These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.
Ama Ofosua Lieb - Author
A richly imagined mystery combines Ghanaian mythology with advanced technology and a Black diaspora community in future San Francisco. Akoma’s investigation centres on family loyalty, ancestral power and trust, while the story also includes tense magical danger and morally difficult decisions.
Ancestral magicThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.IntegrityThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.Personal powerThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.
Consider
Violence and harmGrief and lossRelationships and intimacy
Personalised Fit
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Akoma may gain ancestral power and must consider a dangerous offer connected with helping her father, while lying to people she loves may be involved.AmbiguousAmbiguous: the book leaves its position open to more than one reasonable reading.Ambiguous: the book leaves its position open to more than one reasonable reading.
How the book presents it: The story appears to explore the tension between using frightening power and remaining true to one’s beliefs; it does not make the final moral judgement clear here.
Talk about: If power could help someone you love, what responsibilities or limits should guide the choice?
Family, grief and loyalty
Akoma investigates after her father enters a coma, while her relationship with her grandmother is described as central and marked by empathy, loyalty and willingness to sacrifice.FavourableFavourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.Favourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.
How the book presents it: The book presents this favourably.
Talk about: How might love and loyalty support someone while also making their choices harder?
Ghanaian mythology and diaspora identity
The story centres Ghanaian gods and mages and depicts AfricaTown as a community where cultures from many African countries come together.FavourableFavourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.Favourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.
How the book presents it: Cultural heritage and diaspora life are presented as vivid, significant parts of the world, rather than merely background to the investigation.
Talk about: What do the mythology and AfricaTown contribute to the story’s understanding of identity, community and belonging?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
This may suit a reader who enjoys layered world-building, folklore-inspired fantasy and investigations with emotional stakes. It offers cultural detail through clothing, food, music and dance, but the opening and magical system may require patience and attention.
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What Deserves Attention
Expect graphic fantasy violence, including sword attacks involving severed limbs and heads, a shooting and characters carrying guns. Romance includes flirtation, a passionate kiss and internal fantasising; occasional mild profanity and an adult smoking are also present.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How does Akoma weigh love, loyalty and personal power when a possible way to help her father conflicts with her beliefs? You might also discuss whether trust changes as secrets and magical responsibilities emerge.
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Reading Approach
Keep track of magical terms and alliances, and pause to discuss Ghanaian mythology, family choices and the portrayal of power.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Power, belief and difficult choices: The full consequences of Akoma’s decision and the ending’s treatment of it are not established.
Family, grief and loyalty: The wider family dynamics and the ending’s resolution are not fully described.
Ghanaian mythology and diaspora identity: The treatment of specific traditions and the balance between mythology and invention cannot be assessed fully from the available details.
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