The Gatekeeper's Staff
by Antoine Bandele
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Pub Date Jun 19 2021 | Archive Date Oct 06 2021
Bandele Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
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Description
TJ Young has been surrounded by magic his entire life, yet he has never tapped into it... until now.
Fourteen-year-old TJ grew up normal in a secret community of gifted diviners in the heart of modern-day Los Angeles. His powerful sister was ordained to lead his people into a new age of prosperity, but her mysterious death in Nigeria threatens to destroy the very foundations of TJ's world.
Desperate to pick up where his sister left off and uncover the secrets behind her questionable death, TJ commits himself to unlocking the magical heritage that has always eluded him. So he enrolls in Camp Olosa-a remedial magic school for the divinely less-than-gifted in the humid swamps of New Orleans.
But little does he know, TJ is destined to cross paths with powerful spirits of old thought lost to time: the orishas.
Delve into this young adult fantasy based on the mythology of the West African Orishas, where TJ will encounter unlikely allies, tough-as-gatorhide instructors, and the ancient secrets of the orishas.
A Note From the Publisher
Book illustrator: Arthur Bowling
Other Contributors: Fiona McLaren
ISBN: 978-1-951905-02-6 (Ebook edition)
ISBN: 978-1-951905-16-3 (Paperback edition)
ISBN: 978-1-951905-13-2 (Hardback edition)
Book illustrator: Arthur Bowling
Other Contributors: Fiona McLaren
ISBN: 978-1-951905-02-6 (Ebook edition)
ISBN: 978-1-951905-16-3 (Paperback edition)
ISBN: 978-1-951905-13-2 (Hardback edition)
Advance Praise
"If you know a pre-teen boy who loves magic and adventure, get him this book. If he's Black, get him two copies."
-Equal Opportunity Reader Blog
"Captivating Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter meets West African Mythos that is as entertaining as it is enriching. Magical in ever sense."
-Julia Hoover, Reedsy Discovery
"This should be up there right along the Percy Jackson series."
-Marie Reed, Goodreads Review
"The world-building was incredibly strong and the pacing was solid."
-Life of a Female Bibliophile Blog
"I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a magical fantasy world book, but is tired of Harry Potter and needs a breath of fresh air... Kamau Fluker, Age 15."
-Goodreads Review
"It was such a ride with the twists it took, and it felt like the perfect summer read. I legit laughed out loud at some of the banter -- not a simple chuckle under my breath -- but a true, close my eyes and let it happen, laugh."
-CM Lockhart, Melanin Library
"There's two things I will always adore: magical school tropes, and #ownvoices stories. If you love these too, or know a BIPOC kid who will, you'll absolutely love TJ Young and the Orishas."
-Naya M, Netgalley
"Maaaaaaannnnnnnnn, I have to say that I thought that I was ready but I was not. I got wrapped up in the story almost as soon as I started reading it."
-Rich, Goodreads Review
"You may read the description and think "another camp adventure? Why try when Percy Jackson did it so well." Well think again! This is its own unique adventure, with characters that feel real and individual, and a magic system that can actually be followed."
-Holly A, Netgalley
"I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't looooove it since it's YA... but I was very pleasantly surprised with how much fun I had reading this and how much I enjoyed my time with it. Will continue the series with enthusiasm, for sure!"
-Jashana, Booktube
"I really appreciated the focus on grief instead of treating it as a passing thought. Even the various reactions of characters to grief helped to show that there is no one way to grieve (which is huge!)."
-R.L. McIntyre, author of The Assassin of Acreage
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781951905026 |
| PRICE | $4.99 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Amanda K, Educator
Pick this book up. Now! This definitely fits right in with Rick Riordan and his Presents series, while not being part of it. It is better than most of his offerings, and that's a high bar for me. This centers on the world of the Orishas - gods of Nigeria and the African Diaspora.
TJ is naive, but very likeable. I especially appreciated the fact that, as someone who never got magic down as a youngster, he risks being in classes with seven year olds at remedial magic camp. My favorite aspect is, in itself, a spoiler. Let's just say that my favorite underappreciated God type is included in the plot. The plot wasn't predictable, and there is foreshadowing of dealing with plenty hefty issues in an age appropriate way. I can't wait for the next installment!!
Thank you to Antoine Bandele, Independent Booksellers Association, and Netgalley for the chance to discover this book via a free ecopy in exchange for an honest opinion.
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