The Civilization
A kidnapped girl. A lost kingdom smothered in night. A YA portal fantasy rooted in African mythology—perfect for readers searching for books about witches and parallel worlds Seventeen-year-old Kadsa has crossed deserts with her grandfather chasing the myth of Marut. Then a shattering truth strikes: she was kidnapped from Toronto, her real name is Skylar, and the life she longs to reclaim is an ocean away. One fateful choice hurls her through a portal between parallel worlds into a kingdom where gods walk beside mortals, a dark witch commands legions of shadow, and a hidden prince bound to darkness may be the last spark of hope. To save Marut, Kadsa must master a crystal’s light, outwit deadly court intrigue, and decide where she truly belongs—home with the mother who’s been searching for Skylar, or in a realm that now looks to her as Abnr’s Gift. Why readers will love The Civilization *African mythology and gods-and-goddesses lore woven into an epic coming-of-age quest *Portal fantasy/parallel worlds stakes with a ruthless witch, cursed prince, and kingdom in eternal night *Found family, identity, and resilience—YA heart with crossover appeal for adult fantasy readers *Court intrigue, survival, and a heroine learning to wield light against the longest dark Perfect for fans of Michael Wisehart (Street Rats of Aramoor) and readers who enjoy parallel-world adventures like Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody. If your “top fantasy books 2025” list includes books about witches, lost kingdoms, and fierce heroines, add The Civilization today.
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Bestselling author of mystery novels, weaving suspense and intrigue. Captivating readers with every page turn.
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"An original blend of African-inspired mysticism and adventure."
“The World Building is lush and robust… a riveting fantasy novel, The Civilization incorporates African mythology into its story of a whip-smart heroine who learns to claim her destiny and newfound ancestry with pride.”
The Civilization is a great Africa-based YA Fantasy that I will happily recommend to all my friends, family, and the random person walking by on the sidewalk. I enjoyed that there was a little bit of romance in the book…The character development was great and I found myself rooting for our main characters and deeply despising the enemy.
"The Civilization is an awesome Africa-based YA fantasy that I can't wait to recommend to everyone… With great character development and just a touch of romance, it's a thrilling read"
"I really liked this book. Kadsa was a great character to read… I loved how the two worlds connected and the accurate history inclusions about Africa... I can’t wait for this book to be released"
"The Civilization is a fantastic debut, blending sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery with an engaging plot. It follows 17-year-old Kadsa and her Grandpa Edoje as they navigate their magical homeland. When her Grandpa is kidnapped, Kadsa embarks on a quest to save him and prevent the world's annihilation. While I wished for more action in the fight scenes and found the genre blend a bit clunky at times, I highly recommend this novel. Thanks to NetGalley & Iskanchi Press for the eARC!"
"This fantasy set in Africa explores mythology as Kadsa embarks on a journey to confront dark magic and save the land. She discovers her destiny along the way. I loved the character development, though I wished for more tension and anticipation."
"The Civilization is a unique blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery. It features themes of good vs. evil, light vs. dark, and a mix of talking animals and magical elements. However, the numerous storylines made it feel a bit clunky and lacking in flow."