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Ulala: The Journey of Discovery
Siya Khoza, a 23 year old police officer, decides to take on a case about a village that is tormented by what is believed to be a ghost.
He had anticipated the voodoo he found upon his arrival at the Mgabaye village. What he didn't know is that the ghost mystery would be his ticket to the future.
We follow this young man as he embarks on his journey of discovery, and finally gets what he had wished for all his life; a sense of belonging, a family and love.
He had anticipated the voodoo he found upon his arrival at the Mgabaye village. What he didn't know is that the ghost mystery would be his ticket to the future.
We follow this young man as he embarks on his journey of discovery, and finally gets what he had wished for all his life; a sense of belonging, a family and love.
194 pages, Hardcover
Published November 15, 2016
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Ayanda Xaba
14 books71 followersAyanda Xaba is an award-winning self-published author from Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal who is passionate about her family, women empowerment, and travelling. When she’s not creating stories, she is an avid reader who likes binging on horror and psychological thrillers. Her goal is to unapologetically tell stories of African women and be the voice of the voiceless.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 22, 2021
Wow! ❤ Aya great stuff. Thank you for taking me on journey.
October 31, 2021
“These are the times I wish I could disappear from home again.”
Siya -“She needs to stop walking out on me like this, it’s annoying. It’s like she is walking out of my heart.” It’s been a while since I read a book that is completely based on a man’s perspective. I might have judged this man too harshly in the second book because I read it first before reading this one. Honestly I admire his courage for having to stay in a village land willing to help people solve something that has been hunting them for years. His rough upbringing did not take away his soft heart and clam spirit.
Ziningi – “I’m sorry, I just… I wasn’t ready for children and…” Verbal communication is not her strongest point when it comes to expressing her feelings. I’ve noticed time and again that she would rather leave you than to explain what you have done wrong. All this becomes contrary to her talkative nature and her skill for story telling. She was always on high alert guarding her own heart before she allowed herself to fall for him. She dared herself not to make the same mistakes that have been made by those who grew up with her.
“Girls are very good at sneaking out, it’s like they are born with sneaking talent as well as the investigating one. If you’ve ever been caught cheating, you know exactly what I mean.”
I struggled to review it because I was trying too hard not to give it away to those who have not yet read it.
Siya -“She needs to stop walking out on me like this, it’s annoying. It’s like she is walking out of my heart.” It’s been a while since I read a book that is completely based on a man’s perspective. I might have judged this man too harshly in the second book because I read it first before reading this one. Honestly I admire his courage for having to stay in a village land willing to help people solve something that has been hunting them for years. His rough upbringing did not take away his soft heart and clam spirit.
Ziningi – “I’m sorry, I just… I wasn’t ready for children and…” Verbal communication is not her strongest point when it comes to expressing her feelings. I’ve noticed time and again that she would rather leave you than to explain what you have done wrong. All this becomes contrary to her talkative nature and her skill for story telling. She was always on high alert guarding her own heart before she allowed herself to fall for him. She dared herself not to make the same mistakes that have been made by those who grew up with her.
“Girls are very good at sneaking out, it’s like they are born with sneaking talent as well as the investigating one. If you’ve ever been caught cheating, you know exactly what I mean.”
I struggled to review it because I was trying too hard not to give it away to those who have not yet read it.
March 5, 2022
I loved the journey, I can't wait to read the second book
October 1, 2019
2017
Last month I met Ayanda and got myself a copy of her book #uLala and I dug in.
I immediately got hooked on the story as the narrator described a cleansing but I was still muddled. Enter chapter 1 and I meet the main protagonist. A fit young Venda orphan of 23. He is so real, a likeable character. He lets you into his head as he tells you about his journey to the Mgabaye village to solve a case of multiple killings believed to be the work of a ghost.
The pacing, sequence of events, introduction of characters, the interactions all speak of a gifted storyteller. Ayanda manages to build her characters within a short space of introducing them such that you are able to recognize and even wager how they might react to a situation. The plot twist towards the end of the book makes you think about previous events and connect the dots. A well penned story.
I give it a 4 out of 5 rating due to the grammar errors and incorrect use of some words which render you temporarily confused before you apply your mind to what word or phrase the author perhaps intended to use. This can temporarily throw you off the plot while you wonder about the use of such a word of phrase at that point in the story. I discovered that the book was edited and proofread by people in the author's network and I believe they have let her down in a big way in that area.
If you are looking for a real story about how a young dedicated cop used his wits and cunning ways to solve a mystery or you like mystery thrillers then this book is up your alley.
If you love a good tale that is told well, grammar errors notwithstanding, then this is the book to get.
As a South African you aught to have interest in African stories and this is one of the authentic ones. You will love Siyamthanda❤
Last month I met Ayanda and got myself a copy of her book #uLala and I dug in.
I immediately got hooked on the story as the narrator described a cleansing but I was still muddled. Enter chapter 1 and I meet the main protagonist. A fit young Venda orphan of 23. He is so real, a likeable character. He lets you into his head as he tells you about his journey to the Mgabaye village to solve a case of multiple killings believed to be the work of a ghost.
The pacing, sequence of events, introduction of characters, the interactions all speak of a gifted storyteller. Ayanda manages to build her characters within a short space of introducing them such that you are able to recognize and even wager how they might react to a situation. The plot twist towards the end of the book makes you think about previous events and connect the dots. A well penned story.
I give it a 4 out of 5 rating due to the grammar errors and incorrect use of some words which render you temporarily confused before you apply your mind to what word or phrase the author perhaps intended to use. This can temporarily throw you off the plot while you wonder about the use of such a word of phrase at that point in the story. I discovered that the book was edited and proofread by people in the author's network and I believe they have let her down in a big way in that area.
If you are looking for a real story about how a young dedicated cop used his wits and cunning ways to solve a mystery or you like mystery thrillers then this book is up your alley.
If you love a good tale that is told well, grammar errors notwithstanding, then this is the book to get.
As a South African you aught to have interest in African stories and this is one of the authentic ones. You will love Siyamthanda❤
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews