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Birth of a Dynasty #1
Birth of a Dynasty
Combining the political intrigue of
She Who Became the Sun
with the gorgeous world-building of
Children of Blood and Bone, Birth of a Dynasty
is the start of a thrilling epic fantasy trilogy centered around three families’ fight for power in Ahkebulin, a land where magic is feared, giants are real, and prophecy holds sway.
We shall not forgive. We shall not forget. We will have our vengeance.
After witnessing the massacre of everyone he’s ever known and loved, M’Kuru Mukundi, the sole surviving member of the High Noble House Mukundi of Madada, vows revenge. M’kuru flees to a small village where he hides under the guise of farm boy Khalil Rausi… unaware that the real Khalil’s father is the bloodthirsty General of Zenzele army, and under the direction of the King’s scheming son, Prince Effiom, was responsible for the murder of M’kuru’s people. When an imposter claiming to be M’kuru shows up in the village, the real M’kuru—now Khalil—must bide his time amongst his enemies, pretending to be everything that he hates in order to get vengeance.
In another part of the country where giants roam free, young Zikora Nnamani, the only daughter of Lord Nnamani, knows nothing of political intrigue—she wants little more than to be a fierce Seh Llinga warrior. But a well-known prophecy places too much potential power on her small shoulders, and—as far as Prince Effiom and the King know—she is the only living threat to their dynasty ruling forever. However, when a messenger arrives to “invite” Zikora to stay at the palace, her family is not in a position to refuse. Before she is taken away, she begins The Rite of Blessing, a magical inheritance that she will need to learn how to use, but that may also bring the world one step closer to the completion of the prophecy that Prince Effiom so fears.
Between scheming ladies at court, backstabbing princes on the prowl, and paranoid kings, M’kuru and Zikora must do what they can, no matter how terrible, to save their people and claim vengeance for their families. But they are just two young people against an entire kingdom—and a prophecy destined to thwart their dreams—and the last thing they can do is trust anyone…even each other.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
We shall not forgive. We shall not forget. We will have our vengeance.
After witnessing the massacre of everyone he’s ever known and loved, M’Kuru Mukundi, the sole surviving member of the High Noble House Mukundi of Madada, vows revenge. M’kuru flees to a small village where he hides under the guise of farm boy Khalil Rausi… unaware that the real Khalil’s father is the bloodthirsty General of Zenzele army, and under the direction of the King’s scheming son, Prince Effiom, was responsible for the murder of M’kuru’s people. When an imposter claiming to be M’kuru shows up in the village, the real M’kuru—now Khalil—must bide his time amongst his enemies, pretending to be everything that he hates in order to get vengeance.
In another part of the country where giants roam free, young Zikora Nnamani, the only daughter of Lord Nnamani, knows nothing of political intrigue—she wants little more than to be a fierce Seh Llinga warrior. But a well-known prophecy places too much potential power on her small shoulders, and—as far as Prince Effiom and the King know—she is the only living threat to their dynasty ruling forever. However, when a messenger arrives to “invite” Zikora to stay at the palace, her family is not in a position to refuse. Before she is taken away, she begins The Rite of Blessing, a magical inheritance that she will need to learn how to use, but that may also bring the world one step closer to the completion of the prophecy that Prince Effiom so fears.
Between scheming ladies at court, backstabbing princes on the prowl, and paranoid kings, M’kuru and Zikora must do what they can, no matter how terrible, to save their people and claim vengeance for their families. But they are just two young people against an entire kingdom—and a prophecy destined to thwart their dreams—and the last thing they can do is trust anyone…even each other.
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 486 reviews
December 28, 2025
“If revenge is poison, I am going to drink a river of it.” 😮💨 This was an excellent debut fantasy. I usually don’t like novels that have children as lead characters, but Bado handles this perfectly with M’kuru/Khalil and Zikora. They’re both intelligent and observant, while (in Zikora’s case) still managing to have hints of playfulness and naivety. Their POVs are supported by a cast of well fleshed out characters, compelling political intrigue, and a brutal world that feels like we’re just beginning to scratch the surface of in this first book. Defintely will be reading the sequel!
August 7, 2025
This book sets up so much potential for a new favourite series and I am invested.
I went into this blind knowing it involved politics, non-Western fantasy, and royalty. I would advise you do the same.
M’Kuru is the sole surviving member of the High Noble House Mukundi of Madada and he vows revenge. M’kuru flees to a small village where he assumes the guise of a ten year old farm boy.
Elsewhere Zikora, the only daughter of Lord Nnamani is an innocent 8 year old who is wild and free and beloved by all despite her carefree, stubborn attitude.
A prophecy places her in danger as the only living threat to their dynasty ruling forever.
We have other perspectives related to these two main characters interspersed throughout. We have a three year time jump that was executed perfectly and a converging that you see coming and cannot wait for.
I also have to shout out Zikora’s family, especially her brothers and the obvious love and the dynamic between them.
This is a set-up book. The politicking is mostly left to the adults around them, but we can see these two fated children slot into their potential roles.
Every character was rich with motivation and emotions and I hold out hopes for The Dandelion Dynasty comparison later on in the series.
Arc gifted by Harper Voyager.
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I went into this blind knowing it involved politics, non-Western fantasy, and royalty. I would advise you do the same.
M’Kuru is the sole surviving member of the High Noble House Mukundi of Madada and he vows revenge. M’kuru flees to a small village where he assumes the guise of a ten year old farm boy.
Elsewhere Zikora, the only daughter of Lord Nnamani is an innocent 8 year old who is wild and free and beloved by all despite her carefree, stubborn attitude.
A prophecy places her in danger as the only living threat to their dynasty ruling forever.
We have other perspectives related to these two main characters interspersed throughout. We have a three year time jump that was executed perfectly and a converging that you see coming and cannot wait for.
I also have to shout out Zikora’s family, especially her brothers and the obvious love and the dynamic between them.
This is a set-up book. The politicking is mostly left to the adults around them, but we can see these two fated children slot into their potential roles.
Every character was rich with motivation and emotions and I hold out hopes for The Dandelion Dynasty comparison later on in the series.
