The Roads of Luhonono: Legend of the East Road

The Legend of the East Road is about three characters, Magdalene, Peter, and Gimbo, trying to stop the bad guy, an evil witchdoctor named Maovu Moja, from casting a spell that will turn all of the spirits into demons to attack the mortal plane. The spirits are the spirits of the dead who died in Luhonono, an area in Africa probably similar in size to a state in the US. The spirits were attracted to the Great Baobab Tree, a holy spot in the center of Luhonono. If Moja succeeded in his plans, the demons would attack and kill everyone in Luhonono. It was up to Magdalene, Peter and Gimbo to stop him.

It was a very interesting story, and it’s different from other books I’ve read because it’s set in Africa and it’s about spells and spirits and demons. I especially liked how much I learned about African wildlife and culture, while still enjoying an interesting, fantastical story. The most interesting thing I learned was about African spirits, though I don’t know if this is something they believe in Africa or part of the fiction of the story. On the spirit side of the world, your thought-soul wanders. Inside of your mortal body is your life-soul. When you die, your life-soul and your thought-soul fuse at the magic mirror and go into the African equivalent of heaven or hell. It’s a lot different from Greek or Norse mythologies, so I really liked it.

The ending was a bit weird. Magdalene and Peter cast a spell, giving Peter the mind and powers of a Leopard, so he climbed a tree so he could get materials for some spells, sherbet and yogurt. Yes, I just said sherbet and yogurt! I’m guessing they’re going to need the materials in the next book, but I’m not sure. The next book is called Legend of the West Road, and I’m looking forward to reading it. If you enjoy mythology from around the world, you will want to read this book.