Griots Tell No Lies

by J Bela

Commonly described as an African Oydssey, a groundbreaking debut historical fiction about a mysterious and unknown period of history."Griots Tells No Lies" beckons readers into a realm of intrigue and ambition. Set against the backdrop of the Mali Empire's impending shadow, Raogo, a young Lord of the Yatenga Kingdom, stands alone in his conviction that danger looms on their horizon. As whispers of Mansa Musa's empire planning invasion spread like wildfire, Raogo's impassioned warnings fall on deaf ears.

Undeterred by disbelief, Raogo embarks on a perilous journey to rally his people and repel the looming threat. In tandem, Arzouma, a fallen noble, seeks redemption for his family's lost glory. The demise of Yatenga's king sets forth a cataclysmic power struggle, tearing the kingdom asunder and forcing Arzuma to navigate treacherous alliances in pursuit of his birthright.

"Griots Tells No Lies" intricately weaves these two arcs, casting morally ambiguous characters against a canvas of historical tumult. As Raogo and Arzouma's motivations collide with the chaos of their time, the first entry of the "Griots, Heaven and Earths" trilogy invites readers on an enthralling journey of discovery, challenging assumptions and igniting a hunger for the hidden truths of a forgotten past.

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2024

Reviews

[Aneshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Griots Tells No Lies” is a remarkable debut that left me thoroughly impressed. The author’s ability to immerse readers in the world of the Mali Empire is truly commendable. I found myself captivated by the richly drawn characters, particularly Raogo and Arzouma, whose journeys were both compelling and thought-provoking. I was thoroughly impressed by the author’s meticulous attention to historical detail. Every aspect of the setting felt authentic, and I appreciated the depth of research that must have gone into crafting such a vivid world. Overall, I found this read to be captivating and engaging from beginning to end. I eagerly await the next installment in the trilogy and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping historical fiction novel.

[Jordan Stan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very pleasant read, it’s under 300 pages and I read it in two days during my work commutes. I bought the kindle version by the way. It has a fairly good plot and characters. It has its weaknesses, such as a difficult start and some plot lines that feel abandoned or not fleshed out properly. However this could be explained by the fact that I struggled with all the exotic African names and references (silly missed the glossary at the back until I was half way through it), and the fact that this is part of a trilogy so perhaps these other plot points will be developed in future books. All in all, decent read

[J Dacosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating read! This book delves deep into the fascinating world of the African Knights of the Mali Empire. Engaging storytelling and meticulous research make it a standout. A must-read 5 stars for me!

[Ana Dacosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. Definitely recommend! I will definitely watch out of more of J Bela's books.

[Brefo Gyasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just got back into reading and this one has made me fall back in love with it again! Definitely recommend!

[readwithkapz · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Griots Tell No Lies’ by J.Bela

Book review:

Set against the backdrop of the Mali Empire, Raogo, a Calvary warlord of the Yatenga Kingdom, believes an impending danger is nearby.

Initially I struggled to understand certain words and phrases. There are a lot of characters introduced early on and near each other, which made me struggle to remember who they were, but also understand their significance in the book.

The POVs/Character chapters could have been structured better. Sometimes I’d be getting into Raogo’s character, then it switches to Arzouma and I’ve forgotten who he is or what is his story.

The time period and lack of explicit dates also made it hard for me to appreciate the plot and the contextual background.

However, I did enjoy learning about the history and culture of certain tribes (Mossi, Manden Kurofaba) and the ancestral backgrounds. There are also a lot of Arabic references throughout which I thought were beautiful.

This is the first book in the trilogy, so I’m looking forward to seeing the upcoming sequels.

If you enjoy historical fiction, this may a book for you to try.