A bloodthirsty demon. A pacifist monk with a deadly past. How much will he sacrifice to overcome unspeakable evil?Amana hopes his dark secrets will never catch up with him. But when nearby villagers discover a mauled body near him, the residents assume the traveling monk is to blame. Amana suspects the grisly handiwork of a bloodthirsty, mythological creature. Determined to clear his name and catch the culprit, Amana follows the trail of bloody clues. And when shadows from his own past tie in with the demonic attack, he's torn between his vow of pacifism and his duty to protect the defenseless. As the demon prepares to strike again, Amana must summon the courage to confront his own dark deeds before the creature can corrupt the hearts and minds of the entire village. The Kishi is an enthralling fantasy novel steeped in African folklore. If you like mythological creatures, tormented heroes, and intense battles, then you’ll love Antoine Bandele’s captivating tale of redemption.Buy The Kishi to embark on an action-packed, magical journey today! Perfect for fans of Nnedi Okorafor, Tomi Adeyemi, and Evan Winter.  "It’s really refreshing to be reading a fantasy novel based in Africa. The world of Esowon is captivating, magical and keeps you coming back for more." - Nikita Campbell, advance reader  "'The Kishi was the best fiction read I've had in years, and I look forward to more from [Antoine Bandele]!" - Jesse Garrad, advance reader  "Antoine set out to write an African fantasy, and dadgum it, he wrote the hell out of this story. I was intrigued and enthralled from beginning to end. I can see the time, passion and creativity Antoine put into the characters, settings and theming, which also had me captivated. If you want a great read, pick up a copy." - Trey D, advance reader  More Tales from Esowon  The Kishi  The First Sky Pirate (Summer 2018)  The First Sky Captain (Autumn 2018)  The Prince of Vaaji (Winter 2018)  The Lord of the Mines (Spring 2019)  The Forest of Men (Spring 2019)

The Kishi (Tales from Esowon)

Literature & Fiction

Bandele, Antoine

World Literature

Antoine Bandele

A pacifist monk. A threatening darkness. An innocent village hanging in the balance. Hoping to escape his dark past, Amana travels to the great village of Bajok in search of redemption. The day he arrives, a young woman is slain and the locals point their fingers at the new arrival.
Amana must overcome the village's trepidation. A demon is on the loose and he fears more will die. The solution is obvious—a swift and brutal counterattack. 
But his vow of peace is the last virtue that remains in his tattered soul.
Is his personal peace more valuable than the lives of the innocent, or will Amana be swallowed by the darkness that has hounded him his entire life?
Delve into an African fantasy inspired by the Angola folklore, where Amana will face mystical villains, ancient secrets, and the demons that smolder within himself.

Genre Fiction

The first collection in the ongoing series of shorts, novelettes, and novellas compiling fantasy stories from the world of Esowon. 
Inside, you'll find dastardly beasts, tortured monks, and unexpected lovers in a set of tales that'll transport you to lands lost to time. 
The collection includes: 
Last of My Kind 
When the war with the humans started, there were hundreds of us. Then it was just me and Father. Now it's just me. 
A Servant's Work 
Amana has a special gift to see into the future. But one day something goes horribly wrong, something he never foresaw. 
Hearts in the Dark 
She's a princess. He's a demon. They couldn't be any more wrong for each other. But when they find themselves stuck in a cave together they discover an undeniable connection. 
Delve into these companion novellas to The Kishi, an African fantasy based on Angola folklore.

Demons, Monks, and Lovers (Lost Tales from Esowon Collection)

Chatman, Matthew

Brown, Callan

United States

Review\n"If you know a pre-teen boy who loves magic and adventure, get him this book. If he's Black, get him two copies." -Equal Opportunity Reader Blog\n"Captivating Percy Jackson meets Harry Potter meets West African Mythos that is as entertaining as it is enriching. Magical in ever sense." -Julia Hoover, Reedsy Discovery\n"This should be up there right along the Percy Jackson series." -Marie Reed, Goodreads Review\n"The world-building was incredibly strong and the pacing was solid." -Life of a Female Bibliophile Blog\n"I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a magical fantasy world book, but is tired of Harry Potter and needs a breath of fresh air... Kamau Fluker, Age 15." -Goodreads Review\n"It was such a ride with the twists it took, and it felt like the perfect summer read. I legit laughed out loud at some of the banter -- not a simple chuckle under my breath -- but a true, close my eyes and let it happen, laugh." -CM Lockhart, Melanin Library\n"There's two things I will always adore: magical school tropes, and #ownvoices stories. If you love these too, or know a BIPOC kid who will, you'll absolutely love TJ Young and the Orishas." -Naya M, Netgalley\n"Maaaaaaannnnnnnnn, I have to say that I thought that I was ready but I was not. I got wrapped up in the story almost as soon as I started reading it." -Rich, Goodreads Review\n"You may read the description and think "another camp adventure? Why try when Percy Jackson did it so well." Well think again! This is its own unique adventure, with characters that feel real and individual, and a magic system that can actually be followed." -Holly A, Netgalley\n"I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't looooove it since it's YA... but I was very pleasantly surprised with how much fun I had reading this and how much I enjoyed my time with it. Will continue the series with enthusiasm, for sure!" -Jashana, Booktube\n"I really appreciated the focus on grief instead of treating it as a passing thought. Even the various reactions of characters to grief helped to show that there is no one way to grieve (which is huge!)." -R.L. McIntyre, author of The Assassin of Acreage\nTJ Young has been surrounded by magic his entire life, yet he has never tapped into it… until now. 
Fourteen-year-old TJ grew up normal in a secret community of gifted diviners in the heart of modern-day Los Angeles. His powerful sister was ordained to lead his people into a new age of prosperity, but her mysterious death in Nigeria threatens to destroy the very foundations of TJ’s world. 
Desperate to pick up where his sister left off and uncover the secrets behind her questionable death, TJ commits himself to unlocking the magical heritage that has always eluded him. So he enrolls in Camp Olosa—a remedial magic school for the divinely less-than-gifted in the humid swamps of New Orleans. 
But little does he know, TJ is destined to cross paths with powerful spirits of old thought lost to time: the Orishas. Delve into this young adult fantasy based on the mythology of the West African gods, where TJ will encounter unlikely allies, tough-as-gatorhide instructors, and the ancient secrets of the Orishas.

