Goddess Crown
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
In this thrilling Afro-fantasy, the first set in the lush, opulent kingdom of Galla, a girl raised in secret must leave her sheltered rural home for the subtle dangers of the royal court, where she becomes caught up in deadly power struggles and romantic intrigue. Kalothia has grown up in the shadows of her kingdom, hidden away in the forested East after her parents were outed as enemies of the king. Raised in a woodland idyll by a few kindly adult caretakers, Kalothia can hunt and fish and fend for herself but knows little of the outside world. When assassins attack her home on her sixteenth birthday, she must flee to the king’s court in the West—a beautiful but lethal nest of poison, plots, and danger, overseen by an entrenched patriarchy. Guided by the Goddess herself, can Kalothia navigate this most worldly of places to find her own role? What if she must choose between her country and her heart? Excitement, romance, and a charismatic heroine shine in this first book set in the unforgettable kingdom of Galla.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A sheltered teen who longs to find her missing parents must contend with a patriarchal society and dangerous political machinations in Lapite's thrilling debut. Kalothia, who is almost 16, has grown up isolated in the kingdom of Galla's Faledi forest with her caretakers, Aunty and Teacher, and a rotation of royal guards. Her parents' whereabouts are a mystery; when she was a baby, they were ousted from King Osura's court for supporting the purportedly treasonous queen, and forced to flee the kingdom. They delivered Kalothia to Aunty and Teacher, and haven't been heard from since. After assassins destroy her home on her 16th birthday, Kalothia must depart with only her vervet monkey, Yeye, and the head of her personal security, Nahir, intending to leave the kingdom. When Kalothia makes a life-changing discovery, she determines to infiltrate the Gallan court seeking justice for her family—and find out who is trying to get rid of her. British Nigerian author Lapite delivers an engaging African-inspired fantasy replete with pulse-pounding action sequences, dramatic revelations, and an affecting developing romance spearheaded by a clever, headstrong heroine that readers can't help but cheer for. Characters read as Black. Ages 13–17.
