This book sounded so intriguing from the start! Once I started to listen I also looked it more for more details and was surprised that this was a novel in verse. I have to say it doesn't translate that well to the audiobook.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the narration as it really set the mood and the context. The second half picks up and rips your heart out. Would definitely love to get my hands on a written copy to experience it differently.

Kofi is 11 and lives in Upper Kwanta, West Africa. He loves his life, his family and a girl named Ama. An accidental death at a village festival will change his life forever.

So well written and narrated (I listened to the audiobook). Kofi will be put though so much at such a young age. He will see and experience the best and the worst of life. He will be torn from his family but can he be free? Wonderful storytelling, enjoy.

It's 1860 and Kofi loves life in his village. He is 11 years old, keen to be a man, and likes a girl named Ama. He's a little tongue-tied around her, but his friend helps a little with that, urging Kofi to make his feelings clear.

They are all from the Asante tribe and have been brought up amongst extended family members, and a culture rich in song, drums and tradition. But times are changing and they have a teacher who is adamant on teaching them English, its manners, customs and literature. Kofi enjoys reading, but doesn't enjoy his teacher's readiness to use his cane as punishment. This can be for something as little as speaking their own language in school, or even the food they eat for lunch.

Out of school, Kofi likes to swim in the local river. He's a strong swimmer, and lately has been practicing for an upcoming swimming challenge. He's not sure about his chances, but the gaze of the girl he likes is upon him, and he wants to win in her honour.

Kofi has a curious mind and many questions for his elders and big brother. He is frustrated by their answers, and begs them to not speak in riddles, but they tell him he will understand their words when he is older and has completed his initiation to be a man. He's been warned this initiation will be painful, challenging and much more than he can imagine, but he is keen for his time to come.

He's also warned not to swim in the river at night. Again, his elders won't explain why, and he dives in one night with more swimming practice in mind.

Kofi's world changes from fun, play and swimming in his beloved river, to nets, beatings and threats. Has his initiation begun early?


Wow! Seeing this title in the line-up of Yoto Carnegie Medal Writing Finalists, I grabbed an opportunity to listen to an audio book of this verse novel.

A fan of Kwame Alexander's work in the past, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. What I didn't know, was where this story was going to go. I purposely didn't read any reviews beforehand, wanting to enjoy where the author and his characters took me.

I really enjoyed listening and learning about Kofi's life in his village, and the rivalry with another village nearby. Kofi's thoughts about his family and a local girl he likes made me smile, and his troubles with a local bully made me feel for him. I particularly enjoyed the wise sayings shared by his elders, and Kofi's frustration with them to speak sense not riddles.

Then...

BAM! What happens to Kofi, surprised and shocked me nearly as much as it did him. Except I of course knew a little bit more about what was happening to him and those around him, and what might be waiting for him across a vast ocean far from his home.

The second half of this verse novel is confronting and cruel, and horrifyingly real. The author has revealed it took 12 years to write this novel and I'm keen to find out what's next in Kofi's journey in the rest of the trilogy.

Crossing fingers for yet another award for Mr Alexander in the Yoto Carnegie Medal Ceremony 2024.

Thanks to Bolinda Audio & Net Galley for the Audio Review copy of this book.

This book was outstanding, so much so that I’m struggling to do it justice. All I can say is that I absolutely loved it, if not difficult to listen to in parts. What a talented author to lay the emotion into written form which the narrator nailed with the delivery.
100% recommend.

A middle grade novel told in free verse telling of the African people and how the English treated them.
This isn't an easy book to read and so I would advise caution in younger readers, maybe one to read with a grownup.
The first half of the book shows Kofi is going through life, liking girls, playing with friends and being forced to learn English at school.
The second half turns and shows the darker times ahead, this was a harrowing part of the book.
I thought the audio narration was very cleverly put together and I really liked the folklore style stories at the beginning of each chapter.
I loved Kofi as a character, how he interacts with his family and how he is looking forward to being a man.

I have been recommended free verse by many people but have always been a bit weary as my experience of poetic literature has not always been positive. This book though was amazing! The way the author crammed in so much depth and emotion into so few words is no less than genius! I enjoyed listening to this as I think it’s always good to be read these types of text to get the tone right. The story was captivating and I cannot wait to read the next one!