Review by Booklist Review
Kun, a land once green and lush, has turned into a kingdom of dust. Inspired by Igbo mythology and including Igbo language, Stringfellow's latest novel, set in a world rich with West African traditions, follows a preteen who must pull herself together to save her broken kingdom. Our heroine, Amara, doesn't know she's fated to return her land to its true form. In order to achieve this, she will have to claim her strength and develop her own voice. Along the way, good and evil battle--both the characters and readers need to pay close attention as situations move quickly. The magical, spare narration adds a lyrical quality to each step along the way, ending with a satisfying conclusion to an authentically realized waif-to-queen transformation tale. Author Stringfellow includes a glossary, which readers will appreciate as they navigate the adventure. Recommended for all who love fairy tales with strong female protagonists.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In Kun, a kingdom plagued by dust and famine, 12-year-old Amara and her adoptive mother struggle to make ends meet on the family farm. When a harvest festival--attended by Eze Udo, the usually absent king and presumptive heir to the goddess Oala--erupts in hunger-fueled pandemonium, Amara and her mother's escape is cut off by the king's guard's attempt to abduct Amara. Forced to abandon her mother to save herself, Amara seeks sanctuary with a hidden sect of griots, magic users bound to the will of Oala. They inform Amara that Eze Udo is not the true king, and that conditions in Kun will worsen until Oala's rightful heir is restored. Amara is tasked with retrieving said heir, who she learns is a powerful girl sequestered in a tower--and looks exactly like Amara. A rapidly paced resolution prevents the emotional resonance of Amara's grounding perspective from sticking the landing. Stringfellow (A Comb of Wishes) nevertheless communicates incisive ideas surrounding war and oppression via sparse prose, while Igbo mythology--fueled worldbuilding and Amara's bond with her mother form an immovable fulcrum around which the story revolves. A glossary concludes. Ages 8--12. Agent: Lindsay David Auld, Writers House. (Aug.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
In this West African-inspired fantasy, the kingdom of Kun has always flourished under the rule of a child of Oala, the goddess of creation, but now it languishes under the tyranny of King Udo, who seized the throne and brought with him a calamitous drought. The rivers have shriveled, crops have withered, and famine grips the land, leaving the people starving and destitute. Amid this desolation, twelve-year-old Amara and her adoptive mother, Zirachi, struggle to survive. When Udo learns of the crescent-shaped birthmark on Amara's neck, he sends his soldiers to capture her, believing she holds the power to challenge his rule. With the help of both old allies and newfound friends, Amara escapes and embarks on a quest that may lead her to the truth of her identity, the downfall of Udo, and the salvation of her kingdom. This is a fast-paced and suspenseful adventure story with rich world-building and a compelling narrative. While the fantastical journey is at the heart of the story, the book also emphasizes the emotional and psychological growth of its resilient young protagonist, making it a layered and engaging tale. S. R. ToliverNovember/December 2024 p.99 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A girl is forced out of her home and into the unknown as she tries to save the kingdom of Kun in this West Africa--inspired fantasy. Twelve-year-old Amara has always felt different--cursed, even. Left as an infant on her mother Zirachi's doorstep, she only knows her simple farm life in Danel, her village. Sadly, all the land is drying up as the Zare desert expands, spreading famine. Despite their meager crops, Amara, who has a crescent-shaped birthmark on her neck, readies herself for the New Yam Festival, hoping that the creation goddess, Oala, will end the drought. According to Zirachi, Kun used to be filled with lush abundance, and the griots could perform magic to ensure its bounty. No one has seen or heard of the griots in years, however, and none can remember their stories. As Zirachi and Amara return from the festival, the Nkume, or king's guard, attack them and try to abduct Amara. Forced to flee, Amara searches for the griots, hoping they'll be able to help her bring Kun back to its glory and unravel the mystery surrounding her birth. The plot revs up quickly, keeping the pages turning. Amara's journey from village girl to defender of her kingdom is wonderful to follow. Each obstacle she faces adds another layer to her self-realization. It's difficult to be different and even harder to be brave, but this book is easy to enjoy. A delightful fable. (glossary and pronunciation guide)(Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
