Where the Black Flowers Bloom

On the eve of Asha's 13th birthday and Telling Day ceremony, which will reveal her life's path, she wonders what mark the goddess Royal Lioness will reveal on her skin. Perhaps a wisdom knot like that adorning the neck of her caretaker, Suna? Or a war horn like Obo, leader of the traveling circus troupe that raised the young foundling? But the mark she receives--a baobab tree--isn't known or understood as anything but an old and sacred symbol. Soon after Asha sees a bird-like shape in tea leaves, disaster strikes: a powerful sorcerer known as the Shrike sends Tokoloshe, birds that turn into shadowy men with beaks, to decimate the troupe and kill Suna, forcing Asha to flee in the night. Suna's last words tell Asha to find the Underground Kingdom "where the black flowers bloom," sending her on a quest alongside Obo, shape-shifting faerie changeling Sprix, and Suna's warrior sister Rima. Traveling throughout the fantastical land of Alkebulan, the band seeks to help Asha discover the secrets of her heritage, an arcane power, and the truth of her destiny to stop a terrible evil. Inspired by African mythology and folklore, this lushly wrought hero's journey by Smith (Gloom Town) touches deftly on themes of family, fate, forgiveness, and justice. Protagonists read as Black. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)

Gr 4-6--It is Telling Day, a ritual on Asha's 13th birthday in which a mark from the gods will appear on her body as a sign of her "true path in life." A baobab tree appears on Asha's back, baffling Madame S, the wise woman who cares for her, and more strange omens follow. When a shadowy flock of bird-men with an allegiance to the mysterious Shrike attack the camp looking for Asha, she sets off to find an underground kingdom where she hopes to uncover her destiny. Smith's latest tome fills a much-needed gap in middle grade fantasy novels, where invented kingdoms are often European-inspired. His elaborate worldbuilding will draw escapist readers in, and creatures inspired by African mythology add freshness and excitement to the story. A drawback is that the characters at times feel one-dimensional, and the novel rides the theme of destiny almost to a fault, as it feels like the characters never really have much choice in their path. Be warned that there are occasional scenes of fighting and war, and several characters die, but the descriptions are vague and graphic details are avoided. VERDICT Hand this to young readers seeking adventurous new fantasy, and who aren't quite ready for "Lord of the Rings."--Lindsay Loup

 "A wild and beautiful coming-of-age story of a girl who has far more power than she knows." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books