Arc gifted by Harper Voyager.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
July 27, 2025
Wow! Im calling it now this book is going to be loved by many. The pages turn themselves. The political intrigue was next level. The story broke my heart at least 5 times but I could not put it down, reading well into the morning. The prophecy, the world building the vengeance?! This book hasn't even released yet and I have no clue how I am going to be able to wait for book 2. I will be screaming from the rooftops about this one. Absolutely 5 stars.
M'kuru and Zikora?! I can't wait to see their story unfold in book 2. I feel like a proud and anxious auntie waiting to see what they will do next. The world building and set up was perfect in my opinion. It definitely kept me intrigued, wasn't hard to follow. I felt like I had a firm grasp on the world. Im invested honey.
M'kuru and Zikora?! I can't wait to see their story unfold in book 2. I feel like a proud and anxious auntie waiting to see what they will do next. The world building and set up was perfect in my opinion. It definitely kept me intrigued, wasn't hard to follow. I felt like I had a firm grasp on the world. Im invested honey.
July 17, 2025
This was an interesting African-inspired Game of Thrones-like epic fantasy for readers who love behind the scenes political machinations with multiple POVs.
I think I would've liked this a lot more if this was written only in M'Kuru/Khalil's POV. Zikora's POV was quite dull and read like the typical privileged daughter of nobility who wants to be a warrior instead of a lady trope. I didn't really care for the other POVs tbh.
I don't think I'll pick up the sequel, but I enjoyed this novel for what it was. I liked M'Kuru's coming-of-age story. Even through its lulls, there were enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes. I'm always a fan of a good slowburn revenge story, so anticipating what will happen next with his plotline was half the fun.
There was a final twist at the end that almost makes me want to read the sequel, but I'm not sure if I'm invested enough. I think I would've been a lot more entertained and focused if I had listened to the audiobook. (I'm a huge audiobook person.)
I think if you're the type of reader who likes a lot of politics in their fantasy and doesn't require handholding to understand the world's concepts or political relationships, then you should give this a try.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this arc.
I think I would've liked this a lot more if this was written only in M'Kuru/Khalil's POV. Zikora's POV was quite dull and read like the typical privileged daughter of nobility who wants to be a warrior instead of a lady trope. I didn't really care for the other POVs tbh.
I don't think I'll pick up the sequel, but I enjoyed this novel for what it was. I liked M'Kuru's coming-of-age story. Even through its lulls, there were enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes. I'm always a fan of a good slowburn revenge story, so anticipating what will happen next with his plotline was half the fun.
There was a final twist at the end that almost makes me want to read the sequel, but I'm not sure if I'm invested enough. I think I would've been a lot more entertained and focused if I had listened to the audiobook. (I'm a huge audiobook person.)
I think if you're the type of reader who likes a lot of politics in their fantasy and doesn't require handholding to understand the world's concepts or political relationships, then you should give this a try.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this arc.
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June 28, 2025Birth of a Dynasty is the start of an African-inspired political fantasy series about rebellion and the fight for power. We follow two primary perspectives. M'Kuru is a boy in hiding after the rest of his powerful family has been assassinated. Zikora is the brash young daughter of a lord who ends up with secret powers before she is taken to the royal court as a hostage for her family's good behavior.
It's an interesting world and the magic is cool. Zikora is a great character and want to see more of her antics. Both characters are pretty young for the duration of the book and I would have liked to see more of a time skip by the end to build more momentum for book 2. This feels like a lot of setup, which I'm not opposed to but I was hoping for a little more in terms of action and twists towards the later part of the book. I am curious to see where it goes from here and we do get to know the characters pretty well. The audio narration is excellent. I received an audio copy of the book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
It's an interesting world and the magic is cool. Zikora is a great character and want to see more of her antics. Both characters are pretty young for the duration of the book and I would have liked to see more of a time skip by the end to build more momentum for book 2. This feels like a lot of setup, which I'm not opposed to but I was hoping for a little more in terms of action and twists towards the later part of the book. I am curious to see where it goes from here and we do get to know the characters pretty well. The audio narration is excellent. I received an audio copy of the book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
July 20, 2025
I can confidently say that I’ve never read anything like this, and I’m obsessed! This was the start to a powerful and inspiring story about a people fighting for freedom from an oppressive dynasty, and it all started with two children which is wild to think about. The multiple pov enriched the story giving the reader insight to the things going on behind the scenes of all sides of the war. I thoroughly enjoyed these characters, especially Zikora, and I’ve become completely invested in how Zikora and M’kuru’s stories will change the world as they know it. Chinaza is a masterful writer and I just know this trilogy will be one of my favorite epic fantasies.
July 5, 2025
Birth of a Dynasty is going to be the next big epic fantasy. The first in a brand new African-inspired political fantasy series, I was drawn in immediately by the first chapter.
This book deals with the ideas of power and rebellion, and Chinaza Bado does not hold back on the cruelties of war and the oppressors. Our two main points of view are M’Kuru, the only surviving son of the Mukundi Noble Family after a massacre, and Zikora, the only daughter of the Nnamani family, who dreams of becoming a fierce warrior.
While M’Kuru is forced to adopt the identity of Khalil, the general’s bastard son, in order to survive, Zikora is summoned to the palace to become a court lady, and she undertakes the Rite of Blessing, a magical inheritance she needs to stay protected.
Our protagonists must do what it takes to survive, to protect their people and avenge their families, but with an entire kingdom against them and a prophecy threatening to thwart their dreams…the last thing they can do is trust anyone.
This was absolutely fantastic, and I cannot wait for the next book to be announced! Birth of a Dynasty releases on July 29, and if you’re a fan of books like The Poppy War and Children of Blood and Bone, you’re going to love this! Thank you to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the e-arc!
This book deals with the ideas of power and rebellion, and Chinaza Bado does not hold back on the cruelties of war and the oppressors. Our two main points of view are M’Kuru, the only surviving son of the Mukundi Noble Family after a massacre, and Zikora, the only daughter of the Nnamani family, who dreams of becoming a fierce warrior.
While M’Kuru is forced to adopt the identity of Khalil, the general’s bastard son, in order to survive, Zikora is summoned to the palace to become a court lady, and she undertakes the Rite of Blessing, a magical inheritance she needs to stay protected.
Our protagonists must do what it takes to survive, to protect their people and avenge their families, but with an entire kingdom against them and a prophecy threatening to thwart their dreams…the last thing they can do is trust anyone.
This was absolutely fantastic, and I cannot wait for the next book to be announced! Birth of a Dynasty releases on July 29, and if you’re a fan of books like The Poppy War and Children of Blood and Bone, you’re going to love this! Thank you to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the e-arc!
July 28, 2025
3.5 rounded up
Birth of a Dynasty has huge potential for a great series! A huge political landscape, heavy warfare, and characters ready to take on the world.
I only wish the main characters were older, it caused some confusion for why certain events were happening and their voices were very naive. That and towards the end the violent scenes became more and more gratuitous and didn’t seem necessary to the plot.
Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for an advance copy of this anticipated read!
Birth of a Dynasty has huge potential for a great series! A huge political landscape, heavy warfare, and characters ready to take on the world.
I only wish the main characters were older, it caused some confusion for why certain events were happening and their voices were very naive. That and towards the end the violent scenes became more and more gratuitous and didn’t seem necessary to the plot.
Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for an advance copy of this anticipated read!
August 7, 2025
Wow. I need a second.
May 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado.
I'm kind of shocked by the reviews for this one. I really enjoyed this. For a complex fantasy, I finished it really quickly and was engaged the entire time. The characters were endearing and written well, in part because they are super young (which made parts of the story pretty dark and heartbreaking, but other parts nostalgic and hopeful). I couldn't decide if I liked Zikora or M'Kuru more, which is a great sign of a good book. Both of them grew a tremendous amount throughout the book, learning to trust their instincts and elders rather than being impulsive and hotheaded. I really loved Khalil's grandfather and Ashon.
But, I will say that I didn't quite understand the point of Khalil's mother and their relationship besides getting the story where it needed to go. I kept expecting something bigger relating to her. But, it ended up feeling like a rather basic plot line.
The different POV's added layers and vital information in ways that were interesting and not just info dumping history. The world building was complex and I loved the historical elements woven throughout the story. The author excelled at writing both interesting large cities and complicated hierarchies as well as the intricacies and danger of court politics.
I wish the second book was published already because I would have gone right into it. I am excited to see where Zikora and M'Kuru go in book 2! Overall, four stars. It was missing the vital feeling a 5 star book gives you but definitely better than average without a doubt.
I'm kind of shocked by the reviews for this one. I really enjoyed this. For a complex fantasy, I finished it really quickly and was engaged the entire time. The characters were endearing and written well, in part because they are super young (which made parts of the story pretty dark and heartbreaking, but other parts nostalgic and hopeful). I couldn't decide if I liked Zikora or M'Kuru more, which is a great sign of a good book. Both of them grew a tremendous amount throughout the book, learning to trust their instincts and elders rather than being impulsive and hotheaded. I really loved Khalil's grandfather and Ashon.
But, I will say that I didn't quite understand the point of Khalil's mother and their relationship besides getting the story where it needed to go. I kept expecting something bigger relating to her. But, it ended up feeling like a rather basic plot line.
The different POV's added layers and vital information in ways that were interesting and not just info dumping history. The world building was complex and I loved the historical elements woven throughout the story. The author excelled at writing both interesting large cities and complicated hierarchies as well as the intricacies and danger of court politics.
I wish the second book was published already because I would have gone right into it. I am excited to see where Zikora and M'Kuru go in book 2! Overall, four stars. It was missing the vital feeling a 5 star book gives you but definitely better than average without a doubt.
July 1, 2025
This book reminded me that epic fantasy can in fact keep me fully engaged from start to finish. And that it doesn't have to be 600 pages to seriously deliver.
The world was rich and fully realized- with deep history, warring families, high-stakes politics, and so many characters with secret plots and what not. The writing pulled me in fast and never really let up. I found myself actually wanting to do more chores just to have a reason to keep listening. Oh also the audio narration was fantastic.
But I think what really makes this a full five stars for me is how our two main POVs really helped to ground the novel and made me CARE deeply about the unfolding events (especially Zikora <3<3<3).
I LOVED this. Excuse me while I go look up everything I can on the author and the current status of Book 2.
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Special thanks to HarperCollins (via NetGalley) for sending me a review copy. All opinions are my own.
P.S. I don't like the cover is literally my only complaint. =P
The world was rich and fully realized- with deep history, warring families, high-stakes politics, and so many characters with secret plots and what not. The writing pulled me in fast and never really let up. I found myself actually wanting to do more chores just to have a reason to keep listening. Oh also the audio narration was fantastic.
But I think what really makes this a full five stars for me is how our two main POVs really helped to ground the novel and made me CARE deeply about the unfolding events (especially Zikora <3<3<3).
I LOVED this. Excuse me while I go look up everything I can on the author and the current status of Book 2.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special thanks to HarperCollins (via NetGalley) for sending me a review copy. All opinions are my own.
P.S. I don't like the cover is literally my only complaint. =P
December 29, 2025
4.25 ⭐️
WOW. Jumping into a new fantasy setting often feels tedious or overwhelming, but this debut novel jumps right into the action. We're only told what we absolutely need to know in order to keep reading, so I never felt like this was info-dumpy. The key, I think, is that we are given ample opportunity to grow invested in our two main characters. And since we meet them so young, I have a feeling that investment will only get stronger as we watch them grow up.
I was in a weird reading slump when I started this, but if I was in a normal rhythm I could have easily read this in 2-3 days. The pacing is great, and it's easy to follow even with multiple POVs. This is a great setup for an intricate story of revenge, politics, and found family. I can't wait for Book 2!!
WOW. Jumping into a new fantasy setting often feels tedious or overwhelming, but this debut novel jumps right into the action. We're only told what we absolutely need to know in order to keep reading, so I never felt like this was info-dumpy. The key, I think, is that we are given ample opportunity to grow invested in our two main characters. And since we meet them so young, I have a feeling that investment will only get stronger as we watch them grow up.
I was in a weird reading slump when I started this, but if I was in a normal rhythm I could have easily read this in 2-3 days. The pacing is great, and it's easy to follow even with multiple POVs. This is a great setup for an intricate story of revenge, politics, and found family. I can't wait for Book 2!!
July 17, 2025
4.5 stars
If I ever wanted to write a book, I would hope my debut was as good as this one.
This epic fantasy novel follows a boy who becomes the sole survivor of a high noble house after the massacre of his family. Alone, he must navigate this new world and is not allowed to claim his identity, all while planning his revenge on the people who took away everything he held dear.
This is one of those stories that found me at the right time. It had all the elements I expected in an epic fantasy: a vast, lush world to explore, an intriguing cast of characters, and a ton of political intrigue. Every single time I picked this book up, I didn’t want to put it down.
The world was well-developed and easy for me, as the reader, to navigate alongside the characters. Since this book is the first in a trilogy, there are still so many more places to see and explore.
The cast of characters was a satisfying size. Not so small that the story feels too simple, and not so large that the narrative gets lost among all the switching POVs and subplots. This is one of the hardest aspects to juggle, and Bado nailed it. While we get a lot of POVs in this story, most of it is told through M’Kuru and Zikora. Both characters were nuanced and brought a lot of complexity to the plot as players and storytellers. I’m very interested to see where their arcs go from here.
We were thrown into the plot immediately, and while I don’t mind a fast-paced opener, I think it needed a bit more time to breathe, especially considering how intense the overall narrative was.
My favorite part of this book was the political intrigue. One theme emphasized throughout the story was patience and waiting for the right time to strike. It might be more satisfying to act immediately and get instant gratification, but how will that impact your end goal? It was fascinating watching all of these characters scheme, plot, and make calculated moves that would ultimately lead to something more significant.
Thank you so much to Harper Voyager and Harper Audio for gifting me an early copy of this book ahead of its official release!
If I ever wanted to write a book, I would hope my debut was as good as this one.
This epic fantasy novel follows a boy who becomes the sole survivor of a high noble house after the massacre of his family. Alone, he must navigate this new world and is not allowed to claim his identity, all while planning his revenge on the people who took away everything he held dear.
This is one of those stories that found me at the right time. It had all the elements I expected in an epic fantasy: a vast, lush world to explore, an intriguing cast of characters, and a ton of political intrigue. Every single time I picked this book up, I didn’t want to put it down.
The world was well-developed and easy for me, as the reader, to navigate alongside the characters. Since this book is the first in a trilogy, there are still so many more places to see and explore.
The cast of characters was a satisfying size. Not so small that the story feels too simple, and not so large that the narrative gets lost among all the switching POVs and subplots. This is one of the hardest aspects to juggle, and Bado nailed it. While we get a lot of POVs in this story, most of it is told through M’Kuru and Zikora. Both characters were nuanced and brought a lot of complexity to the plot as players and storytellers. I’m very interested to see where their arcs go from here.
We were thrown into the plot immediately, and while I don’t mind a fast-paced opener, I think it needed a bit more time to breathe, especially considering how intense the overall narrative was.
My favorite part of this book was the political intrigue. One theme emphasized throughout the story was patience and waiting for the right time to strike. It might be more satisfying to act immediately and get instant gratification, but how will that impact your end goal? It was fascinating watching all of these characters scheme, plot, and make calculated moves that would ultimately lead to something more significant.
Thank you so much to Harper Voyager and Harper Audio for gifting me an early copy of this book ahead of its official release!
July 11, 2025
I requested this book purely because it’s African-inspired. I’m always looking for diverse, epic fantasy. I didn’t read the synopsis before starting, which I believe increased my enjoyment. The synopsis includes way too much information. Some of the plot points mentioned don’t happen until around the 40% mark.
This review won’t include a summary (check the synopsis if you want one). Instead, I’m going to tell you what to expect from Birth of a Dynasty:
•prophecy
•rebellion
•politics
•hidden identity
•children main characters
•magic
I flew through this short fantasy novel. I was fully invested in M’Kuru (age 10/13) and Zikora (age 8/11). I don’t think I’ve read another adult fantasy novel that follows characters this young. I appreciated that both acted their age. I also loved how we got several other character POVs mixed in. These provided excellent world-building and background information.
Birth of a Dynasty is an excellent start to a series, and I’m already looking forward to the sequel.
4.5 stars rounded up
This review won’t include a summary (check the synopsis if you want one). Instead, I’m going to tell you what to expect from Birth of a Dynasty:
•prophecy
•rebellion
•politics
•hidden identity
•children main characters
•magic
I flew through this short fantasy novel. I was fully invested in M’Kuru (age 10/13) and Zikora (age 8/11). I don’t think I’ve read another adult fantasy novel that follows characters this young. I appreciated that both acted their age. I also loved how we got several other character POVs mixed in. These provided excellent world-building and background information.
Birth of a Dynasty is an excellent start to a series, and I’m already looking forward to the sequel.
4.5 stars rounded up
July 31, 2025
This book has become one of my top reads of 2025! I felt like when I was reading this book, I was getting Rage of Dragons vs. Game of Thrones meets Beast of Prey so immediately once I read the first chapter I was immediately drawn to it and hooked. I could not put this book down at all because the action just kept coming to the point where I needed to know what was going to happen next. Fir this to be Chinaza Bado's debut book my mind is officially blown because it was so good and such a page turner. I am honestly looking forward to the next book because I am already guessing what is going to happen next. Overall, this book is captivating and well written. The world building is phenomenal and getting to know the main characters and their backgrounds was awesome.
May 16, 2026
I read this for my SFFBC BOTM selection (gotta get them points!). As you may or may not know, I don't generally read book descriptions or blurbs etc, because I like to go in blind. But this year, since I have committed to reading all (or as many as I can) of the BOTMs for this group, it matters even less. I'm just gonna read it.
And so I did. I started on audio, read by Adenrele Ojo. And I just struggle with her reading sometimes. But this book is set in a fictionalized Africa (at least I'm assuming that the different areas were representative of African nation-states?), and I tend to really enjoy hearing the voices and accents of readers for books like this. Otherwise I tend to just hear everything in a variation of my boring internal voice. So I opted for audio.
And it was... something. There were aspects of it I liked. I liked hearing a representation of the dialects and accents. I liked one particular scene with a character's mother, learning news that she is NOT okay with and reacting strongly to that news. That scene was brilliant and actually made me wish more of the book had that tone and vibe. It illustrated something for me that the rest of the book was missing (emotionality and depth), even though it technically still fell into the same patterns (direct telling of info) the rest did.
And that was simply a very direct, obvious, storytelling. To the degree that it almost felt like NOTHING was allowed to be hidden or unknown, that it all had to be spelled out for the reader to an absurd degree. Literally the first words in the book were reminding a character of who they are, repeatedly. And while this can be useful and effective, something about the way this book used that "reminding" just felt juvenile to me, because it continued again and again and again. A character's identity is hidden, to protect them, and this character (though, yes, a child, but old enough to understand this concept) was SO DENSE and slow on the uptake that it was painful to listen to, even when the only possible more direct statement would be "I am hiding you for your own protection, and if you have possibly two braincells to knock together, stop fighting me about it or you will be found and killed, you idiot."
It was so direct that a plot between two people were outright discussed (not real details, but real vibe of the scene): "You did a good job fake-attacking me. Hahaha. All the people think it was real." "Oh yes, well, I did it at your direction. We are very devious!"
Another, a spy, was revealed "off-screen", and then his immediate demeanor and behaviors changed to be more spy-like.
The villain, or A villain at least, was so over the top evil and cruel that it was laughable. He repeatedly told his underlings, his sworn allies and servants and conspirators, how little he valued them, how brutally he would torture and kill them should they betray him, yet still never (in this book) considered that they might do that BECAUSE of his treatment of them. He only understood power and fear, and used them both excessively and directly. I hold the power, you fear me. Literally had zero redeeming qualities. No gray area. No humanity. Nothing to make me even interested in him.
It was so direct and obvious, with so little nuance, with so little credit given to the ability of the reader to piece anything together, to theorize, to wonder, that it got to a point where I did go check to see if this wasn't YA. It's apparently not. I'm pretty widely read, and a book that CONTAINS children doesn't necessarily need to feel written FOR CHILDREN. But dang. THIS DID. There were several children main characters, and despite their status and grooming, they were basically completely ignorant and oblivious, had zero critical thinking or emotional regulation, and reacted to EVERY-THING. My nephew at two had better emotional regulation and outburst control than these high-born, court-raised children, who would have been groomed to appropriate bearing early and well. At least they should have been, considering their parents' reactions to their lack of decorum.
The amount of direct naming was grating. If anyone in my life said my name as often as the people in this book said character names, I would go be a hermit in the woods so I would never have to hear anyone's voice again. One character literally ONLY SAID HER SON'S NAME FOR HALF OF HER STORYLINE. So annoying.
I could go on and on. This book really didn't work for me on any level. After I finished, I learned that it was supposed to be an African-inspired Game of Thrones type story. Political intrigue, power maneuverings, betrayal, murder, secrets.
Yeah.... I didn't get that at all. In retrospect, I can see where it was TRYING to accomplish something like that. But... No. This was so shallow, so surface level, so un-nuanced and direct, that if anything, it was like someone threw some African-style themes over a Cliff's Notes summary of some pieces taken from A Song of Ice and Fire (which I specify because at least one scene was perhaps a direct reference to something from the 3rd ASOIAF book). Maybe.
I don't know, and honestly, I don't think I'll ever find out. I didn't enjoy the storytelling, or the story being told, all that much. It was just... basic.
And so I did. I started on audio, read by Adenrele Ojo. And I just struggle with her reading sometimes. But this book is set in a fictionalized Africa (at least I'm assuming that the different areas were representative of African nation-states?), and I tend to really enjoy hearing the voices and accents of readers for books like this. Otherwise I tend to just hear everything in a variation of my boring internal voice. So I opted for audio.
And it was... something. There were aspects of it I liked. I liked hearing a representation of the dialects and accents. I liked one particular scene with a character's mother, learning news that she is NOT okay with and reacting strongly to that news. That scene was brilliant and actually made me wish more of the book had that tone and vibe. It illustrated something for me that the rest of the book was missing (emotionality and depth), even though it technically still fell into the same patterns (direct telling of info) the rest did.
And that was simply a very direct, obvious, storytelling. To the degree that it almost felt like NOTHING was allowed to be hidden or unknown, that it all had to be spelled out for the reader to an absurd degree. Literally the first words in the book were reminding a character of who they are, repeatedly. And while this can be useful and effective, something about the way this book used that "reminding" just felt juvenile to me, because it continued again and again and again. A character's identity is hidden, to protect them, and this character (though, yes, a child, but old enough to understand this concept) was SO DENSE and slow on the uptake that it was painful to listen to, even when the only possible more direct statement would be "I am hiding you for your own protection, and if you have possibly two braincells to knock together, stop fighting me about it or you will be found and killed, you idiot."
It was so direct that a plot between two people were outright discussed (not real details, but real vibe of the scene): "You did a good job fake-attacking me. Hahaha. All the people think it was real." "Oh yes, well, I did it at your direction. We are very devious!"
Another, a spy, was revealed "off-screen", and then his immediate demeanor and behaviors changed to be more spy-like.
The villain, or A villain at least, was so over the top evil and cruel that it was laughable. He repeatedly told his underlings, his sworn allies and servants and conspirators, how little he valued them, how brutally he would torture and kill them should they betray him, yet still never (in this book) considered that they might do that BECAUSE of his treatment of them. He only understood power and fear, and used them both excessively and directly. I hold the power, you fear me. Literally had zero redeeming qualities. No gray area. No humanity. Nothing to make me even interested in him.
It was so direct and obvious, with so little nuance, with so little credit given to the ability of the reader to piece anything together, to theorize, to wonder, that it got to a point where I did go check to see if this wasn't YA. It's apparently not. I'm pretty widely read, and a book that CONTAINS children doesn't necessarily need to feel written FOR CHILDREN. But dang. THIS DID. There were several children main characters, and despite their status and grooming, they were basically completely ignorant and oblivious, had zero critical thinking or emotional regulation, and reacted to EVERY-THING. My nephew at two had better emotional regulation and outburst control than these high-born, court-raised children, who would have been groomed to appropriate bearing early and well. At least they should have been, considering their parents' reactions to their lack of decorum.
The amount of direct naming was grating. If anyone in my life said my name as often as the people in this book said character names, I would go be a hermit in the woods so I would never have to hear anyone's voice again. One character literally ONLY SAID HER SON'S NAME FOR HALF OF HER STORYLINE. So annoying.
I could go on and on. This book really didn't work for me on any level. After I finished, I learned that it was supposed to be an African-inspired Game of Thrones type story. Political intrigue, power maneuverings, betrayal, murder, secrets.
Yeah.... I didn't get that at all. In retrospect, I can see where it was TRYING to accomplish something like that. But... No. This was so shallow, so surface level, so un-nuanced and direct, that if anything, it was like someone threw some African-style themes over a Cliff's Notes summary of some pieces taken from A Song of Ice and Fire (which I specify because at least one scene was perhaps a direct reference to something from the 3rd ASOIAF book). Maybe.
I don't know, and honestly, I don't think I'll ever find out. I didn't enjoy the storytelling, or the story being told, all that much. It was just... basic.
August 1, 2025
2025 reads: 190/300
i received an advanced listening copy from the publisher. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
this is the start of an epic fantasy trilogy centering on three families’ fight for power in a land where magic is feared. we start with m’kuru mukundi, the sole survivor of the high noble house mukundi of madada, who bides his time living as farm boy khalil rausi until he can get his revenge. little does he know, the real khalil’s father is the bloodthirsty general of zenzele army responsible for murdering m’kuru’s people under prince effiom’s command.
in another part of the country, zikora nnamani, lord nnamani’s only daughter, receives too much power from a well-known prophecy, catching the unwanted attention from prince effiom and the king. still, she can’t refuse when she’s taken off to the palace. between scheming court ladies and paranoid kings, m’kuru and zikora must do everything they can to save their people and enact vengeance.
i love fantasy books inspired by african countries and cultures, so this caught my attention as soon as i read the description. i loved how we got two different perspectives and, though m’kuru/khalil and zikora were so different, they had similar goals. it was interesting how m’kuru went from being a noble surrounded by family to having to live as a farm boy and pose as strangers’ family. zikora was also a great character, as a reluctant chosen one. i really enjoyed reading about these two and how they moved through the plot. this was a great set-up for future books, and i am looking forward to the sequel!
narration: the narrator, adenrele ojo, is part of what drew me to this audiobook. i haven’t read a whole lot of her audiobooks, but i’ve enjoyed her narration in the ones i have listened to, and this one was no different! i hope she’ll be back for the audiobooks of books two and three.
i received an advanced listening copy from the publisher. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
this is the start of an epic fantasy trilogy centering on three families’ fight for power in a land where magic is feared. we start with m’kuru mukundi, the sole survivor of the high noble house mukundi of madada, who bides his time living as farm boy khalil rausi until he can get his revenge. little does he know, the real khalil’s father is the bloodthirsty general of zenzele army responsible for murdering m’kuru’s people under prince effiom’s command.
in another part of the country, zikora nnamani, lord nnamani’s only daughter, receives too much power from a well-known prophecy, catching the unwanted attention from prince effiom and the king. still, she can’t refuse when she’s taken off to the palace. between scheming court ladies and paranoid kings, m’kuru and zikora must do everything they can to save their people and enact vengeance.
i love fantasy books inspired by african countries and cultures, so this caught my attention as soon as i read the description. i loved how we got two different perspectives and, though m’kuru/khalil and zikora were so different, they had similar goals. it was interesting how m’kuru went from being a noble surrounded by family to having to live as a farm boy and pose as strangers’ family. zikora was also a great character, as a reluctant chosen one. i really enjoyed reading about these two and how they moved through the plot. this was a great set-up for future books, and i am looking forward to the sequel!
narration: the narrator, adenrele ojo, is part of what drew me to this audiobook. i haven’t read a whole lot of her audiobooks, but i’ve enjoyed her narration in the ones i have listened to, and this one was no different! i hope she’ll be back for the audiobooks of books two and three.
May 2, 2026
This book was a solid 2 stars for a while, but the latter half pulled it back. A little.
Birth of a Dynasty starts off with so many tropes. The male protagonist’s family is murdered and he swears REGENGE, but then is taken in an old man (the classic mentor) who knows more than he lets on. The female protagonist is a typical tomboy who doesn’t want to be a soft-spoken lady (*gasp* the scandalous originality!) and just wants to train with swords all day. Then there’s the villain who is so two-dimensional, a stiff breeze could blow him away. He wants to be king because EVIL AMBITIONS and he’s helped by a seer who is very devoted to him even though he beats her and treats her like shit. It’s possible she’s playing the long con but even then, it’s pretty cliche.
The second half of the book picks up more as more interesting things happen, but it’s still weighed down by clumsy writing. You can tell it wants to be Game of Thrones so badly, but the way information is presented to the reader is painfully unsubtle. We switch to different character POVs and they inner-monologue their sneaky plans and motivations. Or even worse, we get reams of exposition disguised as conversation like that scene with Zikora’s dad in the southern prison. The author is so eager to ensure you follow what’s happening, all information is presented clearly—and repeated for good measure. We would’ve figured out Jon Snow’s parentage in the first 20 pages in their hands.
The book does end on an intriguing note. There’s a lot of promise in this series but I’m not sure I’m willing to invest more time into it.
Birth of a Dynasty starts off with so many tropes. The male protagonist’s family is murdered and he swears REGENGE, but then is taken in an old man (the classic mentor) who knows more than he lets on. The female protagonist is a typical tomboy who doesn’t want to be a soft-spoken lady (*gasp* the scandalous originality!) and just wants to train with swords all day. Then there’s the villain who is so two-dimensional, a stiff breeze could blow him away. He wants to be king because EVIL AMBITIONS and he’s helped by a seer who is very devoted to him even though he beats her and treats her like shit. It’s possible she’s playing the long con but even then, it’s pretty cliche.
The second half of the book picks up more as more interesting things happen, but it’s still weighed down by clumsy writing. You can tell it wants to be Game of Thrones so badly, but the way information is presented to the reader is painfully unsubtle. We switch to different character POVs and they inner-monologue their sneaky plans and motivations. Or even worse, we get reams of exposition disguised as conversation like that scene with Zikora’s dad in the southern prison. The author is so eager to ensure you follow what’s happening, all information is presented clearly—and repeated for good measure. We would’ve figured out Jon Snow’s parentage in the first 20 pages in their hands.
The book does end on an intriguing note. There’s a lot of promise in this series but I’m not sure I’m willing to invest more time into it.
April 22, 2026
Pre-colonial African kingdoms plot and scheme in this "Game of Thrones" inspired fantasy novel.
So shout out to the Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Club for selecting another winning fantasy novel for their monthly reads. "Birth of a Dynasty" is billed as "the start of a thrilling epic fantasy trilogy centered around three families’ fight for power in Ahkebulin, a land where magic is feared, giants are real, and prophecy holds sway." Since it's the first in the series, we didn't get much magic, nor did we see any giants (although they were mentioned often enough), but prophecy certainly was swaying pretty vigorously here.
The prophecy is pretty simple: a new dynasty will be born from the union of two noble families, the joining of which the third noble family is actively trying to prevent through all sorts of bloodshed and violence. There are lots of political intrigues and machinations of kings, nobles, and concubines, and I've already found my favorite characters to root for and my villains to hiss at.
I will definitely be following up with this series once the sequel comes out. Kudos to the author!
So shout out to the Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Club for selecting another winning fantasy novel for their monthly reads. "Birth of a Dynasty" is billed as "the start of a thrilling epic fantasy trilogy centered around three families’ fight for power in Ahkebulin, a land where magic is feared, giants are real, and prophecy holds sway." Since it's the first in the series, we didn't get much magic, nor did we see any giants (although they were mentioned often enough), but prophecy certainly was swaying pretty vigorously here.
The prophecy is pretty simple: a new dynasty will be born from the union of two noble families, the joining of which the third noble family is actively trying to prevent through all sorts of bloodshed and violence. There are lots of political intrigues and machinations of kings, nobles, and concubines, and I've already found my favorite characters to root for and my villains to hiss at.
I will definitely be following up with this series once the sequel comes out. Kudos to the author!
May 17, 2025
Well I’m locked in and ready for the next one!
I found this to be a really engaging, page-turning story once I got used to the kingdom dynamics, people, and places involved (there are a lot of moving pieces; it’s a big world with lots of politics) - so much so that I finished in in a day. The beginning definitely felt like it dragged on at times but after about the 25% mark it really kicked in for me. By the end, I was crazy invested in the prophecy and the ways that fate was moving around the two main characters (two children from different ruling families) and the cast of characters they came into contact with. I will say that Zikora was hands down my favorite! Her spunk and attitude were a welcome change from some of the more passive female characters and I appreciated how she very much read like an 8 (and then 11 year old) high noble child.
While the story was immersive and I found myself lost in what was happening, I did feel that descriptions about the surroundings were lacking at times and it was hard to picture where the action was taking place. I would create a picture in my head only for a brief off-mention that would change the setting in a way I wasn’t expecting. Character descriptions were much more consistent and cohesive.
Additionally, the dialogue isn’t always smooth between characters and there are a handful of info-dumping moments that don’t feel very organic (especially right before or right after a scene change/major conflict).
One of the things I think the book did best was utilize multiple viewpoints to show what’s happening. The reader gets to hear from the main characters, the people creating the conflict around them, and the lowly-born side characters who are victims to the whims of the powerful. For such a built-out world, these different perspectives are hugely important.
With that said, I’m really not sure why so many reviews have complained about the number of narrators or have claimed the story jumps through time too fast? The story jumps in time once, literally only once, and it’s only 3 years into the future to see where Khalil and Zikora are now. I’ve found the additional narrators (beyond our main two characters) to be incredibly helpful in adding context and background to the story, rather than relying on the perspective of small children and the narrative formula feels very standard for a fantasy novel with one big exception: it’s not anglo-centric (and part of me wonders whether that’s where some readers struggled). The author’s west African cultural roots and love for world myth and mystery create a beautifully diverse reading experience that’s a welcome addition into the genre! Whatever it may be, I didn’t share the aforementioned common complaints around narrators or plot movement.
I will definitely look forward to reading future books in the series and I’m grateful to NetGalley, Ms. Bado, and the publisher for allowing me to read early in exchange for my review.
I found this to be a really engaging, page-turning story once I got used to the kingdom dynamics, people, and places involved (there are a lot of moving pieces; it’s a big world with lots of politics) - so much so that I finished in in a day. The beginning definitely felt like it dragged on at times but after about the 25% mark it really kicked in for me. By the end, I was crazy invested in the prophecy and the ways that fate was moving around the two main characters (two children from different ruling families) and the cast of characters they came into contact with. I will say that Zikora was hands down my favorite! Her spunk and attitude were a welcome change from some of the more passive female characters and I appreciated how she very much read like an 8 (and then 11 year old) high noble child.
While the story was immersive and I found myself lost in what was happening, I did feel that descriptions about the surroundings were lacking at times and it was hard to picture where the action was taking place. I would create a picture in my head only for a brief off-mention that would change the setting in a way I wasn’t expecting. Character descriptions were much more consistent and cohesive.
Additionally, the dialogue isn’t always smooth between characters and there are a handful of info-dumping moments that don’t feel very organic (especially right before or right after a scene change/major conflict).
One of the things I think the book did best was utilize multiple viewpoints to show what’s happening. The reader gets to hear from the main characters, the people creating the conflict around them, and the lowly-born side characters who are victims to the whims of the powerful. For such a built-out world, these different perspectives are hugely important.
With that said, I’m really not sure why so many reviews have complained about the number of narrators or have claimed the story jumps through time too fast? The story jumps in time once, literally only once, and it’s only 3 years into the future to see where Khalil and Zikora are now. I’ve found the additional narrators (beyond our main two characters) to be incredibly helpful in adding context and background to the story, rather than relying on the perspective of small children and the narrative formula feels very standard for a fantasy novel with one big exception: it’s not anglo-centric (and part of me wonders whether that’s where some readers struggled). The author’s west African cultural roots and love for world myth and mystery create a beautifully diverse reading experience that’s a welcome addition into the genre! Whatever it may be, I didn’t share the aforementioned common complaints around narrators or plot movement.
I will definitely look forward to reading future books in the series and I’m grateful to NetGalley, Ms. Bado, and the publisher for allowing me to read early in exchange for my review.
August 21, 2025
I am so glad my friend tapped me and told me to read this. I feel like it’s my purpose to get at least one other person to read it as well. This was so well-written, expertly plotted, greatly paced, very intriguing, never boring, and on and on and on. I want to say it ended as soon as it got good but it was captivating from the very start I really just didn’t want it to end at all. 3 snaps in a circle for Chinaza Bado. Absolutely cannot wait to continue this series!
