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Amadlozi's Child: The Calling
For 22 years, she thought she was crazy. She was wrong.Kat Ndlovu has spent her life swallowing pills to silence the voices, sketching spirit creatures from her "hallucinations," and dreaming of escape to Tokyo where maybe—just maybe—she can be normal.
Then one of her rideshare passengers commits a shocking murder while something dark whispers in their ear, and suddenly Kat's carefully medicated world shatters. She's a suspect with 72 hours to prove her innocence, and the only person who can help her is Harrison—a charming MMA fighter with secrets of his own.
As Kat races to clear her name, ancient spirits—the amadlozi—are calling. What if the “madness” she’s fought her entire life isn’t illness at all—
What if it's an awakening?
Yet discovering her true nature may be exactly what her enemies have been waiting for. The question isn't whether she's tough enough to survive.
Is she ready for what she'll become?
From TV veterans Dawn Matthews and Charlie Sapadin comes an urban fantasy where your greatest burden might be your greatest gift.
Inspired by authentic African spiritual traditions, this is Book 1 of AMADLOZI'S CHILD, a powerful series exploring mental health, cultural identity and the power that comes from believing in yourself.
Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone, Crescent City, and Blood at the Root.
Then one of her rideshare passengers commits a shocking murder while something dark whispers in their ear, and suddenly Kat's carefully medicated world shatters. She's a suspect with 72 hours to prove her innocence, and the only person who can help her is Harrison—a charming MMA fighter with secrets of his own.
As Kat races to clear her name, ancient spirits—the amadlozi—are calling. What if the “madness” she’s fought her entire life isn’t illness at all—
What if it's an awakening?
Yet discovering her true nature may be exactly what her enemies have been waiting for. The question isn't whether she's tough enough to survive.
Is she ready for what she'll become?
From TV veterans Dawn Matthews and Charlie Sapadin comes an urban fantasy where your greatest burden might be your greatest gift.
Inspired by authentic African spiritual traditions, this is Book 1 of AMADLOZI'S CHILD, a powerful series exploring mental health, cultural identity and the power that comes from believing in yourself.
Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone, Crescent City, and Blood at the Root.
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2025
3 people are currently reading
About the author
Dawn Matthews
1 bookDawn Matthews is a South African-born actress and creator best known for her role as Shakira on the hit series Scandal!, which brought her legions of fans across Africa and the diaspora. After breaking barriers as one of the first Black actresses to find major success in post-apartheid South Africa, Dawn relocated to the United States where she appeared on NCIS opposite Mark Harmon.
Dawn's career began with co-creating the comedy series S.O.S., based on her experience as part of the new intake of Black students at a previously whites-only university in the new post-apartheid South Africa. Fluent in English and Afrikaans, she became a household name through roles in Soutmansland, Egoli: Place of Gold, and numerous other South African productions. She was featured on the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? and has graced various magazine covers throughout her career.
Dawn and her husband Charlie Sapadin—an award-winning writer-producer with over 200 hours of television to his credit—live in Los Angeles with their daughter Jesse, where they continue developing stories that honor cultural authenticity while captivating global audiences. AMADLOZI'S CHILD: THE CALLING is their debut novel.
Dawn's career began with co-creating the comedy series S.O.S., based on her experience as part of the new intake of Black students at a previously whites-only university in the new post-apartheid South Africa. Fluent in English and Afrikaans, she became a household name through roles in Soutmansland, Egoli: Place of Gold, and numerous other South African productions. She was featured on the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? and has graced various magazine covers throughout her career.
Dawn and her husband Charlie Sapadin—an award-winning writer-producer with over 200 hours of television to his credit—live in Los Angeles with their daughter Jesse, where they continue developing stories that honor cultural authenticity while captivating global audiences. AMADLOZI'S CHILD: THE CALLING is their debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 1, 2026
straightalk
I found Amadlozi’s Child: The Calling an engrossing read that covers the challenges of living with the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia and it’s affect not only to the protagonist, but those in her surrounding community as well. As a mixed race daughter of a South African father and American mother, she faces challenges developing her own beliefs, values and practices as she tries to live an independent life in Los Angeles without being smothered by her protective mother.
The authors knowledge of the customs and history of South Africa, as well as the rhythm of life in L.A. only add to the rich environment in which this novel is set. The protagonist is beautifully developed. I ‘knew’ her. I felt her ongoing anxiety, often shifting to panic when dealing unsuccessfully with her physiological challenges.
This is the first in a series of three novels, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I found Amadlozi’s Child: The Calling an engrossing read that covers the challenges of living with the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia and it’s affect not only to the protagonist, but those in her surrounding community as well. As a mixed race daughter of a South African father and American mother, she faces challenges developing her own beliefs, values and practices as she tries to live an independent life in Los Angeles without being smothered by her protective mother.
The authors knowledge of the customs and history of South Africa, as well as the rhythm of life in L.A. only add to the rich environment in which this novel is set. The protagonist is beautifully developed. I ‘knew’ her. I felt her ongoing anxiety, often shifting to panic when dealing unsuccessfully with her physiological challenges.
This is the first in a series of three novels, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
December 29, 2025
This book is a joy! Such an amazing origin story for a world and characters I hope I will get more of. Original mythology and world building. Fresh Urban fantasy that doesn’t fall into tropes. A beautiful blend of Los Angeles and South African amaZulu culture. A love letter to both. I’m obsessed with Kat and Harrison. What happens next?!?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews