A headstrong teen girl takes a leap of faith to forge her own future in this West Africa–inspired fantasy.Naborhi Tanomare is fated-like many others in her small town of Kokori-to go through the rites of passage to womanhood, become betrothed to a man who's willing to pay her family's bride price, and live a quiet, docile life. Despite mastering the skills expected of her, Naborhi longs for freedom-the freedom to gain an education and make her own choices. But the only way to achieve this dream is to run away, even though it could mean leaving behind her sister, Tega. Before she can enact her plan, however, she's visited by a magical, red-furred, foxlike creature that leads her to the forbidden land of Oron. What follows will change Naborhi and her future in ways she never expected. Along with friends Atai and Tamunor, Naborhi journeys across lands, where she faces many perils, discovers ways of life she'd dared not imagine, and saves kingdoms from never-ending bloodshed. In the end, she must weigh what she owes her family against what she owes herself. As readers make their way through Naborhi's inspiring journey, the steadily paced, first-person narrative featuring a Black cast deftly balances exposition with action. The secondary characters are also well developed, endearing them to readers. This is an ideal story for anyone who's longed for more than what the world tells them they can be.An enticing read. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)

Gr 8 Up —A young adult fantasy debut filled with adventure, West African mythology, and magic by Kome, who is part of the Urhobo tribe in Nigeria, West Africa. This is a quick read with a couple of surprises. The plot starts out rather slow in the first quarter of the novel, then suddenly, action starts, providing synchronized details that build up, slowly revealing the plot and explaining the sequences. The real story starts to unfold in the village, then picks up once the three main characters begin their journey, never stopping until the thrilling ending. The novel follows Naborhi, a fierce teenager chosen by the gods, as she explores her fantasies of traveling and exploring the world instead of settling down into married life as expected by her family and community. The side characters are fascinating, especially Moyo and Atai, who are from other tribes. Readers will be wishing they're relationship would've been explored more. The introduction of new places/countries and the quick introduction of the women of The Red Tapestry may feel unclear to readers, but overall, this is a culturally unique YA fantasy with a lighthearted narrative of pure adventure with heart-pounding danger and suspense. VERDICT A mesmerizing fantasy. Featuring strong Black main characters combined with a brilliant, thrilling plot, this is a solid recommendation for teens who like fantasy with cultural and historical contexts.—Tahira Ahmad