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A review by sophiasunlitreads
The Gatekeeper's Staff: An Old Gods Story by Antoine Bandele
5.0
Now where to begin????
Before I actually begin, here's a word of advice.
Antoine Bandele is the best thing that happened to The Orishas, and I mean it.
I will also be very sentimental with this review and I will do my best to withhold spoilers because I know I wouldn't want this epic tale to be ruined for me.
"What happens when a deity needs a body? They go to the source of course."
TJ Young and the Orishas takes you on a journey like never before. If you're a fan of the world Jk Rowling (Harry Potter), Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians), Neil Gaiman (American gods) or Madeline Miller (Circe).
My dear fellow reader you're in luck because this tale was spun from the very yarn that wove the west African mythology, the Story of the old gods of the Yorubaland, old land of Ile Ife.
The first book in this series, The Gatekeeper's Staff begins in a modern day world where magic is no secret or myth to the Young family.
With an immigrant mother from Nigeria and an American father, Tomori Jomiloju "TJ" Young finds himself experiencing two different worlds at a time while keeping the existence of his mother's heritage and his heritage a secret from the outside world.
I especially loved how relatable Tomori Jomiloju "TJ" Young was. He's me and you while we were growing up trying to figure out where we fit in.
Trying to believe that when our family told us we were special in our own way, we actually were.
In his case, TJ was the only member of his family who couldn't wield his Ashe (A form of magical essence bestowed on diviners by the Orishas.
It was beautiful to see TJ Young grow into believing in himself and in his family and learning to let grief not overcome him but help him to relearn and grow.
TJ's life changes when he's accepted into a summer camp- Camp Olosa under the guidance of the water Orisha, Olosa.
He finds himself doubting in his strengths, but also believing in his power of his "Lucky charm".
You know, growing up in a Nigerian society of today, we never really talk about the Orishas, they were/are still a deep core part of the Yorubaland society and culture.
The Orishas are viewed as evil entities in modern Nigeria.
But Antoine Bandele has come to bring a fresh new perspective.
The Orishas are not evil and neither are they good.
They are just that, Orishas, dieties with immense power that once changed the world and defined nature and human civilization.
Reading this story made me realize that we don't appreciate our culture as much as we ought too as Nigerians.
The characters were all relatable and the Yoruba he used in saying the spells made it so ominous because I bet not everyone reading this book will understand them unless you're Yoruba.
But here's one thing, read this book with the goal of enjoying the story of young campers trying to discover their own strengths, show that they can be more than their already predisposed destiny written out on assumptions for them and learn the power of friendship.
As always Antoine Bandele left best for last. The plot was beautiful, it started so well and progressed with the right speed.
The setting and description will literally suck you into the scenes, making you feel like a third player in this story, living through the story along TJ Young and his friends.
The book cover is beautiful and since I'm the typical judge a book by its cover, I'm so glad I get to be a part of this new narrative of western Nigerian fantasy tale.
This book should be a go to for all Nigerian teens, young adults hoping to learn a thing about our culture and heritage. It should actually be sitting at the top along those other amazing mythology books because yes, it's worth every time you'll spend reading it.
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me this advanced reader's copy.
Before I actually begin, here's a word of advice.
Antoine Bandele is the best thing that happened to The Orishas, and I mean it.
I will also be very sentimental with this review and I will do my best to withhold spoilers because I know I wouldn't want this epic tale to be ruined for me.
"What happens when a deity needs a body? They go to the source of course."
TJ Young and the Orishas takes you on a journey like never before. If you're a fan of the world Jk Rowling (Harry Potter), Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians), Neil Gaiman (American gods) or Madeline Miller (Circe).
My dear fellow reader you're in luck because this tale was spun from the very yarn that wove the west African mythology, the Story of the old gods of the Yorubaland, old land of Ile Ife.
The first book in this series, The Gatekeeper's Staff begins in a modern day world where magic is no secret or myth to the Young family.
With an immigrant mother from Nigeria and an American father, Tomori Jomiloju "TJ" Young finds himself experiencing two different worlds at a time while keeping the existence of his mother's heritage and his heritage a secret from the outside world.
I especially loved how relatable Tomori Jomiloju "TJ" Young was. He's me and you while we were growing up trying to figure out where we fit in.
Trying to believe that when our family told us we were special in our own way, we actually were.
In his case, TJ was the only member of his family who couldn't wield his Ashe (A form of magical essence bestowed on diviners by the Orishas.
It was beautiful to see TJ Young grow into believing in himself and in his family and learning to let grief not overcome him but help him to relearn and grow.
TJ's life changes when he's accepted into a summer camp- Camp Olosa under the guidance of the water Orisha, Olosa.
He finds himself doubting in his strengths, but also believing in his power of his "Lucky charm".
You know, growing up in a Nigerian society of today, we never really talk about the Orishas, they were/are still a deep core part of the Yorubaland society and culture.
The Orishas are viewed as evil entities in modern Nigeria.
But Antoine Bandele has come to bring a fresh new perspective.
The Orishas are not evil and neither are they good.
They are just that, Orishas, dieties with immense power that once changed the world and defined nature and human civilization.
Reading this story made me realize that we don't appreciate our culture as much as we ought too as Nigerians.
The characters were all relatable and the Yoruba he used in saying the spells made it so ominous because I bet not everyone reading this book will understand them unless you're Yoruba.
But here's one thing, read this book with the goal of enjoying the story of young campers trying to discover their own strengths, show that they can be more than their already predisposed destiny written out on assumptions for them and learn the power of friendship.
As always Antoine Bandele left best for last. The plot was beautiful, it started so well and progressed with the right speed.
The setting and description will literally suck you into the scenes, making you feel like a third player in this story, living through the story along TJ Young and his friends.
The book cover is beautiful and since I'm the typical judge a book by its cover, I'm so glad I get to be a part of this new narrative of western Nigerian fantasy tale.
This book should be a go to for all Nigerian teens, young adults hoping to learn a thing about our culture and heritage. It should actually be sitting at the top along those other amazing mythology books because yes, it's worth every time you'll spend reading it.
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me this advanced reader's copy.