The Intasimi Warriors are about to embark on their third and most challenging adventure to date – saving their beloved mentor from dying at the hands of the Life Drinkers. And when Soni discovers that her mum has a twin sister with a dark secret, she might just have found the key to discovering the Life Drinkers’ identity. As she delves deeper into Nairobi’s dark underbelly, Soni must learn to see the world for what it is – with all its beauty and ugliness. What price will she have to pay to stop the Life Drinkers from draining Mr Lemayian’s life, and will saving his life come at the expense of her own?
A heart-stopping, thrill-a-minute journey into the heart of an alternative Kenya where monsters roam the streets and one brave 12-year-old, with the help of her closest friends, will learn a lesson in self-sacrifice that she will never forget.
About the Intasimi Warriors Series
Set in modern-day Nairobi, The Intasimi Warriors series follows four young friends as they discover they are the descendants of the Intasimi: an ancient bloodline of legendary Kenyan warriors. Follow Mwikali, Soni, Odwar and Xirsi as they race against time to learn how to channel their ancestors’ powers while pitting themselves against a terrifying array of malign forces that are intent on using dark magic to destroy everything the friends hold dear. Inspired by the author’s Kenyan heritage, this fast-paced, action-packed series is bursting with East African mythology and gripping to the very end.
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Shiko Nguru is a Kenyan author and content creator, sharing her motherhood journey in the most genuine and beautiful way she can @ShikoNguru. Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask is her debut novel, inspired by her love of East African mythology.
Praise for the Series:
“In this third series installment, Nguru expands the boundaries of the world, adding new creatures and showing the diversity of Nairobi’s neighborhoods. . . . The ending is satisfying while leaving readers hungry for the next book. Bristling with action from cover to cover.”
—Kirkus Reviews (Soni and the Life Drinkers)
“Peppered with page-turning cliff-hangers, Soni and the Life Drinkers sees Soni forced to face serious dilemmas (and monsters) in a thrilling story of courage, sacrifice, friendship and loyalties.”
–Love Reading 4 Kids
“I really love the book due to its fairly quick pacing, great characters, facts about Kenya, and high-level of mystery. If the rest of the books in the series are as good as this, you can trust that I would make it my mission to read them all.”
— Mafoya, 11-year-old reviewer from Books Up North (Soni and the Life Drinkers)
“The perfect read for fantasy fans – a heart-stopping, action-packed adventure story. This series is aimed at readers age 9-13 and my 11 year old is totally hooked!”
— Rascals and Rainbows (Soni and the Life Drinkers)
“From the very first page, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down. Fast-paced, full of heart, and rich with cultural depth, this series is a must-read for those who love magic, fierce friendships, and battles that feel bigger than life. Have you met the Intasimi Warriors yet? If not, what are you waiting for?!”
— Little C’s Reading Corner (Soni and the Life Drinkers)
“A fantastic introduction to Kenyan culture and a great story too!”
-Karen Sands-O’Conner, British Academy Global Professor of Children's Literature (Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask)
“Gripping, fast-paced fantasy”
— TOPPSTA (Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask)
“It’s a good lesson, especially for young boys who are struggling with family expectations and the complications of masculinity. This was an engaging and fun journey of the second characters of the Intasimi warriors, and I can’t wait for the next installment.”
-Youth Services Book Review (Odwar vs. the Shadow Queen)
“This is an exciting fantasy adventure – with an urgent mystery to solve and a surprise ending. A range of themes are covered – including the idea that true power comes from believing in yourself, using your skills, learning to trust and cooperate with others. The good news for young readers hungry for more, is that this is the first in a new series about the Intasimi warriors.”
-Book for Keeps, 5 Stars (Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask)
“With its important lessons about self-acceptance and its action-packed scenes of fighting monsters, Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask is a delightful fantasy novel.”
-Foreword Reviews, 5 Stars (Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask)
"Nguru's series-opening debut is rich in the mythology and beauty of Kenya. Mwikali's path from self-doubt to confidence inspires, and her struggles with friendship feel universal. A handful of charming full-page illustrations enhance the work. A heartfelt page-turner."
-Kirkus Reviews (Mwikali and the Forbidden Mask)