The Gatekeeper's Staff

The Windweaver's Storm: An Old Gods Story (Tj Young & the Orishas)

Review\n"Returning to the world of TJ Young and the Orishas is like being enveloped in a warm, cozy hug. The Windweaver's Storm is an enchanting journey that combines inspiring characters, exquisite imagery, and meaningful relationships, all steeped in the beauty that is African mythology. Laugh, cry, and grow along with these heroes in this charming story." -Jordan Fortuin, Goodreads Review\n"One of the things I love most about this book is the voice—TJ feels authentically 14 and his struggles feel real. The West African setting is a refreshing and much-needed change from North American and UK-based novels." -Allison Alexander, author of Thy Geekdom Come\n"So much of modern YA feels like it's written with adult characters in teenage bodies, but TJ feels like a teenager." -Margaret Adelle Laupp, Booktuber\n"Being from the Yoruba Tribe, Nigeria, South Western Region of Africa, I am also thrilled by his accurate use of the Yoruba language, especially with the "Ami Ohun" (pronunciation sounds/markings). This shows the writer did his research well." -Ayo Makinde, Goodreads Review\n"... Once the action starts, it does NOT stop." -Marie Reed, author of Feathers of Snow\nNever make a deal with a deity. Promises with one are impossible to keep. 
TJ Young spent last summer fighting to unlock the secrets behind his sister's mysterious death but found himself battling the magic of the ancient Orishas instead. And some of the answers he sought came with a promise he may not be able to keep: to dismantle new human construction on the coastline of Lagos, Nigeria by the start of spring. 
But how does a teenager do away with decades of infrastructure in only half a year? 
He’ll need to enlist the help of new allies, mortal and immortal alike. And thankfully, after surviving the grueling magical curriculum of Camp Olosa, he’s now headed to the most prestigious magic school in West Africa: Ifa Academy for Tomorrow’s Diviners. 
But will that be enough as he prepares for what can only end in an all-out war between mortals and gods? Find out in this young adult fantasy based on the mythology of West Africa, where TJ will encounter forgotten tales, mystical realms lost to time, and the ancient secrets of the Orishas.

The Windweaver's Storm: An Old Gods Story (TJ Young & The Orishas)

Product Description With no magic, no brawn, and no pirate crew, Zala seeks to steal back the one treasure that matters to her most: her husband.To succeed she needs a ship—and not just any ship, but the latest, secret invention by the Vaaji Empire. An airship.Zala will have to use her wits to overcome scoundrels and nobles alike on her journey through the clouds.But if she's smart enough, she may just have what it takes to save her husband—and go down in history as the first sky pirate.Delve into a pirate fantasy inspired by the West Indies, The Swahili Coast, and Arabia, where Zala will encounter ruthless raiders, arrogant aristocrats, and imperial secrets. About the Author Antoine lives in Los Angeles, CA with his girlfriend.He is a YouTuber, producing work for his own channel and others, such as JustKiddingFilms, Fanalysis, and more.Whenever he has the time, he's writing books inspired by African folklore, mythology, and history.

By Sea & Sky: An Esowon Story (The Sky Pirate Chronicles)

With no magic, no brawn, and no pirate crew, Zala seeks to steal back the one treasure that matters to her most: her husband.To succeed she needs a ship--and not just any ship, but the latest, secret invention by the Vaaji Empire. An airship.Zala will have to use her wits to overcome scoundrels and nobles alike on her journey through the clouds.But if she's smart enough, she may just have what it takes to save her husband--and go down in history as the first sky pirate.Delve into a pirate fantasy inspired by the West Indies, The Swahili Coast, and Arabia, where Zala will encounter ruthless raiders, arrogant aristocrats, and imperial secrets.

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Antoine Bandele publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Antoine Bandele

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Antoine Bandele publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Kishi (Tales from Esowon)

The Kishi (Tales from Esowon)

Demons, Monks, and Lovers (Lost Tales from Esowon Collection)

The Gatekeeper's Staff

The Windweaver's Storm: An Old Gods Story (TJ Young & The Orishas)

By Sea & Sky: An Esowon Story (The Sky Pirate Chronicles)

By Sea & Sky: An Esowon Story (The Sky Pirate Chronicles)