The first book in a fast-paced, witty, and bighearted debut Afrofantasy trilogy about a twelve-year-old apprenticing in the kitchens at the prestigious Academy of Shamans who must ally with a snarky goddess and a knife-wielding warrior to save her kingdom.

Perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and The School for Good and Evil.

Life is tough for twelve-year-old orphan Adia. Her aunt and uncle believe she’s an ogbanje, a demon-possessed child that brings misfortune wherever they go, and Adia can’t disagree—especially when she suddenly manifests mysterious powers that she can’t control, causing an earthquake in her village.

So when Adia is offered a kitchen apprenticeship at the faraway Academy of Shamans, she flees with nothing but a pouch of change, her cat Bubbles, and the hope that someone there can figure out what's wrong with her—and fix it. But just as she's settling in, Adia stumbles upon a shocking secret: Unlike her, the kingdom's emperor really is possessed—by a demon more wicked than any other. And he’s on his way to the Academy for a visit.

Joining forces with a snarky goddess, a five-hundred-year-old warrior girl, and an annoying soldier-in-training, Adia must travel through hidden realms to exorcise the emperor and save her kingdom. But to succeed, she first must come to understand the powers inside her….

The fate of the world hangs in the balance.

• Afrofantasy Adventure: Inspired by West African mythology, join twelve-year-old Adia as she navigates a world of ancient magic, snarky deities, and the truth about the so-called demon inside her.
• Magic School with a Secret: The prestigious Academy of Shamans isn't just a place to study—it's ground zero for a demonic conspiracy that reaches all the way to the emperor.
• A Reluctant Chosen One: Adia just wanted a quiet kitchen job to figure out her powers. Instead, she's tasked with saving the kingdom from a possessed emperor who is on his way for a visit.
• Gods and Goddesses: To succeed, Adia must team up with a powerful-but-sarcastic goddess and a five-hundred-year-old warrior who has a few secrets of her own.