Enduring an isolated existence in hardscrabble Addis Prime, a star underground augmented reality gamer finds his small family targeted by city-razing monsters waging a galaxy-spanning war. By the royal Ethiopian philanthropist and the best-selling author of the Tristan Strong series. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations. - (Baker & Taylor)

Enduring an isolated existence in hardscrabble Addis Prime, a star underground augmented reality gamer finds his small family targeted by city-razing monsters waging a galaxy-spanning war. - (Baker & Taylor)

From Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel David Makonnen comes an Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this epic journey to the stars.

Yared Heywat lives an isolated life in Addis Prime -- a hardscrabble city with rundown tech, lots of rules, and not much to do. His worrywart Uncle Moti and bionic lioness Besa are his only family... and his only friends.

Often in trouble for his thrill-seeking antics and smart mouth, those same qualities make Yared a star player of the underground augmented reality game, The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. But when a change in the game rules prompts Yared to log in with his real name, it triggers an attack that rocks the city. In the chaos, Uncle Moti disappears.

Suddenly, all the stories Yared's uncle told him as a young boy are coming to life, of kingdoms in the sky and city-razing monsters. And somehow Yared is at the center of them.

Together with Besa and the Ibis -- a game rival turned reluctant ally -- Yared must search for his uncle... and answers to his place in a forgotten, galaxy-spanning war.

Booklist Reviews

This action-packed technothriller by best-selling author Mbalia and Makonnen, a descendent of the last emperor of Ethiopia, brings to life the bleak world of Addis Prime—a city strict and difficult to survive, with dilapidated technology, to boot. To escape his reality, Yared Heywat devotes much of his life to augmented-reality gaming, at which he excels, but after Yared logs into The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk with his true identity, his fun double life comes to an end as an unprecedented attack shakes the city to its core, and his only relative disappears. Readers will delight in Yared's puckish demeanor and perspective; his loyal bionic lioness, Besa; and the events that ensue as all of Yared's childhood stories come to life in a terrifying way, from dangerous monsters to mysterious floating realms. In this vivid, volatile Afrofuturist sf world, as Yared journeys to learn about himself and his spiraling environment, he must figure out whom to trust and how he is connected to all of the chaos. Grades 5-8. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

A boy must fight to save his world in this Ethiopian-inspired adventure by noted children's author Mbalia and Makonnen, the great-grandson of Haile Selassie. Twelve-year old lone wolf Yared is used to relying only on himself, his Uncle Moti, and his best friend and bionic lioness companion, Besa. Yared hides his loneliness behind bravado and quippy comebacks, using his razor-sharp wit to help him mask his true feelings and survive his family's many moves. Through his technological acumen, Yared finds comfort and renown in the community of an illegal augmented reality scavenger hunt game, where he shares top ranking with his rival, the Ibis. When their game is interrupted by a giant robotic beast-a creature out of one of his uncle's stories come to life-Yared and the Ibis must go on the run. The duo soon realizes they must uncover the truth-including the truth of Yared's past-in order to save their homeland from certain ruin. The themes of teamwork and family are woven throughout as Yared comes to understand the value of working with others as well as the fact that blood and chosen family are both valuable. While a couple of elements strain credulity, and the particularly astute may guess the book's big reveal, this won't spoil full enjoyment of this fast-paced, Afro-futurist space romp that will grip both avid and reluctant readers. Main characters are Black. Entertaining and action-packed. (afterword) (Science fiction. 9-13) Copyright Kirkus 2021 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Inspired by the history and lore of Ethiopia, this cinematic space adventure introduces 12-year-old Yared Heywat as he fights to protect those he loves after learning stunning secrets about his world and himself. In the bustling city of Addis Prime, Yared, his uncle Moti, and bionic lioness Besa live under the radar, often moving suddenly, though Moti won't explain why. It's a lonely life, but rebellious Yared finds community and glory in an illegal augmented-reality game; he's the number-two player, beaten only by a girl known as the Ibis. When Yared is forced to compete under his real name, Addis Prime is immediately swarmed by high-tech monsters and brutal soldiers—all of whom are looking for Yared. As Uncle Moti's fables about the lost space empire of Axum and the evil Werari empire begin to come to life, Yared and rival-turned-ally Ibis fight to escape the city and uncover the truth about Yared's family roots. In this fast-paced, Afrofuturist homage to Ethiopia, Mbalia (Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky) and Ethiopian prince Makonnen craft an enthralling tale of resilience, family, and bravery that will entertain young sci-fi lovers. Ages 8–12. Agents: (for Mbalia) Patrice Caldwell, New Leaf Literary; (for Makonnen) Jesseca Salky, Lyons & Salky Law. (May)