LITERATURE
Call of the Dragon NATASHA BOWEN In the Kingdom of Kwa, the ancient rite of Dírágónì is about to take
was exiled and denounced as mad for suggesting there was more that united the houses and their belief systems than divided them. Yet, ultimately, the rite isn’t concluded and the stability of their world is put under threat, so Moremi and Nox must join together with others to travel through the realm and set their world to rights. Imaginative and richly visual, their lush and bejewelled world is exquisitely rendered. Interwoven with messages about climate change, adaptation, compromise and discovering one’s true abilities, this is another hit from New York Times bestseller, Cambridge-born author Natasha Bowen, who has drawn on Yoruba culture to create this unforgettable world.
place, uniting the two dragon gods Yida and Dam to keep the evil emi buburu at bay for the next decade. Young Moremi is the daughter of Iya, Yida’s principal iyalawo (high priestess in the Yoruba religion), and despite occasional misgivings about her mother’s disappointment in her lack of achievement, she’s content playing her part backstage, helping other girls prepare for their moment of glory. Plus, this way she has more time to spend with her childhood friend Nox, the son of Dam’s babalawo (high priest). As the two temples of the dragons come together to perform the ceremony, Moremi cannot help but think about her lost father, who
Beach-ready YA reads to pack in your suitcase for a summer holiday SEASONAL CLASSICS
Another contemporary yet timeless tale that’s perfect for warmer weather. Two new faces disrupt ‘the way it’s always been’ for one sprawling family and their languid summers by the sea. Yet first impressions aren’t always what they seem. A stunningly evocative coming- of-age story that deserves its status as a modern classic. MEG ROSOFF The Great Godden
The Summer I Turned Pretty JENNY HAN
A darker summer story that re-spins the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice for teenagers on the north-east coast. Ella and Claire have always been inseparable soulmates until bewitching Orpheus strolls into their friends’ campsite and steals Ella’s heart, with devastating results. Lyrical, poetic and surreal, this is one to savour on warm nights. A Song for Ella Grey DAVID ALMOND
If you missed out on the smash-hit streaming series, treat yourself to the novel that came first. Belly visits the house on the beach where her family always summers with friends, but this year she’s all grown up. This book is sun-drenched, heart-breaking and completely gorgeous.
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