Published: 04/02/2021
Set in a West African-inspired Ancient Kingdom under oppressive patriarchal rule, Forna’s breathtaking novel follows sixteen-year-old Deka and her quest to discover her destiny as a near-immortal with magical powers.
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize Older Readers Prize 2022
Exclusive Edition with sprayed edges and foiled jacket
A Standard Edition is available here
The must-read epic fantasy of 2021, as featured on Cosmo, Buzzfeed, BookRiot and Refinery 29.
In this West African-inspired world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice, perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther.
Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in Otera, a deeply patriarchal ancient kingdom, where a woman's worth is tied to her purity, and she must bleed to prove it. But when Deka bleeds gold - the colour of impurity, of a demon - she faces a consequence worse than death.
She is saved by a mysterious woman who tells Deka of her true nature: she is an Alaki, a near-immortal with exceptional gifts. The stranger offers her a choice: fight for the Emperor, with others just like her, or be destroyed...
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 9781803704210
Number of pages: 416
Dimensions: 198 x 130 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'Fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther are going to adore this one' - Buzzfeed
'[A] stormingly good debut' - The Observer
'Utterly transporting and on a massive scale, this is the new series you've been searching for' - Stylist
'The first in a fantasy trilogy with battles, betrayals and a search for identity' - S Magazine
'Namina Forna could be the Toni Morrison of YA Fantasy' - Refinery 29
'This is an empowering read that you won't want to put down and that will be enjoyed by teenagers and adults alike' - Press Association
'This story has real credibility and depth. To be enjoyed by teenagers and adults alike' - Irish Examiner
'Namina has been called the Toni Morrison of YA Fantasy so this is worth reading' - The Irish News
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“Amazing, humbling and an awakening.”
Thank you to Netgalley and Usborne Publishing for my digital copy of this fantastic book!
Namina Forna weaves a world that parallels our own in so many ways but also one that is layered in magic.
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“Amazing Feminist Fantasy”
Wow, this book grabbed my attention from page one! The world-building truly is (*chefs kiss*) stunning and brilliantly done.
This story was a lot gorier and more harrowing than I expected going into it but I kind of...
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“Super enjoyable and a not so subtle dig at the patriarchy!”
A super enjoyable read! I loved the way the story built and built and built. However, there were moments where I felt the writing was perhaps a little slow or predictable? It is a YA so I tend to expect that with at... More
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