Mythspeaker
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
For fans of Race to the Sun and the Aru Shah series, this epic fantasy adventure inspired by Indigenous American mythology follows a band of misfit children who must pull off an impossible heist in order to save the world!
"Mythspeaker is a vibrant and fun fantasy adventure starring an endearing band of misfits. Readers will love the epic heist, rich mythology, and wondrous magical creatures."
—Alexandra Ott, author of Seekers of the Wild Real
Thanks to a prophecy revealed when he was little, thirteen-year-old Kyta always knew that he was destined to save the world. But waiting for that moment has kept him on edge his whole childhood, preventing him from having fun like other kids in his tribe. So when the ground quakes and the trees whisper that something is wrong, Kyta leaps into action, desperate to fulfill his destiny.
He is horrified to find that the precious Egg of the World Turtle, on whose vast shell everyone and everything lives, has been stolen by invaders. The Turtle is angry and grief-stricken, threatening to upend the very land under their feet. The invaders refuse to heed the warning of the tribes and return the Egg . . . so Kyta comes up with a plan to steal it back!
It's risky and dangerous . . . but abandoning the Egg is certain doom. Kyta assembles other kids who could sneak into the invaders' fortress and pull off the heist, but getting four very different personalities to work together is harder than he thought. And when they discover that the Egg is being guarded by an evil collector, his savage ogres, and a beast so terrible that it defies description, their odds seem all but impossible! Will Kyta be able to fulfill his destiny, or did he set himself up to fail . . . and the world to fall?
Inspired by the Indigenous American folktales, this thrilling and heartwarming fantasy shows the importance of teamwork, respect for nature, and believing in yourself.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cajun and Indigenous debut author Roubique draws inspiration from Indigenous American tales to craft a rousing action-packed adventure. Eight years before this book's start, when Kytalumdi of the Ay'do tribe was five, an ancient supernatural tribal figure called Deer Mother prophesized that Kyta—born with the extraordinary gift of understanding any language—will save the world. Now 13, Kyta feels burdened by his impending destiny, which could occur at any time. When he learns that colonizing invaders known as the Tenemusuh have stolen the Egg of the World Turtle, Kyta is certain that this is the fateful event Deer Mother foretold. If the Egg is not returned to the World Turtle soon, the world will perish. After attempts to negotiate with the Tenemusuh's cruel, pale-skinned leader fail, Kyta, inspired by a legendary trickster coyote, assembles a team of local kids—"a horse thief, a birdbrained outcast, and a fool"—and schemes to steal the Egg back. Imagin-ative worldbuilding is enlivened by engaging characters contending with grounded emotions such as loneliness and insecurity as they strive to perform heroic and inspiring feats in this timeless and original celebration of Indigenous stories. Includes an author's note and glossary. Ages 8–12.
