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Lionheart Girl

By Yaba Badoe
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3.32 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 198 ratings, 52 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Lionheart Girl by Yaba Badoe is a captivating young adult novel centred around Sheba, a girl with the power to read people’s emotions through touch. As Sheba discovers her own abilities, she becomes entangled in her family's mystical secrets and breaks free from her formidable mother’s shadow. The narrative weaves themes of self-discovery, family bonds, and empowerment with elements of magical realism.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1899
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy stories about self-discovery, magic, and cultural heritage. It's a captivating young adult novel that intertwines personal growth with elements of African folklore. You might like this book for its enchanting blend of fantasy and reality, offering a rich exploration of identity and family bonds.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Born into a family of West African witches, Sheba's terrified of her mother who can turn into a crow. But like mother, like daughter – magic runs through her blood and Sheba discovers powers of her own. A dark fable of magic, witches, the bonds we choose and those we cannot.

Award-winning filmmaker, Yaba Badoe, casts a dark fable of magic, witches, the bonds we choose and those we cannot.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

African myth and magic beat in the dark heart of this fable about witchcraft, superstition, the bonds we choose and those we cannot.

Born into a family of West African witches, Sheba is terrified of her mother, who is deadly dangerous. But like mother, like daughter – magic runs through her blood and Sheba discovers powers of her own.

Her touch can unravel people's innermost thoughts; their hopes, their fears – their secrets. Sheba too can shape-shift. Through the communion of ancient magic, blood and friendship, she slowly uncovers the murderous truth about her stolen childhood and steels herself for the future. She must protect the hunted from the hunter – her mother.

Praise for Lionheart Girl:

'A dark and dazzling coming-of-age novel, rich in atmosphere and magic realism' Guardian Best Books of 2021

Lionheart Girl is deeply atmospheric, stunningly original, and sizzling with ancient myth and magic. Utterly unmissable' Sophie Anderson, The Castle of Tangled Magic

'Loved it! Yaba's best so far – a wonderful tale of magic and family' Catherine Johnson, author of Queen of Freedom: Defending Jamaica

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Lionheart Girl by Yaba Badoe is praised for its lush and lyrical writing, exploring themes of friendship, community, and family conflict through fantastical metaphors. The novel, rich in West African legend and myth, delves into the bonds of blood, love, and friendship, while presenting a compelling magical realism tale. Critics commend its originality and the passionate, imaginative heroine, noting it as Badoe's best young adult novel to date.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781789540864

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 June 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Zephyr

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 260g

Pages: 352

Collections

Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Fiction General Fiction Yaba Badoe Young Adult

About the Author

Yaba Badoe is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and writer. Yaba was born in Ghana but now lives in England with her husband. She has been nominated for the Distinguished Woman of African Cinema award. Her debut children's novel A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars and Wolf Light are both published by Zephyr. @yaba_badoe

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