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Kenny and The Heiresses of Surith: Book 1
“The stronger your faith is, the stronger your soul will be to reach the other world. Your faith is one of your greatest weapons on earth.” Those were the wise words of Umba, Kenny’s godmother. In Joseph K Adou’s Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith, this orphan never knew his mother, but his godmother played a vital role in his upbringing. He learns that his mother was a powerful heiress of Surith is a divine power with exceptional abilities. Having finished his studies, Kenny decides to explore the world and visit places he knows his mother visited in the hopes of feeling a connection, a bond. His journey becomes an adventure of its own as he encounters other heiresses of Surith, and he’s drawn into a conspiracy that will threaten his life and those he has come to care about.
Joseph K Adou’s Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith is written like a play, complete with acts and scenes, descriptive introductory narratives, and dialogue itemized with the character’s name. This is the first book in a series, beginning Kenny’s story with the heiresses of Surith. It’s a personal journey of discovery. The plot is compelling and forward-driven with lots of adventure in its twists and turns. This is a powerful story full of magic, mythology, suspense, and all that makes an adventure fantasy worth following. The characters are well-developed with lots of important features like friendship, honesty, loyalty, and faith. One can’t help but like the main characters, Kenny, Umba, and Nikka, with their honesty and loyal attributes. A great read for teens."
- Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Centuries ago, a divine entity named Surith settled on Earth and offered divine powers and extraordinary abilities to millions of women. Some girls and women today are still unaware they received such gifts, while others have embraced them to protect their close ones and make a better life on Earth. Kenny's mother was one of the select few, and she was considered one of the most powerful heiresses of Surith on Earth. After her death, Kenny was taken under the tutelage of his godmother, Umba, who was also an heiress of Surith and a close ally of his mother. Having never known his mother, after graduating college, Kenny decided to travel around the world and discover all the countries and cultural places his mother experienced when young. He hoped in this way to try and solve the mystery of Surith's origin. During his first trip to his mother's birthplace, Boston, he meets another heiress of Surith, named Nikka, who plunges him into a world of conspiracy even more dangerous and mysterious than he had anticipated. This is the beginning of the story of Kenny and the heiresses of Surith.
Joseph K Adou’s Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith is written like a play, complete with acts and scenes, descriptive introductory narratives, and dialogue itemized with the character’s name. This is the first book in a series, beginning Kenny’s story with the heiresses of Surith. It’s a personal journey of discovery. The plot is compelling and forward-driven with lots of adventure in its twists and turns. This is a powerful story full of magic, mythology, suspense, and all that makes an adventure fantasy worth following. The characters are well-developed with lots of important features like friendship, honesty, loyalty, and faith. One can’t help but like the main characters, Kenny, Umba, and Nikka, with their honesty and loyal attributes. A great read for teens."
- Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Centuries ago, a divine entity named Surith settled on Earth and offered divine powers and extraordinary abilities to millions of women. Some girls and women today are still unaware they received such gifts, while others have embraced them to protect their close ones and make a better life on Earth. Kenny's mother was one of the select few, and she was considered one of the most powerful heiresses of Surith on Earth. After her death, Kenny was taken under the tutelage of his godmother, Umba, who was also an heiress of Surith and a close ally of his mother. Having never known his mother, after graduating college, Kenny decided to travel around the world and discover all the countries and cultural places his mother experienced when young. He hoped in this way to try and solve the mystery of Surith's origin. During his first trip to his mother's birthplace, Boston, he meets another heiress of Surith, named Nikka, who plunges him into a world of conspiracy even more dangerous and mysterious than he had anticipated. This is the beginning of the story of Kenny and the heiresses of Surith.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 24, 2026
This was a really good read ! The writing and story is so unique and the plot was so good! The dialogue made it super easy to read and I just adore the friendships in this book! Kenny is such an honest and kind person and I was hooked 😍
January 28, 2026
OMG! What a cute and powerful book. The plot was there 👏🏼so well written, full of friendship, honesty, loyalty, and faith. Kenny is an increíble character, so loyal to his friendship 😭 STOOOP!!
Excuse me, but I completely fell in love with Nikka 🤭 so sweet, yet with such a strong personality. I absolutely fell in love with their friendship. Apollo 💓
The story was so addictive that I literally finished this book in less than 6 hours. That being said, I highly recommend it!
I got me confused in some chapter and wish to read more about some characters but still enjoy every single page!!
Excuse me, but I completely fell in love with Nikka 🤭 so sweet, yet with such a strong personality. I absolutely fell in love with their friendship. Apollo 💓
The story was so addictive that I literally finished this book in less than 6 hours. That being said, I highly recommend it!
I got me confused in some chapter and wish to read more about some characters but still enjoy every single page!!
September 9, 2026
What is there to do after college? What if you discovered that your mother was secretly a powerful sorceress whose life was taken when she was trying to save many others like her? Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith by Joseph K. Adou follows our main protagonist, Kenny, as he discovers his lineage and the bigger purpose his mother and father were fighting for. When his Godmother, Umba, finally reveals to him the truth of it all, she begins training him to use the powers of Suth. Will he be able to save the Listed? Or will the Odd Circle succeed in their plans?
This story had some really good bones to it. There was an interesting plot that ran deep into the past, but also had a lot to go forward with. We get to learn about some of the past battles through flashbacks and stories told by those who lived it. While Kenny is our main protagonist, we also get to see what some of the Odd Circle, the antagonists, are going through and planning at the same time. While the end purpose of the group is never fully clear, we do know that they have decided the Listed, those gifted by Surith with special abilities, should all be killed off. Adou did a great job at expressing that deep passion and devotion through the interactions with these characters.
Most of the story occurs in Massachusetts; however, we also have scenes in France, New Orleans, and a few other places across the world. There are also places called sanctuaries that some of the Listed can travel to when trying to find a safe place. These can only be accessed by the individual who creates them. They also vary depending on what that person sees as a safe place.
The magic system is quite complex in that I’m still not completely sure how it works. The Listed’s abilities range from being able to seduce anyone to levitation and portals. There are also protectors, men who can use the runes of Suth to have many of these abilities. And then there is the Odd Circle, who have concocted a mixture that, when injected, gives them these abilities as well. Through training and research, all three ways can become more powerful.
One thing I do want to mention is the layout of the writing. It was written in a play format: Adou begins each chapter by laying out some backstory and the scene, then the dialogue is formatted with the name of the person speaking and then their words. Every now and then, this is broken up with more background information to further our understanding of the story. We also get to see portraits of many of the characters, which was really neat!
Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith by Joseph K. Adou is a young adult fantasy that explores following those who came before us and helping those who can’t help themselves. There is quite a bit of cursing and violence in the book, although the violence is very rarely described in detail. There are mentions of torture, but none is on the page. As far as romance, there is only kissing on the page; all else is implied very vaguely. This book is for readers who like fantasy books set in our world. Especially if they like a lot of backstory and purpose in the main protagonist’s journey. The book is set up as if there will be more to the series; however, this one does have a solid ending.
This story had some really good bones to it. There was an interesting plot that ran deep into the past, but also had a lot to go forward with. We get to learn about some of the past battles through flashbacks and stories told by those who lived it. While Kenny is our main protagonist, we also get to see what some of the Odd Circle, the antagonists, are going through and planning at the same time. While the end purpose of the group is never fully clear, we do know that they have decided the Listed, those gifted by Surith with special abilities, should all be killed off. Adou did a great job at expressing that deep passion and devotion through the interactions with these characters.
Most of the story occurs in Massachusetts; however, we also have scenes in France, New Orleans, and a few other places across the world. There are also places called sanctuaries that some of the Listed can travel to when trying to find a safe place. These can only be accessed by the individual who creates them. They also vary depending on what that person sees as a safe place.
The magic system is quite complex in that I’m still not completely sure how it works. The Listed’s abilities range from being able to seduce anyone to levitation and portals. There are also protectors, men who can use the runes of Suth to have many of these abilities. And then there is the Odd Circle, who have concocted a mixture that, when injected, gives them these abilities as well. Through training and research, all three ways can become more powerful.
One thing I do want to mention is the layout of the writing. It was written in a play format: Adou begins each chapter by laying out some backstory and the scene, then the dialogue is formatted with the name of the person speaking and then their words. Every now and then, this is broken up with more background information to further our understanding of the story. We also get to see portraits of many of the characters, which was really neat!
Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith by Joseph K. Adou is a young adult fantasy that explores following those who came before us and helping those who can’t help themselves. There is quite a bit of cursing and violence in the book, although the violence is very rarely described in detail. There are mentions of torture, but none is on the page. As far as romance, there is only kissing on the page; all else is implied very vaguely. This book is for readers who like fantasy books set in our world. Especially if they like a lot of backstory and purpose in the main protagonist’s journey. The book is set up as if there will be more to the series; however, this one does have a solid ending.
