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Tali Nohkati: The Great Crossing
Creators of the World, Coyote and the Moon pay special attention to the only survivor of a blazing fire, Tali Nohkati, as the child takes his first steps. At the end of a long journey rich in animal encounters that takes him from the White Land to the Land of the Red Earth, Tali is finally adopted by a tribe.
After saving Nuttah from the sacrifice of the Morning Star, Tali seeks refuge in the mangrove close to Hitchiti the Alligator and Raven the Raven where Cagama the Turtle advises them to go to sea. In the heavenly light of the island of Cagama, they taste the true happiness of starting a family and of living in harmony with a tribe. However, all hell breaks loose as Huracan is unleashed, its violent winds destroying their piece of paradise and taking everything in their path, men and destinies alike…
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2019
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1380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 7, 2019
Tali Nohkati, a young boy, is the sole survivor of a fire. He is watched over by Coyote and Moon, creators of the world, as he grows into an adult and finds a tribe to belong to. Along the way he meets and is helped by a selection of animals.
This is an interesting tale, told in a mythic style. I liked that it was different to the types of books I usually read, with the talking animals and epic journey, told in a sweeping way rather than with heavy detail. The downside to this was that I didn’t feel much empathy with the characters. However, it is still an enjoyable story.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythic tales and great journeys.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the opportunity to read and review this title.
This is an interesting tale, told in a mythic style. I liked that it was different to the types of books I usually read, with the talking animals and epic journey, told in a sweeping way rather than with heavy detail. The downside to this was that I didn’t feel much empathy with the characters. However, it is still an enjoyable story.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythic tales and great journeys.
Thank you to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the opportunity to read and review this title.
freebies-99-cents
June 21, 2020This "Native American spiritual story" was written by a French author, a French author with no education in Native American history or literature; not that this would have made it less offensive. Can you say CULTURAL MISAPPROPRIATION? Authors, STOP WRITING STORIES ABOUT CULTURES that are not your own.
June 8, 2019
Good story.
I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. It gives you all the feels a good book should.
I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. It gives you all the feels a good book should.
November 12, 2025
This is a hard book to review, especially considering that I received it as a giveaway win.
Tali Nohkati is a middle grade level children’s book that is a classic coming-of-age story. It focuses on an indigenous boy living in a time shortly after the creation of the earth. Written with a folk tale feel, it focuses on his journey to find belonging and the many animals that he befriends along the way. It continues to follow his adventures well into his adulthood.
The main reason I struggled with this book is that it is a textbook example of cultural appropriation. The author is French and, as far as I can tell, has no connection with indigenous studies or culture. Unfortunately, because of this the story reads like a Europeanized view of Native Americans filled with many of the typical stereotypes. There is little evidence of any kind of research into indigenous beliefs, history, or language. The names she uses are not indigenous words but the names assigned to these nations by English and Spanish Europeans. The name Tali Nokhati itself doesn’t seem to have any connection to indigenous language at all but is simply made up.
I will give the author some grace as I know the idea of cultural appropriation is not as well known or understood in her country, but I really wish she would have been aware of how hurtful and offensive it can be to write a book centered around a culture that is not your own when that culture (cultures actually) and the people it belongs to were nearly exterminated and still face immense bias and racism today. Although I’m sure the author only had the best of intentions, books like this become an even larger problem when they are written for children because they then perpetuate harmful biases and pass cultural inaccuracies on to another generation.
I also found the setting of this book a bit confusing. The first section seems to be a reinterpretation of a creation story which is tied to the main character’s birth. Yet, within his lifetime he encounters many different groups of people such as the Taino and late period Mayans which would have set the story around 1000 CE. To make things more confusing, the author includes horses in the story even though the horses ridden by Native Americans were the result of European introduction.
In all honesty, I wish the author had set this fantasy story in Neolithic times on an unspecified continent instead of focusing on specific cultures. This would have prevented all of the issues mentioned above and wouldn’t have made the story any less interesting.
In regard to the translation it was, for the most part, done well and was in line with the feeling I believe the author was trying to convey. There were a few words that were not pluralized correctly, but nothing hugely distracting.
Trigger warnings: animal killing (not graphic), homelessness, orphaned child, suggested human sacrifice, violence (not graphic)
Tali Nohkati is a middle grade level children’s book that is a classic coming-of-age story. It focuses on an indigenous boy living in a time shortly after the creation of the earth. Written with a folk tale feel, it focuses on his journey to find belonging and the many animals that he befriends along the way. It continues to follow his adventures well into his adulthood.
The main reason I struggled with this book is that it is a textbook example of cultural appropriation. The author is French and, as far as I can tell, has no connection with indigenous studies or culture. Unfortunately, because of this the story reads like a Europeanized view of Native Americans filled with many of the typical stereotypes. There is little evidence of any kind of research into indigenous beliefs, history, or language. The names she uses are not indigenous words but the names assigned to these nations by English and Spanish Europeans. The name Tali Nokhati itself doesn’t seem to have any connection to indigenous language at all but is simply made up.
I will give the author some grace as I know the idea of cultural appropriation is not as well known or understood in her country, but I really wish she would have been aware of how hurtful and offensive it can be to write a book centered around a culture that is not your own when that culture (cultures actually) and the people it belongs to were nearly exterminated and still face immense bias and racism today. Although I’m sure the author only had the best of intentions, books like this become an even larger problem when they are written for children because they then perpetuate harmful biases and pass cultural inaccuracies on to another generation.
I also found the setting of this book a bit confusing. The first section seems to be a reinterpretation of a creation story which is tied to the main character’s birth. Yet, within his lifetime he encounters many different groups of people such as the Taino and late period Mayans which would have set the story around 1000 CE. To make things more confusing, the author includes horses in the story even though the horses ridden by Native Americans were the result of European introduction.
