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Mythspeaker
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26For fans of Race to the Sun and the Aru Shah series, this epic fantasy adventure inspired by Indigenous American mythology follows a band of misfit children who must pull off an impossible heist in order to save the world!
Thanks to a prophecy revealed when he was little, thirteen-year-old Kyta always knew that he was destined to save the world. But waiting for that moment has kept him on edge his whole childhood, preventing him from having fun like other kids in his tribe. So when the ground quakes and the trees whisper that something is wrong, Kyta leaps into action, desperate to fulfill his destiny.
He is horrified to find that the precious Egg of the World Turtle, on whose vast shell everyone and everything lives, has been stolen by invaders. The Turtle is angry and grief-stricken, threatening to upend the very land under their feet. The invaders refuse to heed the warning of the tribes and return the Egg . . . so Kyta comes up with a plan to steal it back!
It's risky and dangerous . . . but abandoning the Egg is certain doom. Kyta assembles other kids who could sneak into the invaders' fortress and pull off the heist, but getting four very different personalities to work together is harder than he thought. And when they discover that the Egg is being guarded by an evil collector, his savage ogres, and a beast so terrible that it defies description, their odds seem all but impossible! Will Kyta be able to fulfill his destiny, or did he set himself up to fail . . . and the world to fall?
Inspired by the Indigenous American folktales, this thrilling and heartwarming fantasy shows the importance of teamwork, respect for nature, and believing in yourself.
Thanks to a prophecy revealed when he was little, thirteen-year-old Kyta always knew that he was destined to save the world. But waiting for that moment has kept him on edge his whole childhood, preventing him from having fun like other kids in his tribe. So when the ground quakes and the trees whisper that something is wrong, Kyta leaps into action, desperate to fulfill his destiny.
He is horrified to find that the precious Egg of the World Turtle, on whose vast shell everyone and everything lives, has been stolen by invaders. The Turtle is angry and grief-stricken, threatening to upend the very land under their feet. The invaders refuse to heed the warning of the tribes and return the Egg . . . so Kyta comes up with a plan to steal it back!
It's risky and dangerous . . . but abandoning the Egg is certain doom. Kyta assembles other kids who could sneak into the invaders' fortress and pull off the heist, but getting four very different personalities to work together is harder than he thought. And when they discover that the Egg is being guarded by an evil collector, his savage ogres, and a beast so terrible that it defies description, their odds seem all but impossible! Will Kyta be able to fulfill his destiny, or did he set himself up to fail . . . and the world to fall?
Inspired by the Indigenous American folktales, this thrilling and heartwarming fantasy shows the importance of teamwork, respect for nature, and believing in yourself.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 24, 2026
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2947 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 6, 2025
Christopher Roubique is a master storyteller. When I tell you this book should be an instant classic, I don’t say that lightly. Christopher has woven an incredibly poignant tale of friendship and fate that that will appeal to both kids and adults alike. Kyta’s emotional journey was so well crafted, the side characters so complex and REAL (I loved my knife-wielding boy Tumuhv!), they stayed with me long after finishing this book. The plot to rescue the Egg is fast-paced and exciting while also allowing room for Kyta to experience true growth and depth as a character. I loved him so much and just wanted to give him a big hug!
With witty and fun dialogue, gorgeous prose, and a character cast that’s sure to steal your heart, MYTHSPEAKER deserves to be on every child’s bookshelf. One of my favorite books of all time.
With witty and fun dialogue, gorgeous prose, and a character cast that’s sure to steal your heart, MYTHSPEAKER deserves to be on every child’s bookshelf. One of my favorite books of all time.
December 20, 2025
4.75 stars
I read this with my 9-year-old, and we really enjoyed this story. Although everything in this book was fictional, I was able to introduce a few Indigenous mythological concepts to my kid. I loved the teamwork between the Ay'do kids, with the overall message being that it's okay to ask for help to save the day.
The Tenemusah lord felt a little cartoonish at times, but it is a kid's book. I think older elementary kids and middle schoolers will really enjoy this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
I read this with my 9-year-old, and we really enjoyed this story. Although everything in this book was fictional, I was able to introduce a few Indigenous mythological concepts to my kid. I loved the teamwork between the Ay'do kids, with the overall message being that it's okay to ask for help to save the day.
The Tenemusah lord felt a little cartoonish at times, but it is a kid's book. I think older elementary kids and middle schoolers will really enjoy this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
November 15, 2025
This book is such a gem (or, rather, an "Egg of the World Turtle"😉). It is a fast-paced adventure that blends the excitement of a high-stakes heist with the depth of Indigenous American folktales. The author does a beautiful job weaving in mythology and cultural details naturally, and the heist itself is smart and full of twists. What really sets the book apart, though, is its characters. It is hard to pick a favorite, as each individual comes with plenty of personality and heart. The friendships, teamwork, and cleverness of the kids really make it hard to put down this story.
December 12, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This longer middle grade fantasy had a lot of Indigenous and Cajun folklore that might need a little more explanation for some readers. The cover is great, and it's a good choice for readers who want an action packed adventure fantasy like Marsh's Rougarou Magic, Hobson's The Storyteller, Young's Healers of the Water Monster, or Smith's On a Wing and a Tear.
This longer middle grade fantasy had a lot of Indigenous and Cajun folklore that might need a little more explanation for some readers. The cover is great, and it's a good choice for readers who want an action packed adventure fantasy like Marsh's Rougarou Magic, Hobson's The Storyteller, Young's Healers of the Water Monster, or Smith's On a Wing and a Tear.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews