I read The Lies of the Ajungo in one sitting because I had to find out the ending. And I’m still so in awe at the end. I want to read it all over again. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
What starts out as a boy’s quest to save his mother and bring back water, ends up developing into an introspective novella about power and information. From the very beginning, The Lies of the Ajungo is introspective. It asks us what it would be like for a city of people who are forced to sacrifice their tongues for survival. All on the brink of death and born into this system. Except Tutu believes that he can find water in the desert to save not only his mother, but his city.
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
From the get go, The Lies of the Ajungo takes a meaningful world building idea and only develops it further. I know with a lot of book reviews, I say that there’s so much I want to discuss – that I loved – that I cannot. The same can be said for The Lies of the Ajungo. It becomes a novella that I finished days ago and have now told everyone I know the story. Tutu’s story morphs into one about solidarity, community, and the power of information. I cannot recommend this one more, it will stick with you and I cannot wait for the sequel!
Find The Lies of the Ajungo on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org, & The Book Depository.