What do you think?
Rate this book
Where the Black Flowers Bloom
A gripping, richly imagined African-inspired fantasy in which a Black girl finds her power and saves her people from evil, by the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award-winning author of Black Panther: The Young Prince.
In the land of Alkebulan, twelve-year-old Asha is an orphan, raised by Madame S, the proprietor of a traveling carnival. When Madame S is attacked by ghoulish creatures, she manages to tell Asha before she dies, “Seek the Underground Kingdom, where the black flowers bloom.” Asha doesn’t understand the mysterious words, but they launch her onto a page-turning quest to protect her people and stop an ancient evil. Along the way, she uncovers shocking secrets about the family she never knew and begins to find her place in the world as she discovers her own untapped powers.
In the land of Alkebulan, twelve-year-old Asha is an orphan, raised by Madame S, the proprietor of a traveling carnival. When Madame S is attacked by ghoulish creatures, she manages to tell Asha before she dies, “Seek the Underground Kingdom, where the black flowers bloom.” Asha doesn’t understand the mysterious words, but they launch her onto a page-turning quest to protect her people and stop an ancient evil. Along the way, she uncovers shocking secrets about the family she never knew and begins to find her place in the world as she discovers her own untapped powers.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2023
About the author
Ronald L. Smith
14 books204 followersI grew up on Air Force bases and have lived in Japan, Maine, Alabama, Michigan, South Carolina, Delaware, Washington, DC, Illinois and a bunch of other places I don’t remember. After reading Ray Bradbury’s R is for Rocket and Eleanor Cameron’s Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet I fell in love with books.
I haven’t stopped reading since.
HOODOO is my debut middle-grade novel. My second novel, THE MESMERIST, is available February, 2017.
My work is represented by Adriann Ranta of Foundry Literary + Media.
My publisher is Clarion, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 13, 2023
I am withholding my review until Harper Collins comes to an equitable agreement with the union.
Updating on 2/12/23 now that there’s a tentative agreement!
When I saw that this was a middle grade fantasy fiction with a Black girl main character, I knew I wanted to read it! Plus the premise was very intriguing.
This was a lovely tale of found family and adventure! I enjoyed reading about Asha coming into her role as a leader and warrior with her steadfast friend by her side!
Because I am not the primary audience and I am “new” to middle grade as an adult,, it’s possible that I had expectations on world-building and pacing but I felt like there were some areas that could have been expounded upon in terms of world building and that might have helped with the quick pacing. But overall, I did enjoy this!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Updating on 2/12/23 now that there’s a tentative agreement!
When I saw that this was a middle grade fantasy fiction with a Black girl main character, I knew I wanted to read it! Plus the premise was very intriguing.
This was a lovely tale of found family and adventure! I enjoyed reading about Asha coming into her role as a leader and warrior with her steadfast friend by her side!
Because I am not the primary audience and I am “new” to middle grade as an adult,, it’s possible that I had expectations on world-building and pacing but I felt like there were some areas that could have been expounded upon in terms of world building and that might have helped with the quick pacing. But overall, I did enjoy this!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
April 8, 2023
I was so excited when I saw this. A fantasy with a Black girl on the cover? Sign me up!
I want to talk about what I really liked with this book first.
We’ve got a non-Eurocentric society. We’ve got a non-Eurocentric cast. We’ve got griots, a found family. All these things I love. And it’s incredible to see this get published so more Black kids can see themselves in a space that has so long felt impossible for us to inhabit.
Asha is a 12 year old who was found as a baby and has been raised in a travelling troupe by a woman named Suna. She’s excited for her naming day, a day where she will have her mark revealed and be considered not just a child any longer.
Her naming day brings with it, questions and no one, not even Suna has the answers. When their troupe is attacked and Suna dies, Asha is told to seek the underground kingdom where the black flowers bloom.
Now what I didn’t like. And I’m wondering if it’s because I’m an adult and this is written for maybe kids that are on the younger side. Like, she’s 12 and when I was 10 I was reading about 12 and 13 year olds.
The things that really got me were the sparseness of the writing. It was tight. Instead of detailing the days of a journey it was summed up with “a few days later”/ “A few days passed” and continued on in that manner the rest of the book. It also felt very rushed. And when we’re introduced to the underground kingdom, we don’t really get a whole lot of history on it or the people. Just enough to get by. No explanation of the deities, or how the people’s abilities work.
And maybe that’s because it’s for younger readers. Being able to see the twist coming as an adult makes sense. However, it still felt like things were moving way too fast. This book could have used maybe another extra 100 pages and I think these problems would have been fixed.
Now this is going into spoiler territory.
Asha gets a spear named Frost. Either she’ll be able to wield it or it’ll kill her. Well, she’s able to wield it. Except, when she’s using it during the final battle, it truly feels like the spear is doing all the work. After an unknown amount of time training with it, what seems to be happening is Frost doing things and she’s just wielding it.
There’s also a part where a villainous character is mentioned as he relates to the big bad. He then shows up and is like “I’m here for your soul big bad” and that was a total left field moment.
It’s hard to rate because I don’t want to knock it for things I as an adult could see coming. But there are what feels like some genuine issues here.
Maybe it’s meant for 9/10 year olds.
For this, I’m giving it 3 stars out of 5.
I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks tot hem and the publisher.
I want to talk about what I really liked with this book first.
We’ve got a non-Eurocentric society. We’ve got a non-Eurocentric cast. We’ve got griots, a found family. All these things I love. And it’s incredible to see this get published so more Black kids can see themselves in a space that has so long felt impossible for us to inhabit.
Asha is a 12 year old who was found as a baby and has been raised in a travelling troupe by a woman named Suna. She’s excited for her naming day, a day where she will have her mark revealed and be considered not just a child any longer.
Her naming day brings with it, questions and no one, not even Suna has the answers. When their troupe is attacked and Suna dies, Asha is told to seek the underground kingdom where the black flowers bloom.
Now what I didn’t like. And I’m wondering if it’s because I’m an adult and this is written for maybe kids that are on the younger side. Like, she’s 12 and when I was 10 I was reading about 12 and 13 year olds.
The things that really got me were the sparseness of the writing. It was tight. Instead of detailing the days of a journey it was summed up with “a few days later”/ “A few days passed” and continued on in that manner the rest of the book. It also felt very rushed. And when we’re introduced to the underground kingdom, we don’t really get a whole lot of history on it or the people. Just enough to get by. No explanation of the deities, or how the people’s abilities work.
And maybe that’s because it’s for younger readers. Being able to see the twist coming as an adult makes sense. However, it still felt like things were moving way too fast. This book could have used maybe another extra 100 pages and I think these problems would have been fixed.
Now this is going into spoiler territory.
Asha gets a spear named Frost. Either she’ll be able to wield it or it’ll kill her. Well, she’s able to wield it. Except, when she’s using it during the final battle, it truly feels like the spear is doing all the work. After an unknown amount of time training with it, what seems to be happening is Frost doing things and she’s just wielding it.
There’s also a part where a villainous character is mentioned as he relates to the big bad. He then shows up and is like “I’m here for your soul big bad” and that was a total left field moment.
It’s hard to rate because I don’t want to knock it for things I as an adult could see coming. But there are what feels like some genuine issues here.
Maybe it’s meant for 9/10 year olds.
For this, I’m giving it 3 stars out of 5.
I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks tot hem and the publisher.
December 7, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Asha lives on the continent of Alkebulan (the ancient name for Africa), where everyone gets an identifying mark when they come of age. She lives with a group of performing travelers including griots, fortune-tellers, and illusionists, since Suna took her in as a foundling. When her symbol ends up being somewhat unusual, Suna writes to a friend, Rima, to inquire about the sacred baobab tree now present on Asha's skin. Before she gets an answer, however, the community is attacked by minions of the Shrike. The results are devastating, and leave Asha and Obo, a former warrior from Enkolia, as the only survivors. They set off to locate the Underground Kingdom "where the black flowers bloom" that Suna has advised Asha to seek. They are accompanied by Sprix, who is running away from his father and has some magical secrets of his own, as well as Rima, who comes to find them after she hears about Suna's fate. Along the way, they meet various fellow creatures, like the talking Gazella who let them travel along their protected path, violent dragonflies, and more of the Shrike's forces. They finally arrive and meet the Aziza people of the Baobab circle, from whom Asha is descended. Their leader, Pulligan, greets Asha as their queen, and shares with her her heritage. The Shrike is indeed after her for complicated reasons I don't want to spoil. Will Asha be able to embrace her new role with the Aziza, and solve some of the mysteries of her past.
