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The Boy to Beat the Gods
Book Review
a delightful and adventurous read in every way, this book will leave you trembling with a fusion of excitement and fear
This rollercoaster of a book takes you on an enchanting journey over the crystal clear waters of the Sia River where Goddess Sia can turn a raging storm into calm, serene waves lapping against a beach with a click of her fingers. You can rest underneath the comforting shade of the jade pine trees where the sun shines through the gaps in the leaves, dappling the ground with pools of sunlight and climb atop the West African mountain ranges.
I found that each and every character was different – from the cowardly Bami who runs away from any form of disaster to the determined Kayode who will do anything to save his sister. I found myself gravitating towards Princess Tiwa. With her fierce personality and stubbornness, she was impossible to miss as she climbs over mountain tops, fires the Orisha with her longbow, escapes from the clutches of Ikire’s elders and is ready to do anything to save her village. I found Eko, the trickster shape-shifting god, quite amusing and hilarious as he was always pulling tricks on the Orishas and reminded me of Loki, my favourite Norse god.
This book is perfect for fans of adventure with a hint of fantasy and mythology. I loved how West African Mythology was deftly woven into this spectacular book. I love reading Greek and Roman mythology books so this book was a real treat. I haven’t read about African Mythology and I love how vivid and colourful it was from short tempered Sanjoh to the beautiful Godess Sia. Percy Jackson enthusiasts will find this a thrilling ride.
To summarise, it’s a delightful and adventurous read in every way, this book will leave you trembling with a fusion of excitement and fear.
About the Book
Kayode dreams of eating the forbidden fruit of the Orishas, so he can gain the power of the gods and stop them terrorizing his people. So when a fruit mysteriously appears in his path after the Orishas snatch his sister, he leaps on it.
Surging with new and difficult-to-control powers, he joins forces with a shapeshifting trickster god and a vengeful princess to save his sister and put an end to the mighty Orishas. But each has more fearful powers than the last – and Kayode’s stolen half-god strength won’t last for ever…
Author
Ashley Thorpe
Ashley Thorpe is a Black British author who works as an editor at Storymix, where he helps other writers to create epic stories. He was shortlisted for the 2016/17 Penguin Random House Write-Now programme, and the 2018 Waterstones-University of Sunderland Story Award for short fiction. His greatest wish is to bring diverse characters to life that he would have loved to have seen, but sorely missed, as a young reader. He lives in Manchester. The Boy to Beat the Gods was his first book.
Reviewer Profile
Radhika, 9
- Reviews: 13
- Likes: acting, guitar, maths, painting & daydreaming
- Dislikes : eating, running and loud noises
- Favourite Book: Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
- Favourite Song: Golden by KPop Demon Hunters
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