What do you think?
Rate this book
Changa's Safari #1
Changa's Safari
In the 15th century on the African continent the young prince Changa Diop flees his homeland of Kongo, vowing to seek revenge for the death of his father and free his family and people from the foul sorcerer Usenge. He survives slavery and the fighting pits of Mogadishu, eventually becoming a merchant adventurer whose extraordinary skills and determination makes his a legend. From the Swahili merchant cities of Mombasa and Sofala to the magnificent Middle Kingdom, Changa and his crew experience adventures beyond the imagination. Despite his reputation, Changa will not rest until he has fulfilled his promise to his people. The anchors are lifted and the sails are dropped. Let the safari begin
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2011
10 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
Milton J. Davis
78 books246 followersMilton Davis is owner of MVmedia, LLC , a small publishing company specializing in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Sword and Soul. MVmedia’s mission is to provide speculative fiction books that represent people of color in a positive manner. Milton is the author of eight novels; his most recent The Woman of the Woods and Amber and the Hidden City. He is co-editor of four anthologies; Griots: A Sword and Soul Anthology and Griot: Sisters of the Spear, with Charles R. Saunders; The Ki Khanga Anthology with Balogun Ojetade and the Steamfunk! Anthology, also with Balogun Ojetade. MVmedia has also published Once Upon A Time in Afrika by Balogun Ojetade.
Milton resides in Metro Atlanta with his wife Vickie and his children Brandon and Alana.
Milton resides in Metro Atlanta with his wife Vickie and his children Brandon and Alana.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 23, 2011
On the day that a young prince and an evil sorceress happen to cross paths with Changa, a chain of events unfurls which would lead Changa and his crew on a high adventure across continents.
Changa’s Safari is a Sword and Soul epic echoing the traditional conflict between good and evil. In its pages we find warriors of light, demons of darkness, magic users and priests in a world with echoes of the past. From the trading cities of the African East coast to far flung China, this adventure will keep you spell bound from cover to cover.
A great read and I'm certainly looking forward to the continuing tales of this hero.
Changa’s Safari is a Sword and Soul epic echoing the traditional conflict between good and evil. In its pages we find warriors of light, demons of darkness, magic users and priests in a world with echoes of the past. From the trading cities of the African East coast to far flung China, this adventure will keep you spell bound from cover to cover.
A great read and I'm certainly looking forward to the continuing tales of this hero.
November 1, 2012
Sword and Soul on the High Seas!
“He collapsed onto the bloodstained stone. Bare muscles emerged from his still body, a strange metamorphosis emerging from a human cocoon…Features formed on the face, a countenance that expressed the strength of gods and perfection impossible among ordinary men,” Milton Davis, Changa’s Safari
Author Milton Davis tells the story of “Changa,” a fierce captain with a haunted past, the beautiful sorceress “Panya” and Changa’s loyal friend, the silent, yet deadly “Tuareg” as they embark on a quest to save an African prince, and in search of wealth to make their dreams come true… a quest that will take them from Madagascar to ancient China— assassins, meta-humans and monsters awaiting them at every turn.
Beautifully written and with exquisite detail Changa’s Safari is a magical adventure of the high seas! I loved it and I give it a hearty five thumbs up!
“He collapsed onto the bloodstained stone. Bare muscles emerged from his still body, a strange metamorphosis emerging from a human cocoon…Features formed on the face, a countenance that expressed the strength of gods and perfection impossible among ordinary men,” Milton Davis, Changa’s Safari
Author Milton Davis tells the story of “Changa,” a fierce captain with a haunted past, the beautiful sorceress “Panya” and Changa’s loyal friend, the silent, yet deadly “Tuareg” as they embark on a quest to save an African prince, and in search of wealth to make their dreams come true… a quest that will take them from Madagascar to ancient China— assassins, meta-humans and monsters awaiting them at every turn.
Beautifully written and with exquisite detail Changa’s Safari is a magical adventure of the high seas! I loved it and I give it a hearty five thumbs up!
July 12, 2011
I had the privilege of editing this epic adventure and found myself caught up in the story and forgetting to proof the copy! Milton Davis does a fantastic job of submerging the reader in a swashbuckling tale of 15th century Africa. You'll cheer and cringe for Changa as he travels to China and back on a quest that is full of sorcery, betrayal, and excitement.
October 13, 2012
Changa's Safari takes the style of Robert E. Howard's historical and sword and sorcery adventures and applies it to a totally unique band of characters. There's Changa, the Bakongo Sindbad-type leader, exiled from his native land and hunted by demons hot on his trail, unleashed by a vengeful shaman, the beautiful but strong willed sorceress who has spurned the ruler of Great Zimbabwe, The Tuareg, a veiled Muslim warrior vowed to silence who does all the talking he needs to with his swords, the eager prince Zakee, and weathered sailor Mikaili.
The book is presented as a collection of novellas chronicling the adventures of Changa and his companions as they command a fleet of trading dhows. Like the Arabian Nights, each new exploit spawns more adventures, culminating in what I personally felt was the most compelling episode, an excursion into China with real-life voyager Zheng He. In the last episode Changa must rescue the young emperor of China from a force of Mongols massing beyond the Great Wall.
Changa's Safari doesn't waste any time with an expository origin, but plunges the reader right into the middle of the action just as Howard's Conan books did, leaving it to the reader to piece together the various characters' histories from tidbits that come to light as the book progresses. At times this is a little frustrating as it reads like you missed an installment, but for the most part it plays out fine. The writing is tight and well paced, the dialogue punchy, and the action imaginative and exciting. I love learning as I'm reading and Changa's Safari taught me a great deal about African and Chinese folklore, yet the lessons didn't detract from or interrupt the flow of the story. It simply enhanced the telling, bolstering the reader's belief in the fictional world, as all good research should. There was even a handy glossary of non-English terms included in the back, though there were a couple ommissions I would've liked to have seen in there ( I didn't know what an orinka was for instance, though it became readily apparent in the course of the story). My only other gripe was the book could've used one more editing pass. It's nothing major, just a couple little things an editing program would miss.
I always wondered why you don't typically see non-white adventurers of the Conan or Tarzan mold pop up in modern pulp fiction. Now I don't have to any more. Mr. Davis has created a band of worthy companions and made me a fan of sword and soul.
Eager to see where he takes it in book two.
The book is presented as a collection of novellas chronicling the adventures of Changa and his companions as they command a fleet of trading dhows. Like the Arabian Nights, each new exploit spawns more adventures, culminating in what I personally felt was the most compelling episode, an excursion into China with real-life voyager Zheng He. In the last episode Changa must rescue the young emperor of China from a force of Mongols massing beyond the Great Wall.
Changa's Safari doesn't waste any time with an expository origin, but plunges the reader right into the middle of the action just as Howard's Conan books did, leaving it to the reader to piece together the various characters' histories from tidbits that come to light as the book progresses. At times this is a little frustrating as it reads like you missed an installment, but for the most part it plays out fine. The writing is tight and well paced, the dialogue punchy, and the action imaginative and exciting. I love learning as I'm reading and Changa's Safari taught me a great deal about African and Chinese folklore, yet the lessons didn't detract from or interrupt the flow of the story. It simply enhanced the telling, bolstering the reader's belief in the fictional world, as all good research should. There was even a handy glossary of non-English terms included in the back, though there were a couple ommissions I would've liked to have seen in there ( I didn't know what an orinka was for instance, though it became readily apparent in the course of the story). My only other gripe was the book could've used one more editing pass. It's nothing major, just a couple little things an editing program would miss.
I always wondered why you don't typically see non-white adventurers of the Conan or Tarzan mold pop up in modern pulp fiction. Now I don't have to any more. Mr. Davis has created a band of worthy companions and made me a fan of sword and soul.
Eager to see where he takes it in book two.
May 31, 2017
Teen boys get a bad rap. David Hartwell sneered that “the Golden Age of Science Fiction is 12.” John Rogers gibed that “There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.” And this while 22% of 13-year-olds say they “never” or “hardly ever” read for pleasure, versus 8% a few decades ago. And while 30% of girls read daily, only 18% of boys do.
I don’t get why we denigrate books as written for 12-year-old boys. If a book can get a boy excited about reading, that’s a magical book!
The problem is even worse for African-Americans. 23% of white Americans say they haven’t read a book in the past year. That’s a shame. 29% of African-Americans said the same. That’s a travesty. And where do you see all of the conversation around diverse voices focused? Octavia Butler, Sam Delaney, and N.J. Jemisin aren’t going to get black boys reading. But Changa’s Safari? This is a book you can hand a kid and light a fire for reading that will never burn out. And you will enjoy it too.
I saw Davis speak on a panel at JordanCon and walked away so impressed I swung by his author’s table the next day. I asked about a certain pulpy sound to Changa for the obvious reasons, and Davis described him to me as “Conan with a job.” Sold.
The job being merchant on the 15th century, pre-Portuguese Swahili coast of Africa. Captaining your dhows personally can make for some adventures, and Changa goes armed with sword, throwing knives, and wrist knife. He is accompanied by Panya, a sorceress, and a silent Tuareg who fights with takouba and scimitar. The adventures in volume 1 (Davis has a 2nd and 3rd volume out, with a fourth to come) start on the east African coast but range all the way to Mongolia. There was a rich trading economy at the time from stretched from the Swahili coast to the Middle Kingdom, all facilitated by Arabic merchants.
Changa’s Safari is novel-length but is really three novellas. The first, The Jade Obelisk, is a rather standard sword and sorcery yarn involving an evil sorceress, a demigod for an ally, and hyena-men mooks in Zimbabwe. A Certain Spice sees Changa embarking for Asia after an emissary from the Chinese emperor lands in Sofala. The third novella, The Emperor’s Ransom, continues the story from the second, with Changa getting roped into recovering the Chinese emperor from Mongol captivity, with Davis filling a gap in the real history. The structure keeps things punchy, and the stories get better as they go along. There are also advantages to writing the stories together versus the patchwork publication by pulp magazine. Pretty much my only complaint about the Silver John stories was the limited continuity.
Davis edited the Griots sword and soul anthology, reviewed here by Morgan, with Charles Saunders. Saunders has his own sword and soul hero, Imaro. Changa is a welcome addition to the niche sub-genre. Changa’s Safari stands up well against Robert E. Howard’s better imitators and is the better for the African influence (the “soul” in the “sword and soul”). Africa is vastly underappreciated in fantasy. The locales and source mythos keep what might otherwise seem a by-the-numbers sword and sorcery tale fresh. The stories are peppered with just enough Swahili to give them a flair of authenticity without leaving the reader confused. Davis adds distinct weapons like wrist knives (basically, big bracelets with sharpened edges that were used like a parrying dagger). Men fight on foot because the tsetse fly makes keeping herds of horses infeasible. Leaving Africa, Changa encounters pirates and komodo dragons and eunuchs and Mongols, not to mention sorcerers and demons and fire-mages. Mongols, in particular, deserve more faithful representation in fantasy.
It was interesting to read Changa’s Safari in light of the first Conan movie. Like Kull, and movie-Conan, Changa is a former slave and pit fighter. Like movie-Conan, Changa is motivated by avenging his father (but saving his mother and sister). Like movie-Conan, Changa spends a lot of time doing a lot of other things. But he will need money and power if he is to defeat the sorcerer who ruined his life. Davis keeps the backstory and motivation very light and subtle though. There is craft in that. Hollywood would dump an hour and a half of backstory on us. But these are universal themes. Davis knows we don’t need much to grasp what they mean to Changa. And like Howard’s Conan, Changa is “not just fierce and strong, [but] intelligent, insightful, and charismatic.”
The story lives and dies by the reader’s connection with Changa, and Changa is real in every way. The way nothing stirs his heart like a commercial proposition. A corresponding gruff affectation that melts when it comes time to save someone. His relationship with Panya. His quieter relationship of mutual respect with the Tuareg. His discomfort with politics, even as his rising fortunes force him into a political role. The ambition that causes his to continually push farther and risk more. I feel like I know Changa. He’s that friend you stand in awe of and watch vicariously.
I have print copies of the first two volumes. There are some pretty annoying copyediting issues, but the covers are quite a bit better than the average self-published book, and they even contain black-and-white interior illustrations.
I don’t get why we denigrate books as written for 12-year-old boys. If a book can get a boy excited about reading, that’s a magical book!
The problem is even worse for African-Americans. 23% of white Americans say they haven’t read a book in the past year. That’s a shame. 29% of African-Americans said the same. That’s a travesty. And where do you see all of the conversation around diverse voices focused? Octavia Butler, Sam Delaney, and N.J. Jemisin aren’t going to get black boys reading. But Changa’s Safari? This is a book you can hand a kid and light a fire for reading that will never burn out. And you will enjoy it too.
I saw Davis speak on a panel at JordanCon and walked away so impressed I swung by his author’s table the next day. I asked about a certain pulpy sound to Changa for the obvious reasons, and Davis described him to me as “Conan with a job.” Sold.
The job being merchant on the 15th century, pre-Portuguese Swahili coast of Africa. Captaining your dhows personally can make for some adventures, and Changa goes armed with sword, throwing knives, and wrist knife. He is accompanied by Panya, a sorceress, and a silent Tuareg who fights with takouba and scimitar. The adventures in volume 1 (Davis has a 2nd and 3rd volume out, with a fourth to come) start on the east African coast but range all the way to Mongolia. There was a rich trading economy at the time from stretched from the Swahili coast to the Middle Kingdom, all facilitated by Arabic merchants.
Changa’s Safari is novel-length but is really three novellas. The first, The Jade Obelisk, is a rather standard sword and sorcery yarn involving an evil sorceress, a demigod for an ally, and hyena-men mooks in Zimbabwe. A Certain Spice sees Changa embarking for Asia after an emissary from the Chinese emperor lands in Sofala. The third novella, The Emperor’s Ransom, continues the story from the second, with Changa getting roped into recovering the Chinese emperor from Mongol captivity, with Davis filling a gap in the real history. The structure keeps things punchy, and the stories get better as they go along. There are also advantages to writing the stories together versus the patchwork publication by pulp magazine. Pretty much my only complaint about the Silver John stories was the limited continuity.
Davis edited the Griots sword and soul anthology, reviewed here by Morgan, with Charles Saunders. Saunders has his own sword and soul hero, Imaro. Changa is a welcome addition to the niche sub-genre. Changa’s Safari stands up well against Robert E. Howard’s better imitators and is the better for the African influence (the “soul” in the “sword and soul”). Africa is vastly underappreciated in fantasy. The locales and source mythos keep what might otherwise seem a by-the-numbers sword and sorcery tale fresh. The stories are peppered with just enough Swahili to give them a flair of authenticity without leaving the reader confused. Davis adds distinct weapons like wrist knives (basically, big bracelets with sharpened edges that were used like a parrying dagger). Men fight on foot because the tsetse fly makes keeping herds of horses infeasible. Leaving Africa, Changa encounters pirates and komodo dragons and eunuchs and Mongols, not to mention sorcerers and demons and fire-mages. Mongols, in particular, deserve more faithful representation in fantasy.
It was interesting to read Changa’s Safari in light of the first Conan movie. Like Kull, and movie-Conan, Changa is a former slave and pit fighter. Like movie-Conan, Changa is motivated by avenging his father (but saving his mother and sister). Like movie-Conan, Changa spends a lot of time doing a lot of other things. But he will need money and power if he is to defeat the sorcerer who ruined his life. Davis keeps the backstory and motivation very light and subtle though. There is craft in that. Hollywood would dump an hour and a half of backstory on us. But these are universal themes. Davis knows we don’t need much to grasp what they mean to Changa. And like Howard’s Conan, Changa is “not just fierce and strong, [but] intelligent, insightful, and charismatic.”
The story lives and dies by the reader’s connection with Changa, and Changa is real in every way. The way nothing stirs his heart like a commercial proposition. A corresponding gruff affectation that melts when it comes time to save someone. His relationship with Panya. His quieter relationship of mutual respect with the Tuareg. His discomfort with politics, even as his rising fortunes force him into a political role. The ambition that causes his to continually push farther and risk more. I feel like I know Changa. He’s that friend you stand in awe of and watch vicariously.
I have print copies of the first two volumes. There are some pretty annoying copyediting issues, but the covers are quite a bit better than the average self-published book, and they even contain black-and-white interior illustrations.
March 10, 2014
Great book with charismatic leading man. Its African-Indian Ocean-China settings are a nice change of pace from the same old, increasingly tired and tiresome, faux-European fantasylands.
June 2, 2017
Excerpt from the review posted on my blog (jjeremyhicks.com):
Without spoiling too much of this rollicking, swashbuckling adventure, I will say that it was an insta-buy once I saw the cover art and read the back cover blurb at JordanCon 2017. With several books in this series and continuing collections of Changa stories, Davis has combined the fast-paced action-packed sea sagas of Sinbad with the well-researched--but clearly alternative history--versions of 15th century Africa, Arabia, and Asia to create a fun, immersive environment for endless storytelling. In these stories, magic and myth walk the world alongside the medieval and mundane, so there is plenty of sword-and-sorcery action to keep any fan of fantasy and/or alternative history happy.
In this first collection, we are presented with three different kibatu (books), which are novelettes or novellas tied together by the common thread of Changa Diop, merchant captain and adventurer, and his crew of bahari (sailors and adventurers). Each book builds on the other, ratcheting up the suspense and tension as the stakes climb ever higher for Changa as he seeks the means to take revenge against the powerful magician who slayed his father and made wives of his mother and sisters. First, we sail with Changa against evil forces who would undo the world with powerful talismans. Then we fight alongside him as he defends the honor of Panya, his female crewmember, whose hand is promised to one of the most powerful of the Swahili. Finally, we are setting sail once again, for China's distant Middle Kingdom and beyond.
