My sincerest gratitude to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this eARC of Birth of a Dynasty. In exchange for the eARC, I leave my honest review.

Birth of a Dynasty is an Epic Fantasy centered around betrayal, revenge, and power. The problem with epic fantasy is there needs to be a balance of such complex elements at once, without diminishing any of the elements in favor of another. All of the elements should be believable, consistent, and alive. Because of this, I commend Chinaza Bado for attempting such complexities and while this book has its moments of inadequacies, I hope it's able to unfurl more as the story progresses. With that being said, yes, I am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.

With an Epic Fantasy, the world building needs a rich, believable world and I think the author did a really powerful job at shaping this world to drive the plot. I am not well educated in West African legends and I did find myself researching to get a better understanding on some of the topics. This might turn some readers off, but it didn't for me.

One qualm I do have is the pacting. Understandably, there should be some slight info dumping to understand the world we are diving into, but the pacing made it difficult to grasp. I also did not enjoy the characters as much as I thought I was going to, but again this is the first of a trilogy and I expect some character growth as the story progresses.

Birth of a Dynasty was fantastic. The author didn't pull any punches or shy away from difficult situations and it made the book engrossing, hard to put down. I also loved the chapters from different perspectives. Cannot wait for more.

Ahhh man, just as the story was finally getting good and going somewhere. I’m locked in and ready for the next one and this one isn’t even released yet! Seriously, I think the writer did an excellent job of laying the ground work for a really good story, but it seemed like it took for freaking ever to get there. I would have given it an extra star if it would have progressed a bit faster.

Lots of mystery, lots of interesting characters, lots and lots of politics. I’m invested and I can’t wait for Zikora and Khalil to finally team up… I hope anyways. There is also a lot of loss and devastation in this book—truly felt so sad with every new death or torture incident.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Chinazo Bado and team as well as Netgalley for the ARC!

Plot-4 stars; enjoyment-4 stars, artistry/writing-4; characters-4; heart-4; overall 4 stars ⭐️

I really liked the world building that this book had so far despite it being told mainly on the pov of the two main characters who are still children. It was also nice seeing children act and read as children. I love when there are multiple povs in a book so I enjoyed seeing how they are impacted by and how they impact the happenings of the plot.

It interesting reading in Khalil’s pov where he has to confront his own identity, or the inability to do so, and then Zikora’s whereas she has to stay true to her “innocent child-like” nature despite embroiled in palace politics as a child hostage.

There were moments where I felt the writing was a bit awkward, especially some of the dialogue info dumping before certain large moments. I also felt that certain moments felt a bit rushed (Zikora receiving the Rite of Blessing - although it kinda makes sense due to her father’s urgency).

Eagerly waiting for the next book so I can see how M’Kuru and Zikora interact as well as how the prophecy pushes them forwards, or towards each other.

This one was a bit rough right from the start. Early on, it was clear the author had some lofty goals for this book, particularly with the political stakes, prophesy at the heart of things, and the ways in which characters would plot to see their own goals forwarded. However, the pacing was incredibly slow in the beginning, which made it a struggle to become invested. On top of that, the information we were given often was dropped in the readers lap via long, rather tedious infodumps. As I began to better understand this world, much of this did come together, and I was fairly invested in how things would turn out towards the end of the story. However, I think there’s a pretty steep ask put on readers right from the start with the story structure.

Some of the oddities of the info dumping/pacing weren’t helped by the stilted dialogue. It was the kind of thing that’s hard to put your finger on exactly or explain in a review. People simply spoke in ways that didn’t feel natural or organic. If I didn’t know better, it almost read as if the book had been translated from a different language and much of the spirit of the original dialogue had been lost in conversion leaving everything rather flat.

I also really struggled with the characters. On the positive side to start, however, I did enjoy that the book’s main characters were two noble children. The story takes place during a few time periods, but even in some of the later ones, they are still very much younger children. This was interesting choice, and I think the author successfully re-created the mentality of two noble children in these situations. Unfortunately, however, realistic depictions of noble kids in these situations doesn’t necessarily leave you with characters you enjoy spending time with. On top of that, you do get a variety of other, adult side characters. However, none of them were particularly likable either! I was really left grasping at straws trying to find someone to root for.

