The Red Monk of Roha

By: Anthony Nana Kwamu

Narrated by: Atta Otigba

Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Inspired by actual events.

Betrayed and left for dead, a soldier in 13th-century East Africa winds up in hiding as a monk in Roha (Lalibela). He soon gets romantically entangled with a wealthy heiress as he struggles to maintain his monastic vows. However, when old enemies resurface and threaten those he has come to care for, he secretly picks up the sword again, offering salvation by day with the Bible, but secretly exacting deadly vengeance and justice by night with the sword.

©2020 Anthony Nana Kwamu (P)2022 Anthony Nana Kwamu

Good classic story

I was hooked just a few chapters in. A classic revenge story with an incredibly satisfying ending I didn't quite expect. The text is a little clunky at times.

He did this.
"Dialogue." She spoke
"Retort!" He countered.

Not necessarily a bad thing, and I certainly couldn't do better. The narrator's voice was fluid and enjoyable to listen to.

Would recommend this book to anybody wanting a fun story to listen to and get some history while they're at it!

loved it

I loved this book and I'm so glad I found it!
The story is rich and beautiful, and sucked me right in. I'll definitely be following Anthony Nana Kwamu and reading whatever comes next ❤

fun story

I really enjoyed this story. Hearing it felt like watching a contemporary anime. More please!

Brilliant story well-told!

I was smitten by this story of love, faith, strength, and liberty. Wonderful characters who are very much human and yet tempered by their love of God and justice. Having visited the Ethiopian part of the church of the Holy Sepulcher and some of the monasteries mentioned in Egypt and Syria, this story really popped for me. I’ve always been impressed by the Ethiopians I’ve met, their food, customs and kind manner as well as the gift of coffee! All of these are present in this delightful story. Surprise ending as well. Thanks for writing this!

Not What I Expected

I bought this book on special based almost primarily on the good rating. I was very pleasantly surprised and would recommend to anyone

Not my cup of tea, but . . .

Seldom do I stick with stories full of fighting and killing, but this story is worth putting up with the “action scenes.” The history of the Christian church in Ethiopia is very well told. It fills in a missing narrative about the longevity of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism in an isolated part of the world. I had seen pictures and videos of the churches built underground and on atop inaccessible mountains, but this story puts them into context and adds a crucial ingredient - the people who built them and worshipped in them. Five stars for weaving an important and all-but-forgotten history into a plausible story.

I never knew

What a great story, and a delight to learn of the rich history of the Church in Ethiopia! Thank you Mr Kwamu.

Fascinating Ethiopian historical fiction

Learned about this on Kwamu's TikTok! The story is an exciting action adventure but even more than that it pulls you in to learn about Ethiopian history. I love learning about what seemed like a far away culture but hits a lot closer to home in Christian history. ex: J.R.R. Tolkien Lord of the rings such as the riders of Rohan were directly taken from Ethiopian history. I find it fun to cross check some of the stories and it blows my mind how this is real such as the underground churches. historical fiction is new to me and this makes me want to look for more of the Genre but more than anything this fantastic author! the narrator is awesome too I love the cadence and pronunciations that make me want to learn more about this history and maybe visit there one day.

Shades of Robin Hood, but better

As someone who enjoys action movies, but doesn’t care for movies with strong religious themes,
I hesitated on this book with “monk” in the title. But, thankfully the religious aspect is just one of many pieces of this engaging listen. It has about the same level of religion as in the many Robin Hood treatments. Ironically, there’s even a Lady Marion, not to mention an absent king, greedy lords, and a hidden lord defending the weak and the poor.

But, this isn’t derivative fiction. The Ethiopian setting is fresh and richly described. Historical tidbits from shields made of crocodile skin to crosses being rounded make the world come alive without it ever feeling like I was listening to some classroom lecture. I especially liked the parables of the Antelope and the Leopard, and of the Tortoise in the Sky. There’s even some pops of humor (and not the standard snarky rogue type). Everything comes together under the phenomenal narration of Atta Otigba.

The author did seem to delight in throwing down as many creative descriptions of how folks can be tortured and killed. But, I still wouldn’t call this grimdark. I also appreciate that the author didn’t belabor abuse of women, unlike many authors who use such scenes as an unfortunate go-to plot device.
Here, women, children and men are equally subject to nefarious treatment. I found this to be a great afternoon popcorn listen and will look for more by this author and narrator.

Adding to home library!

great story! must add to my home library for my son's to read! these are the before slavery stories we've been begging for! would love to see an action film based on this...especially in the current climate where women are now the hero's and the men affeminized and emasculated.