'This powerful story is set in a fictional African state resembling Angola and takes a strong anti-war stance. The story starts dramatically when a young 13 - 14 year old girl, Yola Abonda loses her leg in a landmine explosion. her cousin Gabbin (younger than her) is tending the cow herd when the prize bull wanders off to shade himself under the large Cinnamon Tree. Gabbin, fearful of the consequences that he'll receive from his father, if the bull is lost or blown up, runs to Yola for assistance. Yola, being older, takes control and carefully walks through the minefield to retreive Managu the bull. As she nears Managu, a landmine explodes and all Yola can remember is the sickly smell of cinnamon as she is raced to medical care. As the story proceeds characters and readers alike are forced to examine the attitude of supposedly peaceful nations and individuals to the arms trade. You will read about innocent youth, warring tribes, corrupt Western businessmen and frustrated aid agencies and how they are all intertwined. 'A thought-provoking book which addresses the issue of illegal arms trading with the West. ( )