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Moses Ose Utomi

The Lies of the Ajungo (The Forever Desert, 1) Hardcover – March 21, 2023

by Moses Ose Utomi (Author)

4.5 99 ratings

Book 1 of 2: The Forever Desert

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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.

A Library Journal Best Book of the Month!

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.

Book 1 of 2

The Forever Desert
Print length

96 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Tordotcom
Publication date

March 21, 2023
Dimensions

5.8 x 0.45 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

1250849063
ISBN-13

978-1250849069
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From the Publisher

The Lies of the Ajungo Moses Ose Utomi C.L. Clark quote

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Utomi’s writing is both elegant and efficient, and the story is so eminently devourable that I finished it in a couple of hours. In keeping with the contradictions at the book’s heart, it left me perfectly sated and hungry for more.” ―The New York Times

“Utomi perfectly blends fantasy and fable in his mesmerizing debut novella. …[He] draws readers into a harsh and beautiful world where nothing is as it seems. Fantasy fans will want to keep an eye on this up-and-coming author.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This short but deeply affecting parable will unveil new perspectives to readers long after it’s done. Highly recommended.” ―Library Journal, starred review

“Gripping and full of heart, the tale bubbles with a love of story itself. Utomi’s star is on the rise and I can’t wait to see what his imagination brings us next.” ―Maurice Broaddus

“The Lies of the Ajungo is a tightly-packed, devastating punch, a masterful use of the novella as form and a heartbreaking tale of the lies we hold on to―the lies that help us live and the lies that hold us back.” ―C. L. Clark, author of The Unbroken

“Utomi writes a legendary tale that is certain to inspire many more.” ―Locus Reviews

“A deftly written fantasy quest.” ―BuzzFeed

“A captivating and violent fable, The Lies of the Ajungo plumbs the depths of deception yet bursts with hope. Taut and unexpected. I devoured it.” ―Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga

“Utomi is on the brink of something exceptional.” ―Suyi Davies Okungbowa, author of Son of the Storm

“Exquisitely crafted and original. Fiction at its best shows us the truth by telling us lies.” ―T. L. Huchu, author of The Library of the Dead

“A searing and mythical tale of manipulation, kindness, and sacrifice.” ―Marie Brennan, author of A Natural History of Dragons

“The Lies of the Ajungo is a masterfully epic and delightful tale. It is rich with, and spun from West African lore, with puzzles that unfurl before you as you read, thrilling fight scenes, wonderful mysteries, slowly unfolding secrets, and a dazzling revelation at the end of it all.” ―Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki

About the Author

Moses Ose Utomi is a Nigerian-American fantasy writer and nomad currently based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. He has an MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and short fiction publications in Fireside Fiction, Fantasy Magazine, and more. He is the author of the novella The Lies of the Ajungo and the YA fantasy novel, Daughters of Oduma. When he’s not writing, he’s traveling, training martial arts, or doing karaoke―with or without a backing track.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tordotcom (March 21, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250849063
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250849069
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.8 x 0.45 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #276,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,007 in Coming of Age Fantasy (Books)
- #4,566 in Fantasy Action & Adventure
- #7,337 in Epic Fantasy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 99 ratings

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Moses Ose Utomi

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Moses Ose Utomi is a Nigerian-American fantasy writer and nomad currently based out of Honolulu, Hawaii. He has an MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and short fiction publications in Fireside Fiction, Fantasy Magazine, and more. His debut books, Daughters of Oduma and The Lies of the Ajungo, will be coming out in early 2023. When he’s not writing, he’s traveling, training martial arts, or doing karaoke—with or without a backing track. You can follow him on Twitter (@MosesUtomi) or Instagram (@profseaquill).

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Dayosola

Read it!!

Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023

Verified Purchase

I had high expectations for this book and it exceeded them. The world building was just right and the emotions we’re written like I could feel them. It’s a painful story but I’m glad I discovered Tutu’s world. Hauntingly Beautiful.

