Last Gate of the Emperor
by Kwame Mbalia, Joel MakonnenAlso by this author: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Tristan Strong #1), Tristan Strong Destroys the World (A Tristan Strong Novel, Book 2), The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities: New Stories About Mythic Heroes
Published by: Scholastic Press on May 4, 2021
Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Adventure
Pages: 304
Format: eBook
Source: Library
An Afrofuturist adventure about a mythical Ethiopian empire. Sci-fi and fantasy combine in this journey to the stars.
Yared Heywat lives an isolated life in Addis Prime -- a hardscrabble city with rundown tech, lots of rules, and not much to do. His worrywart Uncle Moti and bionic lioness Besa are his only family... and his only friends.
Often in trouble for his thrill-seeking antics and smart mouth, those same qualities make Yared a star player of the underground augmented reality game, The Hunt for Kaleb's Obelisk. But when a change in the game rules prompts Yared to log in with his real name, it triggers an attack that rocks the city. In the chaos, Uncle Moti disappears.
Suddenly, all the stories Yared's uncle told him as a young boy are coming to life, of kingdoms in the sky and city-razing monsters. And somehow Yared is at the center of them.Together with Besa and the Ibis -- a game rival turned reluctant ally -- Yared must search for his uncle... and answers to his place in a forgotten, galaxy-spanning war.
Content Tags:
Perfect for readers who want:
- Fast-paced action and adventure set in space.
- Hilarious commentary and a sarcastic narrator.
- Super relatable 12-year-old that enjoys gaming.
- Very cute, endearing AI characters.
- Found family and squad vibes.
Many thanks to Scholastic Press and Rockstar Book Tours for an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
I feel like it’s pretty obvious by now that I will read anything and everything that Kwame Mbalia writes, ever since reading and loving the Tristan Strong series. So when I realized that he had a middle grade science fiction series, I was all over it! Plus, do you see how cool those covers look?! They promise all sorts of action and adventure . . . and let me tell you, these books deliver!
Last Gate of the Emperor series is a hilarious, rip-roaring science fiction adventure with a super relatable narrator, a cranky robotic guardian, and some fast-paced, video game-inspired action.
As far as I’m concerned, this series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys humor and science fiction. It has everything one might want in both: tongue-in-cheek humor and sarcasm, fast-paced action, a relatable protagonist, a super fun squad, and futuristic games! Science fiction is hit or miss for me, but I decided to just trust Mbalia’s writing and went with it, and I’m so glad I did! I’ll definitely be adding Prince Joel Makonnen to my “must-read” author list, as well, after this one.
Meet Yared TheGr8, your average 12-year-old, who maybe isn’t great at a lot of things, like school, but who’s really good at HKO, the augmented reality game that’s popular on his home planet of Addis Prime.
Middle grade readers are sure to find Yared a relatable protagonist. I know I sure did. He’s being raised by his uncle, who moves them around a lot, so he never really gets the chance to get comfortable anywhere. Makes it maybe understandable why he doesn’t love school but does love HKO. I mean, who wouldn’t love an augmented reality game that lets you use your wits and strategy to outmaneuver your opponents against danger? Except, you know, maybe when that game becomes a little too real?
Yared is great because he’s as sarcastic as any 12-year-old has the right to be (which sometimes gets him into trouble), and he’s impulsive . . . but not necessarily in a bad way. Okay, sometimes definitely in a bad way. But also in ways that somehow work for him, because he isn’t just some guy who’s winging it and hoping for the best. He’s Yared TheGr8 . . . who’s winging it and expecting the best. See? Different.
Captain Ascar turned around, his lips pressed thin. “Like mother like son. If he speaks again, gag him.”
“So the funny thing about that is,” I continued, “taupe isn’t for everyone. It’s a bland color. You all look like you’d be fans of a dingy off-white flag. Something that shouts, ‘I have no culture of my own, so let me steal it.’ ”
This latest round of HKO is slightly different and way more terrifying. Mostly because Yared actually needs *gasp* a partner!
In case you didn’t know, Yared TheGr8 is a solo act. Save for his AI lioness named Besa, of course. But Besa doesn’t count (his words, not mine . . . Besa definitely counts in my book, because she’s awesome). So when the newest round of HKO releases and Yared realizes he needs a partner to enter it, imagine his shock! Especially when the system automatically pairs him up with his all-time rival, The Ibis.
Yared has absolutely no qualms about her being a girl. He does, however, have a big problem with her being The Ibis. You know, his greatest rival, not his partner. For her part, The Ibis isn’t entirely enthusiastic about the pairing, either, which is fair. Because it’s Yared. It’s a pretty understandable reaction.
I absolutely love this pairing, though. Non-romantic pairing, of course. What I mean is that Yared is impulsive and reactionary, throwing himself into things with the glimmer of a plan and hoping for the best. The Ibis is more cautionary and plans ahead, coming up with a strategy on the fly to counteract whatever boneheaded move Yared pulls. See? Balance. And that’s what life is all abuot.
“What? No, of course not, I just …”
“Save it. In fact, splice that wire right there and clip it to the partner link relay in the upper corner. That way I can see, too. Partner.” The Ibis folded her arms as I gawked at her. After a few seconds, she stuck out her tongue. It was a move so childish I snorted, and a small grin crept across her face. Say what you want, everybody needs a good rival.
The Last Gate of the Emperor is absolutely chock full of action. It starts from the first page, as Yared sneaks out of school to attend the next round of HKO, and carries all the way through the book.
Not so much action that the reader is left completely lost and begging for a break, of course. But enough where I definitely didn’t want to put the book down, because I was having so much fun! It’s the sort of action one might expect from a “game gone wrong” sort of book . . . especially when that game is an augmented reality one and the book is science fiction, with all sorts of high-tech gadgets and aliens. That means a lot can go wrong, obviously.
At the heart of all the humor and action is actually a very heartwarming story about the family we’re born into and the family we choose. And there’s not always a difference between the two.
In case you missed it, Yared has been raised by his uncle, with his parents simply . . . absent. His background and past is a big mystery, one that Uncle Moti refuses to elaborate on. Add that to the fact that they move around too often to set up roots, and Yared sometimes feels a bit lost. Even though he didn’t choose their new location on Addis Prime, and even though it’s not exactly ideal, Yared makes the best of it, and creates his own little squad with Uncle Moti, Besa, and The Ibis. Because family doesn’t always have to look one way. Sometimes it includes an AI and your greatest rival.
The Royal Trials (Last Gate of the Emperor, #2)
by Kwame Mbalia, Joel MakonnenAlso by this author: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Tristan Strong #1), Tristan Strong Destroys the World (A Tristan Strong Novel, Book 2), The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities: New Stories About Mythic Heroes
Published by: Scholastic Press on July 19, 2022
Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Adventure
Pages: 272
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Yared has traveled a long way to find his place in the universe. Light years, even. Though the battle of Addis Prime is over, the spacefaring Axum Empire is still fractured. The kingdom once gave their technology away free of charge, to better humankind. Now, having been missing for over a decade, they’re returning to the planet where their galaxy-spanning civilization began—Earth.
But they find the planet in disarray. Old Earth’s atmosphere is a mess of junked shuttles and satellites. This is especially true of Debris Town, an orbital flotilla where poor spacefarers—left to rot by the Intergalactic Union that rose up in Axum’s place—have taken to piracy to survive.
Yared is set to speak at the opening of the Royal Trials, a competition of the best exo pilots in the Sol System. But on the day of his speech, the pirates launch an attack!
The siege sets off a chain of events that will lead Yared into the depths of Old Earth—and the jaws of a cruel betrayal. There’s more to the pirates—and Debris Town—than anyone saw coming.
If you thought there wasn’t enough action in Last Gate of the Emperor, hold on to your seats, because The Royal Trials dials it up to an eleven.
I sat down to read this book in the evening, and I stayed up until it was done. Even though it was ridiculously late and the rational center of my brain was screaming that I needed sleep. But sleep is for the weak! Neither Sammie nor Yared TheGr8 are weak! Once I started this book, I just absolutely couldn’t stop, okay? I had to finish it.
