This epic tale is worthy of the endorsement of Rick Riordan, who wrote the preface in this novel. Part of the “Rick Riordan Presents” series, this debut novel offers a richly realized world, a conversational, breezy style, and a satisfying conclusion that leaves room for sequels.- SLJ Overall a stellar mix of the playful and the serious, the traditional and the original, this novel marks the emergence of a strong new voice in myth-based children’s fantasy.- BCCB It brims with heart, humor, and action, successfully crafting a beautifully unified secondary world that brings the power of stories to glorious life.- Booklist Perfectly paced, this cinematic adventure never drags, anchored by Tristan’s conversational narration and balanced by his struggle to cope with a friend’s passing. Mbalia’s epic debut centers African American characters and tradition, featuring a pantheon of legends and a plot worthy of such tricksters as Brer Rabbit and Anansi the Weaver. Readers who want more than just a taste of Alke will be eager for future books.- Kirkus chattel slavery and the Middle Passage specifically) touch on the tensions between the cultures, a cultural nuance oft overlooked. Mbalia's African American and West African gods (with villains tied to U.S. Mbalia expertly weaves a meaningful portrayal of family and community with folklore, myth, and history-including the legacy of the slave trade-creating a fast-paced, heroic series starter.- Publishers Weekly

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