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The Song of Tiyya
1312, West Africa. As the daughter of the king's despised foreign wife, Tiyya has never been accepted as a true princess. When the king departs on an expedition to discover lands across the Atlantic ocean, Tiyya is left behind and must make her way to the court of the king's successor, Mansa Musa. There a mysterious noblewoman takes her in, promising to elevate her to the royal status she has always craved.
But all is not as it seems, and Tiyya soon stumbles onto a plot to assassinate Mansa Musa and his heirs. Together with a deaf servant girl and an apprentice griot with stage fright, she must find out who is behind the plot before she becomes its next victim. Along the way, Tiyya learns how to listen to her heart and value true friendship wherever it is found.
This engrossing story of magic, danger and mystery transports readers to an African civilization at its height. Perfect for fans of Adam Gidwitz's The Inquisitor's Tale and Kwame Mbalia's Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky.
But all is not as it seems, and Tiyya soon stumbles onto a plot to assassinate Mansa Musa and his heirs. Together with a deaf servant girl and an apprentice griot with stage fright, she must find out who is behind the plot before she becomes its next victim. Along the way, Tiyya learns how to listen to her heart and value true friendship wherever it is found.
This engrossing story of magic, danger and mystery transports readers to an African civilization at its height. Perfect for fans of Adam Gidwitz's The Inquisitor's Tale and Kwame Mbalia's Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky.
232 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2026
6 people want to read
About the author
Julia Kurnia
3 books5 followersI've loved books for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I devoured the novels in our school library, and was always getting into trouble for reading them during class. My favorite books were historical fiction, especially the ones that let me explore the rich tapestry of civilizations that have existed around the world before modern times. In college I learned foreign languages so that I could read great works of European literature in the original.
I spent twenty years working in international poverty alleviation, which involved extended stays in Senegal, Kenya, and India. I learned Wolof and lived with a family of fishermen on the west coast of Africa, an experience which inspired my debut novel,The Song of Tiyya. It was during this time that I founded Zidisha, a philanthropic crowdfunding platform that helps people in Africa start small businesses and improve their lives.
Today I live in Virginia, where I homeschool my two sons. They inspired me to found Kid Art Show, an online marketplace for kids to sell their artwork, and Nautilus Homeschool, a literature-based homeschooling curriculum for kids who love to read. When they got into novel writing, their example encouraged me to use my fascination with historical research and stories collected during my travels to write my own work of fiction.
In my free time, I enjoy martial arts, distance running, meditation, and, of course, reading.
I spent twenty years working in international poverty alleviation, which involved extended stays in Senegal, Kenya, and India. I learned Wolof and lived with a family of fishermen on the west coast of Africa, an experience which inspired my debut novel,The Song of Tiyya. It was during this time that I founded Zidisha, a philanthropic crowdfunding platform that helps people in Africa start small businesses and improve their lives.
Today I live in Virginia, where I homeschool my two sons. They inspired me to found Kid Art Show, an online marketplace for kids to sell their artwork, and Nautilus Homeschool, a literature-based homeschooling curriculum for kids who love to read. When they got into novel writing, their example encouraged me to use my fascination with historical research and stories collected during my travels to write my own work of fiction.
In my free time, I enjoy martial arts, distance running, meditation, and, of course, reading.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 5, 2026
The Song of Tiyya – Book Review
2 stars
First, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
This book had a lot of potential, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me. The pacing felt slow and uneven, which made it difficult to stay engaged. I often found myself getting lost between scenes, not in an immersive way, but because the transitions lacked clarity and flow. As a result, the story blurred together at times, making it harder to fully connect with what was happening.
I also struggled to connect with the characters, particularly Tiyya. She came across as rude and immature, even considering her age, and I found it difficult to stay invested in her journey. Her identity as a princess also felt inconsistently portrayed, only emphasized when it was convenient to the plot. In contrast, I found Rohi to be a far more compelling character and would have been more interested in following her perspective.
Another aspect I found troubling was the repeated use of the phrase “deaf and dumb.” While this may reflect the historical setting, it still felt uncomfortable and outdated in a way that detracted from my reading experience.
That said, there were elements I did enjoy. The magical aspects of the story were intriguing, and I wish they had been explored more deeply. The worldbuilding also showed promise and added a nice layer to the narrative.
Overall, while this book wasn’t for me, I can see it appealing to a younger audience, particularly middle-grade readers, with some refinement. Others may find more to enjoy here, but it ultimately didn’t resonate with me.
2 stars
First, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
This book had a lot of potential, but unfortunately, the execution didn’t work for me. The pacing felt slow and uneven, which made it difficult to stay engaged. I often found myself getting lost between scenes, not in an immersive way, but because the transitions lacked clarity and flow. As a result, the story blurred together at times, making it harder to fully connect with what was happening.
I also struggled to connect with the characters, particularly Tiyya. She came across as rude and immature, even considering her age, and I found it difficult to stay invested in her journey. Her identity as a princess also felt inconsistently portrayed, only emphasized when it was convenient to the plot. In contrast, I found Rohi to be a far more compelling character and would have been more interested in following her perspective.
Another aspect I found troubling was the repeated use of the phrase “deaf and dumb.” While this may reflect the historical setting, it still felt uncomfortable and outdated in a way that detracted from my reading experience.
That said, there were elements I did enjoy. The magical aspects of the story were intriguing, and I wish they had been explored more deeply. The worldbuilding also showed promise and added a nice layer to the narrative.
Overall, while this book wasn’t for me, I can see it appealing to a younger audience, particularly middle-grade readers, with some refinement. Others may find more to enjoy here, but it ultimately didn’t resonate with me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!
This was the best historical fiction that I've read recently! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was nice to have a book set in a time and place of history that I'm not familiar with. It made me delve into Mali and read more about the history of the area.
Tiyya is a young girl who is sent to live with her aunt while her mother goes to sea with her father. Her father was King of Mali and he has appointed someone else to rule in his absence. However, many people want the throne and she uncovers a plot to overthrow Mansa Musa, who was appointed by her father. Along with the help of a deaf girl and a griot (oral storyteller), they try to help save Mansa Musa.
The storyline was brilliant. Each character was unique and I loved that Tiyya never acted like she was above anyone else. The plot was a bit predictable, but I think if I were a middle schooler, I would not have guessed quite as easily. This is a great book for middle school and even for the upper elementary age. I also appreciated that the author shared about the Timbuktu Manuscripts (something I had never heard about) in her notes at the end. It was fun to explore after reading this story as well.
This was the best historical fiction that I've read recently! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was nice to have a book set in a time and place of history that I'm not familiar with. It made me delve into Mali and read more about the history of the area.
Tiyya is a young girl who is sent to live with her aunt while her mother goes to sea with her father. Her father was King of Mali and he has appointed someone else to rule in his absence. However, many people want the throne and she uncovers a plot to overthrow Mansa Musa, who was appointed by her father. Along with the help of a deaf girl and a griot (oral storyteller), they try to help save Mansa Musa.
The storyline was brilliant. Each character was unique and I loved that Tiyya never acted like she was above anyone else. The plot was a bit predictable, but I think if I were a middle schooler, I would not have guessed quite as easily. This is a great book for middle school and even for the upper elementary age. I also appreciated that the author shared about the Timbuktu Manuscripts (something I had never heard about) in her notes at the end. It was fun to explore after reading this story as well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a story of unexpected friendships, court intrigues, and a rather unusual princess, set in 14th century Mali. When Tiyya's father, the King, heads off on a sea voyage - taking her mother with him - she is left behind.
And when she discovers a conspiracy against the man her father has appointed as his regent, Tiyya finds herself even more vulnerable. What can she do, on her own, to foil the plot? Luckily, she isn't on her own - even if her allies are somewhat unusual...
This is a well rendered historical tale that provides inside into different culture in the form of an engaging adventure story.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
And when she discovers a conspiracy against the man her father has appointed as his regent, Tiyya finds herself even more vulnerable. What can she do, on her own, to foil the plot? Luckily, she isn't on her own - even if her allies are somewhat unusual...
This is a well rendered historical tale that provides inside into different culture in the form of an engaging adventure story.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fascinating story, based mostly on historical figures (though Tiyya is fictional) set in the grand high age of 14th century Mali. I have had no previous exposure to Mali history, so this was a great introduction for me. A captivating story line, full of folklore and mystery, with elements of sorcery and lots of intrigue. Highly recommended especially for its depiction of a seldom-seen element of African history.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews