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Forever Desert #1
The Lies of the Ajungo
Moses Ose Utomi's debut novella, The Lies of the Ajungo, follows one boy’s epic quest to bring water back to his city and save his mother’s life. Prepare to enter the Forever Desert.
A Library Journal Best Book of the Month!
They say there is no water in the City of Lies. They say there are no heroes in the City of Lies. They say there are no friends beyond the City of Lies. But would you believe what they say in the City of Lies?
In the City of Lies, they cut out your tongue when you turn thirteen, to appease the terrifying Ajungo Empire and make sure it continues sending water. Tutu will be thirteen in three days, but his parched mother won’t last that long. So Tutu goes to his oba and makes a she provides water for his mother, and in exchange he will travel out into the desert and bring back water for the city. Thus begins Tutu’s quest for the salvation of his mother, his city, and himself.
The Lies of the Ajungo opens the curtains on a tremendous world, and begins the epic fable of the Forever Desert. With every word, Moses Ose Utomi weaves magic.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
A Library Journal Best Book of the Month!
They say there is no water in the City of Lies. They say there are no heroes in the City of Lies. They say there are no friends beyond the City of Lies. But would you believe what they say in the City of Lies?
In the City of Lies, they cut out your tongue when you turn thirteen, to appease the terrifying Ajungo Empire and make sure it continues sending water. Tutu will be thirteen in three days, but his parched mother won’t last that long. So Tutu goes to his oba and makes a she provides water for his mother, and in exchange he will travel out into the desert and bring back water for the city. Thus begins Tutu’s quest for the salvation of his mother, his city, and himself.
The Lies of the Ajungo opens the curtains on a tremendous world, and begins the epic fable of the Forever Desert. With every word, Moses Ose Utomi weaves magic.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2023
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May 27, 2024
‘Only by learning can you free us.’
In the City of Lies, the people have traded their tongues to a neighboring people for water and found that, without the ability to speak, their history has been lost to the rewrites of their enemies. Yet one boy is determined to free his people from their thirst and set the record straight in Moses Ose Utomi’s The Lies of the Ajungo, a fable-like, speculative novella drawing from Nigerian culture. While we often champion storytelling as a way to liberate our minds, it can also entrap us in propaganda, and propaganda passed down for generations can find those imprisoned in lies unsure even who their captors are. Yet, luckily, storytelling continues to be a joy in the hands of Utomi, writing with effortless fluidity and the sort of whimsicality that carries deep lessons such as in the best of children’s classics, punctuated by exciting and visceral violent moments of struggle. Having to battle the learned helplessness codified into his culture through common phrases and stories as much as he must battle the harsh desert, The Lies of the Anjungo is a high stakes, life or death tale that looks at the ways stories can divide and oppress us if they are used to mask a brutal truth.
Short but powerful, The Lies of the Ajungo is an incredibly engaging work of speculative fiction. With just a few quick strokes of language, Utomi constructs a world that feels vast, alive with culture and history, and is also very dangerous. It has a small cast of endearing characters that feel rather archetypal, and along the perilous paths they must overcome the prejudices against anyone outside their culture and come together to discover the truths hidden from them. Danger is everywhere, especially when you don’t know who to trust, and this small cast is continuously getting smaller as violence seems to strike suddenly and furiously in the desert. There are some fantastic magical elements to this fable, such as the Seers with the Eyes of God to better see the world and convert other’s energy into their own strength in combat. The creativity is fun and adds to the rather nuanced dynamics of the world.
‘[P]ower came from translating understanding into belief, from standing so firmly in one's knowledge of the world that the knowledge itself became an armor--and a weapon.’
Storytelling passes down lessons and codifies culture, but, as George Orwell wrote in 1984, ‘who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,’ and irresponsible use of rhetoric and history as propaganda can reshape the past as we understand it. Tutu, the young boy who embarks on this bildungsroman quest narrative, understands how erasing the name of his city to rename in The City of Lies is just the first step in rewriting history in order to keep his people down. Without their tongues they cannot tell others of their oppression, and if they do they are assumed to be liars. ‘There are no friends outside the City of Lies’ the boy has been taught, though is this a warning against strangers or a way to ensure they will never trust strangers either? ‘It was hard to overrule years and years of honed mistrust,’ and perhaps this mistrust instilled in each of the kingdoms is a way to keep them divided. But for who? We see how without language, one cannot pass on their own history.
The Lies of the Ajuno has a great message about the selfishness and greed of those with money and power, and the horrific acts they will commit to never lose their power over others. This is also an exciting and enraging reminder that sometimes being directed towards hating a common enemy from afar can cause you to miss the enemy right in front of you. This really successfully pulls off a lot of sociopolitical commentary as well as world building all in around 80pgs. I enjoy all these short books like this and fans of Nnedi Okorafor will likely enjoy this book. It is easily a one-sitting read (not only will you not want to put it down but the writing really sweeps you up and carries you off. But, as we see here, even a short tale—even a single, short saying‐can come loaded with potency and the power to change how we see the world around us. So take care with language, use it to liberate and not imprison, and dive into the dangerous and deceitful world Moses Ose Utomi has created for us. This appears to be the start for an upcoming series and I cannot wait for more.
4.5/5
‘Tears are precious. Don’t waste them on your enemies. Save them for your friends.’
In the City of Lies, the people have traded their tongues to a neighboring people for water and found that, without the ability to speak, their history has been lost to the rewrites of their enemies. Yet one boy is determined to free his people from their thirst and set the record straight in Moses Ose Utomi’s The Lies of the Ajungo, a fable-like, speculative novella drawing from Nigerian culture. While we often champion storytelling as a way to liberate our minds, it can also entrap us in propaganda, and propaganda passed down for generations can find those imprisoned in lies unsure even who their captors are. Yet, luckily, storytelling continues to be a joy in the hands of Utomi, writing with effortless fluidity and the sort of whimsicality that carries deep lessons such as in the best of children’s classics, punctuated by exciting and visceral violent moments of struggle. Having to battle the learned helplessness codified into his culture through common phrases and stories as much as he must battle the harsh desert, The Lies of the Anjungo is a high stakes, life or death tale that looks at the ways stories can divide and oppress us if they are used to mask a brutal truth.
Short but powerful, The Lies of the Ajungo is an incredibly engaging work of speculative fiction. With just a few quick strokes of language, Utomi constructs a world that feels vast, alive with culture and history, and is also very dangerous. It has a small cast of endearing characters that feel rather archetypal, and along the perilous paths they must overcome the prejudices against anyone outside their culture and come together to discover the truths hidden from them. Danger is everywhere, especially when you don’t know who to trust, and this small cast is continuously getting smaller as violence seems to strike suddenly and furiously in the desert. There are some fantastic magical elements to this fable, such as the Seers with the Eyes of God to better see the world and convert other’s energy into their own strength in combat. The creativity is fun and adds to the rather nuanced dynamics of the world.
‘[P]ower came from translating understanding into belief, from standing so firmly in one's knowledge of the world that the knowledge itself became an armor--and a weapon.’
Storytelling passes down lessons and codifies culture, but, as George Orwell wrote in 1984, ‘who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past,’ and irresponsible use of rhetoric and history as propaganda can reshape the past as we understand it. Tutu, the young boy who embarks on this bildungsroman quest narrative, understands how erasing the name of his city to rename in The City of Lies is just the first step in rewriting history in order to keep his people down. Without their tongues they cannot tell others of their oppression, and if they do they are assumed to be liars. ‘There are no friends outside the City of Lies’ the boy has been taught, though is this a warning against strangers or a way to ensure they will never trust strangers either? ‘It was hard to overrule years and years of honed mistrust,’ and perhaps this mistrust instilled in each of the kingdoms is a way to keep them divided. But for who? We see how without language, one cannot pass on their own history.
The Lies of the Ajuno has a great message about the selfishness and greed of those with money and power, and the horrific acts they will commit to never lose their power over others. This is also an exciting and enraging reminder that sometimes being directed towards hating a common enemy from afar can cause you to miss the enemy right in front of you. This really successfully pulls off a lot of sociopolitical commentary as well as world building all in around 80pgs. I enjoy all these short books like this and fans of Nnedi Okorafor will likely enjoy this book. It is easily a one-sitting read (not only will you not want to put it down but the writing really sweeps you up and carries you off. But, as we see here, even a short tale—even a single, short saying‐can come loaded with potency and the power to change how we see the world around us. So take care with language, use it to liberate and not imprison, and dive into the dangerous and deceitful world Moses Ose Utomi has created for us. This appears to be the start for an upcoming series and I cannot wait for more.
4.5/5
‘Tears are precious. Don’t waste them on your enemies. Save them for your friends.’
August 26, 2023
This is not the type of story I usually enjoy, and I was surprised by how much I liked it.
To borrow the author’s own words, The Lies of the Ajungo is an “intersection between fable and fantasy”, and I agree with that statement a hundred percent. Don’t let the blurb fool you—this is not an epic action-adventure of a boy going on a journey, learning to wield magic and tame dragons in order to defeat ultimate evil. Sure, there is plenty of action and adventure, but at the heart of this story lies a very different message: what is it like to look at the world you grew up to know and realize nothing is what it seems? How do you tell truths from lies, friends from foes? And what price would you pay for that revelation?
I don’t usually like books that are too heavy-handed with symbolism, as I loathe having profound epiphanies shoved in my face. But this book didn’t come off that way to me, possibly thanks to the fable style and short length. It felt more like reading a classic Grimm’s fairytale, where each character is clearly supposed to represent certain facets of humanity, and the reframes of events make the main conflict and theme quite obvious from early on. It was easy to suspend my disbelief and judgment of this world and just go with the flow, letting the simple tale bring out its point. But that’s not to say that the characters and plot were lacking either. The main protagonist Tutu, for example, is brave but not headstrong, inexperienced yet smart and openminded, a rare charm that made it easy to root for him throughout the story.
So if you’re in for something different, something that combines an old-fashioned narrative with a modern take on character development and cultural depth, give this book a try. You might just be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Many thanks to Goodreads and the publisher for providing me with an arc giveaway.
To borrow the author’s own words, The Lies of the Ajungo is an “intersection between fable and fantasy”, and I agree with that statement a hundred percent. Don’t let the blurb fool you—this is not an epic action-adventure of a boy going on a journey, learning to wield magic and tame dragons in order to defeat ultimate evil. Sure, there is plenty of action and adventure, but at the heart of this story lies a very different message: what is it like to look at the world you grew up to know and realize nothing is what it seems? How do you tell truths from lies, friends from foes? And what price would you pay for that revelation?
I don’t usually like books that are too heavy-handed with symbolism, as I loathe having profound epiphanies shoved in my face. But this book didn’t come off that way to me, possibly thanks to the fable style and short length. It felt more like reading a classic Grimm’s fairytale, where each character is clearly supposed to represent certain facets of humanity, and the reframes of events make the main conflict and theme quite obvious from early on. It was easy to suspend my disbelief and judgment of this world and just go with the flow, letting the simple tale bring out its point. But that’s not to say that the characters and plot were lacking either. The main protagonist Tutu, for example, is brave but not headstrong, inexperienced yet smart and openminded, a rare charm that made it easy to root for him throughout the story.
So if you’re in for something different, something that combines an old-fashioned narrative with a modern take on character development and cultural depth, give this book a try. You might just be as pleasantly surprised as I was.
Many thanks to Goodreads and the publisher for providing me with an arc giveaway.
May 31, 2023
A wonderful short fantasy with a splash of folklore. At just roughly 80 pages the read was packed with action, adventure, as well as great twists. It’s absolutely amazing what the author packed into this short novella! I really enjoyed the theme of oppression by a ruling empire as well as the symbols and metaphors throughout the book that accompanied it. I am really glad to find out this will be a series and am excited to see how it will unfold and where the author will take this world he has created!
November 30, 2023
4.5/5
if you love novellas, you need to read this stunning african inspired dark fantasy novella immediately.
believe me when i say it's pretty much perfect. the vivid descriptions of a brutal desert world, the page-turning narrative with an intriguing mystery at its core, dangerous magic with a price, satisfying character development, a plot twist that ties in with the main themes - and it's all wrapped up in a complete story told in less than a 100 pages. i also loved the gritty yet fable-like writing style.
i'm so grateful the author's writing more stories in this world. already waiting to return to the forever desert.
if you love novellas, you need to read this stunning african inspired dark fantasy novella immediately.
believe me when i say it's pretty much perfect. the vivid descriptions of a brutal desert world, the page-turning narrative with an intriguing mystery at its core, dangerous magic with a price, satisfying character development, a plot twist that ties in with the main themes - and it's all wrapped up in a complete story told in less than a 100 pages. i also loved the gritty yet fable-like writing style.
i'm so grateful the author's writing more stories in this world. already waiting to return to the forever desert.
March 3, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
The Lies of the Ajungo is a fantasy novella that really reads more like a fable than anything else. It follows the journey of a boy on a quest to bring back water for his city and save his mother, but along the way becomes a man and learns a lot more than he had bargained for.
In the acknowledgements, the author talks about how this came out of his experiences being an immigrant from Nigeria to America but feeling like an outsider in both cultures. It's interesting, because in many ways this is a story about how the best way to see the truth and see how things fit together is as an outsider. Being stuck in one place can make you blind to the larger world and what is possible, but at the same time you lose something in going away from the place you were raised, something that you can't really get back.
Part fantasy fable, part coming of age story this is a very strong debut and I look forward to seeing more from Utomi in the future. It is admittedly on the short side and I might have wanted a bit more, but I did like it. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
The Lies of the Ajungo is a fantasy novella that really reads more like a fable than anything else. It follows the journey of a boy on a quest to bring back water for his city and save his mother, but along the way becomes a man and learns a lot more than he had bargained for.
In the acknowledgements, the author talks about how this came out of his experiences being an immigrant from Nigeria to America but feeling like an outsider in both cultures. It's interesting, because in many ways this is a story about how the best way to see the truth and see how things fit together is as an outsider. Being stuck in one place can make you blind to the larger world and what is possible, but at the same time you lose something in going away from the place you were raised, something that you can't really get back.
Part fantasy fable, part coming of age story this is a very strong debut and I look forward to seeing more from Utomi in the future. It is admittedly on the short side and I might have wanted a bit more, but I did like it. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
July 28, 2025
this is the best novella i’ve ever read. the feelings this put me through in 85 pages??? absolutely criminal.
February 16, 2023
3.0 Stars
This is a very short fantasy novella that would have been a touch longer. I liked the premise, but felt that it was not fully fleshed out in such a short number of pages. I wanted more time to flesh out the worldbuilding.
This story read more like a fable than a traditional epic fantasy. The characters felt more like archetypes than actual people. I think this was done on purpose. This was a story with a lot of potential, but overall this was an unsatisfyingly reading experience.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This is a very short fantasy novella that would have been a touch longer. I liked the premise, but felt that it was not fully fleshed out in such a short number of pages. I wanted more time to flesh out the worldbuilding.
This story read more like a fable than a traditional epic fantasy. The characters felt more like archetypes than actual people. I think this was done on purpose. This was a story with a lot of potential, but overall this was an unsatisfyingly reading experience.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
June 18, 2025
There is no water in the City of Lies.
For centuries, the City of Lies has suffered a drought. Their neighbours refuse to offer aid for who would believe words from the City of Lies? Desperate, they strike a deal with the Ajungo Empire but their much-needed water comes at a price. At the age of thirteen, all the citizens' tongues are cut out in offering.
Our main character Tutu will be thirteen in three days but his mother won't survive the blood drought. Eager to save her life, he takes the journey many have before him to the Forever Desert in search of water. There he will seek salvation for himself, his mother and his city or he will find death.
This book hit hard. Especially with the political climate right now in my country.
It had been so long since he'd had the freedom to cry. That's what crying was-freedom. You could only cry when there were no more urgent responsibilities. Only when there was no one watching you who depended on your strength. Only when the people around you wouldn't take advantage of your tears.
Only when you had enough water in your body.
Tears are precious ...
March 16, 2024
A short, simple story that is told well. It was such a pleasant reading experience and exactly what I want from a novella!
November 13, 2022
4.5/5
The Lies of Ayungo opens with an excellent, memorable line: "There is no water in the City of Lies". I expect most reviews of the novella will start with it, and that’s ok. It’s that good :) I devoured the story in one sitting, and I’m impressed. Before I go into detail, a warning: not everyone will like it. It’s a bleak, disturbing story that comes with multiple content warnings. Even though most violence appears off-screen, the mentions of child mutilation might make readers uncomfortable.
The City of Lies has no water, so it’s made a deal with the Ayungo Empire, which sends water in exchange for the tongues of boys. The protagonist of the story, Tutu, will soon have his tongue cut off. Sadly, his parched mother may not live long enough. Tutu makes a deal with his Oba: the city saves his mother, and he will go to the desert and bring back water for the city.
The desert challenges Tutu’s ingrained beliefs and worldview. It teaches him that life is full of lies, both superficial and profound. Along the way, he encounters other characters destroyed by Ayungo, who took advantage of people’s desperation, offered them a broken deal, and then called them liars. Each encounter reveals a different facet of the cruel world and its atrocities. I won’t go into details because I don’t want to spoil everything for you.
The story's pacing is excellent, almost feverish, which leads to my only criticism. Tutu’s mental and physical development feels rushed (to say the least), especially considering how young he actually is. Some readers may find this problematic, but hey, it’s a fantasy world. The tone is bleak and gutting - the more we learn about the various lies, the more horrific the reality seems.
The Lies of Ayungo reads like a mix of gritty fable and dark fantasy, interested in power struggles and the way powerful people deceive the unprivileged and keep them obedient.
I loved the story and the world. Brutally destructive magic thrilled me. The Lies of Ayungo is an excellent novella that packs a lot in just 96 pages. Highly recommended.
ARC through NetGalley
The Lies of Ayungo opens with an excellent, memorable line: "There is no water in the City of Lies". I expect most reviews of the novella will start with it, and that’s ok. It’s that good :) I devoured the story in one sitting, and I’m impressed. Before I go into detail, a warning: not everyone will like it. It’s a bleak, disturbing story that comes with multiple content warnings. Even though most violence appears off-screen, the mentions of child mutilation might make readers uncomfortable.
The City of Lies has no water, so it’s made a deal with the Ayungo Empire, which sends water in exchange for the tongues of boys. The protagonist of the story, Tutu, will soon have his tongue cut off. Sadly, his parched mother may not live long enough. Tutu makes a deal with his Oba: the city saves his mother, and he will go to the desert and bring back water for the city.
The desert challenges Tutu’s ingrained beliefs and worldview. It teaches him that life is full of lies, both superficial and profound. Along the way, he encounters other characters destroyed by Ayungo, who took advantage of people’s desperation, offered them a broken deal, and then called them liars. Each encounter reveals a different facet of the cruel world and its atrocities. I won’t go into details because I don’t want to spoil everything for you.
The story's pacing is excellent, almost feverish, which leads to my only criticism. Tutu’s mental and physical development feels rushed (to say the least), especially considering how young he actually is. Some readers may find this problematic, but hey, it’s a fantasy world. The tone is bleak and gutting - the more we learn about the various lies, the more horrific the reality seems.
The Lies of Ayungo reads like a mix of gritty fable and dark fantasy, interested in power struggles and the way powerful people deceive the unprivileged and keep them obedient.
I loved the story and the world. Brutally destructive magic thrilled me. The Lies of Ayungo is an excellent novella that packs a lot in just 96 pages. Highly recommended.
ARC through NetGalley
July 21, 2023
4.5*
“He buried the bones. Then he said a prayer for the soul of the departed, that it would find water and shade, and that it would be remembered truly.”
This was so lyrical and profound and emotionally devastating. It's a parable about corrupt governments, the question who decides the narrative of history and who is the monster or hero of a story, about un-sought-for community, about revenge and peace as well as the preserverence that stems from hope.
“Tears are precious, his mama always said. Don't waste them on your enemies. Save them for your friends.”
Especially given the reading slump I've suffered this spring, this short but emotionally heavy novella was exactly what I needed. And I can't stress more how much I'm looking forward to book 2 in the Forever Desert.
“He buried the bones. Then he said a prayer for the soul of the departed, that it would find water and shade, and that it would be remembered truly.”
This was so lyrical and profound and emotionally devastating. It's a parable about corrupt governments, the question who decides the narrative of history and who is the monster or hero of a story, about un-sought-for community, about revenge and peace as well as the preserverence that stems from hope.
“Tears are precious, his mama always said. Don't waste them on your enemies. Save them for your friends.”
Especially given the reading slump I've suffered this spring, this short but emotionally heavy novella was exactly what I needed. And I can't stress more how much I'm looking forward to book 2 in the Forever Desert.
January 19, 2024
Twelve-year-old Tutu lives in the City of Lies, a city with very little water, especially for the people in his neighborhood. Many have ventured from the city to find water, mostly children, but none have return. Soon, Tutu will turn thirteen, and just like everyone else in the City of Lies who turns thirteen, he will have to have his tongue cut out as tribute paid to the Ajungo Empire in order for the city to receive water. But Tutu has decided that enough is enough. With his mother and the oba's blessings, he ventures out into the Forever Desert to find water. There, he will encounter friends and enemies, truths and lies--including those that will shake the foundation of his small world.
Wow. Damn. Just wow.
It is amazing what Moses Ose Utomi was able to do with not even a hundred pages. This novella had everything: great pacing, a character arc that came to proper completion, well-coordinated action sequences, and a message that makes one think about things.
It is amazing that for however short The Lies of the Ajungo is, its fairly swift pacing never loses anything from the story and its themes. It is a very readable book. Its prose, in conjunction with its pacing, manages to be straightforward but is never dull or stilted. Tutu's emotional journey is never maimed or lost as a result of this. Utomi's narration, and Tutu's thoughts, make you pause and consider things. What is going on? Is Tutu doing the right thing? Who can he trust?
The book's best part, for me, was when Tutu met the three cousins Asilah, Funme, and Lami, who're from another city where its citizens have to cut off their ears in tribute to the Ajungo Empire in order to receive iron that they lack. This wasn't just the best part because how much I enjoyed the cousins and Tutu's interactions and relationship with them, but also because of what we learn. The cousin's city lacks iron, but which is something that Tutu's city is abundant in; he even wields an iron spear and knives. The cousins stated that their city once had a name, but when the Ajungo took over so long ago that named it--DUN DUN DUUUUN--the City of Lies so no other cities would believe them. Yup, the exact same name as Tutu's city.
I loved all three of the cousins, especially Asilah though it is Funme that Tutu is obviously closest with as she reminds him of his mother. Lami was interesting because she was a Seer, someone given God's Eyes to fight with a magical aura and endurance. For the lack of iron in the cousins' city, they have an abundance of God's Eyes. Lami in the fight scenes were the most interesting because of how she used her powers which Tutu eventually learns as well.
Speaking of fight scenes, Utomi really knows how to execute them. They flow so well and aren't clunky at all. It feels very anime-inspired and do I think that is intentional as in the Author's Note at the end, Utomi mentions that he pitched it as Attack on Titan in North Africa. Although, no one is flying through the air on wires in The Lies of the Ajungo.
Well, they do fly through the air after Tutu and the others knock the crap out of them, but you know.
After the cousins, Tutu meets the Blind Man, a man with eyes sewn shut. As you can probably guess at this point, the Ajungo demand his cities' eyes in exchange for Seers. And the Blind Man's city is abundant in water. And, you can already guess again, his city too is called the City of Lies. These revelation reveal so much about the world and the mystery and power of the Ajungo Empire. Tutu learns other things along the way that are quite devastating, but I shan't spoil them here.
All of the characters are great and unforgettable. Tutu is a great protagonist to follow. We see him grow from a sweet, determined boy who just wants his mother to get better to a learned and hardened boy. At the end of the book, Tutu knows more than he ever did before. He knows both truth and lies. But to what extent do these truths and lies motivate and control Tutu? After the major plot twist, Tutu's own eyes are opened. He knows some of the lies that he and the others have been fed for years were vile and he will undo them. But some of them he still clings to, even though he knows they're still lies. It's bittersweet; you will sit there and say, "Why does Tutu still believe that? Please, no, Tutu! Open up! Stay close to the Blind Man and Funme."
Perhaps there may be some truth in the lies Tutu still clings to. Or perhaps they're so engrained in him that he simply cannot believe anything else despite the revelations he encountered on his journey. I think C. L. Clark's blurb on the cover says it best, this book is about "...the lies that help us live and the lies that hold us back." But even then, as Tutu marches towards the climax and conclusion, we question why Tutu decided to cling to those lies despite questioning them or knowing their truth.
It's a great and bittersweet novella. Bittersweet books will always be my favorite.
Wow. Damn. Just wow.
It is amazing what Moses Ose Utomi was able to do with not even a hundred pages. This novella had everything: great pacing, a character arc that came to proper completion, well-coordinated action sequences, and a message that makes one think about things.
It is amazing that for however short The Lies of the Ajungo is, its fairly swift pacing never loses anything from the story and its themes. It is a very readable book. Its prose, in conjunction with its pacing, manages to be straightforward but is never dull or stilted. Tutu's emotional journey is never maimed or lost as a result of this. Utomi's narration, and Tutu's thoughts, make you pause and consider things. What is going on? Is Tutu doing the right thing? Who can he trust?
The book's best part, for me, was when Tutu met the three cousins Asilah, Funme, and Lami, who're from another city where its citizens have to cut off their ears in tribute to the Ajungo Empire in order to receive iron that they lack. This wasn't just the best part because how much I enjoyed the cousins and Tutu's interactions and relationship with them, but also because of what we learn. The cousin's city lacks iron, but which is something that Tutu's city is abundant in; he even wields an iron spear and knives. The cousins stated that their city once had a name, but when the Ajungo took over so long ago that named it--DUN DUN DUUUUN--the City of Lies so no other cities would believe them. Yup, the exact same name as Tutu's city.
I loved all three of the cousins, especially Asilah though it is Funme that Tutu is obviously closest with as she reminds him of his mother. Lami was interesting because she was a Seer, someone given God's Eyes to fight with a magical aura and endurance. For the lack of iron in the cousins' city, they have an abundance of God's Eyes. Lami in the fight scenes were the most interesting because of how she used her powers which Tutu eventually learns as well.
Speaking of fight scenes, Utomi really knows how to execute them. They flow so well and aren't clunky at all. It feels very anime-inspired and do I think that is intentional as in the Author's Note at the end, Utomi mentions that he pitched it as Attack on Titan in North Africa. Although, no one is flying through the air on wires in The Lies of the Ajungo.
Well, they do fly through the air after Tutu and the others knock the crap out of them, but you know.
After the cousins, Tutu meets the Blind Man, a man with eyes sewn shut. As you can probably guess at this point, the Ajungo demand his cities' eyes in exchange for Seers. And the Blind Man's city is abundant in water. And, you can already guess again, his city too is called the City of Lies. These revelation reveal so much about the world and the mystery and power of the Ajungo Empire. Tutu learns other things along the way that are quite devastating, but I shan't spoil them here.
All of the characters are great and unforgettable. Tutu is a great protagonist to follow. We see him grow from a sweet, determined boy who just wants his mother to get better to a learned and hardened boy. At the end of the book, Tutu knows more than he ever did before. He knows both truth and lies. But to what extent do these truths and lies motivate and control Tutu? After the major plot twist, Tutu's own eyes are opened. He knows some of the lies that he and the others have been fed for years were vile and he will undo them. But some of them he still clings to, even though he knows they're still lies. It's bittersweet; you will sit there and say, "Why does Tutu still believe that? Please, no, Tutu! Open up! Stay close to the Blind Man and Funme."
Perhaps there may be some truth in the lies Tutu still clings to. Or perhaps they're so engrained in him that he simply cannot believe anything else despite the revelations he encountered on his journey. I think C. L. Clark's blurb on the cover says it best, this book is about "...the lies that help us live and the lies that hold us back." But even then, as Tutu marches towards the climax and conclusion, we question why Tutu decided to cling to those lies despite questioning them or knowing their truth.
It's a great and bittersweet novella. Bittersweet books will always be my favorite.
February 8, 2025
2024 ʀᴇʀᴇᴀᴅ
The economy with which this story is told is still so impressive. There is not a single word wasted. Dark and gory and horrific, this story has lived in my mind since I first read it and I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
2023 ᴏʀɪɢɪɴᴀʟ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ
Thanks to NetGalley & Tordotcom for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
I’ve had good luck with novellas recently - The Lies of the Ajungo is another quick read that strikes the right balance between telling a complete story and leaving you wanting more.
The Lies of the Ajungo reads like an old-fashioned fable or a Brothers Grimm fairytale. It’s a simple story told devastatingly effectively. Tutu’s evolution from small and bullied to powerful and vengeful is done so well that you’re rooting for him from the very beginning.
I like that this story is about questioning everything. If even the name of your town is designed to breed distrust, if your history is littered with deceit and trickery, if everything you’ve ever been told is a betrayal, then what do you do?
This fast-paced, almost feverish narrative drew me into this bleak and barren world with almost no effort. Within a few pages, I was completely on board for this adventure, and I never looked back. I cannot recommend this novella highly enough, and as it looks like this might be the start of a series, I’m very excited to be able to return to this world one day.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
The economy with which this story is told is still so impressive. There is not a single word wasted. Dark and gory and horrific, this story has lived in my mind since I first read it and I cannot wait to read the next in the series.
2023 ᴏʀɪɢɪɴᴀʟ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ
Thanks to NetGalley & Tordotcom for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
I’ve had good luck with novellas recently - The Lies of the Ajungo is another quick read that strikes the right balance between telling a complete story and leaving you wanting more.
The Lies of the Ajungo reads like an old-fashioned fable or a Brothers Grimm fairytale. It’s a simple story told devastatingly effectively. Tutu’s evolution from small and bullied to powerful and vengeful is done so well that you’re rooting for him from the very beginning.
I like that this story is about questioning everything. If even the name of your town is designed to breed distrust, if your history is littered with deceit and trickery, if everything you’ve ever been told is a betrayal, then what do you do?
This fast-paced, almost feverish narrative drew me into this bleak and barren world with almost no effort. Within a few pages, I was completely on board for this adventure, and I never looked back. I cannot recommend this novella highly enough, and as it looks like this might be the start of a series, I’m very excited to be able to return to this world one day.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
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August 21, 2023An absolute stormer of Afrofantasy, somewhere between fable and fantasy, with a tremendous premise, haunting writing, superhero-esque magic, and a brutal message. Really excellent. I'm kind of surprised it's not standalone, it wraps up so perfectly, but am nevertheless delighted there will be more, and will swoop on the next from this author. Tor knock it out of the park once again.
September 17, 2023
3. 75 🌟Almost Perfect
Really enjoyed this one. Ending felt rushed. There was a lot of telling vs showing as it neared the end. Had this been 20 or so pages longer, it could have definitely been rectified.
Really enjoyed this one. Ending felt rushed. There was a lot of telling vs showing as it neared the end. Had this been 20 or so pages longer, it could have definitely been rectified.
March 4, 2025
Brief review because I just realized I forgot to this weekend.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: the ability that certain authors have to create such complex fantasy stories in the space of a novella will never cease to amaze me. This was no exception. Gripping from the first page and intriguing until the last. (Even though you might be able to guess where the plot is going, that doesn't stop the gut-punch once you actually reach it.)
This also had such a good message. I love when allegory is utilized the way it was in here and I've heard the series only goes deeper, so I can't wait to carry on.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: the ability that certain authors have to create such complex fantasy stories in the space of a novella will never cease to amaze me. This was no exception. Gripping from the first page and intriguing until the last. (Even though you might be able to guess where the plot is going, that doesn't stop the gut-punch once you actually reach it.)
This also had such a good message. I love when allegory is utilized the way it was in here and I've heard the series only goes deeper, so I can't wait to carry on.
March 26, 2023
Why is this book so short? My goodness the story took my breath away!! What an epic Debut Novella this book is!! Moses Ose Utomi definetly own the talent to write a wonderful story with his beautiful writing style, great world building, plot, characters and EPIC BATTLE!! *claps*
“There is no water in the City Of Lies”
Tutu a young boy live in “The City Of Lies” where there is no water, the Ajungo Empire promised to send water supply to the city in one condition: they will cut the tongue of anyone in the city who is older than 13 years old! Tutu will soon be thirteen years old and for his mother he determined to find water and ask his Oba (kinda a leder of the city) to give his mother water in exchange for his service to travel out into the desert to find water for the city.
The story is indeed a mixed between fable and fantasy with a mix of African inspired story, the plot is unpredictable tho the character development happen too fast but since it’s a fantasy novella story, i can deal with it. I love the revelations and plot twist in the story!! It’s all around such a fun read for me.. i cannot wait to read more from this series
Highly recommend this book if you love Fantasy and want a short quick read with thought-provoking story and memorable character
“There is no water in the City Of Lies”
Tutu a young boy live in “The City Of Lies” where there is no water, the Ajungo Empire promised to send water supply to the city in one condition: they will cut the tongue of anyone in the city who is older than 13 years old! Tutu will soon be thirteen years old and for his mother he determined to find water and ask his Oba (kinda a leder of the city) to give his mother water in exchange for his service to travel out into the desert to find water for the city.
The story is indeed a mixed between fable and fantasy with a mix of African inspired story, the plot is unpredictable tho the character development happen too fast but since it’s a fantasy novella story, i can deal with it. I love the revelations and plot twist in the story!! It’s all around such a fun read for me.. i cannot wait to read more from this series
Highly recommend this book if you love Fantasy and want a short quick read with thought-provoking story and memorable character
February 26, 2024
There is no water in the City of Lies.
In exchange for water, the Ajungo demanded the tongues of every citizen of the City of Lies. It was a twofold price, a price of blood and a price of history: an untongued people cannot tell their story.
Just before his thirteenth birthday when his tongue will be cut out, Tutu sets out to find a new land with water, where they could build a new city, begin a new history.
He discovers more than he bargained for.
Each sentence is meaningful and packs a punch. Every word carves a poignant story.
I don’t typically enjoy novellas, however, the writing in this one was so passionate and painful and intense.
There are the shallow lies that can be uncovered by a light wind. And there are the deep lies whose roots extend further down than the eye can see. Lies we don't uproot because we are afraid of the emptiness they will leave behind.
If you want a book you can read in under half an hour but leaves you with a profound sense of wonderment, this is for you!
Bookstagram
In exchange for water, the Ajungo demanded the tongues of every citizen of the City of Lies. It was a twofold price, a price of blood and a price of history: an untongued people cannot tell their story.
Just before his thirteenth birthday when his tongue will be cut out, Tutu sets out to find a new land with water, where they could build a new city, begin a new history.
He discovers more than he bargained for.
Each sentence is meaningful and packs a punch. Every word carves a poignant story.
I don’t typically enjoy novellas, however, the writing in this one was so passionate and painful and intense.
There are the shallow lies that can be uncovered by a light wind. And there are the deep lies whose roots extend further down than the eye can see. Lies we don't uproot because we are afraid of the emptiness they will leave behind.
If you want a book you can read in under half an hour but leaves you with a profound sense of wonderment, this is for you!
Bookstagram
February 22, 2023
The Lies of the Ajungo is a hell of a debut novella.
With a folk tale feel and brilliant storytelling and thematic approach, this under-100-page novella delivers a powerful and lasting message in a way that only fairy tales can: in the most enchanting of ways. I'm using the term "fairy tale" loosely here as this story veered away from the optimism and cosy vibes that are often associated with those and it got dark.
The Lies of the Ajungo is a story about a boy whose city is doomed to never have water again and whose people are forever destined to cut out their tongues in exchange for the slightest amount of water sent by a neighbouring empire, the Ajungo. It's a fantastical tale that explores many themes, from family and friendship to the abuse of power and oppression.
The magic could have been explored more in-depth, but in just under 100 pages this novella packs an emotional punch and takes the reader on a journey through the desert and the highs and lows of survival.
Cannot recommend it more if you need something short, but with strong worldbuilding.
ARC provided by Tordotcom, and the NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
With a folk tale feel and brilliant storytelling and thematic approach, this under-100-page novella delivers a powerful and lasting message in a way that only fairy tales can: in the most enchanting of ways. I'm using the term "fairy tale" loosely here as this story veered away from the optimism and cosy vibes that are often associated with those and it got dark.
The Lies of the Ajungo is a story about a boy whose city is doomed to never have water again and whose people are forever destined to cut out their tongues in exchange for the slightest amount of water sent by a neighbouring empire, the Ajungo. It's a fantastical tale that explores many themes, from family and friendship to the abuse of power and oppression.
The magic could have been explored more in-depth, but in just under 100 pages this novella packs an emotional punch and takes the reader on a journey through the desert and the highs and lows of survival.
Cannot recommend it more if you need something short, but with strong worldbuilding.
ARC provided by Tordotcom, and the NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2025
Oh this one hurt, deeply. The skill you must have to craft such a beautiful, impactful story in 80ish pages is crazy
July 11, 2024
30 Books in 30 Days, Vol. 4
Book 29/30
A gripping fantasy/fable set in a desert, where a young boy has to search for water to save his city. Will definitely read more from this author.
Book 29/30
A gripping fantasy/fable set in a desert, where a young boy has to search for water to save his city. Will definitely read more from this author.
December 9, 2024
This was really good! It’s amazing what the author was able to do in less than a hundred pages. He delivered well developed characters, a magic system, and a gut wrenching story with plenty of food for thought.
I was not really prepared. Curious to see where book two goes.
Highly recommend. Will keep an eye peeled for book two.
I was not really prepared. Curious to see where book two goes.
Highly recommend. Will keep an eye peeled for book two.
June 3, 2024
How was this less than 100 pages but so incredibly impactful, beautiful and heartwrenching?! Wow, truly in awe.
July 7, 2023
What is it about stories set in deserts? Good, bad or meh, I am always attracted to them. I think it’s because the environment is so alien to my own experience. Lands divorced of green, where water is more valuable than gold. That the people populating these stories also tend to be culturally very different to me adds further spice. Desert stories feel like sci-fi without leaving the planet.
The Lies of the Ajungo is a desert fable.
Lies is a fun read. Moses Ose Utomi accomplishes a lot in 90 pages. Unfortunately its brevity is its shortcoming. The world building solid but I would have enjoyed greater depth. Tutu grows from boy to “man” far too quickly. (He’s what, fourteen at the book’s conclusion?) The magical element feels dropped in versus organic. And the climax feels very rushed. I am usually an advocate for clear and concise writing vs the massive bloat of most fantasy books, but Lies feels like a 200 page novel compacted into 90 pages. Mr. Utomi give us more. More desert, more cities, more truths, and more lies.
Hoping Utomi's next foray into the Forever Desert will be more lengthy journey, on my buy, borrow, skip, scale, Lies is a solid and recommended borrow. 3.5 stars.
Looking for other good desert reads? The following are some of my favorites you may not have heard of (No, I don’t list Dune because if you haven’t read it by now, you’re never going to right?):
The Steel Seraglio , Mike Carey. (Published as The City of Silk and Steel in the UK, lIke The Lies of the Ajungo reads like a myth or fable. )
Pashazade , Jon Courtenay Grimwood (With sequels Effendi and Felaheen an exceptional noir series set in a 21st century Ottoman Empire.)
City of Bones , Martha Wells. (Fantasy at its best.)
A Dead Djinn in Cairo , P. Djèlí Clark. (An entire alternate Middle East in 40 pages!)
The Lies of the Ajungo is a desert fable.
There is no water in the City of Liesso named by the conquering Ajungo. In exchange for water, the Ajungo demand the tongue of every inhabitant over thirteen. The City has paid this price for decades. Even so its inhabitants barely survive on the water allotted.
There are no heroes in the City of LiesTutu will be thirteen in three days. His dying mother won’t last that long. Tutu strikes a deal with the Oba, the city’s ruler: she will provide water for his mother for one year. He will travel into the desert and find water for the city, separate from the Ajungo. Many have tried; none have returned. Tutu is convinced he will succeed and become the hero the city needs.
There are no friends beyond the City of LiesIn the desert, Tutu meets and learns of others destroyed by the Ajungo. He begins to question the truths that have shaped his people. The ultimate truth he finds rests on a horrific lie. But Tutu will not be swayed. He will bring water to his people.
Lies is a fun read. Moses Ose Utomi accomplishes a lot in 90 pages. Unfortunately its brevity is its shortcoming. The world building solid but I would have enjoyed greater depth. Tutu grows from boy to “man” far too quickly. (He’s what, fourteen at the book’s conclusion?) The magical element feels dropped in versus organic. And the climax feels very rushed. I am usually an advocate for clear and concise writing vs the massive bloat of most fantasy books, but Lies feels like a 200 page novel compacted into 90 pages. Mr. Utomi give us more. More desert, more cities, more truths, and more lies.
Hoping Utomi's next foray into the Forever Desert will be more lengthy journey, on my buy, borrow, skip, scale, Lies is a solid and recommended borrow. 3.5 stars.
Looking for other good desert reads? The following are some of my favorites you may not have heard of (No, I don’t list Dune because if you haven’t read it by now, you’re never going to right?):
The Steel Seraglio , Mike Carey. (Published as The City of Silk and Steel in the UK, lIke The Lies of the Ajungo reads like a myth or fable. )
Pashazade , Jon Courtenay Grimwood (With sequels Effendi and Felaheen an exceptional noir series set in a 21st century Ottoman Empire.)
City of Bones , Martha Wells. (Fantasy at its best.)
A Dead Djinn in Cairo , P. Djèlí Clark. (An entire alternate Middle East in 40 pages!)
August 15, 2024
4.25/5
I'm not a novella guy, I need world building, I need tension, I need characters background...
This is a novella and it has all of it. The author loses no time with bullshit, a great first chapter followed by a story way harder to swallow than I could have expected.
Did it lose me a bit on the ending? It did. Am I jumping into book two as soon as I finish writing this cause this is amazing? You can bet your ass I'm doing it.
I'm not a novella guy, I need world building, I need tension, I need characters background...
This is a novella and it has all of it. The author loses no time with bullshit, a great first chapter followed by a story way harder to swallow than I could have expected.
Did it lose me a bit on the ending? It did. Am I jumping into book two as soon as I finish writing this cause this is amazing? You can bet your ass I'm doing it.
January 30, 2025
2.5 stars
This coming of age story looked so promising in the description that I largely feel let down.
Even when I consider that this is a short story, the beginning and much of the middle were flat, boring, and unimaginative. The story was almost 3/4 over before it found it's voice. Shame.
This coming of age story looked so promising in the description that I largely feel let down.
Even when I consider that this is a short story, the beginning and much of the middle were flat, boring, and unimaginative. The story was almost 3/4 over before it found it's voice. Shame.
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January 31, 2024Phenomenal. A fairytale that, like most actual fairytales, is fucking brutal. It's a compact story, perfectly told, and I've never read anything quite like it.
March 27, 2023
3.5 stars
With such a gripping first sentence, Moses Ose Utomi's The Lies of Ajungo begins one of the strongest openings I've read in a book. The story follows a boy as he ventures into the desert to bring water back to his land. The Lies of Ajungo is told in a fairy tale/fable type of way and that is the main charm of the book. Utomi's writing draws the reader in with the ruthless world the protagonist lives in. The plot is pretty straightforward and it is easy to guess the path the story will take, but the reason I liked this story so much was the themes and lessons it touched upon. On truth and dictatorship and control. What happens when you strip culture of its history and magic, and how hard it can be to realize the truth of living in a city built on lies. Definitely, a writer to keep an eye out for, I enjoyed Utomi's debut novella a lot!
There is no water in the City of Lies.
With such a gripping first sentence, Moses Ose Utomi's The Lies of Ajungo begins one of the strongest openings I've read in a book. The story follows a boy as he ventures into the desert to bring water back to his land. The Lies of Ajungo is told in a fairy tale/fable type of way and that is the main charm of the book. Utomi's writing draws the reader in with the ruthless world the protagonist lives in. The plot is pretty straightforward and it is easy to guess the path the story will take, but the reason I liked this story so much was the themes and lessons it touched upon. On truth and dictatorship and control. What happens when you strip culture of its history and magic, and how hard it can be to realize the truth of living in a city built on lies. Definitely, a writer to keep an eye out for, I enjoyed Utomi's debut novella a lot!
August 4, 2022
It's a cross between a fable and a post-apocalyptic wasteland, with a significant African point of view, and that makes for a strong story that's hard to put down. It's short. There are things about it that I found predictable (as fables often are) and there was much that was fresh and new and harsh and beautiful. I liked the strong message to oppressors. I think it's a huge story in a small package and Moses Utomi is an author to watch.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss
August 10, 2025
The ending just killed me. I am so emotional, and it was so good, and I just want to take Tutu (what a name, right?) and wrap him in cotton and tell him to rest.
What an excellent novella, a dark fantasy, African-folklore-inspired tale of young boy who becomes a man out in the desert, and discovers truths about his world, and his people, that will wreck you.
I am off to find the next book in the series and see how this continues . . . .
What an excellent novella, a dark fantasy, African-folklore-inspired tale of young boy who becomes a man out in the desert, and discovers truths about his world, and his people, that will wreck you.
I am off to find the next book in the series and see how this continues . . . .
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