Strengths: This was a fast-paced, classically constructed middle grade fantasy, complete with foundling main character who ends up being the chosen one, a journey across a difficult magical landscape with a supportive crew of friends with various powers, and a fight against the forces of evil. Asha is a sympathetic and compelling character who reluctantly embraces her fate; this reminded me rather strongly of Taran's journey in Alexander's 1964 The Book of Three. It's tough to get the pacing just right on these fantasy quests, but Smith does a good job of moving the story along while also richly describing the environment and characters. There have been a lot of excellent magical academy books with Black characters lately, but we needed a good hero's quest. Asha's fits the bill nicely.
Weaknesses: In his author's notes, Smith mentions that he was a big fan of classic fantasy like Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, but that he wanted something more reflective of his own culture than he was finding in those Anglo-Celtic myths. I would have liked a few notes on the myths and legends; it's something I wish more fantasy books in general would include. This did have a few inclusions of faeries and seelies that seemed a bit at odds with the predominately African setting; the red fox on the cover is Sprix in shapeshifting mode. Young readers won't overthink the connections the way I do, but will just enjoy the story.
What I really think: This seems like it could be a stand alone, and I'd love to see more culturally connected fantasies that aren't in long series. My students aren't huge fantasy readers, and while they might pick up one book, like Traoré's Children of the Quicksands, I haven't been able to get them to read series, like the very well written and interesting Rick Riordan Presents books. It's great to see fantasy reflecting more cultures, and so I do stock up on the books while they are available. I just wish more students read fantasy.
Asha lives on the continent of Alkebulan (the ancient name for Africa), where everyone gets an identifying mark when they come of age. She lives with a group of performing travelers including griots, fortune-tellers, and illusionists, since Suna took her in as a foundling. When her symbol ends up being somewhat unusual, Suna writes to a friend, Rima, to inquire about the sacred baobab tree now present on Asha's skin. Before she gets an answer, however, the community is attacked by minions of the Shrike. The results are devastating, and leave Asha and Obo, a former warrior from Enkolia, as the only survivors. They set off to locate the Underground Kingdom "where the black flowers bloom" that Suna has advised Asha to seek. They are accompanied by Sprix, who is running away from his father and has some magical secrets of his own, as well as Rima, who comes to find them after she hears about Suna's fate. Along the way, they meet various fellow creatures, like the talking Gazella who let them travel along their protected path, violent dragonflies, and more of the Shrike's forces. They finally arrive and meet the Aziza people of the Baobab circle, from whom Asha is descended. Their leader, Pulligan, greets Asha as their queen, and shares with her her heritage. The Shrike is indeed after her for complicated reasons I don't want to spoil. Will Asha be able to embrace her new role with the Aziza, and solve some of the mysteries of her past.
Strengths: This was a fast-paced, classically constructed middle grade fantasy, complete with foundling main character who ends up being the chosen one, a journey across a difficult magical landscape with a supportive crew of friends with various powers, and a fight against the forces of evil. Asha is a sympathetic and compelling character who reluctantly embraces her fate; this reminded me rather strongly of Taran's journey in Alexander's 1964 The Book of Three. It's tough to get the pacing just right on these fantasy quests, but Smith does a good job of moving the story along while also richly describing the environment and characters. There have been a lot of excellent magical academy books with Black characters lately, but we needed a good hero's quest. Asha's fits the bill nicely.
Weaknesses: In his author's notes, Smith mentions that he was a big fan of classic fantasy like Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, but that he wanted something more reflective of his own culture than he was finding in those Anglo-Celtic myths. I would have liked a few notes on the myths and legends; it's something I wish more fantasy books in general would include. This did have a few inclusions of faeries and seelies that seemed a bit at odds with the predominately African setting; the red fox on the cover is Sprix in shapeshifting mode. Young readers won't overthink the connections the way I do, but will just enjoy the story.
What I really think: This seems like it could be a stand alone, and I'd love to see more culturally connected fantasies that aren't in long series. My students aren't huge fantasy readers, and while they might pick up one book, like Traoré's Children of the Quicksands, I haven't been able to get them to read series, like the very well written and interesting Rick Riordan Presents books. It's great to see fantasy reflecting more cultures, and so I do stock up on the books while they are available. I just wish more students read fantasy.
April 16, 2026
This is an odd one for me! I liked the premise, the characters, and the overall* story.
*With this being a standalone, it makes sense that it needs to be rushed through a little. However, I think Smith may have sped up the wrong parts. There was a lot of narration, and it was really mostly them walking from one place to another. I would have preferred that be cut down and the fight scenes be longer. Said scenes weren't bad per se, but there wasn't any meat on their bones, if you will. They kinda all went the same way. Conflict -> spend two seconds fighting -> good guys win a page later. I can tell there was supposed to be hardship initially, like with Frost, but it was overcome too fast and too many times for how few there were. Additionally, I pretty much read it all in one sitting, but it might feel better if you didn't. Cause for me, the whole thing resolved in about two hours, without any time to reflect or hype it up.
The idea was neat, and the characters were cool, but they were another one that should have been done a bit more slowly. The reveal with Sprix was super cool, but he's known these people for like a day and a half so it didn't feel earned to me. With Suna, the bond almost didn't feel real because we only got to know her for like a chapter.
Three stars because I personally thought it was just okay. It's fairly slow-paced due to narration or walking being most of it, but the good things balanced the scales enough for me to put it in the middle. Not the worst book I've read, not the best book I've read.
*With this being a standalone, it makes sense that it needs to be rushed through a little. However, I think Smith may have sped up the wrong parts. There was a lot of narration, and it was really mostly them walking from one place to another. I would have preferred that be cut down and the fight scenes be longer. Said scenes weren't bad per se, but there wasn't any meat on their bones, if you will. They kinda all went the same way. Conflict -> spend two seconds fighting -> good guys win a page later. I can tell there was supposed to be hardship initially, like with Frost, but it was overcome too fast and too many times for how few there were. Additionally, I pretty much read it all in one sitting, but it might feel better if you didn't. Cause for me, the whole thing resolved in about two hours, without any time to reflect or hype it up.
The idea was neat, and the characters were cool, but they were another one that should have been done a bit more slowly. The reveal with Sprix was super cool, but he's known these people for like a day and a half so it didn't feel earned to me. With Suna, the bond almost didn't feel real because we only got to know her for like a chapter.
Three stars because I personally thought it was just okay. It's fairly slow-paced due to narration or walking being most of it, but the good things balanced the scales enough for me to put it in the middle. Not the worst book I've read, not the best book I've read.
January 31, 2023
Thanks again Clarion Books and NetGalley for the eARC to read in exchange for an honest review!
Where the Black Flowers Bloom is a whirlwind fantasy that has the classic overpowered, chosen one trope enriched by otherworldly magic, found family goodness, fantastical creatures, and the fierce heart of a young warrior to be.
This alternate ancient African world is really interesting and stands out in cool ways. The story builds upon a strong foundation and kept me curious as to what would happen next. The cast of characters have strong voices and personalities and make great contributions to the quest.
However, I felt disconnected from the characters and by what was happening during some parts of the story. Almost like a spectator but I still wanted to see things through. And as I was reading, the writing felt…sparse? I’m not quite sure how to fully articulate it, but it was as if something was missing to tie things together and make scenes fuller, more detailed. I wanted more from the story.
While I found it difficult to shake these feelings, I do think Where the Black Flowers Bloom is an appealing fantasy adventure that is worth the read.
Where the Black Flowers Bloom is a whirlwind fantasy that has the classic overpowered, chosen one trope enriched by otherworldly magic, found family goodness, fantastical creatures, and the fierce heart of a young warrior to be.
This alternate ancient African world is really interesting and stands out in cool ways. The story builds upon a strong foundation and kept me curious as to what would happen next. The cast of characters have strong voices and personalities and make great contributions to the quest.
However, I felt disconnected from the characters and by what was happening during some parts of the story. Almost like a spectator but I still wanted to see things through. And as I was reading, the writing felt…sparse? I’m not quite sure how to fully articulate it, but it was as if something was missing to tie things together and make scenes fuller, more detailed. I wanted more from the story.
While I found it difficult to shake these feelings, I do think Where the Black Flowers Bloom is an appealing fantasy adventure that is worth the read.
May 16, 2023
This is a terrific stand-alone fantasy from the author of The Owls Have Come to Take Us Away. Asha, who lives with a troupe of traveling entertainers, is nervous for her "Telling Day '' when a young person comes of age and learns the path for their life. The mark that appears on Asha's back during the ceremony is unlike any she knows and its revelation brings about an unwelcome turn of events as her troupe is attacked and people dear to her are killed. This sets off a chain of events in which Asha learns she is an empress, and the time has come for her to fulfill a prophecy. Smith does an excellent job in building a magical world full of suspense. There is enough explanation for readers to follow the story without confusion, but not so much that the action is bogged down with background. The plot moves forward briskly and reaches a satisfying conclusion. Hard core fantasy readers may find the elements and world building to be too light; on the other hand, this is an excellent choice for readers who are interested in fantasy but aren't ready for the commitment of a longer novel or a full series.
Recommended for grades 4-6.
Recommended for grades 4-6.
July 2, 2024
The story follows twelve-year-old Asha, an orphan raised by Madame S, the owner of a traveling carnival. When ghoulish creatures attack and fatally wound Madame S, her dying words to Asha are, “Seek the Underground Kingdom, where the black flowers bloom.” These cryptic instructions set Asha on a thrilling quest to protect her people and thwart an ancient evil.
As Asha embarks on her journey, she uncovers startling secrets about the family she never knew and begins to discover her own latent powers. The novel is a tale of self-discovery, bravery, and the quest to find one's place in the world while facing formidable adversaries.
I thought it was written really well and I liked the refreshing, non-Eurocentric cast and storyline. However, the plot and characterization feel rushed, and the story lacks the necessary development to fully immerse the reader. There is a sense that the novel could have benefited from more fleshed-out elements, providing a richer and more satisfying narrative. Despite these shortcomings, the novel's unique setting and the protagonist's compelling journey make it an engaging read, leaving readers wishing for more.
As Asha embarks on her journey, she uncovers startling secrets about the family she never knew and begins to discover her own latent powers. The novel is a tale of self-discovery, bravery, and the quest to find one's place in the world while facing formidable adversaries.
I thought it was written really well and I liked the refreshing, non-Eurocentric cast and storyline. However, the plot and characterization feel rushed, and the story lacks the necessary development to fully immerse the reader. There is a sense that the novel could have benefited from more fleshed-out elements, providing a richer and more satisfying narrative. Despite these shortcomings, the novel's unique setting and the protagonist's compelling journey make it an engaging read, leaving readers wishing for more.
February 23, 2023
2.5
Unfortunately this one didn't really work for me.
I didn't really like Asha. She seemed to think that she deserved to have everybody tell her everything whenever she wanted and it was annoying.
Asha didn't seem to really care much about her parents until they got mentioned, and then she was acting like she knew she'd find them all along and of course they were alive.
Constantly calling a child "Empress" despite her constantly telling everybody to not do that felt gross.
Something was lacking for me overall, but I'm not sure what.
It was nice to have adults along on the adventure. This might be the first book I've read where it isn't just children going out to do dangerous things on their own.
While I didn't particularly like this one, I think older kids will really enjoy it.
Unfortunately this one didn't really work for me.
I didn't really like Asha. She seemed to think that she deserved to have everybody tell her everything whenever she wanted and it was annoying.
Asha didn't seem to really care much about her parents until they got mentioned, and then she was acting like she knew she'd find them all along and of course they were alive.
Constantly calling a child "Empress" despite her constantly telling everybody to not do that felt gross.
Something was lacking for me overall, but I'm not sure what.
It was nice to have adults along on the adventure. This might be the first book I've read where it isn't just children going out to do dangerous things on their own.
While I didn't particularly like this one, I think older kids will really enjoy it.
April 30, 2023
Students are going to love the adventure and the magical lore woven through this book; I know I did. Asha is a wonderful character who has such courage and desire to do what is needed even when she has no idea how to make that happen. The variety of characters in this book is wonderful and they all lend something else to Asha's development. It was a book I read from start to finish in a few hours because I had to know what was happening since I was hooked. My only disappointment is that I don't see plans for a sequel and I want to know more about what happens to the Aziza now that the Shrike is gone!
April 7, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. I brought this home for spring break because I have been eyeing it for months. Asha, who has been raised in a traveling troupe, is finally marked on her thirteenth birthday. But her mark isn’t one of the Five, but that of a baobab tree and an ancient bloodline. As an attack claims the life of her guardian, she urges Asha to go where the black flowers bloom. Asha sets off with the only other remaining troupe member, and a tagalong shapeshifter, to discover her legacy. I like the short length, and I’m interested to see how this one goes over with book talks. Recommended for grades 5-8.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2024
Kenosha Public Library family book club book for February 2024!
Twelve year old Asha is an orphan raised by Madame S, proprietor of a traveling carnival. Before Madame S dies, she tells Asha, “Seek the Underground Kingdom where the black flowers bloom.” Asha is launched into a journey to protect her people and stop an ancient evil.
I don’t care for fantasy and did not find this book captivating at all. It gets a “meh” from me.
