A Review of The Gatekeeper's Staff
Fourteen-year-old TJ grew up normal in a secret community of gifted diviners in the heart of modern-day Los Angeles. His powerful sister was ordained to lead his people into a new age of prosperity, but her mysterious death in Nigeria threatens to destroy the very foundations of TJ's world. Desperate to pick up where his sister left off and uncover the secrets behind her questionable death, TJ commits himself to unlocking the magical heritage that has always eluded him. So he enrolls in Camp Olosa-a remedial magic school for the divinely less-than-gifted in the humid swamps of New Orleans.
Plot
This book features a quick, fast-paced plot. The pacing seemed somewhat off to me compared to the other Young Adult novels I’ve read, which follow a fairly predictable ebb and flow when done well. But that’s most likely due to the book being geared towards the lower age group of the genre. However, even for an older fan like me, the plot held intrigue and surprises in droves.
Characters
TJ was an enjoyable and interesting protagonist and narrator. Almost immediately, I was pulled into his unique voice and perspective compared to other Young Adult Fantasy novels. He also goes through some great change and growth from the start to end. The supporting cast was also enjoyable to get to know and see interact with TJ.
Setting
Much like TJ, I felt like the setting, magic, and lore was authentic and grounded. The magic system had some elements that I’d seen before, but infused with unique touches and twists that were delightful. It was also fun to learn more about the Orishas and other religious and magical elements from Africa.
My Recommendation
The Gatekeeper’s Staff is the first book in the TJ Young & The Orishas series. This book is a fun read with a unique lense for those of us who often read within the YA genre. The author did a great job grounding the characters and settings in the real world, so they felt authentic. The book is designed for younger Young Adult readers, so fans of the older end of the spectrum may find the plot pacing to be off.