Birth of a Dynasty Book Review

Synopsis

Combining the political intrigue of She Who Became the Sun with the gorgeous world-building of Children of Blood and Bone, Birth of a Dynasty is the start of a thrilling epic fantasy trilogy centered around three families’ fight for power in Ahkebulin, a land where magic is feared, giants are real, and prophecy holds sway. 

We shall not forgive. We shall not forget. We will have our vengeance.

After witnessing the massacre of everyone he’s ever known and loved, M’Kuru Mukundi, the sole surviving member of the High Noble House Mukundi of Madada, vows revenge. M’kuru flees to a small village where he hides under the guise of farm boy Khalil Rausi… unaware that the real Khalil’s father is the bloodthirsty General of Zenzele army, and under the direction of the King’s scheming son, Prince Effiom, was responsible for the murder of M’kuru’s people. When an imposter claiming to be M’kuru shows up in the village, the real M’kuru—now Khalil—must bide his time amongst his enemies, pretending to be everything that he hates in order to get vengeance.

In another part of the country where giants roam free, young Zikora Nnamani, the only daughter of Lord Nnamani, knows nothing of political intrigue—she wants little more than to be a fierce Seh Llinga warrior. But a well-known prophecy places too much potential power on her small shoulders, and—as far as Prince Effiom and the King know—she is the only living threat to their dynasty ruling forever. However, when a messenger arrives to “invite” Zikora to stay at the palace, her family is not in a position to refuse. Before she is taken away, she begins The Rite of Blessing, a magical inheritance that she will need to learn how to use, but that may also bring the world one step closer to the completion of the prophecy that Prince Effiom so fears.

Between scheming ladies at court, backstabbing princes on the prowl, and paranoid kings, M’kuru and Zikora must do what they can, no matter how terrible, to save their people and claim vengeance for their families. But they are just two young people against an entire kingdom—and a prophecy destined to thwart their dreams—and the last thing they can do is trust anyone…even each other.

REVIEW

Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado is a fantastic start to an epic fantasy series set in a remarkable African-inspired world. The prologue was excellent, and I was instantly hooked (in fact, I ended up reading the whole book in less than 24 hours). Fair warning, however: it’s very Game of Thrones-coded in that so, so many people die and/or are mistreated in horrifying ways.

The book is intense, though slow-paced—something I actually didn’t mind because I believe it sets up the world and story quite nicely for the next installment while allowing us to truly understand and be “in the moment” with the main characters (both children) as events unfold. I honestly cannot wait for the next book, especially because it is the antagonist’s own actions that will be his undoing—and our main characters are poised to execute it at the end of this book.

Content warnings include graphic violence, death, attempted and implied rape, child abuse, and enslavement.

Thank you to Harper Voyager for the free copy for review!

Expected publication date is 29 July 2025.