Shaka Rising: A Legend of the Warrior Prince (The African Graphic Novel Series) - Hardcover

Molver, Luke W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1946498998 ISBN 13: 9781946498991

Publisher: Story Press Africa, 2018

Synopsis

In a land beset by political turmoil and bloody conflict comes the epic saga of Shaka. Ousted by one of his chief father’s jealous wives and raised in exile, his destiny is sealed through allegiance to a rival chief. Responding to threats from expanding slave trade in southern Africa, Shaka consolidates a new kingdom through warfare, mediation, and shrewd diplomacy. A 2019 Children’s Africana Book Awards Honor Book for Older Readers. /div>

A worthy introduction that offers a young Anglophone audience entry into a legend of Africa without the annoyance of overtranslation and with refreshingly three-dimensional characters. --Kirkus

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About this title

About the Authors

Luke W. Molver studied Fine Art and Graphic Design at the Durban University of Technology and works as a freelance illustrator and comic book creator in Cape Town, South Africa.

Mbongeni Malaba, Ph.D. completed his doctoral degree on Shaka as a Literary Theme in 1986, at the University of York, where he studied at the Centre for Southern African Studies. He is currently a Professor of English Studies at the Pietermaritzburg Campus of University of KwaZulu Natal.

Reviews

Gr 6–8—This graphic novel telling of the early life of Zulu king Shaka presents an accessible introduction to a major figure in African history. After fleeing his brother's murderous schemes and living in exile, Shaka returns to claim his title as king. He must then conquer the king of the Ndwandwe, who is annexing southern kingdoms of Africa and selling their citizens into slavery. The story moves briskly, and the language is vivid and dramatic. The illustrations, drawn with bold lines in a fiery palette of oranges and reds, are a little stiff but come to life in battle scenes where lines are blurred to depict action. The authors present Shaka as a brilliant military strategist who used his talents to protect his people from slavery. He is more a character to admire than to relate to: at one point, he orders his sister to marry for the sake of a new alliance. Female characters aren't given much to do: Shaka's sister grows into a "beautiful woman" while he becomes a "powerful general." There is no bibliography or resource list, but the inspired storytelling should appeal to readers. VERDICT Though the illustrations and character development are somewhat lacking, the book is worth adding to collections given that there are few recent biographies of Shaka for young audiences and none in graphic novel format.—Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library

Edition details

• Publisher: Story Press Africa
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1946498998
• ISBN 13: 9781946498991
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Molver Luke W.
• Number of pages: 96