i really enjoyed reading this book, it was a enjoyable children's novel. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I’m glad I continued reading. Initially the style of writing and story direction - much telling, much internal musing, a seeming exposition and information dump- were extremely off putting. After a few weeks away and perseverance, the story picked up. The title character's discovery of self and the hinted-at life breakthrough are simply and steadily unfolding. The mix of family dynamics, history of the region and magic and religious philosophies will keep me reading. There is a possibility they will come to naught and this will be a drawn out writing exercise about a special time and place in Ethiopia; I get a feeling it may turn out simply and sweetly better than that though.

Thanks to NetGalley.