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rouxellereads's review
It has taken me about 5-6 months to get this far. While I love the idea of this world and the characters, I was so bored. A lot of the scenes felt very drawn out that at a certain point in each scene, I was just like this is going on too long. I was invested in the beginning but the extra details and very slow plot kept making me so disinterested. I wanted to love this so much but I just have no desire at this time to finish the book. Maybe when the second book comes out, I’ll try it again. As for now, I’m DNFing. I do think fans of George RR Martin and probably Wheel of Time fans will like it.
booxoul's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Have you ever read a book solely after getting consumed by its writing style? Well, for me, this happened as I proceeded to read The Kimoni Legacy by Omari Richards. Albeit I was a bit sceptical initially about the plot, nevertheless, I was proven wrong totally as I delved into it and the tale unfolded before me. An epic fantasy adventure saga, The Kimoni Legacy by Omari Richards is a book that is both fast-paced and multi-dimensional. Flamboyant as well as intriguing and introspective, here is fantasy fiction, the first part in a series you cannot miss for the world.
You know, I have always felt that fantasy, especially the one that is infused with elements of tradition from across lands, is always intriguing to read and delve into. Be it the tiny snippets of rich cultural heritage, the talk of the lineages across the wide expanse of space and time, the transitionary details such as transcendence from one school of thought and societal trend to another, value systems, and kaleidoscopic world-building, fantasy is something that always keeps one pretty satiated right from the start. That is the reason fantasy happens to be my favourite trope and a genre that truly quenches my thirst for reading indulgent, great fiction.
I am indicating here a book I recently read Kimoni Legacy: Initiation by Omari Richards. An epic fantasy saga, this spell-binding adventure is a brilliant escapade that unfolds wondrously, delving us into a world that is built upon the lands of Nahwalla. Revolving around three primary characters—Kamau, Raziya, and Masilo—this first book in the series primarily works upon the initial world-building, setting the groundwork for the tale as well as the essence of the characters. The land itself is an object of highly captivating interest to anyone who reads about it; there are secrets here that are unfolding gradually, and power too. Ah yes, a power that can turn upon its inmates as well. After all, secrets that swarm such a place do have power, ain’t they?
There is Kamau, who feels that indeed he is the chosen one—set to kill the Eagle and return glory to his purpose towards the Kimoni clan. While on the path to it, he must come face-to-face with an enemy who is a creature as yet unknown to mankind. Whether he resorts to the “forbidden power” or not to achieve this purpose remains to be seen.
There is also Raziya, who likes to update her knowledge related to the themes of the place and is much more advanced and futuristic in comparison to the others around her. However, owing to an age-old ritual, as her education gets endangered and jeopardized, she tries her best to escape this predicament. As she proceeds on, surrounded by danger, deception, and much more, she also encounters a plea for help, which puts her in a new paradigm, giving her a higher perspective on things.
Then there is also Masilo Kimoni, who has been committed to protecting the land since the time he aided his father in doing so. Channelling his father’s spirit of bravery, as Masilo proceeds upon this herculean task, he does so at the cost of collaterals, which are pretty dear. Yes, a dead wife as well as a missing son are much more than he could have ever imagined, even in his worst nightmares. And yet, as a dangerous conspiracy unfolds, he realizes that he has to proceed and do much more than he is deigned to. As the tale gets darker and the magic of it gets murkier, we readers cannot help but be sucked by the vortex of excitement and adrenaline that promises to take us to lands that are enticing and wondrous. Each thing kept playing in my mind’s eye like a cinematic roll, described so well that I felt to be present in the jungles of Savanna at a point.
Each character has been built and carved meticulously, ensuring that each of them fits surreptitiously, one way or another, into the main plot. The minute I had a rendezvous with them, I knew they had their own story to tell amidst here, which was what egged me on to further dive into the next pages to discover the characters next. A remarkable feat as Omari manages to seamlessly blend in all characters so beautifully, tying them and fusing their presences so flawlessly so that they come together perfectly in the final plot.
How the three primary characters of Kamau, Raziya, and Masilo get inspired by stories and incidents around them to further their own destined paths was awe-inspiring. I could see them grow through these stories themselves, akin to how a being gets nurtured with the experience of the ages, strengthening their emotional roots.
Omari’s character building is on point, and I was spoiled for choice as I proceeded to read the tale. My POV itself kept changing as I read, along with different viewpoints every time I read a certain character's POV. I was taken in by that and resorted to proceeding in that manner. Be it Kamau, Raziya, or even Masilo, I was alternately flitting in between their perspectives.
I also must stress the fact that the book has several great quotes and anecdotes, several of which I have highlighted and kept. Each one of them is illuminating enough, not only from the story’s POV but on a holistic note as well. Life-changing hustle was what Omari has embedded between the folds of this enigmatic literary wonder coming straight from the lands of Africa.
This book being the first in the series, Omari has managed to poise this one towards brilliant world-building as well as settling the characters in their viable setups. Not only is the narrative picturesque, but every page adds vivid imagery, making me replay the scenario in my mind’s eye. The entire setup, the whole essence of tradition vis-à-vis truth, was enigmatic to partake in. Yes, at times I felt like I was part of the lush and beautiful landscape of Kitwana Savanna, immersed in the demographics of Africa and its rich culture.
Omari has managed to give a rich cultural and emotional intensity to the tale, making it fast-paced as well as introspective at the same time. Not only is there emotion, but there is action as well. Yes, action is promising enough to make you delve into this epic saga again and again. Despite being a tad bit lengthy at 700-something pages, Omari has kept the prose of the tale free-flowing as well as gripping and enticing enough to ignore that trifle bit. And yet, as we finish this brilliant first part in the series, I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment in an epic saga that promises to be a great piece of adventure for all fans of fantasy fiction. P.S. There is politics, there is emotion, there is action and thrill, as well as so much more in this grand saga, so go for this one, you guys.
You know, I have always felt that fantasy, especially the one that is infused with elements of tradition from across lands, is always intriguing to read and delve into. Be it the tiny snippets of rich cultural heritage, the talk of the lineages across the wide expanse of space and time, the transitionary details such as transcendence from one school of thought and societal trend to another, value systems, and kaleidoscopic world-building, fantasy is something that always keeps one pretty satiated right from the start. That is the reason fantasy happens to be my favourite trope and a genre that truly quenches my thirst for reading indulgent, great fiction.
I am indicating here a book I recently read Kimoni Legacy: Initiation by Omari Richards. An epic fantasy saga, this spell-binding adventure is a brilliant escapade that unfolds wondrously, delving us into a world that is built upon the lands of Nahwalla. Revolving around three primary characters—Kamau, Raziya, and Masilo—this first book in the series primarily works upon the initial world-building, setting the groundwork for the tale as well as the essence of the characters. The land itself is an object of highly captivating interest to anyone who reads about it; there are secrets here that are unfolding gradually, and power too. Ah yes, a power that can turn upon its inmates as well. After all, secrets that swarm such a place do have power, ain’t they?
There is Kamau, who feels that indeed he is the chosen one—set to kill the Eagle and return glory to his purpose towards the Kimoni clan. While on the path to it, he must come face-to-face with an enemy who is a creature as yet unknown to mankind. Whether he resorts to the “forbidden power” or not to achieve this purpose remains to be seen.
There is also Raziya, who likes to update her knowledge related to the themes of the place and is much more advanced and futuristic in comparison to the others around her. However, owing to an age-old ritual, as her education gets endangered and jeopardized, she tries her best to escape this predicament. As she proceeds on, surrounded by danger, deception, and much more, she also encounters a plea for help, which puts her in a new paradigm, giving her a higher perspective on things.
Then there is also Masilo Kimoni, who has been committed to protecting the land since the time he aided his father in doing so. Channelling his father’s spirit of bravery, as Masilo proceeds upon this herculean task, he does so at the cost of collaterals, which are pretty dear. Yes, a dead wife as well as a missing son are much more than he could have ever imagined, even in his worst nightmares. And yet, as a dangerous conspiracy unfolds, he realizes that he has to proceed and do much more than he is deigned to. As the tale gets darker and the magic of it gets murkier, we readers cannot help but be sucked by the vortex of excitement and adrenaline that promises to take us to lands that are enticing and wondrous. Each thing kept playing in my mind’s eye like a cinematic roll, described so well that I felt to be present in the jungles of Savanna at a point.
Each character has been built and carved meticulously, ensuring that each of them fits surreptitiously, one way or another, into the main plot. The minute I had a rendezvous with them, I knew they had their own story to tell amidst here, which was what egged me on to further dive into the next pages to discover the characters next. A remarkable feat as Omari manages to seamlessly blend in all characters so beautifully, tying them and fusing their presences so flawlessly so that they come together perfectly in the final plot.
How the three primary characters of Kamau, Raziya, and Masilo get inspired by stories and incidents around them to further their own destined paths was awe-inspiring. I could see them grow through these stories themselves, akin to how a being gets nurtured with the experience of the ages, strengthening their emotional roots.
Omari’s character building is on point, and I was spoiled for choice as I proceeded to read the tale. My POV itself kept changing as I read, along with different viewpoints every time I read a certain character's POV. I was taken in by that and resorted to proceeding in that manner. Be it Kamau, Raziya, or even Masilo, I was alternately flitting in between their perspectives.
I also must stress the fact that the book has several great quotes and anecdotes, several of which I have highlighted and kept. Each one of them is illuminating enough, not only from the story’s POV but on a holistic note as well. Life-changing hustle was what Omari has embedded between the folds of this enigmatic literary wonder coming straight from the lands of Africa.
This book being the first in the series, Omari has managed to poise this one towards brilliant world-building as well as settling the characters in their viable setups. Not only is the narrative picturesque, but every page adds vivid imagery, making me replay the scenario in my mind’s eye. The entire setup, the whole essence of tradition vis-à-vis truth, was enigmatic to partake in. Yes, at times I felt like I was part of the lush and beautiful landscape of Kitwana Savanna, immersed in the demographics of Africa and its rich culture.
Omari has managed to give a rich cultural and emotional intensity to the tale, making it fast-paced as well as introspective at the same time. Not only is there emotion, but there is action as well. Yes, action is promising enough to make you delve into this epic saga again and again. Despite being a tad bit lengthy at 700-something pages, Omari has kept the prose of the tale free-flowing as well as gripping and enticing enough to ignore that trifle bit. And yet, as we finish this brilliant first part in the series, I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment in an epic saga that promises to be a great piece of adventure for all fans of fantasy fiction. P.S. There is politics, there is emotion, there is action and thrill, as well as so much more in this grand saga, so go for this one, you guys.
annotatewithsara's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an epic political fantasy, firmly in the canon (in both length and style) alongside Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time and the like.
OVERVIEW:
First in a planned series
Slow-paced
Features cutthroat familial and societal politics
Multiple POVS
3rd person (limited) narrator
Afro-centric Igbo-influenced lore, language, mythology, religion, and world building (Savanna setting)
Large cast of characters, comprising many clans and cultures
Multiple, intersecting plot lines, including a unique take on the combo of drugs, zombies, and plague
Large-scale world building
Secretive magic users
Caste system
No spice
PLOT:
Book 1 is a coming of age story of three siblings from a powerful clan, each with with their own goals, traumas, and demons. Masilo (oldest), the warrior, seeks peace and restoring a family connection. Kamau, the overlooked middle child, seeks recognition and has a very interesting awareness and critique of justice in his society. Raziya, a scholar and talented arbiter, believes in saving underrepresented women. Her storyline was my favorite. Series wise, I think it’s heading in the direction of proving that if a society values and saves its most underrepresented, it can in fact save and uplift EVERYONE.
RANDOM THOUGHTS/NOTES:
Unlike Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time series, there's no misogyny, but the text does deal with scary and difficult issues (TW/CW: genital mutilation, child-adult arranged political marriages)
Explores the right and wrong of justifying violence and whether some violence is more justifiable than others depending on the nobility/necessity of the cause, i.e., state-sanctioned war vs violent revolution. The writing doesn’t tell the reader what to think. It leaves us tense in gray area, as it should.
Explores climate themes. Humanity has caused too many natural imbalances. The land and other natural forces are at play, right alongside the characters, to restore balance and equilibrium.
The magic system relies on cultivated connections with the spirit world and spiritual knowledge of herbs.
No spice until the end of the book where there is a not-explicit intimacy featuring Masilo, the only adult-age main character, and another consenting adult and possible future love interest. (Kamau and Raziya, his siblings, are teenage children.)
Tips:
I recommend the digital version. This is a long, complicated book, and I mean that as a compliment! I utilized the search feature for quick lookups. Seeds of knowledge are dropped throughout the book, and several times I was thankful for the convenience of the search function to reacquaint myself with names, topics, patterns, and historical events.
OVERVIEW:
First in a planned series
Slow-paced
Features cutthroat familial and societal politics
Multiple POVS
3rd person (limited) narrator
Afro-centric Igbo-influenced lore, language, mythology, religion, and world building (Savanna setting)
Large cast of characters, comprising many clans and cultures
Multiple, intersecting plot lines, including a unique take on the combo of drugs, zombies, and plague
Large-scale world building
Secretive magic users
Caste system
No spice
PLOT:
Book 1 is a coming of age story of three siblings from a powerful clan, each with with their own goals, traumas, and demons. Masilo (oldest), the warrior, seeks peace and restoring a family connection. Kamau, the overlooked middle child, seeks recognition and has a very interesting awareness and critique of justice in his society. Raziya, a scholar and talented arbiter, believes in saving underrepresented women. Her storyline was my favorite. Series wise, I think it’s heading in the direction of proving that if a society values and saves its most underrepresented, it can in fact save and uplift EVERYONE.
RANDOM THOUGHTS/NOTES:
Unlike Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time series, there's no misogyny, but the text does deal with scary and difficult issues (TW/CW: genital mutilation, child-adult arranged political marriages)
Explores the right and wrong of justifying violence and whether some violence is more justifiable than others depending on the nobility/necessity of the cause, i.e., state-sanctioned war vs violent revolution. The writing doesn’t tell the reader what to think. It leaves us tense in gray area, as it should.
Explores climate themes. Humanity has caused too many natural imbalances. The land and other natural forces are at play, right alongside the characters, to restore balance and equilibrium.
The magic system relies on cultivated connections with the spirit world and spiritual knowledge of herbs.
No spice until the end of the book where there is a not-explicit intimacy featuring Masilo, the only adult-age main character, and another consenting adult and possible future love interest. (Kamau and Raziya, his siblings, are teenage children.)
Tips:
I recommend the digital version. This is a long, complicated book, and I mean that as a compliment! I utilized the search feature for quick lookups. Seeds of knowledge are dropped throughout the book, and several times I was thankful for the convenience of the search function to reacquaint myself with names, topics, patterns, and historical events.
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