Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this Alice's Adventures in Wonderland retelling set in a West Africa--inspired locale, 16-year-old Afia leaves her everyday life behind to embark on fantastical adventures in a magical forest. Though Afia and her twin sister Aya are preparing to enter their family's diamond-selling business, Afia yearns for more than the boring life she expects to live in the isolated cliffside city of Dafra. Then she meets Bakame, a mysterious shape-shifter who claims he can show her wonderful things if she goes with him. At first, he makes good on his promise, traveling with Afia to Ijábù, "the land of wonders," and home to charming Queen Ukiwa. But Afia soon learns that the queen and her land are not all they seem to be. Afia's longing to free herself from her family's expectations chafes against her love and loyalty to them, adding a nuanced layer of emotional tumult to this freewheeling debut. Araujo's tender depictions of siblinghood ground theatrical plotting, while painterly illustrations peppered throughout evoke ethereal atmosphere and enhance the novel's whimsical and enigmatic elements. Ages 9--12. Agent: Regina Brooks, Serendipity Literary. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--Afia and her twin sister Aya are poised to become crystal merchants like their mother and father before them in their sequestered desert village of Dafra. On the eve of their ewende ceremony where their community will initiate them into their adult lives, Afia encounters a mysterious carver at the monthly market day. When she runs away in the middle of her ewende and accepts Bakame's invitation to meet the powerful queen of a land of mysterious wonders, she understands that it will mean leaving her twin and the rest of her family behind, perhaps forever. What she does not know and could not imagine is that Queen Ukiwa of Ijabu has built her palace and her kingdom on the lives and dreams of her courtiers through magical entrapment. When Afia finally uncovers the truth, she must discover who she truly is and find the courage to overcome adversity to free herself and everyone else from the queen's control. Along the way, she encounters untold dangers and meets unexpected allies in her quest to return and seek forgiveness from her beloved sister. This illustrated retelling of Alice in Wonderland draws heavily on African folklore and mysticism to create an endearing fantasy that celebrates curiosity, self-reliance, compassion, friendship, and family bonds. VERDICT A reimagining of a classic of children's literature, this will be particularly enjoyed by readers who are interested in myths and fairy tales from diverse cultures; recommended for middle school.--Kelly Kingrey-Edwards
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A curious teen in a world inspired by West African kingdoms from the 10th through the 16th centuries runs away in search of adventure and finds herself in an unexpected world. Sixteen-year-old Afia and her twin sister, Aya, are about to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony that will allow them to enter their family's business as crystal merchants. Aya is dutiful, but Afia wants to see the world, even though her family feels it's too dangerous to explore. When Afia meets Bakame, a shape-shifting boy, she flees the ceremony and joins him on a voyage beyond her familiar Dafra community. Bakame astonishes Afia when he tells her about Queen Ukiwa and her palace in Ijábù, "the land of wonders." When Afia meets the Queen, she's in awe--finally, she's having experiences like those in the books she's read. But Afia's impression of the Queen changes dramatically after she witnesses her terrible cruelty. She's determined to leave Ijábù, and her only ally is Ojike, a spirit of a boy who's wearing a carved cat mask. He proposes a bargain: If she helps him overthrow the Queen, he'll assist her in finding her way home. This clever, lushly illustrated fantasy is influenced byAlice's Adventures in Wonderland. The dramatic action features twists and surprises, and Afia is a compelling protagonist whose sibling relationship is an essential part of her character arc. An intriguing story that explores self-discovery in a fantastical setting. (sketchbook)(Fantasy. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
