Brave girl finds peril, purpose in engaging Afrofantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
There is peril in the form of adventure throughout the book. The Gold Hats are the empire's threatening law enforcement. A story is told about them cutting off a young boy's arm for stealing fruit in the market. Adia's cousin EJ dies before the action of the novel, presumably by drowning. Characters fight and battle, using weapons, including knives, throwing stars, machetes, and bows and arrows. Fantasy characters possess and steal energy from others. There are stories told of beasts who want to "blood you dry or rip out your throat and gorge on your blood" but that doesn't actually happen. The missionaries of the Bright Father convince, and sometimes coerce, the villagers to take a sedative called Drops. It is a liquid taken from the agrias plant and causes the people to go along with everything.
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Some villagers voluntarily take the Drops given to them by the missionaries (others are forced). Adia says that once people start taking Drops, they need more and more to stay subdued, indicating it may be addictive in nature.
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This is an Afrofantasy set in the fictional Zarian Empire, and most of the characters are Black. Colorism is explored in a variety of ways. Adia is from the Swamplands, where people have darker skin. It's mentioned several times that people with darker skin are treated more harshly. The religious leader Bright Father and his missionaries focus on the Swamplands and other poor villages. Their main prayer repeats a line about asking Bright Father to wash them "whiter than snow." Author Isi Hendrix is a Nigerian American of Igbo heritage and said that she drew on her culture in writing the book. The main characters in the books are female characters -- girls, women, and a goddess -- who are brave, intelligent, strong, and good leaders.
It's important to be yourself. Recognize and appreciate your gifts. People with different backgrounds and talents can work together to a accomplish big things. Compassion, courage, and teamwork are highlighted.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Adia is a good role model. She's kind and compassionate. She learns to accept all the parts of herself. Adia's eager to help others in addition to herself. She's a good friend. The goddess Ginikanwa guides and supports Adia. Nami and Thyme are complex characters; both are loyal in their own ways. Adia, Gini, and Thyme work together to overcome challenges and solve problems.
Educational Value
a little
Readers may learn something about colonialism, colorism, racism, and religious indoctrination through the book's exploration of those themes.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans by Isi Hendrix is an Afrofantasy and the first in a planned trilogy. Author Hendrix is Nigerian American and draws on her Nigerian and Igbo heritage for the story. The heroine, 12-year-old Adia Kelbara is courageous and compassionate as she helps save her kingdom from peril. Adia and other characters work as a team to overcome challenges and dangers. Individuality and self-acceptance are important themes. Fights and use of weapons, including knives and machetes do not result in graphic injuries. Fantasy creatures possess characters and steal their energy. Missionaries convince and sometimes coerce villagers to take "the Drops" a sedative that causes them to go along with anything. Colonialism, colorism, racism, and religious indoctrination are themes explored throughout the story.
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What's the Story?
In ADIA KELBARA AND THE CIRCLE OF SHAMANS, 12-year-old Adia is an orphan living with her aunt, uncle, and cousin in the Swamplands, a village in the fictional Zarian Empire. Adia's family thinks she's is an obanje, or evil spirit, due to her unusual abilities, such as easily memorizing a book or map. They treat her unkindly and force her to do the family chores. When Adia's assigned to apprentice at the kitchen of the Academy of Shamans in another village, she thinks she's found her way out of the Swamplands. She also wants to get away from the missionaries of the Bright Father, who've come to indoctrinate the village. The missionaries have been sedating people with Drops, a liquid extracted from a local plant. When a missionary tries to force Adia to take Drops, she accidentally causes an earthquake-like disturbance in the village. She escapes to the Academy of Shamans and begins her work in the kitchen there. She soon learns that the academy is not quite what it seems and that the Zaria is under attack. Adia joins the goddess Ginikanwa and the warrior girl Thyme on an adventure to uncover the truth. As they fight the demon Olark the Tormentor, Adia learns a lot about herself along the way. Will she discover her true powers? Will she have the courage to use them to save her friends and Zaria?
This engaging Afrofantasy is full of adventure, great characters, and important themes. In Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans, 12-year-old Adia is an inspiring heroine who goes on a journey of self-discovery. The setting is nicely developed, and readers will enjoy familiar fantasy elements, such as magic powers and a magical school. Although the story takes place in a fantasy world, readers may relate to Zaria's challenges of feeling like an outsider and struggling with being different. The story beautifully touches on themes of differences and self-acceptance, as well as compassion, courage, and teamwork. Although colonialism, colorism, and religious indoctrination are touched upon in age appropriate and thoughtful ways, these themes may go over the head of some readers or bore others. Overall, the book's fast-paced adventures and touches of humor will keep readers turning the pages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about colonialism in Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans. Why do the missionaries of Bright Father come to Adia's village? What is their relationship with the villagers?
Adia, Ginikanwa, and Thyme coordinate as a team to help save the Zarian Empire. What are their strengths and gifts and how do they use them to work together?
Adia's aunt and uncle treat her poorly and tell her that she's an ogbanje, or evil spirit. Gini tells Adia, "...being different doesn't make you evil and having powers doesn't make you an ogbanje." Gini also says, "Some people were meant to be gifts for the world." How does Adia learn to understand and accept her gifts and power? How does she use her power to help others?
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By Mary Krawczyk
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