January 23, 2026
a sweeping fantasy story full of vengeance, political intrigue, and precocious children forced to grow up too early
sign me up for a 10-book series NOW
sign me up for a 10-book series NOW
May 3, 2026
A BANGERRRRR! i love starting the month with some heat. i believe it sets the tone for the type of month imma have. I CANT WAIT TIL THANKSGIVING FOR BOOK 2. HARPER COLLINS PLEASE
May 24, 2026
I was looking for something to continue the high I got from The Burning series. This was completely different, but I did enjoy it. I wasn't looking for a long saga which I believe this series may be, but I'll definitely be reading the next one.
July 29, 2025
4 1/2 Stars!
What a tangled web.... Lies on top of lies on top of deceit. What a fantastic world Chinaza Bado has build. There is political intrigue, cunning bids for power, revenge plots and prophesy. The plot is cleaver. The characters are complex. The environment is rich. This is a really good first attempt at fantasy for this author. I can't wait for more. Happy reading!
PS. The audiobook was great!
What a tangled web.... Lies on top of lies on top of deceit. What a fantastic world Chinaza Bado has build. There is political intrigue, cunning bids for power, revenge plots and prophesy. The plot is cleaver. The characters are complex. The environment is rich. This is a really good first attempt at fantasy for this author. I can't wait for more. Happy reading!
PS. The audiobook was great!
July 27, 2025
review to come
January 28, 2026
⭐ 4.5 Stars
Birth of a Dynasty was such a strong read for me. I really, really enjoyed this book.
One of my favorite things about it is how smoothly the POVs transition. Multiple perspectives can sometimes feel jarring, but here they flowed naturally and made the story feel expansive without being confusing or overwhelming. Each POV added something meaningful, especially when it came to understanding motivations and power dynamics.
If you love fantasy with heavy political intrigue, this absolutely delivers. The scheming, alliances, tension, and long-game plotting kept me locked in. This is the kind of story where conversations matter just as much as action, and I loved watching the groundwork being laid.
The only reason this isn’t a full 5-star read for me is the lack of overt magic. Magic does exist in this world, especially through the seers who can glimpse the future, but it stays very subtle. No spellcasting, no flashy magical systems, and very little hands-on magic happening on the page. Personally, I wanted just a bit more of that fantasy element to balance out the politics.
That said, this very much feels like a setup book, and a really good one. The worldbuilding, character foundations, and political tensions are clearly being positioned for something bigger, and I’m genuinely excited to see where the series goes next.
✨ TLDR: A powerful, politically driven fantasy with smooth POVs and excellent setup, just a little light on visible magic for my personal taste.
Birth of a Dynasty was such a strong read for me. I really, really enjoyed this book.
One of my favorite things about it is how smoothly the POVs transition. Multiple perspectives can sometimes feel jarring, but here they flowed naturally and made the story feel expansive without being confusing or overwhelming. Each POV added something meaningful, especially when it came to understanding motivations and power dynamics.
If you love fantasy with heavy political intrigue, this absolutely delivers. The scheming, alliances, tension, and long-game plotting kept me locked in. This is the kind of story where conversations matter just as much as action, and I loved watching the groundwork being laid.
The only reason this isn’t a full 5-star read for me is the lack of overt magic. Magic does exist in this world, especially through the seers who can glimpse the future, but it stays very subtle. No spellcasting, no flashy magical systems, and very little hands-on magic happening on the page. Personally, I wanted just a bit more of that fantasy element to balance out the politics.
That said, this very much feels like a setup book, and a really good one. The worldbuilding, character foundations, and political tensions are clearly being positioned for something bigger, and I’m genuinely excited to see where the series goes next.
✨ TLDR: A powerful, politically driven fantasy with smooth POVs and excellent setup, just a little light on visible magic for my personal taste.
June 3, 2026
Un très bon debut. Ce livre est une afro fantaisie épique dans la veine de GOT avec des multiples POV, ainsi que des familles sous la coupe d’une seule qui les domine et cherche à étendre encore plus son pouvoir. Les manipulations, les mensonges et les révélations sont bien disséminés au sein du livre ce qui fait qu’il y a peu de moment où on s’ennuie. La plume est fluide et vibrante. Les émotions des personnages sont énormément mises en avant ce qui pâlie au manque cruel de description qui m’a pour autant beaucoup manqué. Je suis curieuse de lire la suite de cette histoire qui nous présente deux enfants jetés dans une cage aux lions, motivés l’un par sa soif de vengeance et l’autre par celle de sa famille. Ce sont deux personnages radicalement différent qui ont pourtant vécus des choses similaires. Je suis d’habitude réticente à lire des livres où on commence à suivre les protagonistes dès l’enfance mais ici, l’ajout de autres POV donne de la consistance et permet de ne pas être fatigué par l’immaturité (logique) des 2 prota. Je lirais la suite car j’ai hâte de voir si l’autrice rendra son récit beaucoup sombre et acceptera de sacrifier des personnages pour montrer le poids du destin et l’importance des conséquences suite aux choix pris dans le récit.
August 19, 2025
What a start to a series! This book truly has it all: complicated family dynamics, plots of vengeance, and a bunch of schemers. I've rarely seen an author incorporate so many different perspectives and yet keep the story feeling so coherent. There are clearly still two main characters, and yet because the author is able to tell the story from the perspectives of those around them occasionally, we gain further insight into the characters. The storytelling never feels repetitive or circuitous. Each chapter is telling an important piece of the story, and this is SO HARD TO DO.
This book is truly a masterclass in fantasy storytelling, and I can't wait for the sequel.
This book is truly a masterclass in fantasy storytelling, and I can't wait for the sequel.
November 18, 2025
This book was amazing. A force, impossible to put down. Absolutely one of the best books (if not the best book) I've read all year.
The world building, the setup, the character work, the way the author is laying down the plot... it's so impressive.
So many high fantasy books fall into info dumping and exposition while this book just effortlessly flowed.
Corruption, intrigue, vengeance, and hard choices. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us. I'll be here rooting for Zikora and hoping things finally work out for Khalil.
The world building, the setup, the character work, the way the author is laying down the plot... it's so impressive.
So many high fantasy books fall into info dumping and exposition while this book just effortlessly flowed.
Corruption, intrigue, vengeance, and hard choices. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us. I'll be here rooting for Zikora and hoping things finally work out for Khalil.
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