If you thought the stakes were high in the first book, you ain’t seen nothing yet! Because now Yared is loose in the universe, which is objectionably bigger than just Addis Prime. So the stakes are much higher. Readers who enjoyed the gaming aspects of the first book won’t be disappointed with the gaming scenes in the second book, even though they take a backseat to the bigger plot. There’s still plenty of action and adventure to carry the story, even without the focus being on a game.
I inhaled, held it, then let it all out in a burst.” WHAT?”
“Yared . . .” Uncle Moti began, but I looked at Mom.
“What does ‘time to study and be reflective’ mean? What am I reflecting? Light? That’s just scientifically unsound.”
“Mrowr.”
Besa’s tail lashed my knee, but I ignored her reprimand as well. I wasn’t going to let a cat who’d gotten banned from Harar Station’s loading docks because she couldn’t stop chasing the guidance lasers tell me how to behave.
Even though The Royal Trials isn’t any less funny than the first book, it does touch on some pretty heavy topics, as Yared learns exactly what it means to be a prince.
Hint: it isn’t all good times and video games, surprisingly. Who knew? Yared is forced to do things he doesn’t particularly want to do, like give speeches and think through the consequences of his actions. They’re not at all easy things. Yared is having a hard time reconciling the idea of being Prince Yared rather than just Yared TheGr8, even though they’re not mutually exclusive.
The Royal Trials sees the heartwarming discussions of family and belonging in the first book and says, “Hold my tej.” The small squad Yared made in the first book is quickly growing . . . sometimes in ways Yared isn’t entirely comfortable with or prepared for. He isn’t the center of his friends’ attention anymore, as they go on to discover their own interests. And Yared doesn’t know yet who (or what) he wants to be enough to pursue interests of his own. There’s only so much change a kid from Addis Prime can handle in a year, right?!
The old squad from book one is back and better than ever . . . with a few new exciting additions, of course.
Yared is getting to know his family and also meeting family members he didn’t know he had. It’s a bit of an awkward time for him. But every squad needs more members, right? So it’s natural that Yared’s squad gain a member or two.
I can’t talk about any of the new members, of course, due to spoilers, except to say to expect the unexpected! Also, another AI. Because you can never have too many AIs on your team. If readers loved the old squad, though, not to fear because they’re back together. Albeit maybe a little reluctantly. Still, you know The Ibis and Besa could never let Yared go off into adventure on his own, as much as they grumble about it. Someone has to protect the kid from himself!
“I hate you,” the Ibis said.
“Don’t say that,” I muttered, trying for the fiftieth time to get the old harness restraints in the rusty pig shuttle to stop trying to strangle me. Apparently, the automated restraints had only two settings—limp noodle or I hate that you can breathe.
“Mrowr.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course you’re taking her side. But you would’ve missed me.”
Besa, crammed into a tiny space behind us that I guessed was a cargo hold, pressed her ears flat to her skull and hissed something absolutely inappropriate.
Why everyone needs a sarcastic AI partner.
Hi, welcome to this segment of my review that I’ve decided to call “why everyone needs a sarcastic AI partner,” where I make the case for including at least one AI in your squad every time. Because, first, AI are people too and they deserve representation. But second . . . why wouldn’t you?! And the best AI is a sarcastic AI.
So here’s my case for why everyone definitely should have their own sarcastic AI partner:
- They have their own super fun personalities, very unique from their human counterparts.
- Okay, sure, yes, sometimes frustrating personalities, but so are humans. And humans aren’t this adorable, so it evens out.
“Besa?” I whispered. Nothing. Just when my heart began to thud in my chest, my lioness flickered into view several meters away. She came padding up to me with her head held high, tail flicking self-importantly behind her, with a—
“Is that a giant bird?” the Ibis asked.
I sighed. One of those long, deep, incredibly exhausted sighs you let out when someone you love dearly does something so ridiculous that you want to yell at them, but it’s so on brand it’s not even worth it. Like, in all honesty, I really should have expected this.
- You can trust them to be honest to a fault.
- (Even though sometimes the truth hurts.)
- They say what everyone was thinking and had too many manners to say out loud.
“Listen,” I said. I can explain.”
Besa sat on her haunches and quirked an ear. Insolently, too, if I might add, but I let it slide.
“I was just doing some training,” I said. “For the Royal Trials. The new Trios mode. But then the alert happened and I went exploring—”
“Mrowr.”
“Yes, it wasn’t a great time to go exploring, but I’m ready to give my speech—”
“Mrowr mrowr.”
“No, it’s . . . not exactly written yet. I thought I’d give an off-the-cuff, inspirational talk. Something motivating yet personal.”
“Mrowr.”
“Oh, wow, that’s rude. I only did that one time, and that’s because I drank too much spris and my stomach didn’t agree with me.”
- Function based on logic, reason, and careful calculations.
- (You know, in contrast to the human method of chaos, confusion, and a wing and a prayer.)
- Provide much-needed information for formulating strategies.
- Or, you know, just . . . not dying? Hopefully?
“Hard to observe as I’m getting my faceplate stomped,” I muttered.
“That observation style is not recommended.”
- Still have the capacity to snark. And they can be really good at it.
- But also not necessarily mean. We’re not talking about evil AIs here.
- (Though, you may also want one of those on your team, not gonna lie.)
Have you ever heard an AI sniff in annoyance? It sounds like static. “Well, humans designed its blueprints. So . . . Oh, hello, tiny one. Terribly sorry, I can’t let you do that. Scans show there is a lovely bloom of radiation rising from a crack in the floor about ten meters that way. Would you like to build a hive there? Yes? Excellent. Please let me know if you require assistance.”
I stopped, confused. “WALYA, who are you talking to?”
The kindness dropped from its voice as it responded. “A scrapper bot. It wanted to build over the hatchway.”
“You’re never that nice to me.”
“What was that? I can always seal you in myself.”
Besa growled, and the WALYA immediately sounded contrite. “Of course you would be allowed to exit. You are a force of good.”
- Despite all their grumbling, they always come through for you when it matters the most.
- (Even if they’re not always happy about it.)
About Kwame Mbalia
Kwame Mbalia is the New York Times best-selling author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, for which he received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor award. The book was also named to best-of-the-year lists compiled by Publishers Weekly , the Chicago Public Library, and the New York Times. The second book in the trilogy is Tristan Strong Destroys the World , and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching is the third . Kwame lives with his wife and children in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is currently working several projects, including a new middle grade series. Follow him on Twitter @KSekouM or visit him online at kwamembalia.com.
About Joel Makonnen
PRINCE JOEL MAKONNEN is the great-grandson of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I, the last emperor of Ethiopia. He is an attorney and the co-founder of Old World/New World, a media and entertainment company focused on telling powerful African stories that inspire global audiences through film, TV and books. He lives with his wife, Ariana, in Los Angeles.
1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE ROYAL TRIALS (LAST GATE OF THE EMPEROR #2), US Only.
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Week One
| 7/5/2022 | BookHounds YA | Excerpt/IG Post |
| 7/6/2022 | #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog | Excerpt |
| 7/7/2022 | Ya Books Central | Excerpt |
| 7/8/2022 | Kait Plus Books | Excerpt/IG Post |
| 7/9/2022 | Two Chicks on Books | Excerpt |
Week Two
| 7/10/2022 | Rajiv’s Reviews | Review/IG Post |
| 7/11/2022 | @jaimerockstarbooktours | IG Post |
| 7/12/2022 | Little Red Reads | Review |
| 7/13/2022 | Nerdophiles | Review/IG Post |
| 7/14/2022 | Eye-Rolling Demigod’s Book Blog | Review/IG Post |
| 7/15/2022 | The Momma Spot | Review/IG Post |
| 7/16/2022 | Lifestyle of Me | Review |
Week Three
| 7/17/2022 | The Erudite Labyrinth | Excerpt |
| 7/18/2022 | GryffindorBookishNerd | IG Review |
| 7/19/2022 | Locks, Hooks and Books | Review |
| 7/20/2022 | Two Points of Interest | Review/IG Post |
| 7/21/2022 | The Bookwyrm’s Den | Review |
| 7/22/2022 | Books and Zebras | Review/IG Post |
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Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…WIP Wednesday for 20 July 2022
Yes! I will forever read his books. xD He hasn’t let me down so far.
I can see why you enjoy this book and this author. Wonderful review,
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Thanks!