In Omari Richards’s THE KIMONI LEGACY: Initiation, the Kimoni royal family is tasked with maintaining peace on the savanna, and their three children—general Masilo, rudderless adolescent Kamau, and scholarly Rayiza—each have their own roles to play in this system. Though the clan has kept the savanna free of open war for years, a strange new drug begins to destroy communities and disrupt society, disabling workers and creating new avenues for banditry. While this creates unique challenges for each of the Kimoni children, only together can they determine whether this dangerous drug is part of a deliberate plot to destroy their clan.

THE KIMONI LEGACY: Initiation is a strong and successful debut novel. The prose is clear, swift, and uncluttered, while still peppered with sharp descriptive language. A character is not simply paralyzed by fear: “running [becomes] a foreign language.” Another is not merely subjected to uncomfortable stares: “the gazes [lash] at every inch of his back.” The descriptive language pairs fluidly with idioms (“mantis task”) and cultural jargon (“ase, katwe”), providing both flavor and specificity to the storytelling. Although there are some minor grammatical issues (“the ajar door” is used more than once), the book’s prose provides both the depth to richly portray its African-inspired fantasy realm and the clarity to develop its three-pronged plot.

The novel is also successful as the beginning of a series. Though some scenes with Raziya (a scholar) linger a bit too long on wordy exposition, the worldbuilding overall is confident and fluid. The text uses an African-inspired vocabulary for key concepts without slowing down to laboriously define them, avoiding the direst worldbuilding pitfalls. Most importantly, THE KIMONI LEGACY: Initiation takes the same approach to some of the complexities of Kimoni society. It’s built on militaristic patriarchy, child abuse, and slavery, and the text strikes a fine balance of presenting these uncomfortable truths while building a greater understanding of (and rapport with) the characters.

The protagonists feel particularly real and sympathetic. Although revolution may be in the cards for subsequent novels, this one does not overthrow the social order. It focuses on people who struggle and hope for change, but who are still subject to the complex pressures of their society and aren’t yet ready to challenge them directly. Masilo is the standout. Tired of military service, he considers abdicating his position in favor of private life—but fears the consequences for the younger brother who would succeed him. His journey with trauma, while self-medicating for chronic pain, gives his story a surprisingly modern emotional valence.

Rich, complex, and exciting, Omari Richards’s debut novel, THE KIMONI LEGACY: Initiation, will please any reader looking for fresh takes on medieval African fantasy with threads of a political thriller and elements of horror.

~Dan Accardi for IndieReader