Frankly, everything about this book appeals to me. Milton J. Davis has vividly reconstructed a world where myth and history mix to paint a richer portrait of Africa and Arabia and the Orient than most Western writers ever manage to accomplish. I look forward to reading more of Changa's safaris in the future, and I recommend them to anyone who likes stories of high adventure.
Without spoiling too much of this rollicking, swashbuckling adventure, I will say that it was an insta-buy once I saw the cover art and read the back cover blurb at JordanCon 2017. With several books in this series and continuing collections of Changa stories, Davis has combined the fast-paced action-packed sea sagas of Sinbad with the well-researched--but clearly alternative history--versions of 15th century Africa, Arabia, and Asia to create a fun, immersive environment for endless storytelling. In these stories, magic and myth walk the world alongside the medieval and mundane, so there is plenty of sword-and-sorcery action to keep any fan of fantasy and/or alternative history happy.
In this first collection, we are presented with three different kibatu (books), which are novelettes or novellas tied together by the common thread of Changa Diop, merchant captain and adventurer, and his crew of bahari (sailors and adventurers). Each book builds on the other, ratcheting up the suspense and tension as the stakes climb ever higher for Changa as he seeks the means to take revenge against the powerful magician who slayed his father and made wives of his mother and sisters. First, we sail with Changa against evil forces who would undo the world with powerful talismans. Then we fight alongside him as he defends the honor of Panya, his female crewmember, whose hand is promised to one of the most powerful of the Swahili. Finally, we are setting sail once again, for China's distant Middle Kingdom and beyond.
Frankly, everything about this book appeals to me. Milton J. Davis has vividly reconstructed a world where myth and history mix to paint a richer portrait of Africa and Arabia and the Orient than most Western writers ever manage to accomplish. I look forward to reading more of Changa's safaris in the future, and I recommend them to anyone who likes stories of high adventure.
July 14, 2023
Reminiscent of the grand epic world fantasy novels from back in the day, Changa's Safari by Milton Davis does not disappoint! Follow Changa Diop on a mystical journey filled with adventure, action, and rich historical culture. It is a swashbuckling tale that successfully keeps its reader wanting more. A true page-turner and delightful trek through a fantastical African background that ebbs to the Asian continent.
This novel flourishes with historical quality that could have only been done with care and time. From terms and vocabulary to nations and trade, Changa's Safari will submerge you in the narrative's world of swordplay, ship battles, and war skirmishes.
Changa Diop is your guts and glory action warrior who struggles between his promises to his past and his successes in the now. His skills with a sword and throwing daggers will make you smile while his zest for profit will make you chuckle and shake your head.
Panya is Changa's most honored ally and one of his most strong-willed companions. Her magical talents and stern views add several layers to the story that readers will be waiting to see develop as the tale unfolds. Brimming with her rich backstory, Panya is a mystical follower of Oya of Royal heritage who could easily sustain her own adventurous quest.
While Changa has a rogue's gallery of crew to man his fleet of dhows (ships) and safari adventures, none are as captivating or scene-stealing as his most loyal party member. He shows up time and time again and is hands down one of the best characters in the novel.
Two words . . . . . . The . . . Tuareg. This stoic, blue-clad warrior is pure intrigue personified on the page.
Changa's Safari was a great read that if it had existed in my youth it would have been a favorite of mine. I tip my hat off to any writer who can make you feel some kind of way about a ship (dhow). Can't wait to grab the next Safari!
This novel flourishes with historical quality that could have only been done with care and time. From terms and vocabulary to nations and trade, Changa's Safari will submerge you in the narrative's world of swordplay, ship battles, and war skirmishes.
Changa Diop is your guts and glory action warrior who struggles between his promises to his past and his successes in the now. His skills with a sword and throwing daggers will make you smile while his zest for profit will make you chuckle and shake your head.
Panya is Changa's most honored ally and one of his most strong-willed companions. Her magical talents and stern views add several layers to the story that readers will be waiting to see develop as the tale unfolds. Brimming with her rich backstory, Panya is a mystical follower of Oya of Royal heritage who could easily sustain her own adventurous quest.
While Changa has a rogue's gallery of crew to man his fleet of dhows (ships) and safari adventures, none are as captivating or scene-stealing as his most loyal party member. He shows up time and time again and is hands down one of the best characters in the novel.
Two words . . . . . . The . . . Tuareg. This stoic, blue-clad warrior is pure intrigue personified on the page.
Changa's Safari was a great read that if it had existed in my youth it would have been a favorite of mine. I tip my hat off to any writer who can make you feel some kind of way about a ship (dhow). Can't wait to grab the next Safari!
