Driven by the daring of a 16-year-old protagonist who’s guided by the Goddess, Shade Lapite’s Goddess Crown is a richly conjured feminist fantasy set in sumptuous West African- inspired Galla, a patriarchal kingdom that’s long conspired against women.
Kalothia had “lived in the forest for sixteen harvests”, since the day her parents were forced to flee the palace during what was known as the “Great Upset”, after being exposed as enemies of the king. Now, on her 16 th birthday, her home and guardians are attacked by the king’s assassins, and so she journeys to the court. After uncovering monumental truths, Kalothia finds herself at the centre of an opulent royal household that swarms with treachery as she seeks to avenge loved ones’ deaths, and more.
Shot-through with suspense and forbidden love, the writing crackles with energy, and Kalothia — a fearless young woman who exposes how patriarchal teachings have misrepresented the Goddess — is a heroine no reader will forget in a hurry.
For fans of Twin Crowns and TikTok sensations To Kill a Kingdom and This Woven Kingdom.
The royal court of Galla is as dangerous as it is glamorous... Kalothia will need every ounce of courage and wit, if she is to avenge those she loves ... and stay alive.
Kalothia has grown up in the shadows of her kingdom, hidden away in the East after her parents were outed as enemies of the king. When assassins attack her home on her sixteenth birthday, she must flee to the king’s court – a beautiful but lethal nest of poison, plots and danger, overseen by an entrenched patriarchy.
Can Kalothia navigate this most worldly of places to find her own role? What if she must choose between her country and her heart?
A fast-paced, romantic and feminist YA fantasy full of danger and courtly intrigue.
Opulence, beauty, and danger – Goddess Crown sweeps readers into a sumptuous new world that they won’t soon forget and introduces an unstoppable heroine in Kalothia. A magnificent and triumphant debut. - Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times best-selling author and chief operating officer of We Need Diverse Books
'The story’s well-timed action and tenacious protagonist make for page-turning thrills, and a lovely romance tucked away within its pages will make readers’ hearts flutter. However, the underlying theme of young women building reliable, strategic alliances in addition to friendships while living in patriarchal kingdoms is equally important... Lapite’s debut is a strong addition to the genre and a fine introduction to an enchanting world that is worth exploring. A punchy story radiating zeal and filled with suspense.' - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
'Teeming with betrayal, secrets, and power struggles, Lapite’s debut will have readers on the edge of their seats ... Kalothia’s determined spirit rings true, and her uphill battle will endear her to readers ... Readers looking for an inviting fantasy or who want a grounded experience will love Kalothia and root for her through her plight.' - Booklist
'Goddess Crown is a fast paced, action filled, feminist novel. The main female character is strong willed and assertive in what she wants. She does all she can for the people in the kingdom, and getting equal rights for the women of her land. It's easy to read, I finished it in 2 days, as I could not put it down. If there is a sequel coming out, I am eager to read it as well.' - NetGalley Reviewer
'An extremely fast paced feminist story that really packs up a punch.' - NetGalley Reviewer
Author
About Shade Lapite
Shade Lapite is British–Nigerian and has drawn on her heritage to create the world of her debut novel. She spent a significant slice of her childhood nestled in the library, inhaling books by Diana Wynne Jones, Tamora Pierce, Lois Duncan and Mildred D Taylor. Her love for the arts led her to a degree in Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London. She now lives in Toronto and juggles writing with her career in digital marketing. Her blog, Coffee Bookshelves, celebrates writing and promotes titles by authors of colour.
"In the media that I loved growing up, men got to drive talking cars, battle outlaws and fly through the stratosphere. Very occasionally I would encounter a kick-ass heroine like Tamora Pierce’s Alanna of Trebond, or Terminator’s Sarah Connor. Nothing was more exciting to me than a fearless woman who could handle a weapon, it was icing on the cake if she also had a great wardrobe. After all, my Nigerian mother and an array of fashionista aunties had taught me the value of beautiful clothes, matching accessories and well-styled hair. (Even in life-or-death situations!)
My first ventures into writing were through fanfiction. Inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s weekly adventures, I discovered the joy of playing with characters and plots, and built the confidence to invent my own worlds. I filled my stories with smart, outspoken fighting women, eventually writing the first draft of Goddess Crown as part of National Novel Writing Month. Initially inspired by the life of Queen Elizabeth I – a female heir raised away from the royal court, destined to challenge the dominance of a male-centric society - the story evolved over repeated drafts. The setting changed from a Eurocentric placement to a fictional West Africa, the fashion and culture transformed, a goddess became the basis of the faith system, and the threats faced by the heroine grew.
One thing remained the same and that’s Kalothia, a girl who represents everything I wanted when I was young – and more. Determined to live life on her own terms, she’s courageous and inspiring, and her story combines all my obsessions: great fashion, outstanding fighting skills and forbidden love. Having this powerful Black girl at the centre of my story, driving the action is a dream fulfilled. She’s amazing and I can’t wait for readers to meet her."
