By OKECHUKWU PEACE
All is now set for the launch of The Quest For The Gem Of Arubia, the highly anticipated children’s fantasy book written by top movie critic, Entertainment lawyer and lead Film Adaptation campaigner in Nigeria, Augusta.M.Okon on April 28th 2016 at the Goethe Institute Lagos.
The beatifically crafted African story which tackles issues faced by the ‘Child Albino’ is spun around riddles, thrives in locations that indeed would trigger off one’s imagination and set the young minds on course for an exciting adventure. The story takes children on a journey of self- discovery, to know who they really are and the greatness that lies within waiting for expression. Children learn that irrespective of the Nature of their birth, or what society, friends, families have tagged them as, they can achieve their dreams.
In the book, the Kingdom of Nsewe has been thrown into confusion over the birth of a strange looking baby born under mysterious circumstances. Omorege grows up as a ‘reject’ by the people and is nicknamed ‘Odd boy’. Dominus, the evil one who was locked up in the valley of Acridon, in the realm of the Aspirathis two centuries ago escapes and is determined to rule Nsewe including the seven kingdoms beyond the Human realm with an Iron rod. According to the ancient scroll of the kingdoms, once every century, a guardian is born to defend the kingdoms and prevent the evil one from ruling and is called the ‘Chosen One’.
He alone can stop Dominus from succeeding. Armed with an ilujo and accompanied by the greatest Riddler of his day, the ‘Chosen One’ must face grave danger whiletraversing the kingdoms, overcome all challenges,
and face his fears in his quest to get the Gem of Arubia to stop the evil one. He alone can stop Dominus from succeeding. Armed with an ilujo and accompanied by the greatest Riddler of his day, the ‘Chosen One’ must face grave danger while traversing the kingdoms, overcome all challenges, and face his fears in his quest to get the Gem of Arubia to stop the evil one.
“In The Quest for the Gem of Arubia Augusta MmakambaOkon offers us a spell-binding African sci-fi that would fascinate children and adult readers as a parable of courage, hope, and redemption. The folktale-like narrative bristles with teeming characters, fantastic episodes, and the triumph of the human spirit represented by Omorege, the rejected Albino and The Odd One who becomes the cornerstone and avatar of his community. Laced with mystery, riddles, and suspense, the didactic tale encourages the reader to confront their worst fears, and to recognize that “Danger wiggles her waist delighted to see the one who dares her.”
— NdukaOtiono, award-winning writer and professor of African Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.
According to Augusta Okon“Albinism is a big problem in certain parts of Africa and I’m indeed elated that the African child and indeed those around the world, can step into the world of fantasy with this book and embark on a journey that would keep them engaged from start to finish. It will help these young minds understand what their counterparts who are albinos are facing and instill that care and tenderness towards them. It also encourages those with low self-esteem tagged as ‘the rejects’ who society believes nothing good can come out of them to rise up and achieve their dreams. It will inspire children all over the world and is certainly worth reading.”
A captivating book trailer has also been released as part of the build up to the release. Watch Book Trailer below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5a05EvSn3g
BOOK COVER
Follow the conversation on :
https://questforthegemofarubia.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/questforthegemofarubia
https://twitter.com/qgemofarubia1
CONTACT: Augusta. M. Okon, Phone number : +2347036693703
Email: [email protected]
# # #