The book was also incredibly violent, with numerous traumatic and horrible events taking place, including sexual assault. The author is clearly writing a grim story, one that is set in a world full of awful, striving people who will do whatever it takes, and I think she does succeeds there. But I don’t particularly enjoy this sort of grimdark fantasy ala “Game of Thrones,” so I was largely put off by the violence and rape involved. That said, readers of dark fantasy may enjoy the way some of these themes are discussed and handled.

Overall, this simply wasn’t the book for me. I think there were some struggles with the writing and pacing over all, but I did become more invested in the overarching plot by the end of the book. That said, I’m never going to love a book where most (if not all) of the characters are some degree of unlikable. However, if you’re a grimdark fantasy reader who enjoys political intrigue, this may be the book for you!

Rating 6: Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me: too dark and with characters I struggled to enjoy.

Link will go live on The Library Ladies on July 2

Exciting. Fresh. Bloodthirsty.

I had a fun time with this one, love the main characters and I’m very intrigued by the plot and excited for book 2!

Bado crafts a very compelling and complex world, for which we’re just shown the tip. Political intrigue, slowly awakening magic and great machinations await those who dare to enter!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a review copy!

I went into this book blind and I'm glad I did because at no point did I know where it was going. The world building was amazing!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado.

I'm kind of shocked by the reviews for this one. I really enjoyed this. For a complex fantasy, I finished it really quickly and was engaged the entire time. The characters were endearing and written well, in part because they are super young (which made parts of the story pretty dark and heartbreaking, but other parts nostalgic and hopeful). I couldn't decide if I liked Zikora or M'Kuru more, which is a great sign of a good book. Both of them grew a tremendous amount throughout the book, learning to trust their instincts and elders rather than being impulsive and hotheaded. I really loved Khalil's grandfather and Ashon.

But, I will say that I didn't quite understand the point of Khalil's mother and their relationship besides getting the story where it needed to go. I kept expecting something bigger relating to her. But, it ended up feeling like a rather basic plot line.

The different POV's added layers and vital information in ways that were interesting and not just info dumping history. The world building was complex and I loved the historical elements woven throughout the story. The author excelled at writing both interesting cities and hierarchies as well as the intricacies and danger of court politics.

I wish the second book was published already because I would have gone right into it. I am excited to see where Zikora and M'Kuru go in book 2! Overall, four stars. It was missing the vital feeling a 5 star book gives you but definitely better than average without a doubt.

“This world does not care if you are innocent, just, or kind. It cares if you survive.”

Hop in losers we’re going on a revenge tour. I was enthralled with this book from chapter one and it just kept getting better. A story full of political intrigue, betrayals, & conspiracies. Everyone in this story has to watch their back because no one is safe.

There were several characters that really stood out to me whom I absolutely adored. Khalid’s Grandpa is funny. I love his dry sense of humor. The tiny bits of humor thrown in felt natural and helped to balance out the heaviness of the story. It was heartbreaking to see Zakora and M’Kuru/Khalid slowly lose their innocence and become all too aware of the harsh reality of the world they lived in.

This is a story about the lengths people will go to gain and retain power. A chess match where everyone is trying to outsmart their opponent, while all the pawns in the middle are just trying to survive. I need the next book now.

Birth of A Dynasty is a YA Fantasy filled with revenge, Identity, and a fight for family and culture. I enjoyed this book so much and can't wait for the other books in the series! A must add to the Summer TBR..

A rich and interesting start to an epic fantasy story that may not suit all readers.



I don’t normally put cautions or content warnings in my reviews, it's not been my general practice. But I am going to begin there, of all places, in my discussion of Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado because I think burying it would be a disservice to a reader. Birth of a Dynasty has violence and rather bad things happening to two child protagonists, ranging from death of their families to imprisonment in rather dire circumstances, violence against them directly, deadly violence committed by them, and other threats to their mental and physical well being. If that is your red line, this book may not be for you.
(rest at the link)

Well I’m locked in and ready for the next one!

I found this to be a really engaging, page-turning story once I got used to the kingdom dynamics, people, and places involved (there are a lot of moving pieces; it’s a big world with lots of politics) - so much so that I finished in in a day. The beginning definitely felt like it dragged on at times but after about the 25% mark it really kicked in for me. By the end, I was crazy invested in the prophecy and the ways that fate was moving around the two main characters (two children from different ruling families) and the cast of characters they came into contact with. I will say that Zikora was hands down my favorite! Her spunk and attitude were a welcome change from some of the more passive female characters and I appreciated how she very much read like an 8 (and then 11 year old) high noble child.

While the story was immersive and I found myself lost in what was happening, I did feel that descriptions about the surroundings were lacking at times and it was hard to picture where the action was taking place. I would create a picture in my head only for a brief off-mention that would change the setting in a way I wasn’t expecting. Character descriptions were much more consistent and cohesive.

Additionally, the dialogue isn’t always smooth between characters and there are a handful of info-dumping moments that don’t feel very organic (especially right before or right after a scene change/major conflict).

One of the things I think the book did best was utilize multiple viewpoints to show what’s happening. The reader gets to hear from the main characters, the people creating the conflict around them, and the lowly-born side characters who are victims to the whims of the powerful. For such a built-out world, these different perspectives are hugely important.

With that said, I’m really not sure why so many reviews have complained about the number of narrators or have claimed the story jumps through time too fast? The story jumps in time once, literally only once, and it’s only 3 years into the future to see where Khalil and Zikora are now. I’ve found the additional narrators (beyond our main two characters) to be incredibly helpful in adding context and background to the story, rather than relying on the perspective of small children and the narrative formula feels very standard for a fantasy novel with one big exception: it’s not anglo-centric (and part of me wonders whether that’s where some readers struggled). The author’s west African cultural roots and love for world myth and mystery create a beautifully diverse reading experience that’s a welcome addition into the genre! Whatever it may be, I didn’t share the aforementioned common complaints around narrators or plot movement.

I will definitely look forward to reading future books in the series and I’m grateful to NetGalley, Ms. Bado, and the publisher for allowing me to read early in exchange for my review.

I thought this was okay, some interesting ideas and exciting moments but not particularly special. The writing sometimes felt slightly off, almost like it had been translated from another language. And I was disappointed in the lack of much climax toward the end. I don't think I will be interested enough in the characters to pick up a sequel.

This almost reads like a YA version of Game of Thrones — not to dismiss it as lesser, but because it’s primary characters, Zikora and Khalil are both kids during this book, seeing the great maneuverings and machinations of powerful princes and warlords, doing their best to navigate complex situations. And if it weren’t for all of the rape, I would recommend this for a younger audience. Instead … not going to do that.

Khalil is interesting; his family have been slaughtered due to both ambition and greed on the part of Prince Effiom and he is the sole remaining member. Rescued by an old man, he is renamed Khalil for his own safety and spends time living amongst villagers trying to deal with his grief, his rage, and his loss of self and station. He’s angry, cold, ruthless, and yet he does his best to save who he can, even knowing they’ll hate him for it.

Zikora is a spoiled daughter of another noble family cursed or blessed with a blessing from her ancestors. Not yet 10, she suddenly knows more than she ought, but doesn’t necessarily understand it. She’s also a hostage in the royal city against her father, and doing her best to survive. Like many children, she doesn’t really believe that bad things will happen to her, that they can, until they do.

These two kids feel like children, and that’s part of the charm of the book. The other part is the world building, seen in glimpses because — living in it — neither Khalil nor Zikora feel the need to info dump about how and why and wherefore everything is happening. There’s enough to be gleaned through conversations to hint at a complex system of kings and nobles, rival princes and alliances centuries old.

The women in this book are unpleasant, manipulative, cruel and horrible. To be fair, so are the men. Other than Zikora and Khalil — and maybe Khalil’s adopted grandfather — there’s not really anyone here to admire or root for. That’s not to say they’re all evil, but they’re all rather terrible people. I find it interesting and will keep up with the series, but I can also understand if other people don’t enjoy it.

The writing is strong, the pace is good, and I really enjoyed the world building. I haven’t read many epic fantasies that draw from the wealth of African cultures and power systems rather than European. If you’re looking for something new — and don’t mind a bit of grimness and rape (the rape, I should say, is always happening to background characters, never actually on page) — this could be worth a try.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was unfortunately a DNF for me. The underlying themes of an ancient dynasty, political intrigue, and a fantasy world were what drew me in. And I believe that for a certain audience, this is exactly what they are looking for. Unfortunately I just was not hooked and found myself struggling to reach for this book. While the concepts were there, it felt underwhelming.

Sinopsis en español: No perdonaremos. No olvidaremos. Tendremos nuestra venganza.

Tras presenciar la masacre de todos sus conocidos y amados, M'Kuru Mukundi, único superviviente de la Alta Noble Casa Mukundi de Madada, jura venganza. M'Kuru huye a una pequeña aldea donde se esconde bajo la apariencia del joven granjero Khalil Rausi... sin saber que el verdadero padre de Khalil es el sanguinario general del ejército de Zenzele, y bajo la dirección del intrigante hijo del rey, el príncipe Effiom, fue responsable del asesinato del pueblo de M'Kuru. Cuando un impostor que dice ser M'Kuru aparece en la aldea, el verdadero M'Kuru —ahora Khalil— debe aguardar el momento oportuno entre sus enemigos, fingiendo ser todo lo que odia para vengarse.

En otra parte del país, donde los gigantes campan a sus anchas, la joven Zikora Nnamani, hija única del Señor Nnamani, desconoce por completo las intrigas políticas; su único anhelo es convertirse en una feroz guerrera Seh Llinga. Pero una conocida profecía deposita demasiado poder potencial sobre sus pequeños hombros y, según el príncipe Effiom y el rey, ella es la única amenaza viviente para el reinado eterno de su dinastía. Sin embargo, cuando llega un mensajero para "invitar" a Zikora a quedarse en el palacio, su familia no puede negarse. Antes de que se la lleven, inicia el Rito de la Bendición, una herencia mágica que deberá aprender a usar, pero que también podría acercar al mundo un paso más al cumplimiento de la profecía que tanto teme el príncipe Effiom.

Entre damas intrigantes en la corte, príncipes traicioneros al acecho y reyes paranoicos, M'kuru y Zikora deben hacer todo lo posible, por terrible que sea, para salvar a su pueblo y vengar a sus familias. Pero son solo dos jóvenes contra un reino entero —y una profecía destinada a frustrar sus sueños—, y lo último que pueden hacer es confiar en alguien... ni siquiera en el otro.



Reseña:

Bado nos introduce en un mundo al borde del cambio, donde las antiguas estructuras tiemblan y una profecía olvidada comienza a cumplirse. En el centro de esta historia se encuentra Khalil, un niño marcado desde antes de su nacimiento como el futuro de una nueva era.

Khalil no es aún un héroe ni un líder; es un niño observador, silencioso, a veces incomprendido, cuya existencia carga un peso que aún no comprende del todo. Lo que lo distingue no es su poder o su ambición, sino la promesa de lo que será. Las señales de su destino —soñadas, susurradas o escritas en viejos textos— lo rodean desde el principio, dándole un aura de misterio y responsabilidad que crece con él.


-

Me da curiosidad saber de cuantos años serán los saltos de tiempo.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.

This was only the second time that I’ve read a book based in African lore. That book and Birth of a Dynasty are superb! I’m slowly making a dent in the work of fantasy and this book is perfect for those just like me. The world building and the characters really make this book pop!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was initially very excited to read the first fantasy book from Chinaza Bado because I'm a fan of her romances written under the name JJ McAvoy. This story's premise was exciting and fresh, but the storyline fell flat for me. It may be a case of the right book, wrong time, but I couldn't get into this. I tried on three separate occasions and never made it past 30%. The plot seemed rushed, scattered, and confusing. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters, which was a major letdown because the first chapter was so captivating! This book may work for someone else, but just not me.

Birth of a Dynasty was a fast paced, dark fantasy that is able to keep the reader hooked from start to finish. It's full of twists and turns, and you never know where the main characters will lead you.

Overall I really wanted to like this book because on paper it sounds like an interesting premise and it could have been done fantastically. Except it wasn't. It was kind of slow and boring and the characters I found it difficult to care about them. Zikora just gave me spoiled vibes when I feel like she was supposed to be a badass. Even her becoming an heir just felt sloppy and like it was thought of at the last second to make her more interesting. I am kind of disappointed because I really like fantasy novels that have a politcal intrique as the main part of the story but this just wasn't it for me.