May 1, 2022
This was a grim, unstoppable, eventually exhilerating read. Despite being dubbed as a novel, it actually contained three novellas full of action, danger, joy, sorrow, death and adventure.
Following Charles R. Saunders' introductory 'A Different Safari' we have got~
1. The Jade Obelisk: This story introduces almost all the characters accompanying Changa Diop. Also, it sets the 'soul & sorcery' theme for the entire series.
2. The Treasure Junk: This story, apart from being chock full of things happening too fast and emotions threatning to drown plans, sets us up for the final piece of this safari.
3. The Emperor's Ransom: This was the best story of the book. It had everything that a lover of fantasy can ask for. But more importantly, it was a brilliant piece where heart fought with brain amidst all the action, and won!
Overall, this book is definitely one of the finest works of fantasy produced in our times.
Highly recommended.
Following Charles R. Saunders' introductory 'A Different Safari' we have got~
1. The Jade Obelisk: This story introduces almost all the characters accompanying Changa Diop. Also, it sets the 'soul & sorcery' theme for the entire series.
2. The Treasure Junk: This story, apart from being chock full of things happening too fast and emotions threatning to drown plans, sets us up for the final piece of this safari.
3. The Emperor's Ransom: This was the best story of the book. It had everything that a lover of fantasy can ask for. But more importantly, it was a brilliant piece where heart fought with brain amidst all the action, and won!
Overall, this book is definitely one of the finest works of fantasy produced in our times.
Highly recommended.
October 1, 2024
I purchased the book while at DragonCon and enjoyed Changa and his friends as the fought battles, gained riches, and overcame magical people and beasts. I really enjoyed the 3 volumes. My only minor complaint is that I want more descriptions. I want to see more color, want to know about the clothing and food and this world. I want to be immersed fully. If I had to make a comparison I would say it sometimes reminded me of the John Carter stories from Edgar Rice Burroughs. I look forward to reading other books by Milton Davis.
June 17, 2016
With one hand on his sword, forged of Damascus Steel, and a throwing knife at the ready, Changa Diop readies for action. Who is this Changa Diop? Some Conan pastiche taking up space in a cash grab designed to capitalize on the barbarian's resurgence? Or perhaps a seasoned anti-hero pawn of the machinations of primal forces, forever brooding over his ill-fated lot in life? No? Well then, he must be on a noble quest; yes a quest to destroy forever the trinket that holds the distilled essence of evil!!! Surely there is at least an 80s metal epic extolling his exploits? Maybe an airbrushed painting on the side of a van? Wait, no? Well then, who the heck is this Changa, and why is he so important?
Changa Diop is the hero of Milton Davis' Sword and Soul series set in 15th century Africa Changa's Safari. He is the son of Mfumu, a king betrayed by his best friend, the usurping sorcerer: Usanage. With skills honed in the slave pits of Mogadishu, Changa works for the day where he can be avenged upon his family's enemy and free his sisters from their forced marriage to the dastard. Sounds like standard Sword and Sorcery fare, or does it?
Here's the thing, in order to obtain his vengeance, Changa sets out on an economic quest to raise capital. That's right, he isn't a mercenary, or a wandering do-gooder; he isn't a thief and while he does brood, it doesn't define him. Changa is the captain of a merchant fleet, which is brilliant, because it gives him an excuse to be pretty much anywhere the story needs him to be. And unlike his progenitors such as Conan, Solomon Kane, Elric or even Imaro; Changa is far from the superhero paragon of physical and mental acuity that we normally see in S&S tales. Oh, don't get me wrong, he's good, damned good, but he isn't perfect, he's been known to make mistakes and even (gasp) cut and run if the situation demands. And that adds a bit more to the likability of the character. And that is one of the things that make Changa stand out in the field of Sword and Sorcery. But a great character needs more than a winning personality and the ability to kick some butt.
First, one needs a supporting cast to compliment the hero, and the Changa tales certainly have that. He surrounds himself with a capable cast of characters, the sort of lieutenants that a successful trader would want around. The women aren't there to prove that Changa is virile and his side-kicks aren't in constant need of rescuing. They are fully fleshed out characters that we rarely get to see in S&S fiction. That's not to say that they are equals of the hero, it is Changa's Safari, not Panya's Safari, but they are more capable than most companions, save perhaps Moonglum.
And what Sword and Sorcery series would be complete without an exotic setting? Well, how about 15th century Africa? Ok, save historians whose dissertations were focused on pre-colonial Africa (you know who you are), who reading this can accurately describe the setting? Exactly. The Africa presented to us by author Milton Davis is a far cry from the Africa that we are taught about; Mr. Davis has researched his setting. More than anything, we are introduced to the diversity of a continent. From the deserts to the north with factions of warlords competing for resources, to the almost idyllic city-states (I did say almost) of Oyo and Cilombo, to the rich port of Mombasa and the slave pits of Mogadishu. Africa was never one people and one culture, it was and is a place as diverse as any other, to present it as monolithic does a disservice to Africa, to its peoples, and to the reader; fortunately for us, Milton Davis believes in diversity. The Safaris take Changa and his crew outside of Africa and we, as readers, are treated to the same diligence in research of the various ports of call as we are to the locales in Africa.
And that brings us to the last point, the little Sword and Soul that I have had the pleasure to read focuses on diversity. Not paying lip service to having a range of cultures, like in Howard's tales, Milton Davis' Africa is peopled with different cultures, customs and people of different shapes, sizes, religions, skin colors...and not one time is Changa's ancestry placed above the ancestry of anyone else. Usanage is from the same place as Mfumu! Is this an idyllic world? No, absolutely not, that would make for boring fare in any fantasy setting. There is conflict, the aforementioned Usanage is a powerful sorcerer who sends the disembodied souls of his victims trapped in the bodies of monstrous apes after Changa. There are spirits & dimensional travelers, artifacts that ensorcel the spirits of those who dare possess them, cultists and fanatics, professional rivals; many, many avenues of intrigue and conflict. What you won't see are people demeaned by the writing, no Solomon Kane fighting ape-men in the darkest reaches of deepest, darkest Africa.
And that is why Changa is important, these stories bring a humanity back to a genre that thrives on persecuting the other. They make one of my favorite type of tale better, by making them accessible to everyone. Nobody wants to read a story where not only can they not identify with the hero, but they are cast as the villain time and time again. It is the 21st century and it's about time we had the heroes that we want our children to read about and that we want to read, even if you have to go back to the 15th century to do it.
Changa Diop is the hero of Milton Davis' Sword and Soul series set in 15th century Africa Changa's Safari. He is the son of Mfumu, a king betrayed by his best friend, the usurping sorcerer: Usanage. With skills honed in the slave pits of Mogadishu, Changa works for the day where he can be avenged upon his family's enemy and free his sisters from their forced marriage to the dastard. Sounds like standard Sword and Sorcery fare, or does it?
Here's the thing, in order to obtain his vengeance, Changa sets out on an economic quest to raise capital. That's right, he isn't a mercenary, or a wandering do-gooder; he isn't a thief and while he does brood, it doesn't define him. Changa is the captain of a merchant fleet, which is brilliant, because it gives him an excuse to be pretty much anywhere the story needs him to be. And unlike his progenitors such as Conan, Solomon Kane, Elric or even Imaro; Changa is far from the superhero paragon of physical and mental acuity that we normally see in S&S tales. Oh, don't get me wrong, he's good, damned good, but he isn't perfect, he's been known to make mistakes and even (gasp) cut and run if the situation demands. And that adds a bit more to the likability of the character. And that is one of the things that make Changa stand out in the field of Sword and Sorcery. But a great character needs more than a winning personality and the ability to kick some butt.
First, one needs a supporting cast to compliment the hero, and the Changa tales certainly have that. He surrounds himself with a capable cast of characters, the sort of lieutenants that a successful trader would want around. The women aren't there to prove that Changa is virile and his side-kicks aren't in constant need of rescuing. They are fully fleshed out characters that we rarely get to see in S&S fiction. That's not to say that they are equals of the hero, it is Changa's Safari, not Panya's Safari, but they are more capable than most companions, save perhaps Moonglum.
And what Sword and Sorcery series would be complete without an exotic setting? Well, how about 15th century Africa? Ok, save historians whose dissertations were focused on pre-colonial Africa (you know who you are), who reading this can accurately describe the setting? Exactly. The Africa presented to us by author Milton Davis is a far cry from the Africa that we are taught about; Mr. Davis has researched his setting. More than anything, we are introduced to the diversity of a continent. From the deserts to the north with factions of warlords competing for resources, to the almost idyllic city-states (I did say almost) of Oyo and Cilombo, to the rich port of Mombasa and the slave pits of Mogadishu. Africa was never one people and one culture, it was and is a place as diverse as any other, to present it as monolithic does a disservice to Africa, to its peoples, and to the reader; fortunately for us, Milton Davis believes in diversity. The Safaris take Changa and his crew outside of Africa and we, as readers, are treated to the same diligence in research of the various ports of call as we are to the locales in Africa.
And that brings us to the last point, the little Sword and Soul that I have had the pleasure to read focuses on diversity. Not paying lip service to having a range of cultures, like in Howard's tales, Milton Davis' Africa is peopled with different cultures, customs and people of different shapes, sizes, religions, skin colors...and not one time is Changa's ancestry placed above the ancestry of anyone else. Usanage is from the same place as Mfumu! Is this an idyllic world? No, absolutely not, that would make for boring fare in any fantasy setting. There is conflict, the aforementioned Usanage is a powerful sorcerer who sends the disembodied souls of his victims trapped in the bodies of monstrous apes after Changa. There are spirits & dimensional travelers, artifacts that ensorcel the spirits of those who dare possess them, cultists and fanatics, professional rivals; many, many avenues of intrigue and conflict. What you won't see are people demeaned by the writing, no Solomon Kane fighting ape-men in the darkest reaches of deepest, darkest Africa.
And that is why Changa is important, these stories bring a humanity back to a genre that thrives on persecuting the other. They make one of my favorite type of tale better, by making them accessible to everyone. Nobody wants to read a story where not only can they not identify with the hero, but they are cast as the villain time and time again. It is the 21st century and it's about time we had the heroes that we want our children to read about and that we want to read, even if you have to go back to the 15th century to do it.
April 27, 2021
Love love loved this book! So enthralling, so vivid! The characters and the setting were phenomenal!! I enjoyed how Davis emphasized African relations within the Indian Ocean. Nice refreshing read, especially for those who love Imaro. Will definitely continue this series as well as Davis's other works!
August 13, 2021
This story has a great base, but it needed to run through a few more edits. It felt a little disjointed and there was not enough emphasis on the climax - it often was over in a couple pages. I enjoyed the characters and the premise of each story, but again, it needed another round of editing to remove some fluff and add some meat to the story. Still enjoyed!
August 24, 2016
Safari: The Swahili word safari means journey, originally from the Arabic سفرية (safarīyah) meaning a journey -wikipedia
Changa's safari is indeed a journey, one that carries the reader across the world's largest continents. This first volume is really 3 adventures of "books" in one. Zimbabwe, lost jungle islands of southeast Asia and into the heart of the Middle Kingdom are some of the places you will visit with Changa and his wonderfully eclectic crew. The young Prince, the Sorceress, the loyal Tuareg warrior who never speaks all help to round out the cynically pragmatic warrior-merchant that is Changa. While this is a fantasy novel of heroes, magic, monsters and demigods, I was impressed by the fine attention to historical details. Names of places, sea vessels, weapons all ring true to the period. The details don't bog down the story though, Milton Davis definitely lets us know that the main serving of the day is the kind of Sword and Sorcery (or Sword and Soul) pulp action adventure that fans of Robert E Howard, Charles R. Saunders , Karl Edward Wagner will love. Looking forward to the next Safari.
January 10, 2017
The first of the Changa stories, this is a rather curious book. It feels like it began as a separate short story before being grafted on another novel. The first act introduces readers to the main characters, but it's largely unconnected to the rest of the book while the second and third acts are far more connected. Changa makes for an intriguing hero, extremely practical and a businessman above all else, sometimes reluctant to do the right thing. The characters don't develop very much over the course of the story, but they're a fun bunch and the journey with them is worth it.
The prose has some nice descriptions, but spelling errors abound, distracting from the reading, costing the star a second star. As a sword and soul tale, many of the characters are from various African states, but we also get some Arabs—one a major character—quite a few Chinese, and a number of Mongolians. No LGBT characters though.
The prose has some nice descriptions, but spelling errors abound, distracting from the reading, costing the star a second star. As a sword and soul tale, many of the characters are from various African states, but we also get some Arabs—one a major character—quite a few Chinese, and a number of Mongolians. No LGBT characters though.
March 17, 2013
Milton Davis never fails to provide spinning an excellent tale. In this case, three excellent tales.
April 30, 2017
Adventure fiction (which I love). Good fight scenes and "believable" magic. Strong African characters (male AND female) in a buddy relationship. A universe consisting of the entire Indian Ocean, expanding my knowledge of the region. Even the secondary characters have vibrant, well-thought-out personalities. I met this author at the Boskone Science Fiction convention, and discovered that he, too, was a fan of Charles R. Saunders (I read a story by Saunders in the original "Amazons!" anthology that impressed me strongly.). In fact, Saunders wrote the intro for this book. Best test of a good book: I want to read the next one.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews