Content levels
Trigger warnings
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
The Roman eagle casts a long shadow over Africa. But some secrets are buried deeper than any legion can march, and some weapons are older than mankind itself. In the year 79 A.D., life for young brothers Kofi and Adebayo is guided by the rhythm of the river, the wisdom of their chieftain father, and the peaceful traditions of their tribe. Their world is one of sun-scorched earth and ancestral stories. But when a mysterious army flying the banner of a golden eagle descends upon their village with fire and steel, their world is burned to ash. Left with nothing but their grief and the belief that their father is dead, the brothers flee into a forbidden, sacred cavern. There, they stumble upon a legacy left behind by forgotten gods: a spear of pure obsidian that hums with an ancient, terrible power and a shield that holds a swirling vortex of starlight. They are not alone. Soon, four other youths join their desperate cause, chosen by artifacts of their own—a bow of impossible accuracy, a cloak woven from shadows, a sword that commands respect, and a club that reads the bones of the earth. Armed with these six keys, these children are now all that stand against the relentless advance of a Roman legion commanded by a general whose cunning is as sharp as his steel. To survive, they must unite the warring tribes of the Lion and the Leopard, forging a fragile alliance under the command of a fierce warrior queen with a secret past and an agenda of her own. Yet even as they fight a desperate war against the most powerful empire on Earth, they begin to realize their weapons are not what they seem. They are a legacy from a time when gods walked the earth, and their activation has sent a ripple across the stars. The Romans are not the only threat. A silent, ancient enemy has been watching from the shadows of history, and the power the children have just awakened may call a far greater darkness back to their world. They must master an impossible power to save their people, but what if the very legacy that can save them is the one thing that will ultimately doom them all? Perfect for fans of epic historical fantasy like God of War and The Poppy War , and sprawling, high-stakes adventures like The Wheel of Time , this is the first installment in The Obsidian Legacy series—a story of family, war, and a cosmic secret that will unmake the world.
Is The Obsidian Legacy: The Six Keys appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
This historical fantasy depicts a Roman invasion of an African village with violence including battle scenes, fire, and destruction, plus themes of grief and war. The protagonists are young people wielding ancient magical weapons in combat.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death, death of parent, and grief (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will love the magical weapons, epic battles against the Roman Empire, and diverse group of young heroes fighting to save their people and uncover ancient secrets.