Twelve year old Asha is an orphan raised by Madame S, proprietor of a traveling carnival. Before Madame S dies, she tells Asha, “Seek the Underground Kingdom where the black flowers bloom.” Asha is launched into a journey to protect her people and stop an ancient evil.
I don’t care for fantasy and did not find this book captivating at all. It gets a “meh” from me.
May 2, 2023
In some ways it started of as a typical quest novel where the MC had powers that they didn't know about and didn't know why(aw shucks, why me?) But it was a nice story and you had reason to root for the MC. This book is rated for middle grade, which is a fair assessment, but I feel like it does cater more toward the younger people in that age group.
April 2, 2024
3.5 *'s
Lots of action, fast pace, saving the world...with moments of warmth and connection too.
Asha is a very strong young lady and the world she lives in is full of magic and lots of different creatures trying to live in harmony (as well as a few baddies)...
Asha has to move quickly and depend on friends and make decisions- showing her readers a path to navigate their own lives.
Lots of action, fast pace, saving the world...with moments of warmth and connection too.
Asha is a very strong young lady and the world she lives in is full of magic and lots of different creatures trying to live in harmony (as well as a few baddies)...
Asha has to move quickly and depend on friends and make decisions- showing her readers a path to navigate their own lives.
December 15, 2024
Promising premise doesn't deliver
I was really hoping this story could be a good connection of African lore to my middle school students but I think the short sentence structures and lack of detail or depth written makes this more boring than the premise suggests. Or at least less clear than something like Percy Jackson.
I was really hoping this story could be a good connection of African lore to my middle school students but I think the short sentence structures and lack of detail or depth written makes this more boring than the premise suggests. Or at least less clear than something like Percy Jackson.
February 7, 2025
Very very sad I don’t cry on books and I almost cried on this book. I just couldn’t believe what happened and it was so sad and I was so sad for her and I just really wanted a better life for her. It was happy at the end, but it just wasn’t as happy as it could be. I do prefer this book to everybody read this.
May 8, 2026
I wanted a fun middle grade black girl fantasy. This was just fine. The writing leaned on too many over used tropes and only had one phrase for surprise and frustration that was repeated far too often. The magic system was weak. I think middle grade would like this just fine, but there are definitely better ones out there.
January 3, 2023
A fun, fast-paced adventure story filled with magic, friendship, and family. I loved the folktale vibes and the intriguing world that Smith created. And I was especially fond of the diverse and quirky characters.
This was a very good read that kept me intrigued all the way from the first page until the very end.
This was a very good read that kept me intrigued all the way from the first page until the very end.
January 26, 2023
This very exciting and straightforward adventure story about Asha finding her power and her family will thrill middle grade readers. Here's my full review: https://imtanner.blogspot.com/2023/01...
April 21, 2023
This is a book that is probably targeted towards middle schoolers. It is the story of a young girl who is an orphan. She goes through a tribal ceremony and ends up with a symbol that isn't recognized. For me, the book was just there. I suspect middle schoolers might enjoy it more.
June 19, 2023
A great story for upper elementary students. The recommendation is for ages 8-12. I think the vocabulary is appropriate for that age group, but some of the themes and events might be too heavy/scary for some kids.
August 24, 2023
this story was great. it felt a tad bit rushed, but since the audience is young readers it was probably on purpose, so it doesn’t lose their interest. the world in the story was magical and I think this will be a perfect book for readers who enjoy fantasy novels.
December 13, 2024
Shorter side. Fast read. Killing of caregivers is so sad for middle grade quest/fantasy. This story seems really familiar and a tiny bit new.
I like the heroine quest not magic fantasy in this one. The supporting characters were engaging.
I like the heroine quest not magic fantasy in this one. The supporting characters were engaging.
February 12, 2025
This started out strong, but completely lost me by the end. I think if it has maybe been a bit longer and taken time to develop the relationships between Asha and her friends as well as some of the lore and backstory, it would have felt less rushed at the end.
Did Not Finish
March 9, 2023First dnf of the year.
Want to Read
April 11, 2023I loved it only thing is I thought could have been more detail especially at the end
April 18, 2023
Very creative fantasy novel. I got a Lord of the Rings/Willow vibe from it. The main character, Asha, is a strong female who learns of an ancient power she was born with. Very enjoyable.
February 19, 2024
Not the book for me.
September 16, 2024
Yes, I loved this book . She came and understood the assignment and conquered yes, I am here for it.
October 1, 2024
Loved this quick read. The ending was abrupt but the plot was captivating. Suggested grades 3 and up
December 11, 2024
Just not for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews