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Last Gate of the Emperor #1
Last Gate of the Emperor
From Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel David Makonnen comes an Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this epic journey to the stars.
Yared Heywat lives an isolated life in Addis Prime -- a hardscrabble city with rundown tech, lots of rules, and not much to do. His worrywart Uncle Moti and bionic lioness Besa are his only family... and his only friends.
Often in trouble for his thrill-seeking antics and wisecracking sense of humor, those same qualities make Yared a star player of the underground augmented reality game, The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. But when a change in the game rules prompts Yared to log in with his real name, it triggers an attack that rocks the city. In the chaos, Uncle Moti disappears.
Suddenly, all the stories Yared's uncle told him as a young boy are coming to life, of kingdoms in the sky and city-razing monsters. And somehow Yared is at the center of them.
Together with Besa and the Ibis -- a game rival turned reluctant ally -- Yared must search for his uncle... and answers to his place in a forgotten, galaxy-spanning war.
Yared Heywat lives an isolated life in Addis Prime -- a hardscrabble city with rundown tech, lots of rules, and not much to do. His worrywart Uncle Moti and bionic lioness Besa are his only family... and his only friends.
Often in trouble for his thrill-seeking antics and wisecracking sense of humor, those same qualities make Yared a star player of the underground augmented reality game, The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. But when a change in the game rules prompts Yared to log in with his real name, it triggers an attack that rocks the city. In the chaos, Uncle Moti disappears.
Suddenly, all the stories Yared's uncle told him as a young boy are coming to life, of kingdoms in the sky and city-razing monsters. And somehow Yared is at the center of them.
Together with Besa and the Ibis -- a game rival turned reluctant ally -- Yared must search for his uncle... and answers to his place in a forgotten, galaxy-spanning war.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2021
61 people are currently reading
2945 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
April 21, 2021
This book was a great read! Right away, I enjoyed the humor. Since the story was futuristic, I loved the floating market as well as outer space adventures. Yared, the main character, sounded like a confident kid. He knew multiple languages and knew his way around authorities. He thought highly of himself because he called himself Yared the Great. I liked "the Ibis" who was Yared's competitor in the augmented reality games. Yared's only friend was the bionic cat so it was fun to read him stumble himself in teamwork and friendship with another kid his own age. I liked when Yared's other competitors come together.
This book started with an interview between an auditor and Yared. The interview spread out throughout the story. Then the story began with Yared giving a presentation in class. Yared and his uncle/guardian Moti moved around often. Yared took lessons to self defense himself if he had to, encouraged by his uncle, except Yared think his uncle was unintentionally giving him skills to survive in his thrill seeking/trouble making activities. Currently his rule breaking is skipping school so he could join in The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk, an augmented reality tournament. He's accompanied by his partner in crime, the bionic cat and his best friend. There are securities all over the place so among his plans was to hide in the garbage chute but the downside was that the garbage being dumped all over him. This tournament was against the rules so it took place in a secret location. When Yared arrived, he found the game required new registration and this time, he's to partnered up. He didn't like that, but worse, someone else showed up where he thought that person belonged in stories his uncle told. From there, Yared was led on an adventure where he discover more than he expected.
Last Gate of the Emperor was well written and an adventurous read. There were a few twists that I was not expecting and I liked it. Yared's chatty personality was actually funny at times. I enjoyed reading the author's afterword and acknowledgment. I think this story can be relatable to many kids who are adopted because they would be growing up and wondering who their biological parents were. I liked that Yared has a drive for something even if it's to break the rules to do it. It's also cool that the story was based on Ethiopia. I do recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to Scholastic for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book started with an interview between an auditor and Yared. The interview spread out throughout the story. Then the story began with Yared giving a presentation in class. Yared and his uncle/guardian Moti moved around often. Yared took lessons to self defense himself if he had to, encouraged by his uncle, except Yared think his uncle was unintentionally giving him skills to survive in his thrill seeking/trouble making activities. Currently his rule breaking is skipping school so he could join in The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk, an augmented reality tournament. He's accompanied by his partner in crime, the bionic cat and his best friend. There are securities all over the place so among his plans was to hide in the garbage chute but the downside was that the garbage being dumped all over him. This tournament was against the rules so it took place in a secret location. When Yared arrived, he found the game required new registration and this time, he's to partnered up. He didn't like that, but worse, someone else showed up where he thought that person belonged in stories his uncle told. From there, Yared was led on an adventure where he discover more than he expected.
Last Gate of the Emperor was well written and an adventurous read. There were a few twists that I was not expecting and I liked it. Yared's chatty personality was actually funny at times. I enjoyed reading the author's afterword and acknowledgment. I think this story can be relatable to many kids who are adopted because they would be growing up and wondering who their biological parents were. I liked that Yared has a drive for something even if it's to break the rules to do it. It's also cool that the story was based on Ethiopia. I do recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to Scholastic for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
October 12, 2023
Take Afrofuturist fiction and mix it with Ethiopian culture and history, and you get Last Gate of the Emperor, a super fun space adventure that I had SO SO much fun reading!
- Follows Yared, a Black boy who lives in Addis Prime with his uncle and is a star player in an augmented reality game, called The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. One day during a game, the rules change - and suddenly his city comes under attack, leading him on a journey to find his missing uncle and a forgotten war.
- I loved how this story intertwines Ethiopian history and culture with space adventure and science-fiction. I loved the rich world created, and it was so much fun to explore.
- The humour in this book is so good! Yared was a wonderful protagonist and was so witty and clever. Young readers especially will enjoy his energetic and wry voice.
- The story is also incredibly fast-paced, the story simple with enough detail to engage; perfect for readers looking for an entertaining read that they will fly right through!
Content warning: mild fantasy violence
- Follows Yared, a Black boy who lives in Addis Prime with his uncle and is a star player in an augmented reality game, called The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. One day during a game, the rules change - and suddenly his city comes under attack, leading him on a journey to find his missing uncle and a forgotten war.
- I loved how this story intertwines Ethiopian history and culture with space adventure and science-fiction. I loved the rich world created, and it was so much fun to explore.
- The humour in this book is so good! Yared was a wonderful protagonist and was so witty and clever. Young readers especially will enjoy his energetic and wry voice.
- The story is also incredibly fast-paced, the story simple with enough detail to engage; perfect for readers looking for an entertaining read that they will fly right through!
Content warning: mild fantasy violence
June 28, 2022
Oh man, this one was WAY more fun than I was expecting.
I absolutely loved the nonstop action and the concept of the game, space, and political intrigue.
Since this one has a series title, I am excited to continue reading. I will continue on in this series.
Yared Heywat was a great character, and I loved Besa and her sassy personality.
The end was a bit rushed, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I highly recommend it for middle grade and up.
I absolutely loved the nonstop action and the concept of the game, space, and political intrigue.
Since this one has a series title, I am excited to continue reading. I will continue on in this series.
Yared Heywat was a great character, and I loved Besa and her sassy personality.
The end was a bit rushed, but it was still a quick and enjoyable read.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. I highly recommend it for middle grade and up.
May 4, 2021
Last gate of the Emperor is a propulsive sci-fi adventure set in an Afrofuturistic city, perfect for fans of The Black Panther's Wakanda. This story deftly weaves vital issues like home, belonging, and family with fast-paced action and adventure and a generous serving of humor. Readers who enjoy middle grade action and adventure stories, sci-fi, or middle grade books set in Africa will enjoy this tale and what it represents.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to Scholastic for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to Scholastic for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2021
Underwhelming Action
This book offers great representation and is packed with action, but even with those two ingredients for success falls flat. For such an involved high sci-fi, there needs to be a lot more explanation of the world building than there is. Who are the Werari and why are they trying to defeat Axum? Has Axum been in hiding for so long that the regular planet has completely forgot about them? There is no explanation how an entire society can live in secret. And who is the Authority and why do they care so much about what seems like small-fry policing? Are they connected to the Werari? Something different? Time and time again elements of the world were dropped without explanation, leaving me to fill in the gaps on my own. Add on top of that the sheer number of continuity errors, this book generated more confusion than anything else for me.
This book offers great representation and is packed with action, but even with those two ingredients for success falls flat. For such an involved high sci-fi, there needs to be a lot more explanation of the world building than there is. Who are the Werari and why are they trying to defeat Axum? Has Axum been in hiding for so long that the regular planet has completely forgot about them? There is no explanation how an entire society can live in secret. And who is the Authority and why do they care so much about what seems like small-fry policing? Are they connected to the Werari? Something different? Time and time again elements of the world were dropped without explanation, leaving me to fill in the gaps on my own. Add on top of that the sheer number of continuity errors, this book generated more confusion than anything else for me.
March 2, 2022
This one was a lot of fun! It reminded me of Ready Player One, a bit of Warcross, and with the action, humor, and heart of Percy Jackson. Even though it’s a middle grade some of the sci fi stuff and the story line was really intricate and I didn’t feel like I fully understood it all. But that’s okay. I just had fun rooting for Yared and the Ibis definitely was the real reason he was able to do everything, amirite?!?!! I was also fascinated by the authors note at the end discussing the parallels with Prince Joel’s life and the history. All in all, this one was a joy to listen to.
September 7, 2021
Take the history and lore of Ethiopia and give it a sci-fi spin, including a bionic lioness and an illegal (but epic) augemented reality game.
September 21, 2024
Middle grade afrofuturism!? Heck yes ! I read this book at the behest of my 10yo son. I love that he's reading books like this and loving them.
April 28, 2021
This book review is originally posted in What Polly Reads. A review copy was provided by the publisher as I'm a part of the book blog tour but this does not affect my opinion on the book.
When I started reading Last Gate of the Emperor, I thought it was gonna be just a middle-grade science fiction with bits of adventures here and there. Oh, boy was I wrong.
Yared is a smart kid who can be viewed as a "problem student" in school. But as I read through his story, I realized that he's just another kid longing for a real family, craving for a mother's touch, because, since the beginning, it has always been just him and his Uncle Moti. Following his adventure is truly engaging. I love how it was written in the first-person point of view because we really got to see Yared's adventure through his eyes. I'd like to say that this book is character-driven and I actually really liked that. Since the target audience of this book are those aged 8-12, the authors did a great job ensuring that these kids would really enjoy following through Yared's adventure by making this book read like a "friend's diary".
Last Gate of the Emperor started off action-packed and it continued to drop all the action all throughout the story.
I love how this book is one hell of a rollercoaster ride! For a middle-grade, it sure has a lot of action to keep the readers engaged with it. I can't think of another middle-grade novel that is as action-packed as this book is. I think it's really a good choice to include so much action in this book to inspire the readers' creativity and imagination. Even as an adult, this book got me thinking and imagining what each technology in here looks like and how it could "probably" work. Having said this, I think it's obvious that the writing style of the authors is so vivid and that they really took time to describe everything and everyone very clearly.
It started off with ACTION, ACTION, ACTION, and ended up with FEELS, FEELS, FEELS.
The thing with Last Gate of the Emperor is it is not only action-packed but it is also filled with plot twists. I literally did not know what to believe anymore when I got halfway through it. I think that Yared is also really confused with what the truth and what isn't anymore. Imagine discovering that everything you thought, or everything that was said to you since you were a kid, to be just "stories" or "tales" are actually real. But then something happens and then you become confused again and think, "What?! Is this REALLY real or NOT REAL??" Truth be told, the build-up to the final revelation was done good and that's when emotions started to just flow endlessly! Nevertheless, this book is full of twists and turns that you would just want to keep reading to discover what the truth is.
Overall, Last Gate of the Emperor is a great middle-grade science fiction book. It is perfect for all ages, from middle grade to young adults to adults because it has an amazing character arc, lovely found family trope, and the plot is full of twists and turns!
When I started reading Last Gate of the Emperor, I thought it was gonna be just a middle-grade science fiction with bits of adventures here and there. Oh, boy was I wrong.
Yared is a smart kid who can be viewed as a "problem student" in school. But as I read through his story, I realized that he's just another kid longing for a real family, craving for a mother's touch, because, since the beginning, it has always been just him and his Uncle Moti. Following his adventure is truly engaging. I love how it was written in the first-person point of view because we really got to see Yared's adventure through his eyes. I'd like to say that this book is character-driven and I actually really liked that. Since the target audience of this book are those aged 8-12, the authors did a great job ensuring that these kids would really enjoy following through Yared's adventure by making this book read like a "friend's diary".
Last Gate of the Emperor started off action-packed and it continued to drop all the action all throughout the story.
I love how this book is one hell of a rollercoaster ride! For a middle-grade, it sure has a lot of action to keep the readers engaged with it. I can't think of another middle-grade novel that is as action-packed as this book is. I think it's really a good choice to include so much action in this book to inspire the readers' creativity and imagination. Even as an adult, this book got me thinking and imagining what each technology in here looks like and how it could "probably" work. Having said this, I think it's obvious that the writing style of the authors is so vivid and that they really took time to describe everything and everyone very clearly.
It started off with ACTION, ACTION, ACTION, and ended up with FEELS, FEELS, FEELS.
The thing with Last Gate of the Emperor is it is not only action-packed but it is also filled with plot twists. I literally did not know what to believe anymore when I got halfway through it. I think that Yared is also really confused with what the truth and what isn't anymore. Imagine discovering that everything you thought, or everything that was said to you since you were a kid, to be just "stories" or "tales" are actually real. But then something happens and then you become confused again and think, "What?! Is this REALLY real or NOT REAL??" Truth be told, the build-up to the final revelation was done good and that's when emotions started to just flow endlessly! Nevertheless, this book is full of twists and turns that you would just want to keep reading to discover what the truth is.
Overall, Last Gate of the Emperor is a great middle-grade science fiction book. It is perfect for all ages, from middle grade to young adults to adults because it has an amazing character arc, lovely found family trope, and the plot is full of twists and turns!
May 4, 2021
Happy book birthday to this fabulous Afrofuturistic MG stunner!
🎉 @mbalia1 @princeyoel 🎉
Thx to @scholasticinc for the ARC.
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Yared lives with his uncle and his bionic lioness Besa but *really* lives for competing in an AI game called The Hunt. One day the rules change and he is forced to log in with his real name instead of his alias. Somehow this triggers an attack in the city and Yared is forced to escape with his nemesis, Ibis. Suddenly all the stories Yared’s uncle told him in childhood appear to be more than fiction.
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Kwame Mbalia (Tristan punches a hole series!) has teamed up with Prince Joel Makonnen of Ethiopia to write this fast-paced futuristic sci-fi novel set in Africa and outer space, but based in Ethiopian legend and history. Must buy!
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#middleschoollibrarian #middleschoollibrary #library #librarian #futurereadylibs #iteachlibrary #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #librariansofinstagram #librariesfollowlibraries #librarylife #librarianlife #schoollibrarian #middlegrade #middlegradebooks #iteach #librarylove #booksbooksbooks #amreading #bibliophile #schoollibrariansrock #bookreview #bookrecommendation #igreads #malibrary #msla #mediaspecialist
🎉 @mbalia1 @princeyoel 🎉
Thx to @scholasticinc for the ARC.
.
.
.
Yared lives with his uncle and his bionic lioness Besa but *really* lives for competing in an AI game called The Hunt. One day the rules change and he is forced to log in with his real name instead of his alias. Somehow this triggers an attack in the city and Yared is forced to escape with his nemesis, Ibis. Suddenly all the stories Yared’s uncle told him in childhood appear to be more than fiction.
.
.
.
Kwame Mbalia (Tristan punches a hole series!) has teamed up with Prince Joel Makonnen of Ethiopia to write this fast-paced futuristic sci-fi novel set in Africa and outer space, but based in Ethiopian legend and history. Must buy!
.
.
.
#middleschoollibrarian #middleschoollibrary #library #librarian #futurereadylibs #iteachlibrary #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram #librariansofinstagram #librariesfollowlibraries #librarylife #librarianlife #schoollibrarian #middlegrade #middlegradebooks #iteach #librarylove #booksbooksbooks #amreading #bibliophile #schoollibrariansrock #bookreview #bookrecommendation #igreads #malibrary #msla #mediaspecialist
March 11, 2021
Guest Review!
"In this book, the main character Yared moves from town to town but has a normal life, until he sneaks out of his school for HKO games. Then when he logins in his real name because of rule changes, the city is attacked and his uncle disappears. He finds himself working with his bionic lioness Bessa and his HKO rival, The Ibis, to save his uncle. They find a dangerous enemy and a monster on the way. When Yared discovers his past, everyone is shocked by it.
It was a very interesting book full of surprises, secrets, and action. I liked The Ibis best because she got Yared out of trouble multiple times and was sensible and smart during the book. I would recommend this book to people who like action, surprises, a little suspense and fantasy."
Disclaimer: This ARC was won in a Goodreads giveaway. This is the recipient's honest and voluntary review.
"In this book, the main character Yared moves from town to town but has a normal life, until he sneaks out of his school for HKO games. Then when he logins in his real name because of rule changes, the city is attacked and his uncle disappears. He finds himself working with his bionic lioness Bessa and his HKO rival, The Ibis, to save his uncle. They find a dangerous enemy and a monster on the way. When Yared discovers his past, everyone is shocked by it.
It was a very interesting book full of surprises, secrets, and action. I liked The Ibis best because she got Yared out of trouble multiple times and was sensible and smart during the book. I would recommend this book to people who like action, surprises, a little suspense and fantasy."
Disclaimer: This ARC was won in a Goodreads giveaway. This is the recipient's honest and voluntary review.
October 10, 2022
Action filled sci fi with a Percy Jackson true destiny feel to it, perfect for middle grade and up. Set on another planet somewhere, with lots of futuristic technology, Yared lives with his uncle and is a bit of a gaming misfit, skipping school to register for the huge adventure gaming competition he leads the way in. A freak turn of events and it turns out his training has been for the real thing all along, only he and his rival have to join forces to get their city out of trouble. Quite a lot going on but moves fast and it looks like book two takes a trip to earth. Read the bit at the end by one of the authors Prince Joel Makonnen, an actual ancestor of the Ethiopian Solomonic dynasty. Interesting stuff.
April 29, 2021
Thank you to Scholastic Press for a copy to review!
This one is fun! Yared has the right amount of sass and irreverence that had me cackling. The Ibis was a perfect partner for him. And a snarky bionic lion? What a great trio. It’s non-stop action from the get-go. It doesn’t slow down either.
I felt like a little more emotional depth could have taken this to another level. I would have loved to hear more about the Ibis and her motivations. With such fun action happening, the book didn’t seem to find itself in the more setting/characterization realm.
But I still loved it! By the end I was whooping and rooting for Yared and company. I think plenty of kiddos will like this one too!
This one is fun! Yared has the right amount of sass and irreverence that had me cackling. The Ibis was a perfect partner for him. And a snarky bionic lion? What a great trio. It’s non-stop action from the get-go. It doesn’t slow down either.
I felt like a little more emotional depth could have taken this to another level. I would have loved to hear more about the Ibis and her motivations. With such fun action happening, the book didn’t seem to find itself in the more setting/characterization realm.
But I still loved it! By the end I was whooping and rooting for Yared and company. I think plenty of kiddos will like this one too!
January 15, 2022
For a book aimed at a younger audience, it was pretty good. If I were a teenager, I think I would have enjoyed it enormously. As an adult, I thought it was a little predictable, but I really enjoyed the world-building and the main character's inner thoughts. I'd never read any African sci-fi before, and I enjoyed it immensely. Lots of cultural references to a part of the world I've not spent any time in. Makes me interested to learn more.
August 30, 2023
A nice story with a beautiful foreword and some fun characters.
But I couldn't imagine the setting properly in my head (it was more like the video game "Stray", which is not accurate).
It has a nice ending and funny narration, but... it's a story that will not remain with me for long.
But I couldn't imagine the setting properly in my head (it was more like the video game "Stray", which is not accurate).
It has a nice ending and funny narration, but... it's a story that will not remain with me for long.
June 24, 2021
Suuuuper amazing narrator for this, I highly recommend listening if you can. I'm surprised this isn't going to be a series, but I like that it's a standalone.
to-read-childrens-middle-grade
August 19, 2021Put on hold 19%. This is HILARIOUS it just need to return to the library + not exactly...in the right mood for this book. Will def go back to it later though!
June 1, 2022
This was a fun book to read. A good story, not a great one. Lots of sarcasm by teens is not a plus for me. Bad behavior meant to be cool seems to only cause more bad behavior trying to be cool. Looking beyond that, the author tells a good story with characters well developed and consistent.
May 5, 2021
Review to come!
June 30, 2021
While the plot is hardly original, the protagonist of this fun MG space adventure makes up for that with his personality. Yared is confident, brash, vulnerable, brave, and mouthy, very relatable and realistic. I found his reactions to be very believable; he feels like a genuine kid, but also has all the makings of a fantasy hero. His relationships with Besa, the Ibis, and Uncle Moti were particularly well written.
Loved the world-building too! Now I'll definitely hunt down a book on the history of RL Ethiopia.
The villain was kind of generic, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment much.
Loved the world-building too! Now I'll definitely hunt down a book on the history of RL Ethiopia.
The villain was kind of generic, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment much.
May 4, 2021
The engaging cover portends an exciting sci-fi adventure, and the book definitely delivers one that will appeal to a wide audience. Yared is a rascally 12 year old who loves the augmented reality game that he plays with friends under the table. He lives with his Uncle Moti, his only family, along with his bionic lioness companion Besa, in the bustling metropolis of Addis Prime. I love the authors’ concept of this galactic Afro-futurist world, with “orbitals,” floating neighborhoods, farms and marketplaces, cool transportation via “skysails” and bionic creatures, all framed by Ethiopian history and culture. It’s a really inventive mashup of a warm, rich history with the new, tech future.
Pretty quickly Yared finds himself under attack by the legendary and feared Werari, and he must team up with his gaming nemesis the Ibis, a tech-genius kid his age, to figure out why he is being pursued, why Besa has been programmed with ultra-advanced mapping technology, and where the heck his Uncle Moti has gone. Why does it seem like all the ancient folktales Moti told him about Addis Prime seem to be coming to life? And is Moti really his Uncle?!
This is a break-neck sci-fi adventure with a great pairing: Yared, a boy who is a sensitive, loving strategist who grieves the family he never knew, and the Ibis, a girl tech genius who makes all of Yared’s ideas come to fruition. There are lots of powerful women and Besa, as a bionic pet/guardian, is a wonderful sidekick.
The collaboration between Mbalia and Makonnen, who is actually the great-grandson of Haile Selassie I, the last emperor of Ethiopia, has produced a dynamite story. I am pleased that it is a stand-alone title, although I would love to see more with this universe as the backdrop.
As a language lover, I would have loved a guide or glossary on which of the many non-English terms are from Amharic or other languages spoken in Ethiopia, or a combination of made up words and real language, or both.
Pretty quickly Yared finds himself under attack by the legendary and feared Werari, and he must team up with his gaming nemesis the Ibis, a tech-genius kid his age, to figure out why he is being pursued, why Besa has been programmed with ultra-advanced mapping technology, and where the heck his Uncle Moti has gone. Why does it seem like all the ancient folktales Moti told him about Addis Prime seem to be coming to life? And is Moti really his Uncle?!
This is a break-neck sci-fi adventure with a great pairing: Yared, a boy who is a sensitive, loving strategist who grieves the family he never knew, and the Ibis, a girl tech genius who makes all of Yared’s ideas come to fruition. There are lots of powerful women and Besa, as a bionic pet/guardian, is a wonderful sidekick.
The collaboration between Mbalia and Makonnen, who is actually the great-grandson of Haile Selassie I, the last emperor of Ethiopia, has produced a dynamite story. I am pleased that it is a stand-alone title, although I would love to see more with this universe as the backdrop.
As a language lover, I would have loved a guide or glossary on which of the many non-English terms are from Amharic or other languages spoken in Ethiopia, or a combination of made up words and real language, or both.
April 8, 2021
Thank you to Scholastic Press for the ARC
Last Gate of The Emperor is a story that will have young readers thoroughly entertained and enthralled. Characters who leap off the page as charming, snarky, and sharp witted. Our MC Yared Heywat, the Ibis (who should have her own stand alone book), and Yared’s bionic lioness Besa are what makes this story indelible. They work together every step of the way, having a few natural hiccups along the way. Linking them all together, a found family, when Yared felt like he had none.
Further, the descriptions flooded the senses. Readers will experience all the sensation of the sights and scents the moment Yared steps outside of his school walls. The scrumptious foods and the vibrant colors of a vividly imagined world, while keeping pace in trying to stay alive as monsters from myth try to take over Yared’s home.
With only a few minor pacing setbacks, Last Gate to the Emperor is a page turner. There were a couple of chapters that had drawn out exposition, explaining back story to the point it felt a bit stagnant. Though, I loved how the authors took a stab at using an interrogation format to introduce the story and lead to the present moment nearing the end. It gave Yared’s character even more appeal in his back-and-forth dialogue with the interrogator.
Find my full review on my Book Blog:https://sheafandink.com/2021/04/04/la...
Last Gate of The Emperor is a story that will have young readers thoroughly entertained and enthralled. Characters who leap off the page as charming, snarky, and sharp witted. Our MC Yared Heywat, the Ibis (who should have her own stand alone book), and Yared’s bionic lioness Besa are what makes this story indelible. They work together every step of the way, having a few natural hiccups along the way. Linking them all together, a found family, when Yared felt like he had none.
Further, the descriptions flooded the senses. Readers will experience all the sensation of the sights and scents the moment Yared steps outside of his school walls. The scrumptious foods and the vibrant colors of a vividly imagined world, while keeping pace in trying to stay alive as monsters from myth try to take over Yared’s home.
With only a few minor pacing setbacks, Last Gate to the Emperor is a page turner. There were a couple of chapters that had drawn out exposition, explaining back story to the point it felt a bit stagnant. Though, I loved how the authors took a stab at using an interrogation format to introduce the story and lead to the present moment nearing the end. It gave Yared’s character even more appeal in his back-and-forth dialogue with the interrogator.
Find my full review on my Book Blog:https://sheafandink.com/2021/04/04/la...
August 20, 2021
Wanted to love this but found much of the world building to be unnecessarily complicated.
June 2, 2021
I loved many things about this book. The amazingly detailed African setting, the resilience of storytelling and friendship and care even when lies are interwoven. The augmented reality game that taught real skills. Strong Black characters at every turn.
And I was really frustrated. I'm tired of orphans who are magically "the one," but something that frustrates me even more? Non-orphans whose parents magically reappear and love them desperately with little to no repercussions. Especially wealthy royalty magical parents.
I think about all the kids in foster care, with divorced parents, whose parents have died, who don't know who their parent(s) are. And I'm annoyed that a magical nuclear family is the happy ending for so many YA books. I would have preferred if his adopted uncle had stayed his main caretaker, and their love and family had been venerated. Let's tell stories that elevate and cherish the people who are there for our kids, who love and are present.
And I was really frustrated. I'm tired of orphans who are magically "the one," but something that frustrates me even more? Non-orphans whose parents magically reappear and love them desperately with little to no repercussions. Especially wealthy royalty magical parents.
I think about all the kids in foster care, with divorced parents, whose parents have died, who don't know who their parent(s) are. And I'm annoyed that a magical nuclear family is the happy ending for so many YA books. I would have preferred if his adopted uncle had stayed his main caretaker, and their love and family had been venerated. Let's tell stories that elevate and cherish the people who are there for our kids, who love and are present.
Want to read
November 22, 2020Are you kidding me?! An ownvoices middle grade book with Habesha main characters and I'm just finding out?!! 🥺🥺😭 I'm so excited!!!
July 26, 2022
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Overall
I feel like it’s pretty obvious by now that I will read anything and everything that Kwame Mbalia writes, ever since reading and loving the Tristan Strong series. So when I realized that he had a middle grade science fiction series, I was all over it! Plus, do you see how cool those covers look?! They promise all sorts of action and adventure . . . and let me tell you, these books deliver!
Last Gate of the Emperor series is a hilarious, rip-roaring science fiction adventure with a super relatable narrator, a cranky robotic guardian, and some fast-paced, video game-inspired action.
As far as I’m concerned, this series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys humor and science fiction. It has everything one might want in both: tongue-in-cheek humor and sarcasm, fast-paced action, a relatable protagonist, a super fun squad, and futuristic games! Science fiction is hit or miss for me, but I decided to just trust Mbalia’s writing and went with it, and I’m so glad I did! I’ll definitely be adding Prince Joel Makonnen to my “must-read” author list, as well, after this one.
My Thoughts
- Meet Yared TheGr8, your average 12-year-old, who maybe isn’t great at a lot of things, like school, but who’s really good at HKO, the augmented reality game that’s popular on his home planet of Addis Prime. Middle grade readers are sure to find Yared a relatable protagonist. I know I sure did. He’s being raised by his uncle, who moves them around a lot, so he never really gets the chance to get comfortable anywhere. Makes it maybe understandable why he doesn’t love school but does love HKO. I mean, who wouldn’t love an augmented reality game that lets you use your wits and strategy to outmaneuver your opponents against danger? Except, you know, maybe when that game becomes a little too real?
Yared is great because he’s as sarcastic as any 12-year-old has the right to be (which sometimes gets him into trouble), and he’s impulsive . . . but not necessarily in a bad way. Okay, sometimes definitely in a bad way. But also in ways that somehow work for him, because he isn’t just some guy who’s winging it and hoping for the best. He’s Yared TheGr8 . . . who’s winging it and expecting the best. See? Different.
- This latest round of HKO is slightly different and way more terrifying. Mostly because Yared actually needs *gasp* a partner! In case you didn’t know, Yared TheGr8 is a solo act. Save for his AI lioness named Besa, of course. But Besa doesn’t count (his words, not mine . . . Besa definitely counts in my book, because she’s awesome). So when the newest round of HKO releases and Yared realizes he needs a partner to enter it, imagine his shock! Especially when the system automatically pairs him up with his all-time rival, The Ibis.
Yared has absolutely no qualms about her being a girl. He does, however, have a big problem with her being The Ibis. You know, his greatest rival, not his partner. For her part, The Ibis isn’t entirely enthusiastic about the pairing, either, which is fair. Because it’s Yared. It’s a pretty understandable reaction.
I absolutely love this pairing, though. Non-romantic pairing, of course. What I mean is that Yared is impulsive and reactionary, throwing himself into things with the glimmer of a plan and hoping for the best. The Ibis is more cautionary and plans ahead, coming up with a strategy on the fly to counteract whatever boneheaded move Yared pulls. See? Balance. And that’s what life is all about.
- The Last Gate of the Emperor is absolutely chock full of action. It starts from the first page, as Yared sneaks out of school to attend the next round of HKO, and carries all the way through the book. Not so much action that the reader is left completely lost and begging for a break, of course. But enough where I definitely didn’t want to put the book down, because I was having so much fun! It’s the sort of action one might expect from a “game gone wrong” sort of book . . . especially when that game is an augmented reality one and the book is science fiction, with all sorts of high-tech gadgets and aliens. That means a lot can go wrong, obviously.
- At the heart of all the humor and action is actually a very heartwarming story about the family we’re born into and the family we choose. And there’s not always a difference between the two. In case you missed it, Yared has been raised by his uncle, with his parents simply . . . absent. His background and past is a big mystery, one that Uncle Moti refuses to elaborate on. Add that to the fact that they move around too often to set up roots, and Yared sometimes feels a bit lost. Even though he didn’t choose their new location on Addis Prime, and even though it’s not exactly ideal, Yared makes the best of it, and creates his own little squad with Uncle Moti, Besa, and The Ibis. Because family doesn’t always have to look one way. Sometimes it includes an AI and your greatest rival.
Overall
I feel like it’s pretty obvious by now that I will read anything and everything that Kwame Mbalia writes, ever since reading and loving the Tristan Strong series. So when I realized that he had a middle grade science fiction series, I was all over it! Plus, do you see how cool those covers look?! They promise all sorts of action and adventure . . . and let me tell you, these books deliver!
Last Gate of the Emperor series is a hilarious, rip-roaring science fiction adventure with a super relatable narrator, a cranky robotic guardian, and some fast-paced, video game-inspired action.
As far as I’m concerned, this series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys humor and science fiction. It has everything one might want in both: tongue-in-cheek humor and sarcasm, fast-paced action, a relatable protagonist, a super fun squad, and futuristic games! Science fiction is hit or miss for me, but I decided to just trust Mbalia’s writing and went with it, and I’m so glad I did! I’ll definitely be adding Prince Joel Makonnen to my “must-read” author list, as well, after this one.
My Thoughts
- Meet Yared TheGr8, your average 12-year-old, who maybe isn’t great at a lot of things, like school, but who’s really good at HKO, the augmented reality game that’s popular on his home planet of Addis Prime. Middle grade readers are sure to find Yared a relatable protagonist. I know I sure did. He’s being raised by his uncle, who moves them around a lot, so he never really gets the chance to get comfortable anywhere. Makes it maybe understandable why he doesn’t love school but does love HKO. I mean, who wouldn’t love an augmented reality game that lets you use your wits and strategy to outmaneuver your opponents against danger? Except, you know, maybe when that game becomes a little too real?
Yared is great because he’s as sarcastic as any 12-year-old has the right to be (which sometimes gets him into trouble), and he’s impulsive . . . but not necessarily in a bad way. Okay, sometimes definitely in a bad way. But also in ways that somehow work for him, because he isn’t just some guy who’s winging it and hoping for the best. He’s Yared TheGr8 . . . who’s winging it and expecting the best. See? Different.
- This latest round of HKO is slightly different and way more terrifying. Mostly because Yared actually needs *gasp* a partner! In case you didn’t know, Yared TheGr8 is a solo act. Save for his AI lioness named Besa, of course. But Besa doesn’t count (his words, not mine . . . Besa definitely counts in my book, because she’s awesome). So when the newest round of HKO releases and Yared realizes he needs a partner to enter it, imagine his shock! Especially when the system automatically pairs him up with his all-time rival, The Ibis.
Yared has absolutely no qualms about her being a girl. He does, however, have a big problem with her being The Ibis. You know, his greatest rival, not his partner. For her part, The Ibis isn’t entirely enthusiastic about the pairing, either, which is fair. Because it’s Yared. It’s a pretty understandable reaction.
I absolutely love this pairing, though. Non-romantic pairing, of course. What I mean is that Yared is impulsive and reactionary, throwing himself into things with the glimmer of a plan and hoping for the best. The Ibis is more cautionary and plans ahead, coming up with a strategy on the fly to counteract whatever boneheaded move Yared pulls. See? Balance. And that’s what life is all about.
- The Last Gate of the Emperor is absolutely chock full of action. It starts from the first page, as Yared sneaks out of school to attend the next round of HKO, and carries all the way through the book. Not so much action that the reader is left completely lost and begging for a break, of course. But enough where I definitely didn’t want to put the book down, because I was having so much fun! It’s the sort of action one might expect from a “game gone wrong” sort of book . . . especially when that game is an augmented reality one and the book is science fiction, with all sorts of high-tech gadgets and aliens. That means a lot can go wrong, obviously.
- At the heart of all the humor and action is actually a very heartwarming story about the family we’re born into and the family we choose. And there’s not always a difference between the two. In case you missed it, Yared has been raised by his uncle, with his parents simply . . . absent. His background and past is a big mystery, one that Uncle Moti refuses to elaborate on. Add that to the fact that they move around too often to set up roots, and Yared sometimes feels a bit lost. Even though he didn’t choose their new location on Addis Prime, and even though it’s not exactly ideal, Yared makes the best of it, and creates his own little squad with Uncle Moti, Besa, and The Ibis. Because family doesn’t always have to look one way. Sometimes it includes an AI and your greatest rival.
May 7, 2021
Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen could be described as Black Panther meets Ready Player One set in a mythical Ethiopia in outer space. With elements of both science fiction and fantasy, this page turning Afrofuturist tale follows a young boy named Yared as he joins the Hunt for Kaleb’s Obelisk – an augmented reality game that will change his life forever.
Yared lives a lonely life in the city of Addis Prime. He was raised by his nervous Uncle Moti, who moved them around a lot growing up. Uncle Moti tells him tales of an empire called Axum and war that spans the galaxy. Yared’s only friend is the bionic lioness Bessa gifted to him by his uncle when he was a small child. Despite his isolated life, Yared is a typical quick-witted kid, full of bravado.
Our story begins as Yared sneaks out of school to join The Hunt For Kaleb’s Obelisk. He learns that some of the rules have changed – not only is he required to enter his real name into the game to play, but he is also forced to partner up with his biggest rival in the game, a young girl called the Ibis. Suddenly, nothing goes according to plan, and instead of jumping to the top of the leaderboards, Yared and the Ibis find themselves in the middle of an attack on the city.
The stories Uncle Moti has been telling Yared for years seem to be coming to life, but as Yared starts putting puzzle pieces together, he realizes his Uncle has disappeared. Yared and the Ibis decide to work together to find Uncle Moti, and along the way, Yared learns that his life as he knows it may not be exactly what it seems.
I don’t want to give everything away, but I have to tell you: this book is fantastic. I can easily see this becoming a very successful series, and even having comics, cartoons, or movies. The characters are all very relatable and likable (for the most part anyway).
With nods to Prince Joel Makonnen’s childhood experiences growing up as the great-grandson of the last emperor of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, readers will learn about Ethiopia’s rich history in unexpected ways. I specifically appreciated the afterword that sheds light on that history and points out all the ways it influenced the book.
Kwame Mbalia is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in North Carolina with his family. Please visit his website at kwamembalia.com to learn more about him and his work.
Prince Joel Makonnen is a direct descendant of Ethiopian royalty, Co-Founder and CEO of Old World // New World, and a lawyer based in Washington DC. To learn more about him, please visit his website at princeyoel.com.
Thank you so much to Scholastic Books for sending a review copy of Last Gate of the Emperor. I can’t wait to see if the adventure continues in a sequel!
Yared lives a lonely life in the city of Addis Prime. He was raised by his nervous Uncle Moti, who moved them around a lot growing up. Uncle Moti tells him tales of an empire called Axum and war that spans the galaxy. Yared’s only friend is the bionic lioness Bessa gifted to him by his uncle when he was a small child. Despite his isolated life, Yared is a typical quick-witted kid, full of bravado.
Our story begins as Yared sneaks out of school to join The Hunt For Kaleb’s Obelisk. He learns that some of the rules have changed – not only is he required to enter his real name into the game to play, but he is also forced to partner up with his biggest rival in the game, a young girl called the Ibis. Suddenly, nothing goes according to plan, and instead of jumping to the top of the leaderboards, Yared and the Ibis find themselves in the middle of an attack on the city.
The stories Uncle Moti has been telling Yared for years seem to be coming to life, but as Yared starts putting puzzle pieces together, he realizes his Uncle has disappeared. Yared and the Ibis decide to work together to find Uncle Moti, and along the way, Yared learns that his life as he knows it may not be exactly what it seems.
I don’t want to give everything away, but I have to tell you: this book is fantastic. I can easily see this becoming a very successful series, and even having comics, cartoons, or movies. The characters are all very relatable and likable (for the most part anyway).
With nods to Prince Joel Makonnen’s childhood experiences growing up as the great-grandson of the last emperor of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, readers will learn about Ethiopia’s rich history in unexpected ways. I specifically appreciated the afterword that sheds light on that history and points out all the ways it influenced the book.
Kwame Mbalia is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in North Carolina with his family. Please visit his website at kwamembalia.com to learn more about him and his work.
Prince Joel Makonnen is a direct descendant of Ethiopian royalty, Co-Founder and CEO of Old World // New World, and a lawyer based in Washington DC. To learn more about him, please visit his website at princeyoel.com.
Thank you so much to Scholastic Books for sending a review copy of Last Gate of the Emperor. I can’t wait to see if the adventure continues in a sequel!
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May 2, 2021
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Last Gate of the Emperor
Author: Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen
Book Series: Standalone for now
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black main characters and side characters
Recommended For...: mg readers, sci-fi lovers
Publication Date: May 4, 2021
Genre: MG Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments, violence, attack on a city)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 304
Synopsis: An Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this journey to the stars.
Yared Heywat lives an isolated life in Addis Prime -- a hardscrabble city with rundown tech, lots of rules, and not much to do. His worrywart Uncle Moti and bionic lioness Besa are his only family... and his only friends.
Often in trouble for his thrill-seeking antics and smart mouth, those same qualities make Yared a star player of the underground augmented reality game, The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. But when a change in the game rules prompts Yared to log in with his real name, it triggers an attack that rocks the city. In the chaos, Uncle Moti disappears.
Suddenly, all the stories Yared's uncle told him as a young boy are coming to life, of kingdoms in the sky and city-razing monsters. And somehow Yared is at the center of them.
Together with Besa and the Ibis -- a game rival turned reluctant ally -- Yared must search for his uncle... and answers to his place in a forgotten, galaxy-spanning war.
Review: I absolutely loved this book! I loved the Ethiopian culture that was intertwined with this tale and I really appreciate that the arc came with a guide on the different items that were inspired by Ethiopian culture. The book had amazing character development and the plot was magnificent. The world building was awe-inspiring and I loved every minute of this reading this book.
The only issue I had with the book is that I felt it was too short. The amount of material in the book could have easily lasted another 100 pages and I am excited to see if there will be more.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: Last Gate of the Emperor
Author: Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen
Book Series: Standalone for now
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black main characters and side characters
Recommended For...: mg readers, sci-fi lovers
Publication Date: May 4, 2021
Genre: MG Sci-Fi
Recommended Age: 10+ (some scary moments, violence, attack on a city)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 304
Synopsis: An Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this journey to the stars.
Yared Heywat lives an isolated life in Addis Prime -- a hardscrabble city with rundown tech, lots of rules, and not much to do. His worrywart Uncle Moti and bionic lioness Besa are his only family... and his only friends.
Often in trouble for his thrill-seeking antics and smart mouth, those same qualities make Yared a star player of the underground augmented reality game, The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. But when a change in the game rules prompts Yared to log in with his real name, it triggers an attack that rocks the city. In the chaos, Uncle Moti disappears.
Suddenly, all the stories Yared's uncle told him as a young boy are coming to life, of kingdoms in the sky and city-razing monsters. And somehow Yared is at the center of them.
Together with Besa and the Ibis -- a game rival turned reluctant ally -- Yared must search for his uncle... and answers to his place in a forgotten, galaxy-spanning war.
Review: I absolutely loved this book! I loved the Ethiopian culture that was intertwined with this tale and I really appreciate that the arc came with a guide on the different items that were inspired by Ethiopian culture. The book had amazing character development and the plot was magnificent. The world building was awe-inspiring and I loved every minute of this reading this book.
The only issue I had with the book is that I felt it was too short. The amount of material in the book could have easily lasted another 100 pages and I am excited to see if there will be more.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
November 13, 2021
RATING:
4 STARS
Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen is a perfect book for young fans of sci-fi adventure. If you loved Mr. Mbalia's humor in the Tristan Strong series, then I suspect you'll be a big fan of Yared's story. I think the book will appeal to younger gamers as well, given Yared's enthusiasm over HKO and his in-game rivalry with the Ibis.
As much as it's required, Yared couldn't be bothered with school. His passion is the augmented reality game Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk, or HKO. His dream is to win the Championship prize and beat his rival while doing so. His only real friend is his mechanical feline companion, Besa. When he breaks his uncle's cardinal rule and uses his real name online, he sets off a chain of events far beyond anything he could have ever expected.
I loved the dynamic between Yared and the Ibis. Their relationship starts out as in-game rivals, but necessity quickly convinces them together. It's very easy to misjudge someone for their in-game persona - the scene where they bond while fixing Besa was one of my favorites. As a note, there is no romance aspect to their relationship. Yared and the Ibis are more like siblings than anything.
I was amused by Yared's attitude and sass. If I talked like that to adults when I was Yared's age, I would have been grounded for weeks. Somehow, it seems to work for Yared so more power to him. The "audio transcript file" interactions between Yared and the auditor were especially funny.
Prince Araya Mengesha's performance as narrator was energetic and humorous. He did a great job with bringing Yared's personality to life, and adding depth to the story. I was surprised that this was his first narration, and I'll be keeping an eye out for anything they might work on in the future.
Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen is a perfect book for young fans of sci-fi adventure. If you loved Mr. Mbalia's humor in the Tristan Strong series, then I suspect you'll be a big fan of Yared's story. I think the book will appeal to younger gamers as well, given Yared's enthusiasm over HKO and his in-game rivalry with the Ibis.
As much as it's required, Yared couldn't be bothered with school. His passion is the augmented reality game Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk, or HKO. His dream is to win the Championship prize and beat his rival while doing so. His only real friend is his mechanical feline companion, Besa. When he breaks his uncle's cardinal rule and uses his real name online, he sets off a chain of events far beyond anything he could have ever expected.
I loved the dynamic between Yared and the Ibis. Their relationship starts out as in-game rivals, but necessity quickly convinces them together. It's very easy to misjudge someone for their in-game persona - the scene where they bond while fixing Besa was one of my favorites. As a note, there is no romance aspect to their relationship. Yared and the Ibis are more like siblings than anything.
I was amused by Yared's attitude and sass. If I talked like that to adults when I was Yared's age, I would have been grounded for weeks. Somehow, it seems to work for Yared so more power to him. The "audio transcript file" interactions between Yared and the auditor were especially funny.
Prince Araya Mengesha's performance as narrator was energetic and humorous. He did a great job with bringing Yared's personality to life, and adding depth to the story. I was surprised that this was his first narration, and I'll be keeping an eye out for anything they might work on in the future.
April 21, 2022
Yared is super focused on sneaking out for the latest HKO live gaming competition. He has a championship to win, and can't be bothered that his teacher is upset he used a story from folklore for his history assignment. But when things from his Uncle Moti's folklore show up at the HKO competition, everyone is shocked. Not least of all Yared. Soon, he and his toughest competition, the Ibis, are on the run from invaders who threaten the future of Addis Prime. Oddly, their skills from HKO competitions come in eerily handy for finding out what is going on and getting help to stop the invaders. It doesn't change the fact that the bad guys are very numerous and powerful, his Uncle has disappeared, and folklore seems to be coming to life.
I really enjoyed the Ethiopian-inspired space setting in this. I have a penchant for books set on space stations anyway, but the Ethiopian-inspired names, food, and cultural aspects really made it stand out that much more. (Make sure you read the back of the book about the co-author's connection to Ethiopia; it's pretty cool.) Yared and the Ibis (and the bionic lion Besa) are fun characters to follow around as they try to figure out what is going on and how to save their home. I was actually disappointed that the HKO competition gets interrupted so quickly because I wanted to see what the game was like. It sounded like it would be a virtual reality enhanced live action scavenger hunt. The end of the book leaves things open like there could be a sequel coming, but it also feels complete as is and most things are wrapped up nicely. Hand this to scifi fans, and those looking for African-inspired space settings.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some battles, and some possible fatalities or injuries in an attack from a bionic monster but mostly just bumps and bruises on page.
I really enjoyed the Ethiopian-inspired space setting in this. I have a penchant for books set on space stations anyway, but the Ethiopian-inspired names, food, and cultural aspects really made it stand out that much more. (Make sure you read the back of the book about the co-author's connection to Ethiopia; it's pretty cool.) Yared and the Ibis (and the bionic lion Besa) are fun characters to follow around as they try to figure out what is going on and how to save their home. I was actually disappointed that the HKO competition gets interrupted so quickly because I wanted to see what the game was like. It sounded like it would be a virtual reality enhanced live action scavenger hunt. The end of the book leaves things open like there could be a sequel coming, but it also feels complete as is and most things are wrapped up nicely. Hand this to scifi fans, and those looking for African-inspired space settings.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some battles, and some possible fatalities or injuries in an attack from a bionic monster but mostly just bumps and bruises on page.
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