July 3, 2026
this was such a unique book for me, i’ve never read anything like it! the storyline, the magic system, the conflict, all of it was unlike anything i’ve ever read before, and i really enjoyed the plot and the characters! it was not at all what i was expecting it to be like purely based on the cover!
however, the writing style did throw me off a bit, simply because this book is written like a play, not like a typical novel. it did take me a bit to get used to it and i was having trouble following all the different characters in the beginning, but as i continued to read, i grew more used to it and was able to immerse myself more into the story. i didn’t feel as connected to the characters as i could have been, simply because there wasn’t much internal monologue as the vast majority of the book is dialogue between characters.
the plot of this book was the shining star for me, it felt fresh and unique, and i could tell that the author really put a lot of thought into it. i liked seeing the different view points of all the characters, especially when they came together at the end and the pieces started clicking into place. i definitely have questions that need to be answered in the next book, and i like that there are open storylines to be explored in the next book as well!
one thing i really appreciated in the physical copy of this book was the artwork throughout. it really helped me picture the world and the characters better and i was really glad the author chose to include that in his work!
overall, i think that if you pick this book up, you will like it, but just know going in that it’s not written like a typical book. if i had known that i think i would’ve had an easier time reading in the beginning and would’ve been able to get into the story earlier on!
however, the writing style did throw me off a bit, simply because this book is written like a play, not like a typical novel. it did take me a bit to get used to it and i was having trouble following all the different characters in the beginning, but as i continued to read, i grew more used to it and was able to immerse myself more into the story. i didn’t feel as connected to the characters as i could have been, simply because there wasn’t much internal monologue as the vast majority of the book is dialogue between characters.
the plot of this book was the shining star for me, it felt fresh and unique, and i could tell that the author really put a lot of thought into it. i liked seeing the different view points of all the characters, especially when they came together at the end and the pieces started clicking into place. i definitely have questions that need to be answered in the next book, and i like that there are open storylines to be explored in the next book as well!
one thing i really appreciated in the physical copy of this book was the artwork throughout. it really helped me picture the world and the characters better and i was really glad the author chose to include that in his work!
overall, i think that if you pick this book up, you will like it, but just know going in that it’s not written like a typical book. if i had known that i think i would’ve had an easier time reading in the beginning and would’ve been able to get into the story earlier on!
June 10, 2026
Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith was such a sweet surprise. This YA fantasy follows Kenny as he sets out to uncover the truth about his late mother and the mysterious sorceress Surith. He discovers a world of gifted people, dangerous conspiracies, and the weight of the legacy they leave behind.
What I adored about this book was the focus on heritage, and the power passed through generations of women. This is a true coming-of-age story about friendship, courage, and how your identity is shaped by the people who are no longer there to guide you.
The script-style format was unique and that made it incredibly easy to fly through, and I found the world-building vivid and easy to envision.I could see this being a great addition to classroom learning, with kids taking turns reading out loud. I was invested in Kenny’s journey and genuinely curious to see where the series goes next.
If you enjoy YA fantasy with magic, adventure, found family, and stories that explore legacy and belonging, this one is definitely worth picking up. A solid 4-star read for me. ⭐️ 🫶🏼
What I adored about this book was the focus on heritage, and the power passed through generations of women. This is a true coming-of-age story about friendship, courage, and how your identity is shaped by the people who are no longer there to guide you.
The script-style format was unique and that made it incredibly easy to fly through, and I found the world-building vivid and easy to envision.I could see this being a great addition to classroom learning, with kids taking turns reading out loud. I was invested in Kenny’s journey and genuinely curious to see where the series goes next.
If you enjoy YA fantasy with magic, adventure, found family, and stories that explore legacy and belonging, this one is definitely worth picking up. A solid 4-star read for me. ⭐️ 🫶🏼
May 18, 2026
A YA fantasy that focuses on Kenny and his journey to find the sorceress Surith. He has been living with his grandmother who is gifted when he learns that a group of rebels have risen and started to hunt other gifted. Kenny is given a book by his grandmother to aid him on his journey. It focuses on the power of friendship, character growth, coming of age, and fighting for what’s rights. Along the way Kenny faces challenges which he needs to find ways to overcome. The journey is not easy but he knows it will be worth it if he can save the gifted. The writing style of the book was very unique it was laid out like a script which I thought was pretty cool. It was definitely easy to read and the plot was interesting. The way it was described was easy to envision which is always nice and the author did a good job at the world building aspect. Overall a good book and I would recommend if you like magic systems, journey/adventure, and a strong MMC
July 31, 2025
Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith is a thoughtful and imaginative fantasy that blends magic, mythology, and a personal journey of discovery. The story centers around Kenny, a young man who sets off to learn more about his late mother, a powerful "heiress of Surith" who was gifted with divine abilities and uncovers a world far more complex and dangerous than he expected.
What makes this book stand out is its unique premise: a divine entity empowering generations of women, and the legacy that power leaves behind. Kenny's journey is magical and deeply personal, as he tries to understand his roots and the mother he never got to know. His travels introduce him to new allies, including other heiresses, and immerse him in a mysterious conspiracy connected to the enigmatic Odd Circle.
The narrative weaves African heritage and spiritual themes in a way that feels refreshing, especially for readers who are looking for fantasy that steps outside the usual tropes. There’s also a creative twist, the story is written in script format, which gives it a cinematic, almost stage-like quality that may appeal to younger readers or those looking for something different stylistically.
If you enjoy fantasy that explores legacy, power, identity, and friendship with a dash of mystery and global travel this book is a great start to what looks like a promising series.
What makes this book stand out is its unique premise: a divine entity empowering generations of women, and the legacy that power leaves behind. Kenny's journey is magical and deeply personal, as he tries to understand his roots and the mother he never got to know. His travels introduce him to new allies, including other heiresses, and immerse him in a mysterious conspiracy connected to the enigmatic Odd Circle.
The narrative weaves African heritage and spiritual themes in a way that feels refreshing, especially for readers who are looking for fantasy that steps outside the usual tropes. There’s also a creative twist, the story is written in script format, which gives it a cinematic, almost stage-like quality that may appeal to younger readers or those looking for something different stylistically.
If you enjoy fantasy that explores legacy, power, identity, and friendship with a dash of mystery and global travel this book is a great start to what looks like a promising series.
December 6, 2024
What a lovely journey I just read! I haven’t read a book in a theatre script format before, which I thought was unique. Kenny’s magical adventure with new friends was creative, and I loved the African heritage woven throughout the story. Many of the characters were self-sacrificing and have a purity about them that was quite endearing. Joseph did a great job incorporating another magical world and the idea of the subconscious into a teen story. I look forward to book two! 🙌🏻
December 15, 2024
A fantasy book that takes readers to an intriguing world where Kenny, the young and determined protagonist, navigates magical elements, powerful heiresses, and the mysterious Odd Circle. Introducing an array of characters who have their own unique motivations and backstories. Exploring themes of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery. This story was interesting and suspenseful.
I anticipate seeing where Kenny's journey takes him in book 2.
I anticipate seeing where Kenny's journey takes him in book 2.
March 9, 2026
I loved how the book was an engaging fantasy with a really unique storytelling style. What stood out to me the most was that the book is written in a script-like format, almost like a stage play, with scene transitions and dialogue driving the narrative, which made the story feel very cinematic and fast-paced. Overall, it’s an imaginative and refreshing take on fantasy that feels a bit different from traditional novels, and I enjoyed the creative approach to both the story and its structure.
May 28, 2026
This is So cute!
It’s a YA Fantasy that follow Kenny on his journey. You follow along with his personal journey that blends magic and African heritage which I thought was very unique. It’s written almost like a script which I have never seen before!
This book has a strong MMC, a unique magic system, filed with adventure and really takes you on a journey.
Overall it was a fun read that I would definitely recommend.
It’s a YA Fantasy that follow Kenny on his journey. You follow along with his personal journey that blends magic and African heritage which I thought was very unique. It’s written almost like a script which I have never seen before!
This book has a strong MMC, a unique magic system, filed with adventure and really takes you on a journey.
Overall it was a fun read that I would definitely recommend.
February 10, 2026
This was a really unique story! I haven’t read anything like it before!! I loved the found family aspect of it, Kenny forms so many strong bonds with almost every character and I loved that :) Umba was probably my favourite character, she was so strong and gave me all the warm fuzzy feelings
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews