A good story for the young adult crowd that are currently being made aware of African spirituality through reading books like this. It was a great adventure. I would love to see more of what the author has in store.

Unable to manifest his Ashe like the rest of his family, TJ Young has spent his entire life being called a "Lucky charm" for those around him. That is until something odd happens at his sister's funeral that finally unlocks his power.

Now, TJ is accepted at Camp Olosa where he must learn to be a better diviner and find allies who can help him uncover the mystery behind his sister's death.

When I tell you this book is awesome, I mean it. Diving into West African mythology, this story is weaved to perfection by the rich culture, lovable and relatable characters along with a super engaging plot that'll leave you shook.

Magic ☑️
Betrayal☑️
Plot twists ☑️
Strong friendships ☑️
Character development ☑️
Awkward teen moments ☑️

This story has it all.

I'd also highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator does such a good job at sucking you into the story that it made me actually buy the book!!!

*I received an Audiobook Arc on Netgalley but all the opinions are solely my own*

This is the second book of AB that I read and I kind of knew what to expect.

The story is easy to read, very pleasant and entertaining. However, it does have layers to it. It touches issues such as self confidence and worth, and dealing with grief and finding yourself.

The characters, not only the main ones, are really lovable and interesting.

The setting is in the real world with existing magic that makes it more personal and believable to the reader. I really liked that in combination with the old magic practices and religions.

The only weak point for me is that the book doesn’t feel exactly like a YA. It feels something between MG and YA.

Regardless, I had a good time reading it and if you’re not familiar with Antoine Bandele, I suggest to give him a chance!

In the best ways, this book reminded me of Harry Potter and the Percy Jackson series. But it does something new with its African inspirations and characters. The orishas are spirits, numbering in the hundreds, that play important roles in several West African religions. In The Gatekeeper’s Staff, every magic user is aligned with a particular orisha… except TJ. Why? Well, that’s all part of the mystery!

What I Liked:

• The African-inspired magic system and folklore. Such a refreshing change from all the Western-inspired fantasy out there. I don’t know much about the folklore this is based on, but I loved it.
• The characters. I particularly enjoyed TJ’s friends and their character growth.
• The setting. The magic camp in New Orleans is so fun, complete with swamps and alligators!
• The young teenager drama. These fourteen-year-olds behave like fourteen-year-olds, with all the awkward moments and embarrassing dialogue. It’s great.
• The audiobook narrator. Nekia Renee did a fabulous job! I appreciated her use of different voices and accents for different characters. She brings this story to life.

What Didn’t Work So Well:

• The pacing. The story begins with a basketball game and a whole group of characters that are never referenced again. Then, it takes many chapters to really get going.
• The length. I’ve seen this book referred to as both middle grade and young adult. It straddles the line because, while the main character is fourteen, books for young readers often feature protagonists that are slightly older than they are. It read like middle grade to me (I’d suggest 9+). I would put it on the same shelf as Harry Potter and the Percy Jackson series. Combined with the pacing issues, it felt too long at over 400 pages and could have been tightened up into a shorter longer.
• The plot twist. I guessed it by the end and I love plot twists that surprise me, BUT I am not the target audience, so that’s probably okay? My husband actually listened to the book with me, and he likes being able to guess plot twists, so this was a pro rather than a con for him.

4.25 stars 🌟

This book was a pleasant surprise. I will admit that it took me a while to get into the book. Honestly, there was a thought or two to DNF'ing the book. Probably my fault because of the fact that I had no clue what the story was about when I started. If you listen to the audio version, it is one of those books that has added sound effects and music. In addition to that, there is a lot of lingo pertaining to the Orisha culture - which if you aren't ready for that, then it is difficult to understand and follow what is happening. For me, when you are reading a book and there are sentences in another language, your eye tends to skip over that since you can not read it. In the audio version, those sentences are read in full and the narrator also talked with certain dialects. It made it very authentic, but difficult to listen to at times.

The story itself (after that slow start) becomes pretty intriguing. The main male MC (TJ) is a 14 year old boy who has not been able to manifest magic. He is part of a very famous family known for their magic so this is obviously an issue for him. He finally is invited to attend a remedial summer magic camp.

We are introduced to a very solid MC. TJ gains the interest of the reader, and before you know it, you are following along with him, Manny and Ayo as they try to understand what is going on at camp.

The story kept my interest and I will be eager to read the next book when it comes out next year.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

I absolutely loved this audiobook, the production was brilliant and so was the story. I loved the heritage and folklore elements too which made this an extremely interesting topic for me and will for young adults reading this too.

I found the story engaging and interesting with the magical elements holding my attention throughout. I loved the ending of this book and how it perfectly set up making this into a series.

Listed reading level 6-12
Ages 13-18 (I’d honestly say 9+).

TJ Young is a kid from LA who shouldn’t have a worry in the world - but that all comes crashing down after the death of his sister. Soon, he’s plunged into a world his sister excelled at, and he doesn’t really have either a talent for it or a clue before going all the way to New Orleans to spend the summer at a camp that’s half summer school, half magic cram school, struggling to know enough about the Orishas, Yoruba language, and himself to survive the experience.

Along the way, TJ will make some incredible friends, and face obstacles he could never anticipate before leaving home. The only thing more challenging than being 14-and-a-half is the range of camp counsellors and teachers at Camp Olosa.

This is exactly the book I wish I’d had as a bright-eyed kid anywhere from ages 8-12, someone who couldn’t get enough stories, myths, and legends from around the world and right here at home. While Antoine Bandele puts together an outstanding story, Nekia Renee makes it shine off the page, breathing in a life to the words and characters. I cannot overstate what a joy it is to listen to her, and what an absolute talent she brings to this work. While it could be enjoyed very well in print, electronically, in any way - it’s hard to imagine loving it more than in her voice.

This felt unlike a lot of the young adult books I’ve read before, largely in that the age of the characters and content of the book is less moody, dramatic, or “adult” than YA tends to handle with interpersonal dynamics. This book does deal with the death of a sibling throughout, and the responsibilities a child has to their family, community, and themselves. It does so much to ground the story - and is approached with such thoughtful care that I could easily imagine TJ Young and the Orishas living as happily on the shelf of a 10 year old reader as a 15 year old reader. The series is engaging, fun, and welcoming to readers at most levels.

Fans of myths, legends and histories would adore this - and also fans of series like Percy Jackson, Legacy of Orisha, Harry Potter, and The Nsibidi Script.

I had the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook version of The Gatekeepers Staff care of NetGalley. And thanks to them, Antoine Bandele, and Nekia Renee, I could not more highly suggest picking up a copy to enjoy!

The voice of the narrator was hard to listen to. I was unable to hear the book and so cannot fairly grade the book

Firsts Impressions

When I came by this book at first it sounded interesting, I don't see many that actually portrait anything from African or Nigerian culture, so that was a hook for me.

Something I liked was that it had this feeling of knowing yourself even when you're not in your roots, but you keep them and teach your children with it and it gave me that cozy family union feeling.

I liked that it try to imbued more mysticism too into our world, we have lost our ways in our own mythos and live lessons that the peoples of the world knew so well in the past, I do believe every tale has its value.

Characters

I will be realistic, the names were so hard on me because it's not what we are accustomed to, but I loved to learn a little more of this incredible culture and it's tongue that way.

TJ our protagonist had so wonderful a development actually, we could all learn from him, he had a pretty decent relationship with his family, at that age everything seems more awkward I know.

One thing that I got away from the characters it's that we can't always or mostly never should judge others we don't really know where they are coming from and what hardships they had gone through even if it doesn't show, we should be humble and learn to respect one another.

I did like the Keepers vs Diviners power plot, it was actually interesting for this, and it get an interesting onlook on some of the older legends in Nigerian culture, their Gods or Orishas and the place they have in the world.

One thing that made it for me in this regard was Old Sally, she was so fun.

Themes

I did get some of the dynamics on this book, we have a little coming of age, friendship, the insecurities of adolescence, it's pretty interesting, I do think it was very well balanced between the fantasy and the everyday problems a lot of us actually goes through.

One thing I found interesting was the how everyone deals with grief differently in this one, and it actually happens like that every person has its way to cope with this things.

Final Thoughts

The ending wasn't at all what I expected it to be, but it was so cool, I mean at the end this friends did have the adventures of their lives, and most probably will keep having them in the future hopefully.

The how everything came together at the end was very organic and felt so right at that moment, really it was a great read.

Unlike his mom and siblings, TJ Young is an ordinary person. Well, until his sister’s funeral, when he experiences a surge of magic for the first time. Then, his parents send him to a camp for other kids like him. There, he struggles to keep up with his peers and unexpectedly finds things out about his world and his sister.

This was such a captivating book! The writing style sucked me right in and I could not put it down. The narration also helped with this, as the sound effects and narrator’s voice both added much to the book (not that it needed much added). The characters were well-developed and relatable. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes MG/YA fantasy.

At first, I thought that this book was a middle grade based on how it started, but I finally realized that it's actually a YA and I started to enjoy this book more. I am grateful for Netgalley to let me review a copy of this book as an audiobook because this is a surprising read that I needed now. This book follows this guy in high school who doesn't have a lot of friends and he feels like he doesn't belong in his family because of his lack of magical abilities. He hears that his sister has died and he goes to his sister's funeral and that's where the story starts. This book is about friendship, family, and self-discovery as well. You could say that this book has the coming-of-age trope since he starts to learn about things about himself that he didn't know before. I read somewhere that this book is like a mix of Half-Camp Blood and Hogwarts, and I really agree with that. I think this would have been a five-star if I read it in my childhood because these two worlds were my favorite before. The plot for this book wasn't over the top and was easy to guess at times, but I still enjoyed it. I want to read the sequel next summer and I hope that Netgalley will have the audiobook for the sequel as well! (less)

This book features a quick, fast-paced plot. The pacing seemed somewhat off to me compared to the other Young Adult novels I’ve read, which follow a fairly predictable ebb and flow when done well. But that’s most likely due to the book being geared towards the lower age group of the genre. However, even for an older fan like me, the plot held intrigue and surprises in droves.

TJ was an enjoyable and interesting protagonist and narrator. Almost immediately, I was pulled into his unique voice and perspective compared to other Young Adult Fantasy novels. He also goes through some great change and growth from the start to end. The supporting cast was also enjoyable to get to know and see interact with TJ.

Much like TJ, I felt like the setting, magic, and lore was authentic and grounded. The magic system had some elements that I’d seen before, but infused with unique touches and twists that were delightful. It was also fun to learn more about the Orishas and other religious and magical elements from Africa.

The Gatekeeper’s Staff is the first book in the TJ Young & The Orishas series. This book is a fun read with a unique lense for those of us who often read within the YA genre. The author did a great job grounding the characters and settings in the real world, so they felt authentic. The book is designed for younger Young Adult readers, so fans of the older end of the spectrum may find the plot pacing to be off.

I couldn’t really get into this book if I’m honest so I didn’t finish it.

I found the narration a bit annoying and I just wasn’t drawn into listening to it.

Sorry

Thank you to NetGalley and Bandele Books for allowing me to listen to The Gatekeeper's Staff in exchange for an honest review.

Gators, gods and greatness.. The Gatekeeper's staff takes the reader on adventure that rival those of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter but with a Nigerian flare. While I am not the first to compare the stories, I want to clearly state this story showcased children of color and the world of wonders available to them. This made it a must read for me!

Before diving into the actual story and its characters, I want to first commend the production team. The biggest selling factor is audio clips that frame the beginning of each chapter. Sounds of airboats chugging through New Orleans swamps and sounds of explosions and flames being launched in battle enhance the reading experience. In addition, the narrator's ability to switch from characters like Manny, to Director Simmons to Ayodeji to Mr. Dubois.

While the audiobook is delightful, my personal opinion is that it should be paired with a physical or electronic copy of the book. Partly because due to the pacing issues towards the end and how quickly the action takes place but also help familiarize western readers with Naija dialect. I found myself wishing I had a copy to review key details I might have missed and realize rewinding would not solve. I am still a little fuzzy on some of the details towards the end based on the twists and turns however it didn't impact my desire to continue the story rather made it stronger, for clarity.

This books was marketed for middle grade which surprised me due to the heavy introduction centering the death of a beloved character. However reading deeper into the story and acknowledging the wholesomeness of the characters mixed with life lessons relative to any age group I can see its appeal. The Gatekeeper's Staff focused on friendship bonds, familiar dynamics, ancestral ties, expectations and self-awareness.

All in all, I look forward to the next adventure!

This story hooks you in from the start - the main character TJ is thrust into the world of magical traditions that surrounds his family following the death of his sister.
The narration is perfect, and catches nuances in voice and culture that really evoke the own voices tale of African magical heritage. The story builds tremendous empathy for TJ and the situation he is thrown into.
The world building is intricate and rich with Yoruba tradition.
A fantastic book that I would highly recommend

I went into this already being a fan of Antoine Bandele. In all honesty I had already preordered the book before receiving it from Net Galley as an ARC (in exchange for an honest review). So I got to jump into this as an audio book two whole weeks before my order came.

Bandele wove a wonderful story ripe with fascinating information on the mythology of the West African Orishas. There's so much based on European mythology that it was both exciting and refreshing to pick up something about a non-European or American myth.

TJ Young is a good main character, Manny is great too but in my opinion Ayo shows the most growth and impressed me by becoming my favorite character. In true young adult fashion a few of TJ and Friend's problems would have been solved with some communication, but they're kids and mistakes are how kids become adults with common sense.

I only had one problem with the book. The portrayal of the character of Joshua had some issues. He's an overweight character and the narration never failed to remind us he was fat. We don't need to be reminded of that so often. We get it. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Bandele is fatphobic or anything but it felt careless with the weight comments and for a YA book that's not great.

But let's be honest here. The fact that this Joshua thing was my only issue is a pretty damn good sign that I loved it. This book was great from start to finish. It also deals with grief pretty well which is a good bonus. I can't wait to jump back into TJ Young's world.

I LOVED TJ Young and the Orishas. I loved By Sea & Sky: An Esowon Story. And I can't wait to read everything else he's written. Antoine Bandele is now one of my auto-buy authors and he should be on your list too.

I was apprehensive of The Gatekeeper's Staff by Antoine Bandele as this is another dive into the popularity of mythology. I had absolutely nothing to worry about other than being blown away by TJ Young and the Orishas allowing the listener to dive into West African mythology. This story could easily have fit into the realm of Rick Riordan presents.

The story follows a teenager, TJ Young didn’t mind living in his sisters shadow, she was the prophetic “Promised Child” and he couldn’t so much as summon drinking water, but she was his best friend. When tragic news shakes up the foundation of his life, he finds himself at Camp Olosa, an intermediate summer camp for kids like him, with not enough Ashe to get into schools for “real” diviners. Along the way he unravels secrets that he can’t believe and aligns himself with friends— or foes, that he doesn’t truly know.

The characters were strongly written that allowed the listener to see each as if they are standing next to you. The story itself was complex but easy to follow while telling a great story. I cannot wait to get back to this world and enjoy the ride!


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Loved loved this story. The world-building, the characters, the plot everything was amazing. I grew up with stories of the orishas woven into my culture, so I really enjoyed seeing them utilized throughout this story.

I enjoyed this book. The narrator did an amazing job. I did find the book a little long and at parts the story drags. That being said I am excited that this is a series.

Hello Books Lovers,

some time ago I requested this title on Netgalley, T. J. Young & the Orishas 1, The gatekeeper's staff by Antoine Bandele, and they kindly granted me the audiobook. T. J. Young's was actually my first ever audiobook and I must say that, apart from the hours it took me to complete it, I was very satisfied.

I have to congratulate the narrator, Nekia Renee, who was able to change her attitude, tone of voice, and narrative pace, where necessary. Although she was the same person doing the various voices, whenever she was a different character speaking I could guess who they were most of the time because Nekia was able to stay consistent with the intonations of the various characters. And another point in her favor was the ability to be able to use different accents - Nigerian, French, Spanish - really, really good.

As I said it was my first audiobook, in English, and at the beginning I was a little scared because I wasn't sure I would be able to follow the whole story, but this one by TJ Young was an adventure with such a fast pace that I didn't miss even a piece. Our protagonists are precisely TJ, Mannie, Ayodeji (forgive the transcription of the names, but being only audio I'm not sure how they are written), 15 year old kids who, to improve their skills given to them by the orisha, go to the camp Olosa , a summer camp located in the New Orleans bayou.

One thing you will notice if you decide to read it is that Antoine Bandale deals with African mythology, that of the Orisha, the same one addressed by Tomi Adeyemi in her books, in a very similar way to how Rick Riordan deals with the Greek one, with children, a field, and an adventure to save their way, but all done in an original way.

T. J. Young did not know he had abilities before his sister's death, but then, at her funeral, after touching her staff, he discovers his abilities, abilities of which no one yet knows the great potential. He goes to the camp where he will not have an easy time because the others are much better than him and after the first week, when the progress scores are published, what he would like to do is retire and go home.

T. J. is not as good as his sister, he is not as good as any of them. He still doesn't even know which Orisha his powers derive from, but he's a smart boy, and soon discovers things that, despite his poor skills, he will have to solve for himself. He sets out on a journey, if that can be called so, that he could never have faced without his friends' help.

He discovers a lot of things. People he trusted are traitors, a friend of him turns out to be something else, - a detail you'll understand while reading long before the actual revelation - and a bully ends up on his side. Throughout the book there will be a lot of changes, the characters will grow up and great responsibilities will fall on their shoulders. Now T. J. has one year to prevent a major disaster from happening.

The writing was very smooth. The only negative point I find in audiobooks is that personally I can not start doing anything else that I end up distracting myself and losing pieces of the narration, otherwise everything was well done, even the file, with the subdivision of the chapters, and the best part were the very interesting and significant sound effects at the beginning and end of the chapters. Thanks again IBPA for the opportunity to read this book, now I'm looking forward to the second one.