Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask

by Shiko Nguru

Overview

12-year-old Mwikali is moving to a new school in Nairobi and just wants her life to be normal. But when she meets Soni, Odwar and Xirsi who reveal that she is descended from an ancient bloodline of legendary Kenyan warriors, all hope of a normal life fades. Now, with an array of malign forces massing, Mwikali must delve deep into the past to discover her ancestry, learn to harness her extraordinary powers, and enter a race against time to defeat a village elder who has turned to dark magic in an effort to gain ultimate power...

A fantasy adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat right to the moment of its breathtaking conclusion!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781913747930
Publisher:	Lantana Publishing
Publication date:	10/11/2022
Series:	The Intasimi Warriors , #1
Pages:	228
Sales rank:	1,053,377
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	730L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 11 Years

About the Author

Shiko Nguru is a Kenyan author and content creator, sharing her motherhood journey in the most genuine and beautiful way she can @ShikoNguru. The Intasimi Warriors is her award-nominated debut series, inspired by her love of East African mythology.

Editorial Reviews

"With its important lessons about self-acceptance and its action-packed scenes of fighting monsters, Mwikali and theForbidden Mask is a delightful fantasy novel."—starred, Foreword Reviews

From the Publisher

11/01/2022

Gr 4–7—Twelve-year-old Mwikali has just moved to Kenya with her mom and her auntie (nanny). She is hoping to finally blend in at her new school, and not feel like the freak she did before. It seems that everything Mwikali draws in her sketchbook comes true, and she feels cursed when she sees things no one else does. Mwikali makes new friends at her school, Soni, Odder, and Xirsi, and they convince Mwikali that she isn't abnormal; she is in fact a very rare seer, and the four of them are from the ancient bloodline of Kenyan warriors. With the help of "tutor" Mr. Lemayin, Mwikali and her fellow seer friends learn to channel their powers. When Mwikali time travels back to the time of her ancestors, she learns of imminent dangers to their current world. One of her drawings is the "Forbidden Mask," which was supposedly destroyed long ago—but it has returned, and with it thousands of monsters have been able to cross over. Will Mwikali be able to defeat the village elder, who is intent on spreading dark magic through the mask? Nairobi is portrayed vividly, allowing readers to learn about foods, transport, and traditional games, all while following the fast-paced adventure. VERDICT Readers of fantasy will race to the heart-pounding conclusion, and will want to pick up the second book to follow Mwikali and friends into their next dangerous journey.—Michele Shaw

School Library Journal

2022-08-17
A sixth grader discovers her true powers just in time to save the world.

Mwikali has never stayed in the same place for long. Her mother’s job as a flight attendant has given her permanent new-girl status at every school she’s attended across the world. This year will be different. She has returned with her mother to her birthplace, Nairobi, Kenya, to attend elite Savanna Academy. After being accused of cursing her friend Amanda and sending her to the hospital at her previous school, Mwikali cannot afford to make waves again. Her first day ruins any chance to fly under the radar, however, when she freaks out after witnessing her teacher turn into a monster. Unfortunately, she’s the only one who can see what happened, and her chance for a regular school year seems to be crushed. Fortunately, three of her classmates—Odwar, Soni, and Xirsi—believe Mwikali because they recognize her gift. They are all Intasimi, people from magical bloodlines, some of whom are born with special powers. Her new friends help Mwikali hone her skills, prepare to confront the monsters hiding in plain sight, and save the world from a dark future. Nguru’s series-opening debut is rich in the mythology and beauty of Kenya. Although the climax is slightly rushed, the strong characterization supports the work: Mwikali’s path from self-doubt to confidence inspires, and her struggles with friendship feel universal. A handful of charming full-page illustrations enhance the work.

A heartfelt page-turner. (Fantasy. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews