Yomi and the Curse of Grootslang

Another awesome adventure set in South Africa and based upon fascinating African mythology and folklore. Yomi and younger brother Kayode are now fully fledged members of the S.B.L - The Sacred Beast League, an organisation devoted to learning and protecting the Nkara; sacred beasts of the land linked with the moon magic, Yinza.

The daring sibling duo already have a reputation as being feisty, brave protectors of Nkara and are skilled at resolving Nkara and human conflicts without harm. They seek to understand the Nkara and protect them from the Beast Hunters who wish to entrap or kill them.

In Yomi and the Curse of Grootslang, they search for a sighting of the much-feared Grootslang; part elephant, part snake, that has cursed a whole village for many years, causing its natives to abandon it . Only the return of the Tusk Diamond can restore the village and allow its people to return.

Meeting up with new young S.B.L members means more friendships are built and more intrepid explorers are part of the quest ahead. The duo of Yomi and Kayode become part of a loyal, intelligent team who are determined to face the wrath and might of the Grootslang and end the anger of the fearsome beast against humans. Stumbling into this Nkara's gem-laden lair, however, will take all of this crew's bravery and boldness…

Fast-paced and lively action adventure story, Yomi and the Curse of Grootslang is delightfully bold and vividly described. The African setting is bright, lush and appealingly detailed for the reader and the culture and values of the characters are clearly celebrated and shown with pride.

Mythology forms the basis of the captivating and exciting story. The young characters are likeable and fun to join and the level of peril and tense moments are perfectly pitched for a younger reader. The Nkara beasts are fiercely threatening and fabulously illustrated throughout by Adam Douglas- Bagley and really come to life in the reader's mind.  Elements of Beast Quest-style adventures are the similar foundations for the plot and theme but Davina Tijani's Nkara Chronicles series has its own unique voice - modern, fresh yet rooted in tales and traditions of the past.

These stories are a fantastic set of shorter reads for independent readers who like swiftly plotted missions and resilient and warm hearted young heroes and heroines who take on tasks that the adults may not dare to!   I love these stories as stand alones but am also loving getting to meet Yomi and Kayode time and time again and to catch up with their ever-growing Nkara knowledge and dramatic encounters with infamous creatures.

176 pages / Reviewed by Jenny Caddick, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+