Isi Hendrix Books

As a 12-year-old orphan, life for Adia has not been easy. Raised by her Aunt and Uncle, in the swamplands as a member of the Igbo tribe, Adia is marked to be an Ogbanje – an evil spirit, thought to bring misfortune on those around her. When Adia mistakenly destroys her village she flees to the Academy of Shamans, hoping to free herself from the curse.

She stumbles upon a greater danger, one that threatens to destroy her entire kingdom. With the help of three unlikely allies, can she learn to control her powers and confront the evil before it is too late…

I was intrigued to delve into the world of Adia Kelbara – a debut novel from Isi Hendrix. The narrative provided a beautiful mix entwining the author’s Igbo heritage and folklore with a fantasy world of deities and magic, while developing Adia from a clumsy, social outcast into a brave yet believably flawed heroine, empowered by and proud of her experiences rather than held back by them. A story of hope, friendship and resilience, I look forward to reading the sequel. Best suited to upper KS2 or lower KS3.