Oby Aligwekwe

I found the cover on this one amazing...and of course, the blurb really drew in as well. While it's sold as a young adult novel, it spans to even a slightly older age group and hits the 'coming-of-age' category very nicely.

Ona's had a very happy life and isn't sure what to think of her very short, occasional glimpses into the future...which sometimes come true and sometimes don't. When her beloved grandfather passes away, her quick dreams pull her into another world, Luenah—a place of peace and calm. But she quickly returns to reality only to be pulled back and meet her grandfather there at her eighteenth birthday. Now, she discovers that she has a responsibility toward reality and Luenah, and a task she must learn to fulfill. And this is where her true journey begins.

This is a rich story with many wonderful aspects. It follows Ona from her happy life as a young girl and through her path to becoming an adult. Her love for her family and friends is inspiring. Plus, her desire to do what is right makes her a character to simply enjoy. The addition of this peaceful, alternate world opens up the door to imagination and adds just the right dash of fantasy. It adds an interesting twist as Ona struggles to find her purpose and way, while overcoming more threatening obstacles and even love. In other words, it's a well-rounded tale from beginning to end.

The writing flows smoothly and switches between a narration about Ona's life to more showing scenes, where the reader experiences the events with Ona (like a usual story). The narrative telling wasn't quite my thing, and I often found myself distracted, since this did keep Ona an arm's length away. But just as I was about to lay the book down, an interesting twist would come and draw me back in. This seemed to be a constant pattern the entire way through. The back and forth forms an intriguing style, which will grab the right reader from start to finish. With a touch of fairy tale magic along with a flair of real life struggles and a dash of tension, it's a unique tale which does leave an impression after the last page.… (altro)

If you are looking for a traditional parable with a strong moral center look no further than Oby Aligwekwe’s The Place Beyond Her Dreams. Set in Africa between two warring towns, this tale of Ona’s coming of age is sure to inspire young adult readers with messages about the consequences of our choices, the difficult journey to find our own power and purpose, and how to find our way back when we go astray. There are plenty of twists and turns along Ona’s journey that will likely surprise and enthrall young adult readers. Be aware there is a darker thematic element dealing with physical abuse and overcoming its repercussions that is not graphic in nature.

Ona’s grandfather is a dignified and respected chief of Ntebe which has been at odds with its neighboring town of Ide for many years. When the household takes in Ona from Ntebe and an older boy named Okem from Ide, the two children bond quickly and become steadfast companions as they grow up together. Enter the most eligible bachelor in the region, the Crown Prince Albert who has taken a fancy to Ona and begins courting her.

Choosing between the men she loves is no easy thing. Their contrasting personalities and perspectives offer Ona the possibility of happiness in different ways. Okem is a kind-hearted, wise, and gentle protector while Albert believes in more traditional ways that may have outgrown their purpose in the modern world. While riots continue to escalate in the towns, Ona’s relationship with both men is at the center of her conflict as she struggles to find strength from the trials placed before her by her own actions.

Integral to Ona’s story is the paradise of Luenah, a fantastical place only some chosen people can access. It serves as a place of wisdom where her grandfather’s spirit gives her a special box as a rite of passage. To stay in Luenah, Ona must place something of great value in the box. Finding the answer to what that is surrounds the central conflict of the tale. By the end of the story, Ona and the readers may come to understand that our journey is often the destination itself even if we wander or fall from our path from time to time. It is in those places that we are tested and have the potential to become stronger than we ever thought possible.

** Thank you to Eclat Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased review **… (altro)