Stephen Belcher Book order

Set in West Africa a thousand years ago, the story revolves around a hero who intervenes in a sacrificial ritual, defeating a monster but failing to save the Soninke princess. As a result of this unfulfilled ritual, she becomes immortal and remains unrecognized, trapped in her fate. The narrative explores themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the consequences of actions taken in the name of good, weaving a rich tapestry of myth and legend.

Gathering a range of traditional African myths, this collection offers tales of heroes battling mighty serpents and monstrous birds, brutal family conflict and vengeance, and desperate migrations across vast and alien lands. All the narratives found here concern origins - whether of the universe, peoples or families.