What It Means to Write a Tale of Magic, Multiculturalism and Family Legacy

Kenny and The Heiresses of Surith by Joseph Adou

Centuries ago, a divine entity named Surith settled on Earth and offered divine powers and extraordinary abilities to millions of women. And so begins Kenny and the Heiresses of Surith, Book One, a magical adventure fantasy novel for middle grade and young adult readers.

In this BookTrib interview, the author, Joseph K. Adou, takes us through his intricate plot and multi-layered characters and gives us a hint of what to expect when the saga continues.

Q: The concept of divine powers being bestowed only on women is intriguing. What inspired you to create a matriarchal world of power, and how does this dynamic shape the narrative of the book?

A: The story of Surith puts in play the question of human history, the origin of the beginning of our civilization and questions the future of our evolution as human beings. I was trying to capture what could have been the perspective of the matriarchal to answer these questions. Indeed, women also have always played an important role in the preservation and maintenance of our society, and it was interesting to question how the world could have functioned if a divine entity realized this fact and chose a selection of women to acquire divine powers to make our world even better.

Q: Kenny’s journey is deeply personal as he seeks to learn more about his mother and her connection to Surith. How does his quest for self-discovery intersect with the broader conspiracy he uncovers?

A: Kenny’s journey really starts at the beginning of his family history, where he travels to Boston, the birthplace of his mother. He will not only meet another Heiress named Nikka, but he will also discover the existence of the “Odd Circle,” a cult organization operating in the shadows. They have existed since the end of the nineteenth century, and no one in the real world has ever heard of them. They use various methods to hide their identities in the eyes of modern society. Kenny will soon realize that he’s not the only one searching for the origin of Surith, and the intention of this organization toward the heiresses of Surith is darker than he would have imagined.

Q: The character of Umba, Kenny’s godmother, seems to play a pivotal role in his upbringing. How would you describe her influence on Kenny, and what complexities does she bring to the story as an heiress of Surith?

A: Umba is sweet, caring, loving, understanding, smart, beautiful and protective toward Kenny; and I think Kenny needed that amount of love at an early age. Since Kenny never knew his parents, he always had an inferiority complex when he was little because he didn’t grow up in a normal family. He was very sensitive, introverted and had a hard time interacting with other people and making friends. But the love and compassion that Umba provided him as a mother figure is what made him grow up to be a kind-hearted person who tried to help others. Umba’s power is to be able to see the future, which she uses to protect Kenny, even if it means keeping secrets from him.

Q: Boston is the starting point of Kenny’s travels, yet the story promises a global adventure. How did you choose the various locations?

A: Before living in Montreal, I also lived and studied in the United States for 10 years and traveled in Europe and South America. I had the privilege to meet wonderful people from different backgrounds and cultural perspectives, especially in the United States. This country shaped my view in the importance of multiculturalism despite the everyday challenges it faces. The message toward acceptance, belonging and tolerance are presented in the novel as well, and I hope readers feel this sense of belonging no matter in which part of the world they found themselves.

Q: Nikka introduces Kenny to a world of conspiracy. How does her character challenge or complement Kenny’s perception of the world, and what can readers expect from their dynamic?

A: When Kenny meets Nikka the first time, he understands quickly that they both grew up in different situations. Despite not having known his parents, Kenny still had a lovely and complete childhood due to the care and love of his Godmother Umba, which shapes him to become the kind-hearted person he is. Nikka, on the other hand, never experienced such things, which makes it difficult for her to trust anyone and be on the defensive all her life. When their two worlds collide, Kenny realizes he has to be there for her in the best way he can without any judgments and trust has to be built. The bond between them will be forged toward all the memories they create together during their perilous adventures.

Q: The legacy of Kenny’s mother seems to cast a long shadow over his journey. How does the theme of living up to parental expectations and dealing with loss play out in his character development?

A: Kenny knew at a early age that his mother and godmother had special abilities. It was probably his favorite bedtime story when Umba told him the exploits of his mother and the world she created around her. Kenny wanted to be part of this world and know more about the heiresses of Surith, but he wasn’t ready yet. Luckily, Umba succeeded at raising Kenny into becoming a good person who graduated college and avoided the chaos of adolescence and the spirals of bad decisions surrounding it. Before his departure, Umba had continued to play an instrumental part in his personal development and taught him everything he has to know about Surith, divination and the mystic arts to be ready for the quest he is about to embark.

Q: What is your intended target audience?

A: It is a middle grade/young adult magical adventure fantasy novel. It’s probably my favorite genre because I always loved the kind of cozy story with touching message at the end that could impact my audience. By writing this novel, I truly hope to have the same impact with my readers that one of my current favorite authors, Matt Haig, had on me with his famous novel The Midnight Library.

Q: What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

A: I hope to remind readers of the importance of friendships, family, faith, hope, trust, love, resilience and loyalty — but also fear, sacrifices, doubts, self-isolation, sadness and the strength to overcome them.

Q: With this being the first book in the series, how will the story evolve in future installments?

A: The end of Kenny and The Heiresses of Surith: Book One really marks the beginning of Kenny’s quest. He has so many other countries to visit, so many other people to meet, adventures to embark, and new cultures to embrace. With all the other heiresses of Surith scattered around the world, Kenny has a long journey ahead of him before discovering the origin of Surith and  a path strewn with pitfalls.