Publisher's Synopsis
Western Africa, 1848. In a small Yorùbá village, fourteen-year-old Sìkèmi refuses to live by the elders' rules. All she wants is to learn how to hunt and defend herself, like the boys. But her father is quick to remind her that soon she'll be expected to grow up and marry. But Sìkèmi's world shatters when her village is ambushed by slave raiders. She watches in horror as she's separated from her family before she is sold to Madam Tinúbú, a rich and powerful slave trader. With her heart in pieces, Sìkèmi's days are filled with back-breaking labour and constant fear of brutal punishment. Desperate, Sìkèmi looks for a way to escape her nightmare and find her family. When someone tries to poison Madam, she sees a chance to save her mistress's life. As a reward, Madam grants Sìkèmi's request to train as a warrior and join her guard.
