What if Cinderella was in 1600s Nigeria? No glass slipper, yes torn gele.
16th Century Yorubaland: After the unexpected death of her father, Princess Àbíkẹ́ is denounced, demoted, and forced to the role of a lowly maid for her cruel stepmother, Olórì Fẹ́mi. The once pampered princess, promised a life of splendour, is humiliated at the hands of her step mother who hides eerie secrets of her own behind her royal façade. With the annual Béèrẹ festival opening ball fast approaching, Àbíkẹ́’s only chance of freedom is to secure a savior in the form of a noble suitor. But when she ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time, her plans unravel - and she is forced to flee into the night before anyone discovers her. As she runs through the shadows of the palace, Prince Adékúnlé finds a torn strip of her gele and is left captivated. He is determined to discover the identity of the vanishing princess. Àbíkẹ́ is thrust into a journey to reclaim the enchanted destiny that was taken from her. She is haunted by the disappearance of her mother, pursued by a prince who could change her destiny and learns what love, and freedom, truly mean. Perfect for fans of:- Bridgerton
- The Wrath & The Dawn
- The Daughters of Nri
- Cassic fairy tale retellings
- Historical romance
- Richly imagined African mythologies
Keywords: Nigerian historical romance, African Cinderella, arranged marriage, Yoruba kingdom, 1600s Nigeria, royal love story, historical fiction with strong female lead, African heritage fiction, palace intrigue, coming of age in Africa.