Erhu Kome
The Smoke That Thunders
Author: Urhobo Writer, Nigerian
Genres: West African and Urhobo Folklore, Fantasy, Action and Adventure
Novel
Ages: 16+
Representation and Themes: Empowerment, cultural heritage, defiance against tradition, the bond between humans and mystical beings, the intersection of personal freedom and duty, political intrigue, and the struggle against oppression.
In this electrifying debut fantasy rooted in Urhobo and West African folklore, sixteen-year-old Naborhi defies her traditional clan and a forced betrothal to follow a divine calling. Bonded to a mysterious beast and plagued by visions of a captive boy, she joins forces with the son of a rival Oracle and her adventurous cousin to trek across the continent on a perilous rescue mission. What begins as a quest for personal freedom soon escalates into a high-stakes struggle against an impending war, forcing Naborhi to navigate political intrigue and ancient gods to save her world. The Smoke That Thunders is a lush, gripping tale of destiny, fierce love, and the power of choice.
Cat Hellisen
by South African author
Genres: Beauty and the Beast Retelling, Fantasy, Romance, Fiction
Novel
Ages: 16+
Representation and Themes: Family legacy, self-discovery, the struggle against curses, the complexities of love, and the journey of navigating one's identity.
Beastkeeper
Sarah, a girl longing for magic, discovers her family's hidden curse when her father starts transforming into a beast. After her mother leaves, Sarah unravels the family's mysterious past and realizes she is also cursed. The only way to break the curse is to avoid falling in love, or she too will become a beast. Living with unknown grandparents in a castle, Sarah must navigate the layers of enchantment to find a way to break the spell forever.
Young Adult Africa: Standalones
A warm collection of individual Young Adult novels by African writers. These stories bring together contemporary life, traditional folklore, and the dynamic energy of the continent's youth.
Blessing Musariri
All That It Ever Meant
Author: Urhobo Writer, Nigerian
Genres: West African and Urhobo Folklore, Fantasy
Novel
Ages 16+
Representation and Themes: Grief and healing, cultural identity, family dynamics, LGBTQ+ representation, magical realism, and the journey of self-discovery. and grief.
Following the loss of their mother, Mati’s fractured family is uprooted from England for a camping trip across their homeland in Zimbabwe. Joining them is Meticais—a flamboyant, gender-neutral spirit only Mati can see. As they navigate the stunning landscapes of their heritage, Mati must rely on the spirit’s enigmatic guidance to bridge the gap between two cultures and help her family find a way forward through the shadows of grief. This soulful YA debut is a masterful blend of mystery, family bonds, and healing.
Caitlin Alifirenka, Martina Ganda, liza Welch (Contributor)
I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives
by American author (Pennsylvania), Zimbabwean author
Genres: Nonfiction
Memoir
Ages: 16+
Representation and Themes: Cross-cultural friendship, resilience, self-discovery, the impact of communication, socio-economic contrasts, and global community awareness.
The true story of an all-American girl and a boy from an impoverished city in Zimbabwe and the letter that changed both of their lives forever.
A classroom assignment becomes a journey of friendship and self-discovery when Caitlin, a curious student, writes to a pen pal in Zimbabwe. This choice leads to a life-changing connection with Martin, a top student in a struggling school. Their six-year correspondence shares dreams, challenges, and realities of their different lives.
In this dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount their evolving friendship, showing how their letters bridged worlds and fostered personal growth. Their story highlights the power of connection and encourages readers to appreciate the global community.
Join Caitlin and Martin on this inspiring journey of friendship, resilience, and the transformative impact of one letter.
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Standalones
Series
Yaba Badoe
A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars.
by Ghanaian-British author
Genres: Magical Realism, Fantasy, Fiction
Novel
Ages: 16+
Representation and Themes: Survival, Justice, Loss, Resilience, Memory, Mystery, Cultural Heritage, and the Impact of the Past.
Sante, a survivor of a tragic shipwreck, finds herself drawn into a mysterious quest for justice amidst the backdrop of Mama Rose's circus. Haunted by the voices of the deceased, she is compelled to seek out specific items that hold the key to unraveling her past. A bamboo flute, a golden bangle, and a ripening mango all play a crucial role in uncovering the secrets of her origins. As Sante navigates this enigmatic journey, the pieces of her story slowly come together, revealing a tale of loss, resilience, and the enduring power of memory.
Mary Watson
by African Author
Genres: Fantasy
Novel
Ages: 16+
Representation: Black female protagonist, themes of generational trauma, empowerment, and ancestral legacy. Themes: Family curses, rage and its consequences, the struggle for self-identity, and confronting societal injustices.
Blood to Poison
Seventeen-year-old Savannah is trapped by a family curse that has haunted the women in her lineage for centuries. Known as Hella's girls, each generation is burdened by an heirloom that seals their fate: one woman destined to die young. Named after their ancestor Hella, an enslaved woman whose spirit persists, these girls are marked by a growing rage as their time runs out.
Savannah struggles with her anger—aimed at catcalling men, her mother's deceitful fiancé, and her own family—realizing her emotions are both a weapon and a warning. Each outburst brings her closer to destruction. To escape the curse, she must confront dark forces in Cape Town's underbelly, where the veil witches await her.
Blood to Poison is a mesmerizing tale of magic, historical rage, and love. Follow Savannah as she fights to reclaim her destiny and uncover her family's haunting legacy. Will she break the curse or become another victim of Hella's wrath? Dive into this captivating fantasy and discover the power within rage and resilience
The Complete Legacy of Orïsha Series:
Children of Blood and Bone (Book 1)
Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Book 2)
Children of Anguish and Anarchy (Book 3)
By Nigerian-American Author
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Fiction
Novel
Ages: 16+
Note: This series highlights West African ethnic identities and addresses themes of systemic oppression and loss.
By Tomi Adeyemi
In a land where magic once thrived, Zélie seeks to restore what was lost when a cruel king extinguished its light. With her own magical abilities, she joins forces with an unlikely ally to challenge the oppressive regime. As they navigate a treacherous world filled with both mystical creatures and political intrigue, Zélie grapples with the true extent of her powers and confronts unexpected emotions. The fate of Orïsha hangs in the balance, with Zélie's choices holding the key to a future where magic may once again reign.
Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar
City of the Beasts (Book 1) - Amazon setting
Kingdom of the Golden Dragon (Book 2) - Himalayan Mountains setting
Forest of the Pygmies (Book 3) - Kenya setting
By Chilean-American Author
Kenya Setting - Book 3
Genres: Contemporary Fantasy, Action and Adventure
Ages: 14+
Representation and Themes: Environmental justice, friendship, courage, colonialism, indigenous rights, corruption, and the transformative power of hope.
By Isabel Allende
In the thrilling conclusion of Isabel Allende's acclaimed trilogy, Jaguar and Eagle, join Alexander Cold and Nadia Santos on a breathtaking adventure in the heart of Kenya. Commissioned by International Geographic to explore the groundbreaking elephant-led safaris, their journey quickly transforms from a simple exploration into a quest for justice.
As they traverse the vibrant red plains, a mysterious plea for help from a Catholic missionary leads them deep into the shadowy forests of Ngoubé. There, they encounter a hidden clan of Pygmies, unveiling a shocking reality of corruption, slavery, and poaching that threatens both the land and its inhabitants.
With the mystical guidance of their totemic spirits, Jaguar and Eagle, Alexander and Nadia must confront perilous challenges to restore freedom and rightful leadership. This captivating tale of friendship and courage will leave readers spellbound as they witness the transformative power of hope against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty and profound injustice.
Epic YA Sagas & Series
Africa - Young Adult Series
A growing shelf of series and duologies from across Africa for teen and young adult readers. Here you’ll find multi-book arcs that follow characters through friendships, first loves, magic, protests, and big life choices—perfect for readers who want to stay with a story world for more than one book.
Completed Series: Crooked World
Crooks and Straights (Book 1)
Wolf Logic (Book 2)
By Masha du Toit
Writer: South African originating from Stellenbosch
Setting: Cape Town
Genre: Fantasy
Ages: 16+
Note: This story highlights South African cultural and political identities while exploring sensitive themes of persecution and familial danger.
In a world where magic is no longer safe, Gia's brother Nico's uniqueness becomes a dangerous trait. Cape Town, once a sanctuary for magical beings, is now a place where the Purists aim to eradicate all magic. The Belle Gente, labeled as magical terrorists, fill the newspapers with dread. When the Special Branch comes looking for Nico, Gia discovers family secrets and realizes her own role in putting her brother in jeopardy.
Blood Scion series:
Blood Scion (Book 1)
War Widow (Book 2)
By Deborah Falaye
by Nigerian-Canadian author
Genre: Fantasy, Yoruba-Nigerian mythology
Ages: 16+
Representation and Themes: This novel features a Yoruba-Nigerian cultural backdrop, exploring themes of magic, injustice, survival, revenge, and the moral complexities of power dynamics.
In a world where power is both a gift and a curse, fifteen-year-old Sloane, a Scion with the ability to incinerate enemies, must hide her powers under the oppressive Lucis regime. On her fifteenth birthday, she's conscripted into the Lucis army, which slaughtered her people. This brutal initiation becomes an opportunity to dismantle the regime from within. Sloane aims to become the monster they fear, using her powers for survival and revenge.
Deborah Falaye’s debut novel is an electrifying journey through a world inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, drawing comparisons to Children of Blood and Bone and An Ember in the Ashes, weaving themes of magic, injustice, and the quest for power.
Key Features
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Yoruba-Inspired Fantasy: Explore a world of Orisha gods, powerful magic, and a heroine linked to the fire god, Shango.
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Brutal Military Fantasy: Sloane must survive bloody training to become the weapon that destroys the Lucis from within.
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High-Stakes Dystopian World: Under Lucis rule, being a Scion means death. Sloane must hide her identity and powers to survive.
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A Morally Grey Heroine: Sloane is determined to become the monster they fear, but at what personal cost?
Join Sloane on her quest for justice and vengeance in a gripping narrative that challenges the boundaries of morality and power. Will she rise as a hero or fall into darkness?
The Nsibidi Scripts
Akata Witch (Book 1)
Akata Warrior (Book 2)
Akata Woman (Book 3)
By Nnedi Okorafor
by Nigerian American Author
Setting: Nigeria
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy, Mystery
Ages: 14+
Representation and Themes: explores themes of identity, belonging, and self-discovery while representing diverse cultural backgrounds, the experience of being an outsider, and the power of friendship and community in overcoming challenges.
Affectionately dubbed "the Nigerian Harry Potter," Akata Witch is a captivating tale of magic, mystery, and self-discovery that will enchant readers of all ages. This Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Century follows the journey of twelve-year-old Sunny, an American-born girl navigating her life in Nigeria. With her unique appearance as an albino and her struggles to fit in, Sunny feels out of place in both her home and her new environment.
But everything changes when she uncovers her hidden identity as a "free agent" with extraordinary magical abilities. Joining a diverse group of fellow magic students, Sunny delves into the realms of the visible and invisible, learning to manipulate reality. However, their newfound skills are put to the test when they are tasked with capturing a dangerous criminal who wields magic of his own.
With nods from literary giants like Ursula K. Le Guin and John Green, Akata Witch promises to transport readers to a world brimming with enchantment and adventure. Dive into this mesmerizing story, and discover why fans are raving about Nnedi Okorafor's remarkable work!