APRIL 2021 - AudioFile
This is the first audiobook in a new series called Edinburgh Nights, set in a future post-apocalyptic world. Narrator Tinashe Warikandwa gives dimension to the featured character, Ropa, as she makes her way in a harsh environment. Warikandwa captures the spirit of a young teen who quit school to become a ghost stalker to support her gran, sister, and self. Warikandwa gives Ropa a gentle Scottish accent, yet her gran’s accent is Zimbabwean. This contrast works to remind listeners that Ropa must rely on all her gran has taught her about Zimbabwean magic, as well more mundane street smarts. Warikandwa sets a quick pace as Ropa, full of bravado, is always hustling and trying to survive. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 03/01/2021
Huchu (The Hairdresser of Harare, as Tendai Huchu) plunges readers into the dark, supernatural recesses of contemporary Edinburgh in his powerhouse fantasy debut and series launch. Headstrong high school dropout Ropafadzo “Ropa” Moyo works as a ghostalker, ferrying messages between the worlds of the dead and the living for the right price. When penniless ghost Nicola comes to Ropa pleading for help, Ropa is initially reluctant to take on her problems—until she learns that something is sucking the souls out of the bodies of the city’s children. Now Ropa heads on a dangerous hunt to discover who—or what—is behind these sinister attacks. The mystery contains plenty of twists, turns, and genuinely eerie moments to draw in even the most seasoned horror reader. Huchu writes with a refreshing voice, crafting an intimate portrait of Ropa and her Zimbabwean family amid the delicious paranormal chaos. Precocious, often snarky Ropa, meanwhile, breathes new life into the standard rough-around-the-edges female protagonist. Expertly blending elements of Zimbabwean and Scottish culture, Huchu’s occult thriller is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. (June)
From the Publisher
Praise for The Library of the Dead:
"Alluring, shadowy Edinburgh with its hints of sophisticated academic magic will draw you in, but it’s Ropa—a hard knocks ghostalker on her paranormal grind to pay the rent—who grabs hold. The moment you meet her, you’ll follow wherever she goes." — Olivie Blake, Author of The Atlas Six
“I highly recommend The Library of the Dead.”—Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series
“An absolute delight . . . kept me totally hooked.”—Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library
“A fast-paced, future-set Edinburgh thriller. The Library of the Dead mixes magical mysteries with a streetwise style of writing . . . roll on the sequel.”—The Times
“One of the strangest and most compelling fantasy worlds you’ll see all year . . . We can't wait for the next volume.”—SFX
“Contemporary fantasy, at its best, is both escapist and urgent: this does both admirably.”—The Scotsman
“Expertly blending elements of Zimbabwean and Scottish culture, Huchu’s occult thriller is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“What a delight. Great pacing, wonderfully creepy villains, and so much fun!”—A. K. Larkwood, author of The Unspoken Name
“Stupendously engaging.”—Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series
"There’s magic and mystery in these pages, and with a protagonist like Ropa, you’ll be glad you went along for the ride."—BookRiot
School Library Journal
★ 12/01/2021
Fourteen-year-old high school dropout Ropa is barely hanging on as she tries to support her Gran and her younger sister with her licensed ghost-talker business. However, the money she gets for delivering messages between the living and the dead is barely enough to pay the rent on their trailer. Although Ropa seems to be a tough-as-nails young businesswoman, when one of her ghostly clients begs for help investigating her missing child, Ropa's conscience won't let her ignore the mother's plea, despite the fact that she can't pay the fee. Ropa's search starts at a very unique magical library where she uncovers a hidden talent inside of her which leads her across the seedier parts of Edinburgh, Scotland, and into several life-threatening situations. Readers must remain on their toes as they keep up with a large cast of characters both living and dead, while following the physics of magic and references from Scottish history, Zimbabwean culture, and Greek mythology. However, Ropa's snarky, noir-ish first-person narration keeps the plot moving along quickly. Enough closure is provided to satisfy readers in the end, although plenty is left open for a whole new series to develop. VERDICT This supernatural thriller is a natural crossover title for teens who like fantastical elements mixed in with their scares.—Carrie Shaurette, Dwight-Englewood Sch., Englewood, NJ
APRIL 2021 - AudioFile
This is the first audiobook in a new series called Edinburgh Nights, set in a future post-apocalyptic world. Narrator Tinashe Warikandwa gives dimension to the featured character, Ropa, as she makes her way in a harsh environment. Warikandwa captures the spirit of a young teen who quit school to become a ghost stalker to support her gran, sister, and self. Warikandwa gives Ropa a gentle Scottish accent, yet her gran’s accent is Zimbabwean. This contrast works to remind listeners that Ropa must rely on all her gran has taught her about Zimbabwean magic, as well more mundane street smarts. Warikandwa sets a quick pace as Ropa, full of bravado, is always hustling and trying to survive. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