In all honesty, I wish the author had set this fantasy story in Neolithic times on an unspecified continent instead of focusing on specific cultures. This would have prevented all of the issues mentioned above and wouldn’t have made the story any less interesting.
In regard to the translation it was, for the most part, done well and was in line with the feeling I believe the author was trying to convey. There were a few words that were not pluralized correctly, but nothing hugely distracting.
Trigger warnings: animal killing (not graphic), homelessness, orphaned child, suggested human sacrifice, violence (not graphic)
September 9, 2019
This book is written in a creation myth style, full of vivid imagery and wonder though I struggled to figure out whereabouts in a creation timeline the story takes place - there seems to be a lot of humans about for the second generation!
The main character, Tali, embarks on an epic journey and learns important lessons from the animals he meets along the way as he makes his way towards a human settlement. The characters in this book are very distant so it's hard to build more than a passing sympathy with them - the beauty of this book is in the message it conveys.
This is very much a coming of age story, ripe with meaningful subtext. The narrative was a little confusing in places, turning unexpected and jarring 180s and heading off in a new direction, never to discuss the things left behind again. It felt a little like large chunks of the story had been edited out and not put back together quite right, I would have preferred a longer book.
All in all, this book was a relaxing and enjoyable read - I enjoyed the first half over the second as it had more animal interactions and really embraced the fantastical side of the story.
*I received an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own and unbiased*
The main character, Tali, embarks on an epic journey and learns important lessons from the animals he meets along the way as he makes his way towards a human settlement. The characters in this book are very distant so it's hard to build more than a passing sympathy with them - the beauty of this book is in the message it conveys.
This is very much a coming of age story, ripe with meaningful subtext. The narrative was a little confusing in places, turning unexpected and jarring 180s and heading off in a new direction, never to discuss the things left behind again. It felt a little like large chunks of the story had been edited out and not put back together quite right, I would have preferred a longer book.
All in all, this book was a relaxing and enjoyable read - I enjoyed the first half over the second as it had more animal interactions and really embraced the fantastical side of the story.
*I received an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own and unbiased*
March 26, 2021
Tali Nohkati by Koza Belleli reads like a fable or tale handed down through indigenous cultures, best suited for young adults. It tells the story of a boy who grows into manhood and old age who is forced to leave each home he has come to love, also leaving loved ones behind each time. Through adversity, he grows strong and wise. With the loving guidance of his spirit helpers, he travels across continents and oceans to return full circle to the land of his origins. Always, Moon and Coyote guide his way, reassuring him as parents would their child.
This is a translation by Dorine Heller. Not having read the original text, the accuracy and quality of this translation is an unknown, and a thorough review is impossible. Nevertheless, despite punctuation errors and some words that seem mismatched, the story is overall an enjoyable one that would make a good read for children.
I read the paperback version, which is not shown in Goodreads.
This is a translation by Dorine Heller. Not having read the original text, the accuracy and quality of this translation is an unknown, and a thorough review is impossible. Nevertheless, despite punctuation errors and some words that seem mismatched, the story is overall an enjoyable one that would make a good read for children.
I read the paperback version, which is not shown in Goodreads.
March 17, 2021
This was a cute story about an Indigenous boy's journey across (from what I could tell) the Americas and the animals and people that guided him along the way. I like how it was written like it was being told around a campfire, like it was written as it was being spoken. I like trying to figure out where he was by the description of the environment. I enjoyed it, though I started losing interest when he runs away with the girl, but then it picks up again shortly after. Overall a good, quick read.
October 21, 2019
Go on a journey from birth to becoming an elder. Filled with wonders and promise, each life stage is filled with ups and downs. Great fortune always seems to be just showering the footsteps at a most vulnerable times. Magnificent and temporary guides are gifted then. Faith and hope win the day.
An easy to read, wonderful tale with beautifully painted landscapes, thrills and page turning adventures. A delightful read for all ages.
An easy to read, wonderful tale with beautifully painted landscapes, thrills and page turning adventures. A delightful read for all ages.
June 12, 2019
A quick, yet enjoyable, mythological read about the first people, and a child's journey into adulthood/life with the assistance of animal mentors. Told in the fashion of the Native American folklore.
August 29, 2021
Beautiful story that made me think in parts it was being told around a camp fire. It is a life journey through the world, combined with a young man's coming of age. I really enjoyed this wonderfully written adventure through life. I recommend this book to anyone looking for something different.
June 21, 2019
Interesting take
Found on FreeBooksy, this was an interesting take on Coyote and the Moon. it was a very enjoyable book. Highly recommended.
Found on FreeBooksy, this was an interesting take on Coyote and the Moon. it was a very enjoyable book. Highly recommended.
June 27, 2019
Breathtaking
A fascinating story. The ending was a bit sudden. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a strong tale from the heart.
A fascinating story. The ending was a bit sudden. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a strong tale from the heart.
April 13, 2021
Review held pending Maxy Awards.
September 2, 2021
Good read
September 27, 2021
What an intriguing tail of Thali Nohkati's life and journey throughout the world. Thali meets so many helpful and fun characters along the way and he learns many important lessons. Great story!!!
May 29, 2019
I absolutely loved this quick read. The themes and narration all reminded me of the native folktales my parents used to read to me when I was younger. Tali Nohkati's journey to finding a tribe is a heart-warming tale about resilience, friendship, and compassion.
Thank you to Koza Belleli, Black Rose Writing, and Netgalley for providing a digital copy for me to review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Thank you to Koza Belleli, Black Rose Writing, and Netgalley for providing a digital copy for me to review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews