This is the last book I read for the Cybils this year – and it’s a lovely play on standard magic school tropes. It’s from Nigerian-British author Isi Hendrix, and has a lovely UK cover as well. 

Adia Kelbara
and the Circle of Shamans by Isi Hendrix

Balzer + Bray, 2023

ISBN 978-0063266339

Read from a library copy. 

In this story set in a Nigerian-inspired fantasy world, 12-year-old orphan Adia has been miserable ever since her cousin, the one person who was kind to her, disappeared while they were at the lake together.  Now her aunt and uncle blame her for his death and are pretty sure that she is an ogbanje, a demon-possessed child.  Adia’s main goals are to find a way to lift this curse, and not to be forced to join the cult of the Bright Father, which ritually drugs its followers as well as urging them to be as white as snow – which Adia feels is ridiculous in a country of dark-skinned people.  Her solution has been to find a placement for her year of practicality in the kitchens at the Academy of Shamans – the Academy itself being only for rich people.  She flees – followed by her cat Bubbles – after an especially unfortunate incident with the missionaries at her village.  

Once at the Academy, though, it’s immediately obvious that the Academy itself is in trouble. The revered Academy itself is in a state of dreadful disrepair, with mismatched building pieces, and walls and furniture that try to throw the students and teachers out.  Though she doesn’t know how, Adia is able to tell immediately that everyone there is a fraud, only pretending to have the shamanic powers they’re supposed to be studying.  Adia might be good at her kitchen work, if only she didn’t keep getting sabotaged by the snootiest student in the school and waylaid by the building itself directing her to places she’s not supposed to be.  

On one of these trips, she finds herself overhearing a secret meeting of the Alusi, the gods of the traditional religion of her people.  They’re discussing a demon problem much worse than Adia’s.  Adia’s only hope is to make herself useful to the goddess Gentle Ginikanwa – who turns out to have a fiery temper.  Because maybe if Adia can save the world, Ginikanwa will help her save herself.  

This story has a sparkling sense of humor, exciting adventure, and a snarky heroine who is remarkably self-possessed despite believing things about herself that we as readers are sure from the beginning can’t be true.  There’s also a strong pushback against colonizers and cultural appropriation, epic fantasy-style. I couldn’t quite figure out the time period, as it seems to exist in a world where the cities have a much higher technology level than Adia’s home village.  It has a smart, contemporary sensibility that should appeal to lots of readers.  

I plan to make a full list of Nigerian-related fantasy books soon, but in the meantime, here are a few other middle grade fantasy novels with similar settings, both historical and contemporary. 

• Children of the Quicksands by Efua Tratore
• Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tọlá Okogwu
• Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor