Desta: To Whom the Lions Bow, Second Edition

Desta’s story unites with all humanity’s in this panoramic, magical, and metamorphic 3rd phase of his journey to fulfill the sacred ancient quest entrusted to him. As he discovers just how much his life is bound up with the ancient world, powerful spirits, and his country’s glorious past, he must resist the competing designs of others on King Solomon’s twin magic coins. Desta relies on his wits and the power of the coin as he navigates betrayal, tragedy, challenges in school, and the intercession of unbidden voices, prismatic spirits, and delivered dictums. As his horizons widen, he must weigh the value and perils of new opportunities brought by visitors from the larger world.Through it all, with acceptance, forgiveness, and hard-won faith in himself, Desta is transformed from homeless fourth-grader to celebrated graduate and the pride of his family. As he transits to manhood, his own accomplishments and experiences teach him that the world is truly his family, but that his fated path is his alone.

From Kirkus Reviews

The third installment of Ambau’s (Desta and the Winds of Washaa Umera, 2013, etc.) YA fantasy series, set in 1960s Ethiopia, continues the adventures of a young shepherd boy on an epic search to find a magic ancestral coin.The story chronicles approximately three years of teenager Desta’s life after he leaves his home to pursue his education in a distant town. Finding himself homeless with no money, he instead relies on his positive existential philosophy to overcome the hardships that threaten to derail his twofold dream of getting an education and finding the twin of a coin that his father possesses. Years earlier, Desta’s grandfather’s spirit revealed that the young man might be the one to fulfill a prophecy of reuniting the two magical coins; King Solomon had made them thousands of years ago for the descendants of his own two children. Desta, who sees the whole world as his extended family, finds work where he can to survive. He gets into a new school, and quickly becomes a standout student with a voracious appetite for learning. But after he suffers physical and emotional torment outside of school, he’s forced to ask himself whether his education—and his quest—is worth the steep cost. This story, powered by vivid descriptions of an Ethiopia of decades past, is much more than an allegory about a young boy—it’s a cultural and historical experience. Ambau creates a narrative that has universal thematic appeal, but is also undeniably fueled by Ethiopian culture and perspective. For example, when Desta receives unexpected monetary support from an older brother, he says: “This is what the desert must feel like when it receives a sudden shower from out of the blue sky.” This immersive African parable should appeal to young and adult readers alike—even if a bottle of tella and a slice of spiced honey bread aren’t included. An equally entertaining and edifying tale of Africa.

From the Inside Flap

"Desta's journey continues to inspire us. His unwillingness to accept failure or defeat, his positive outlook--no matter his circumstances, his big heart and big dreams and his ability to find meaning and purpose even in the worst of situations--make him an endearing personality from whom we can draw our own strength and courage. READ THIS BOOK! You'll be glad you did." -Dr. Helen Bonner, author of Cry Dance, Dolphin Papers and others

From the Back Cover

Ambau deftly brings together all the separate elements of Desta s saga history, family, culture, ritual, numerology, legend, and magic in an account as forceful and finely etched as if told by an eyewitness to events. We are held in the sway of a boy whose world is hemmed in by privation, homelessness, and misfortune, yet wrests his destiny for a higher purpose, believing that all he does is predetermined, and his quest unstoppable . . . This is a gripping and inspiring parable for readers of any age struggling to meet life s challenges! Vinny Cusenza, writer

About the Author

Getty Ambau loves to tell stories.His education is in the natural and social sciences but writing has always been his inner calling. He has written books on health and nutrition which have sold internationally. DESTA is a novel in a series which, like Harry Potter or The Book Thief, can be read by all ages.The first volume of DESTA is a winner of Moonbeam's Young Adult Book award and Independent Publishers Children Book award.

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