The Lies of the Ajungo

By Moses Ose Utomi

Moses Ose Utomi's debut novella, The Lies of the Ajungo, follows one boy's epic quest to bring water back to his city and save his mother's life. Prepare to enter the Forever Desert.

They say there is no water in the City of Lies. They say there are no heroes in the City of Lies. They say there are no friends beyond the City of Lies. But would you believe what they say in the City of Lies?

In the City of Lies, they cut out your tongue when you turn thirteen, to appease the terrifying Ajungo Empire and make sure it continues sending water. Tutu will be thirteen in three days, but his parched mother won't last that long. So Tutu goes to his oba and makes a deal: she provides water for his mother, and in exchange he will travel out into the desert and bring back water for the city. Thus begins Tutu's quest for the salvation of his mother, his city, and himself.

The Lies of the Ajungo opens the curtains on a tremendous world, and begins the epic fable of the Forever Desert. With every word, Moses Ose Utomi weaves magic.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250849063
• ISBN13: 9781250849069
• Release Date: March 2023
• Publisher: Tordotcom
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A Powerful And Compelling Fantasy Novella

There is no water in the City of Lies. The Lies of the Ajungo is a dark fantasy novella based on African folklore. The story follows Tutu a young boy who lives in the City of Lies where there is no water. The leaders of his city have made a deal with the brutal Ajungo Empire. In exchange for a paltry amount of water, the city must sacrifice the tongues of its inhabitants when they turn thirteen. Tutu's mother is dying of dehydration, so he ventures out into the bleak desert to search for water. In exchange, the city leader promises to give his mother water for one year. In the bleak Forever Desert, Tutu finds allies and learns to question all he has been told. Told like a folk tale, The Lies of the Ajungo has a quest, magic, action, danger, twists, lies, truths and betrayals. The story was well-written, fast-paced, and immersive. I could not put it down. The Lies of the Ajungo is a powerful and compelling tale which can be seen as an allegory for our times. Thank you to BooksForwardPR and the author for a copy to review.