Helpful

Stephen Weese

Only 90 pages but costs full price!

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2023

Verified Purchase

The story is pretty good, but very short. Yet I paid over $12 for this book with only 90 pages. I paid $8 for an 1100 page book by the amazing Brandon Sanderson, literally 11 times as much content for less money. I feel like it should be more clear that this is not even novella length; it is very short and I feel like I was tricked into thinking this was a full length novel based on the price and presentation.

Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2023

Verified Purchase

I needed this tale of persistence and hope and change in my life right now. This is a great story for people of all ages.

One person found this helpful

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Simisoluwa

Favorite book!!!

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2023

Verified Purchase

I bought this book after reading a stellar review about it in the New York Times. I devoured it in a few hours and plan on reading it again. The themes, world building, and characterization blew me away. The author’s ability to get this done in less than 100 pages really surprised me. It’s a great read, definitely recommend.

2 people found this helpful

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Scott C. Simmons

Gripping and compelling

Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book is the book of the year! Such a weaving and compelling story. The Lies of the Ajungo makes you contemplate your own reality and question every belief you hold on too.

Helpful

Jeneane Vanderhoof

A Book That Should Be Read By All!

Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023

In the City of Lies there are no heroes. No one is brave enough to seek water outside the city, where there is none. They ration water and it is not until Tutu’s mother, Oba, needs water so badly or she will soon die, that the son approaches the rulers of the City of Lies to tell them he will seek help for his mother and his people outside their city. Even though it was rare for a person to do this, and anyone who did, was never successful. However, Tutu has been told not to trust anyone outside his people, because outside the City of Lies, all are liars.

Then there is the Ajungo Empire. It lies to the North and there, they have plenty of water. But, in exchange for their help, the people that live in the City of Lies, give their tongue when they reach thirteen years of age. Every citizen is made to do this. It was what the Ajungo Empire demanded for their aide.

Tutu’s travels take him into the desert. However, what he finds there is much more important than anything he would have ever imagined. Outside the City of Lies, with the help of others, those from two other cities that also lack something where they live, in exchange for the help of the Ajungo Empire, give a different body part in return for their help, Tutu learns the truth.

While not wanting to give away the best part of this wonderful tale, The Lies of the Ajungo teaches readers what can happen when we put our trust in those in positions of power, our rulers and leaders, and how that power can be transformed into an illusion, to control, to abuse and to make the poor submit. Because, those in power are few and those who are poor are many. There has to always be some way to control the masses, right? Moses Ose Utomi teaches readers to always, always, question what others tell us, what we have learned and that history can and will be twisted and built so that the powerful remain mighty and those with less remain subdued.

While The Lies of the Ajungo is a short adult fantasy novel, I believe that young adults could also benefit from the read, as long as a parent or adult reads it with them, and talks with them about the many important points in the story. I think this book can be used as a teaching tool, especially in our schools.

Also, it will remain always and forever one of the top ten favorite books I have ever read, that I know I will read over from time to time and I cannot wait to see what the author, Moses Ose Utomi, gives readers next. To top this story will be hard but to write this story in the first place you must be one amazing writer- so I have no doubt this author is one to follow for his (and readers) lifetimes!

Five Stars Plus! Top Ten Read!
I feel I don’t need to even say Happy Reading here, but will anyway

Helpful

Stunning, impactful, short - the perfect novella

Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023

This 80-some page novella had a more profound impact on me than a lot of full length novels have had - I had to sit with it for a few days before I could write a sufficient review and I'm still not sure I'm satisfied.

Moses Ose Utomi hits exactly what a novella should be, meaning if this was any longer I'm not sure it would have been as successful. He weaves an interesting world, incredible characters, and stunning lore and plot into less than 100 pages and leaves the readers feeling....something. For me, that feeling was contemplative with a bit of discomfort and unrest, and I mean that in the best way.

This fable, for that's really what I believe it is, hit on topics that required me to think and turn inward and I hope it does the same for you.

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