Just finished reading Milton J. Davis' wonderful Meji Duology. This is an epic tale of twin boys, Ndoro and Obseki, born under the sign of Sesu tribal superstition. Obaseki is chosen to die by the Sesu, because twins are considered an abomination, a curse. But Shani, the boys' mother, schemes to have Obaseki taken away to her people, the Mawena, where twins are considered a blessing. Ndoro struggles to win a place among the Sesu, to become a great warrior, win his father's blessing, and shed the stigma of his birth. Obaseki grows into manhood among his mother's people, the Mawena, but has a special, "magical" gift that alienates him from tribe and family.
This is a story of quest and power struggles, inter-tribal marriages and wars, magic and prophecy. This is also a very complex and well-plotted duology. Character-driven and truly epic in scale, this fantasy is totally original in plot and conception. Rich in texture, language, vivid landscapes, and set in an alternate Africa called Uhuru, we are treated to vast stretches of mysterious jungles, magnificent cities, sprawling deserts, and characters who live and breath, suffer and die. We are shown a wealth of culture and traditions rarely seen in fantasy novels, and rarely seen in this type of setting. This is an exqusite tale, written with dash and eloquence, beautifully realized and masterfully told. It never disappoints, sucks you right into the lives of its characters, and suprises you at every turn. This is epic fantasy, grand sword and soul at its best. It has a heart and soul, love and romance, and friendships that are tested in the face of superstition and enemies. The story of this duology is unique --- and a duology is also something that is very unique in this age of neverending, multi-volume sagas.
Great job, Milt! Keep on writing! I'll be posting a review on Amazon as soon as time allows.
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