The broken city of Lkossa doesn't have magic, especially not for sixteen year old girls like Koffi. As an indentured worker of the Night Zoo, Koffi and her mother work as animal keepers to pay off their family's debt. When her family is threatened by the Night Zoo's master, Koffi unleashes a power that will have dire consequences.
Ekon has been destined to become an elite warrior as part of the Sons of Six. On the night of his final rite, it's interrupted by a fire. Ekon encounters the Shentani--a mystical beast that has plagued the city and his nightmares--and a young girl who seems able to control it. But he allows her to evade capture and ruins his chances of becoming a warrior.
Desperate to belong, Ekon vows to bring down the Shetani and claim his place within the Sons of Six. Koffi is determined to bring the Shetani to the Night Zoo to pay off her debts. The two cross paths and decide to work together while keeping their true motives hidden from each other. They enter the Greater Jungle and find a world full of magic and dangerous creatures. But are they the hunters or the hunted?
The world of Lkossa was incredible. I loved how detailed the world was, the culture and inhabitants of the world were vibrant and alive. Then there was the Jungle. It was definitely it's own entity and it was quite terrifying. There were so many creatures and monsters that roam the Jungle and I was definitely terrified while reading this. I do not want to go there no thanks. There are too many snakes and snake-creatures for me.
I really loved Koffi, she was such an easy character to relate to and root for. Koffi just wants to save her mother and her friend from the Night Zoo, but she ends up with much more than that. I loved the exploration of magic we get to see from her perspective. I loved how fierce and determined she was. And she gets creative when in sticky situations.
Ekon was a cinnamon roll and I definitely just want to give the poor boy a hug. He needs like 10 at least. Ekon deals with anxiety and OCD throughout the story, but it's never treated as something he must overcome. Koffi accommodates his behavior and I just love seeing characters get the accommodations they need.
This book is one giant quest, so if you're a fan of epic fantasy this book is for you. Especially if you enjoyed Kingdom of Souls or The Good Luck Girls.
Rep: Black/African female MC, Black/African male MC with anxiety and OCD, Black/African female MC, supporting cast of BIPOC characters.
CWs: Blood, death, drug use without consent, fire, injury/injury detail, medical content, mental illness (anxiety/OCD), murder, panic attacks/disorders, violence, xenophobia.
Ekon has been destined to become an elite warrior as part of the Sons of Six. On the night of his final rite, it's interrupted by a fire. Ekon encounters the Shentani--a mystical beast that has plagued the city and his nightmares--and a young girl who seems able to control it. But he allows her to evade capture and ruins his chances of becoming a warrior.
Desperate to belong, Ekon vows to bring down the Shetani and claim his place within the Sons of Six. Koffi is determined to bring the Shetani to the Night Zoo to pay off her debts. The two cross paths and decide to work together while keeping their true motives hidden from each other. They enter the Greater Jungle and find a world full of magic and dangerous creatures. But are they the hunters or the hunted?
The world of Lkossa was incredible. I loved how detailed the world was, the culture and inhabitants of the world were vibrant and alive. Then there was the Jungle. It was definitely it's own entity and it was quite terrifying. There were so many creatures and monsters that roam the Jungle and I was definitely terrified while reading this. I do not want to go there no thanks. There are too many snakes and snake-creatures for me.
I really loved Koffi, she was such an easy character to relate to and root for. Koffi just wants to save her mother and her friend from the Night Zoo, but she ends up with much more than that. I loved the exploration of magic we get to see from her perspective. I loved how fierce and determined she was. And she gets creative when in sticky situations.
Ekon was a cinnamon roll and I definitely just want to give the poor boy a hug. He needs like 10 at least. Ekon deals with anxiety and OCD throughout the story, but it's never treated as something he must overcome. Koffi accommodates his behavior and I just love seeing characters get the accommodations they need.
This book is one giant quest, so if you're a fan of epic fantasy this book is for you. Especially if you enjoyed Kingdom of Souls or The Good Luck Girls.
Rep: Black/African female MC, Black/African male MC with anxiety and OCD, Black/African female MC, supporting cast of BIPOC characters.
CWs: Blood, death, drug use without consent, fire, injury/injury detail, medical content, mental illness (anxiety/OCD), murder, panic attacks/disorders, violence, xenophobia.