, author of Invisible in a Bright Light
Loved it! Yaba's best so far – a wonderful tale of magic and family - Cat Johnson
Lionheart Girl is deeply atmospheric, stunningly original, and sizzling with ancient myth and magic. Utterly unmissable - Sophie Anderson, author of The Castle of Tangled Magic
A fun and ambitious read... A familial take on the fantasy genre' - Bad Form
Rooted in west African myth and tradition... This is a superb book - Irish Times
A thrillingly talented Ghanaian author weaving West African myth into a tale of love and courage - New Statesman
A bewitching, often dark, magical realism novel for children aged 12+ - Book Trust
I love Badoe's tales of myth and magic - Daily Mail
Lionheart Girl is brilliantly written, richly evocative, and quite unforgettable. I loved it - Lauren St John
Sheba and her mama have a uniquely combative relationship I don't think I've really seen before in YA fantasy. There's magic, great family relationships and lyrical writing and a beautiful ending! - Peter Bunzl
Heartstopper Volume 6
The River She Became
Tell your Friends
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
Better Than the Movies
Shatter Me
Throne of Glass
If He Had Been with Me
The Inheritance Games
The Hunger Games
Girl in Pieces
The Cruel Prince (A Novel of Elfhame)
The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Maze Runner
One of Us Is Lying
Drop Dead Famous
This is an ambitious YA (I hate that term) novel in the theme of “Children of Blood and Bone”, populated with some colourful characters.
Sheba is a descendant of West African Witches and magic runs through her veins....
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Exquisitely written, this powerful book takes you into the incredible world of West African myth, magic, and witchcraft. A gripping story that unfolds layer by layer along with its characters. (Can't believe this... More
Lionheart Girl is such an evocative story, lyrical, beautiful writing that will stay with me long after reading. A coming of age fable of witchcraft, superstition, and the bonds we can and cannot choose. This is a... More
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