The Emperor's Son
"In a world on the brink of war, one young warrior must uncover the truth about his destiny—and his bloodline. When young Zaiwulo arrives in the fortified city of Musadu with a fragile flame tree sapling, he is thrust into a world of epic African saga, historical intrigue, and warrior coming-of-age challenges. Under the mentorship of Talata Haidarah, Musadu’s most revered scholar, Zaiwulo must navigate a household torn by rivalry, prejudice, and the heavy weight of family legacy. But outside the compound, the West African empire faces upheaval as Samori Touré, the legendary warrior emperor, rises to power—igniting a colonial resistance novel where knowledge and the sword are equally vital for survival. As colonial powers threaten ancient kingdoms and the tides of war reshape the land, Zaiwulo’s journey becomes the heart of a historical epic novel. He must choose between the scholar’s path and the brutal realities of empire, facing the ultimate test of loyalty, resilience, and identity. Will the flame tree he plants take root in a world consumed by fire, and can he preserve the knowledge and legacy entrusted to him as empires crumble? The Emperor’s Son is a definitive edition of African empire fiction—a sweeping historical fiction bestseller that explores the clash between tradition and modernity, the complexities of power, and the enduring quest for belonging. Vamba Sherif’s richly textured narrative brings to life the grandeur and tragedy of nineteenth-century West Africa, perfect for fans of epic sagas, coming-of-age stories, and colonial resistance novels. Ideal for readers of N.K. Jemisin, Colson Whitehead, Vinland Saga, and Kingdom, this scholar warrior story is essential for anyone seeking top African American books, award-winning historical fiction, and epic journeys through African history."
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Bestselling author of mystery novels, weaving suspense and intrigue. Captivating readers with every page turn.
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Vamba Sherif’s, The Emperor’s Son is a captivating narrative about tumultuous wars and doomed alliances that is as rich in fervor as it is imaginative in reconstructing the adventurous life and times of the fabled Mande emperor, Samori Touré. In this beautifully wrought book, Sherif creates characters—imbued with the full range of human strengths and failings—who inhabit and take us along on heart-stopping journeys of life and death
The Emperor's Son is lush, immediate and brilliantly conceived. Vamba's prose challenges both writers and readers of world literature to be more thoughtful, more generous, more true to themselves
The Emperor’s Son is a bold, richly imagined and ambitious piece of historical fiction, drawing on a number of fascinating factual events to produce an evocative portrayal of a vibrant, prosperous West African empire in the nineteenth century at the cusp of the French and English colonial invasions. The region’s cultures, traditions and their economic and political civilizations are powerfully rendered through clear themes of war, love, loss, family, identity, abandonment and sacrifice, while the life and exploits of your protagonist provide a compelling central focus for your plot. The women, particularly Ma-Sona, Massah, Sarankenyi and Naminata were a strong force and they, along with Demba and Talata were memorable characters amongst a diverse and colourful cast